Taurus, Ruger, Smith, or what?

[Bob]

So I'm jonesing for a .357 pistol.  Actually, I need one for many reasons:
- Companion to Rossi Stainless .357 Lever gun
- Because .357/38 crossroad option
- No wheelman in the gun closet
- Rick in the Walking Dead
- Because guns!

Can't decide which way to go...it seems there are no bad options in the 6" barrel range in Stainless...

Taurus 627 Tracker:  7 rounds, ported barrel, low cost
Smith & Wesson 686: Available in 6/7 rounds.  S&W is a forever gun.  Stupid expensive.
Ruger GP100:  The Ford F150 of 357's.  Built like a tank, weighs about the same.  Not much cheaper than the Smith
Ruger Blackhawk: A bit on the Cowboy side.  6 shot only, Single action.  Works stylistically with Lever gun and may also satisfy my desire for a cowboy gun...

[David]

Even though I don't have a .357 wheelgun currently, I do like them a lot. The S&W 686 really is a great looking revolver. However, if I were going to only have one I'd have to go with the Ruger GP100. Made in 6 or 7 shot and like you stated, it's built like a tank. The 'fancier' revolvers like the 686 I'd hate to get dinged or scratched up i.e. actually using them in the woods the way they were intended. A Ruger on the other hand seems to shrug off that sorta thing and just work and work well.

[Bob]

Yeah - but the Blackhawk is more than enough .357, plus it covers .357 and cowboy gun in same shot.

I like Ruger GP100's - but even used are dang expensive. Plus, it is about as un-fun a .357 as can be.

I don't care about SA/DA. Revolver DA triggers suck period. So, SA is fine.

[David]

Revolver DA triggers suck period.

I guess if you have sissy hands...

[JDH]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind. But, the Blackhawk is not really that much cheaper than the GP100.

[Ronin.45]

686 or GP100. Both are great guns. Pick the one you like features or aesthetics of more.

If you are going to plink or hunt an SA might work, but if it's for SD/HD or non-cowboy competition, they are useless.

[Bob]

Well, this would not be a 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd choice for SD/HD....mostly fun or maybe woods/hunt

[Mac66]

I've just been reloading 357s and running through my chronograph with my Dan Wesson.

I think I would look for a used S&W 66. Maybe an L frame. Maybe a Ruger Security 6 or something similar. New revolvers are crazy expensive these days.

[Bob]

I hate the whole 'Find a used [whatever] from before [date]

PITA

[Mac66]

I hate the whole 'Find a used [whatever] from before [date]

PITA

Okay fine, be that way.