.357/.38 handgun

[Fairlight]

The GP100 is a heavy, thick gun. You may tire of that.

Weight is a two-edged sword. A heavier gun is more tiring to hold up, but absorbs more felt recoil.

It's a matter of personal taste, really. I'm a big guy with big hands, I like the heft of my GP100.

That said, if they weren't illegal in Canada, I wouldn't kick one of them 2" bbl 8 shot S&Ws like Val Kilmer had in The Salton Sea out of bed for eating crackers.

 

[jstutman]

That's correct, there are no more K frame Magnums. The L frame 586(blue)/686(stainless) is a really nice piece, though. The only thing I didn't like about the 19/66 was the sights. I prefer fixed sights. My 65 is the best handling .357 I've owned thus far.

I also have a Taurus 850(.38 +P rated) that I really love. It's a great carry piece and shoots better than a snubby should. I really wanted the 650(same as my 850, but in .357), but it was back odered. I waited for almost a year, then changed my order to the .38. I didn't figure I'd like shooting a .357 snub very much, lol. Here's the 850:

+1 on the 850.

 

[falkon]

can't go wrong with a 642. Not exactly the most accurate out there but definitely reliable.

 

[bvance554]

It sounds like you're looking for a home defense weapon...so allow me to chime in with this. Pistols and revolvers are meant to be carried on your body. With handguns there will always be compromises with size, ability to carry, and stopping power. If you could carry a larger gun wouldn't you? You're not concealing anything at home, so why limit yourself to a handgun. Frankly, handguns are a poor choice for home defense for many reasons. I'm not sure how much your disability limits you, but if you can handle a shotgun it is a much better choice. A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot can be devastating. If you are in fear for your life why fire a .38 caliber bullet down the hall when you can fire several of them at once? You'll likely spend less for a shotgun too.

 

[CzechCzar]

It sounds like you're looking for a home defense weapon...so allow me to chime in with this. Pistols and revolvers are meant to be carried on your body. With handguns there will always be compromises with size, ability to carry, and stopping power. If you could carry a larger gun wouldn't you? You're not concealing anything at home, so why limit yourself to a handgun. Frankly, handguns are a poor choice for home defense for many reasons. I'm not sure how much your disability limits you, but if you can handle a shotgun it is a much better choice. A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot can be devastating. If you are in fear for your life why fire a .38 caliber bullet down the hall when you can fire several of them at once? You'll likely spend less for a shotgun too.

A couple of reasons, aside from my disability, which sadly does prevent me from reliably using a shotgun. First and foremost is the aesthetic appeal. I went to a gun shop earlier and the weight and feel of a Ruger GP100 was magical. It was like the gun was calling out, if you know what I mean. Also, I enjoy the hobby of target practice very much. If I want to be proficient enough with a gun to defend myself/my loved ones, practice is a necessity, and since I enjoy whatever I care enough about to become skilled at, the two mesh together nicely.

Now, I'm not dumb enough to buy without trying first, so I'm definitely gonna go to the range this weekend and try me out some of these guns. From the look of things, it seems like Taurus is gonna be the winner because it is a cheaper weapon that can hold 25% more rounds, however, in the end, the decision will come down to the shootability. I like what I like.

This feedback has been incredibly helpful, guys. If any of the rest of you have recommendations I would love to hear them. Also, if any of you know how best to get a CCW in California, I am all ears!

 

[RayH]

Reminds me of my dads old Smitty.

I had one a while back and sold. Wish I hadn't.
But as to what to buy, well I do have a Ruger Sp101. It's a .357/.38 with a "2 1/4 barrel. That's a good gun. You can carry concealed if you dress right but it is still bigger that the S&W J frame .38 special.
Ruger makes the SP101 in .327 magnum if you prefer that. And I just read that they are making the GP100 and the Blackhawk in caliber also. The advantage to that is that they will both have more rounds. 8 IIRC. Your best bet is to fire a few models of guns to see what you like and go for the one you like the best.

 

[Fairlight]

I went to a gun shop earlier and the weight and feel of a Ruger GP100 was magical. It was like the gun was calling out, if you know what I mean.

In my opinion, this is what REALLY matters: how it feels in your hand. People have differently sized/shaped hands. Get the gun that fits you; you'll know it when you find it.

 

[jstone624]

Got my mom a Smith & Wesson 637 with crimson trace laser grips as her daily carry piece, holds 5 rounds and has a nice pop , it is very concealable.

 

[Mazeman]

To take some of the pressure off your decision, just remember, this probably won't be your last handgun.

 

[PaulX608]

To take some of the pressure off your decision, just remember, this probably won't be your last handgun.

True, true! My first RAD was indeed Revolver Acquisition Disorder!

 

[Wishoot]

I have Smiths and Rugers. My absolute favorite in .357 is my GP100. You mentioned that it just feels "Magical" in your hands and I couldn't agree more.

Fit and balance are important in a handgun and if the GP 100 feels right in your hands, then go for it.

Shy away from the snubnose or airweight varieties unless you're planing on carrying concealed. They can be a bear to shoot with the lightest of loads.

You can't go wrong with a Smith or Ruger. Either will serve you well and outlast you, your grandkids and their grandkids.

Stay Safe.

 

[eightysixCJ]

Can't go wrong with the GP100 or any of the S&W's, just a matter of personal preference so feel as many as you can and pull the triggers. I like the S&W triggers a bit more. Remember you can get any number of factory/aftermarket/custom grips to make it fit just right. The stock grips on my Model 14 were terrible, a set of magnum grips and she fits like a glove.

Check out the S&W Classic line http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&categoryId=48302&top=Y

In particular the Model 27, pricy but sweet:

 

[SRock]

I have always had an affinity for the S&W Model 19.

If you gotta go revolver the Model 19 is a great choice.

 

[riooso]

+1 on the GP100.

I have the stainless edition and love it. It has lugs on the bottom that will help with recoil. When shooting 357's it helps with the fatigue. I also like Ruger's safety bar feature.


Take Care,
Richard

 

[Hansel]

Go with the GP100. It should have been much cheaper than the S&W and they are just as good. Definately go and shoot as often as you can. shoot .38's while you practice, cheaper than the .357's and easier on your hands. Then, keep it loaded with .357's just in case you do have to use it. In that situation you won't even notice the difference.

Good advice to get lots of affordable practice in, but be sure that you do occasionally shoot some .357s so that you know what they feel like and you have the confidence to actually use them. There's no point in getting used to firing the gun with a low power plinking load if you're planning on actually using it with full standard loads.

 

[plexibass]

I am a revolver guy. I have a Ruger Vaquero .44 and a US Firearms Rodeo .45LC. For home defense though, I echo the sentiment of the 12 gauge. Just the sound of the cocking will scare an intruder. Mossberg 500 is my choice.

 

[john parker]

A word of caution in selecting a 357/38. The cylinder for one that can fire each is bored longer for the longer 357 cartridge. Therefore, when you fire the shorter 38 cartridge, that additional space will fill with residue. If the cylinder goes uncleaned for any amount of time, you will not be able to fit a 357 in it without jamming. Trust me, I know from my Ruger Blackhawk! Thought that something was physically wrong with the pistol! That would not dissaude me from buying a 357/38 because many are made for both calibers, but it is something you need to be mindful of.

 

[paddy-boy]

pre lock 686
FTW

 

[john parker]

As an afterthought, a gunsmith acquaintenance of mine who put a different hammer in my Blackhawk suggested loading my own 357's to 38 special specs to solve the problem of grunge in the chamber. He reloaded his own ammo, and this is what he did. However, suspect that this would be a solution only for a serious shooter - which I am not.

 

[Dave Tomlinson]

It seems weird to see you guys talk about buying guns like you talk about buying razors.