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Post by rjm52 on Dec 25, 2020 10:16:09 GMT -5
Like several above I started out handgunning with a .357 Magnum...a blue 4" 19-3 in 1970. Put 20K rounds through it in 10 years but sold it after going to .44s and and later .41s...
Bought a stainless 4" GP100 in the mid-1990s to train people with and is to me the best all-around .357 going. Smooth action, accurate, quick change sights, quick change grips and ya can't wear it out...
That said over the last few years I have collected a few other .357s just for the day when the .41s become too much... S&W 60-10 3" adjustable sights S&W 65-3 3" round butt S&W 66-2 3" round butt S&W Pre-27 6" shipped on the day I was born Colt 1968 Trooper 4" Freedom Arms 97 5.5" and....a 1952 4" S&W Heavy Duty..the "almost a .357"...
But all of them combined haven't seen 200 rounds of ammo through them...being saved till "later"...
Bob
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Post by ezekiel38 on Dec 25, 2020 12:12:37 GMT -5
This is my favorite 357, but not my most carried. Out on the property, and in the woods, I enjoy carrying this gun. I never could find a Smith Mountain Gun in 357 so I bought this Ruger MC, and it is a worthy replacement. Cases with full bore 357s for the MC and my Ruger M77/357 are nickel. Loads for lesser 357s K frames and down in size get brass cases with loads at 1100fps. Sorry Smith, but you haven't listened to your die hard customers. Ruger and Lipsey's do and their growth in the marketplace has proven it.
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Post by AxeHandle on Dec 25, 2020 14:34:48 GMT -5
What others like and don't like really doesn't matter unless you have no real decision making ability on your own. While 357s don't swirl around in my head those things sure do fill my gun safe. Started with a 3 screw Ruger and 1st year Python in '74 and '75 respectively. Now dozens of others. I like the 357... In all flavors.
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Post by bearskinner on Dec 25, 2020 15:40:20 GMT -5
For carry, my favorite 357 is a Ruger LCR, with fiber optic F sight and grips off an LCRX, so I can actually hold on to it. It’s so light, you don’t feel it in your belt. For Shooting, it’s a 5” full under lug S&W 627 with dual cylinders. They both have absolutely wonderful triggers
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 25, 2020 16:33:41 GMT -5
All this three-fifty-seven talk ringing my ears forced me to step out with peacemaker-lockwork, 4-5/8 Blackhawk. Ammo not quite as old as the gun, Federal 357D 110-grain JHP put the FLA-TOMB! on a couple of thrown water jugs. A salute to friends departed & present on Christmas day, black sights ready for bed. David Bradshaw
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Post by ezekiel38 on Dec 25, 2020 20:57:29 GMT -5
I was out strolling with the 357 MC today, still wonderfully accurate, and fun to shoot.
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Post by JSutter on Dec 25, 2020 21:10:42 GMT -5
For where I live and play, from a J frame to a 3 1/2” M27, S&W 357’s are all favorites here. It’s almost like asking which child or dog is my favorite; they all are. Those might be 357’s in my avatar... This 2 1/2” M66-2 is often with me. I traded a favorite 3913 for it, with a retired Coasty - who wanted his old 3913 back! The Buck301 is also a favorite. This old snubby just feels comforting to have around.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,422
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Post by JM on Dec 25, 2020 21:38:29 GMT -5
I like the .357 Mag. It was the first cartridge I re-loaded.
I have owned a few examples. Difficult to pick a favorite, but the one I have the most confidence with, is a Security Six.
I'd like to have a S&W M66 & an M60. Both with 3" barrels.
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woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Dec 28, 2020 22:20:17 GMT -5
I love the .357. It would be the only handgun I would own if I had to pick one. It will do anything a handgun is really needed for. It’s not the perfect deer round but most that say it isn’t good for deer haven’t used it on deer. It works at reasonable distances. Yes there are better deer rounds but it kills deer. It’s awesome for defensive purposes. No cartridge has a better track record. With 38’s great for small game and plinking etc.
My favorite would probably be my 6” 686 because it’s the first handgun I bought when I was 14 years old. Second favorite that I carry Everywhere I go and use the most deer hunting is my .357 OM FT 4 5/8”. it’s the perfect packing gun.
Let’s be honest. Who really needs a .454 or 475? I always figured if I need to go to that power level it’s time for a rifle. I’ve owned several .454’s. I liked them but let’s be honest who really enjoys shooting them? A nice lever gun fits that bill.
So I have way more .357’s than any chambering. I buy everyone I can. Can’t have enough .357’s.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,422
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Post by JM on Dec 28, 2020 22:33:49 GMT -5
Whenever anyone would ask me about a first handgun purchase, I would always recommend mid-frame .357 D/A with 4" barrel & adjustable sights.
They used to be readily available & inexpensive.
Now there are many 9mm pistols that are more affordable. Not nearly as versatile though.
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Post by bradshaw on Dec 28, 2020 23:51:58 GMT -5
“.... many 9mm pistols that are more affordable. Not nearly as versatile though.” ----JM
*****
JM.... you got that right. David Bradshaw
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Dec 29, 2020 8:03:13 GMT -5
I didn't read this thread until this morning. I can't say I have a favorite 357 as the one's I own are all so different.
Let's see, my first handgun was a 686 4" that was tuned by an awesome gunsmith that is long gone. It is a DA only revolver and was also a duty gun for a year. Millet rear sight a buttery smooth trigger pull. I haven't fired it in enough years that I don't remember it. This is gun may be put in my casket...
I've got a Model 60 underlugged barrel in 357 that is an absolute beast with full loads but it still makes me smile. I've loaded it down to a manageable level with MP Hammer's with the large HP pin using 20/1 alloy and HS-6. I wears some VZ boot grips and now has one of Fermin's front blades. Surprisingly accurate now that it hits where it's supposed to and I'm shooting manageable loads.
Next up is a SS RBH 4 5/8" that has been kind of a try piece as far as gripframes is concerned. My shooting partner and I modified a standard gripframe bought from Midway to our version of a Huntington grip mod. I had a set of Holly made for it. That gripframe is being sent to Ronnie Wells and who knows where that is going (I can't wait to see). This particular BH shoots better than I could hope.
The last one, for now, is a FA83 with a 6" barrel with all of the available options. This one is scoped with a Leupold 2.5-8 in a Lovell mount. It's confused because it acts like a rifle as far as accuracy is concerned. Man what a gun!
357 Magnum, yeah I like it. My favorite 357 revolver? I like every one I have for different reasons and won't choose.
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woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Dec 29, 2020 18:03:37 GMT -5
I’m not sure how I forgot about one of my favorites. It’s like forgetting about one of your kids. But probably my real favorite is my .357 Mountain Gun. The two favorites I mentioned above were for nostalgia but for pure practicality the Mountain Gun is hands down the best gun. 7 shot DA is perfect for defense and it’s nice and light to carry hunting all day. Mine is probably one of the most accurate handguns I own. It’s rode the most miles in a holster with me.
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Post by zac0419 on Dec 30, 2020 19:58:46 GMT -5
For a very short while I owned a Colt 3-5-7 with about a 4 inch barrel. It was a pawn shop type thing with a friend who needed quick cash but wanted it back. I figured what the heck, I’ll loan him the money and shoot something cool to boot. It was extremely accurate at 15 and 25y. Just point and pull and the bullseye magically developed a hole.
Sadly he bought it back a few months later and the only other 357 I have left is an older Speed Six with a 2 3/4 barrel I think. I still like to carry that one instead of the 45 when I’m feeling froggy. It pulls fast from a Simply Rugged.
Zac.
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Post by simple45 on Dec 30, 2020 20:35:41 GMT -5
For me it’s a smith and Wesson model 60-18 and a 4.2 inch sp101. Very light and balanced with the full utilization of the cartridge. Both have logged hundreds of miles in the backcountry with no big bears and the farm. both are amazingly accurate as well. the sp101 is the tougher of the two but the smith only weighs 25 ounces with a 5 inch barrel.
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