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I'm going to get a 357 magnum, but I've got minimal knowledge of revolvers. I'm looking at a gp100, a 686+, and a king cobra. I don't care about the price difference, I'm interested in quality. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.
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I’m a huge proponent of Ruger revolvers. Love ‘em. The gp100’s are built like tanks, and are (at least mine) is very accurate. The trigger could be better but it’s good enough for me. The Smith & Wesson’s I have handled and shot, are very well built, more refined, and a better fit and finish than the Rugers, better triggers (that also could stand a little touching up) and very accurate as well. I don’t have much to say about colt. I wouldn’t buy one unless it was and older model from many years ago. To me colt is not what colt used to be, and aren’t worth the price tag. So in my opinion the Ruger is best bang for the buck, Smith is kinda “best overall”, and colt is buy me if you just need to own something that says colt on it.
This is just one mans opinion, if I stepped on any toes I do apologize.
JTD
I agree . I have a GP100. I did have a trigger job done on it shortly after I bought it. I have had it for 20 years and have shot countless rounds through it from 38 Special through the hottest 357 Mags. It shoot great. A friend has a S&W 357 that I am not a fan of. It just does not feel right to me. He shoots it like a champion. To each their own. My GP100 is the six inch barrel so it helps mitigate the recoil of heavy 357 Mag loads..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e7970a875c.jpg
Ruger fan here as well...GP100 .357, GP100 Match Champion 10mm, and Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag, all with 4" barrels. All shoot great and I love the fact that they're all super strong and can handle pretty much the stoutest loads safely.
I don’t come with a ton of experience on different brands, but I will admit to loving Ruger revolvers. I had a 3” SP101 that I bough for my 21st and put over 1500 rounds through. I traded out for a 4” GP100 and am glad I did. The little SP101 was a bit weird for my hands ergonomically. The GP100 is much better. Personally, I want a 3” GP100 someday but I think the 4” is the Jack-of-all-trades in the .357. I’ve shot a few Smiths and the trigger is better but with enough rounds through it you can get quite good with the GP100.
I wish I would have have bought my Redhawk in the 4.2” barrel as well.
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I want to do a picture too. I feel left out.
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JTD
I bought a brand new Ruger Blackhawk in 44 Mag when I was a teenager yet. I love the 44 and somewhere along the way I was enticed to sell that gun. I have always wanted a Redhawk and I bought one a few years ago and I love it a lot. It has changed my white tail hunting significantly and I don't see me ever carrying anything else in PA in my lifetime. This thing shoots amazing and I probably am a little too confident with it, lol.
Attachment 1686
As you should! All the cool kids are doing it!Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
I love seeing all these panel grips on these GP’s! Mine came with the rubber finger-grooved grip and I quickly removed it. Just never was a fan of them! I sure wish I had held out for a blued GP100!
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I love the look of the panel grips. That’s what drew me to this pistol so many years ago. They are a very comfortable grip too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
JTD
Heading out to a show tomorrow with a few $s in my pocket. Would really like to acquire my first revolver and have a picture to add to this thread. Interesting opinions from all of you as Ruger had been #3 on the list behind Colt as far as the brands under consideration.
Let us know what you end up with. And don’t forget the pic, because Jbotto was right, all the cool kids are doing it!
JTD
I went with the king cobra target model, Definitely the lightest and most comfortable of the ones I looked at. the gp100 came in 2nd.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...30fed175bb.jpg
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She’s beautiful!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesr160@yahoo.com
JTD
Good for you! Here's to many enjoyable years of owning that awesome pistol.
Oh, and joining the "cool kids" club, too. :smokin:
Congrats on the buy. Beautiful revolver.
Very nice! I bet that will treat you well for many years!
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That is very nice! I hope she does well for you.
I finally found the 686 I was looking for & it arrived today. Very happy to be a wheel gun owner.
Attachment 1710
Looks great. I bet you’re going to love it! I really like the wooden grips.Quote:
Originally Posted by maudib
JTD
Beautiful
Yeah, the wood grips in the classic S&W style were a must have and the 6" barrel was preferred. The Hogue grips are great if you're shooting quite a few rounds of .357 in one day, but just don't quite have the same 'eye candy' appeal IMHO. The bonus is having to work up loads for 2 more calibers.
2 calibers?Quote:
Originally Posted by maudib
JTD
Going to shoot primarily 38 Special and mix it up with a bit of 357 Mag every now & then. I've already started reading up on the various bullet choices there are for those two. Caliber is the wrong word choice, my bad. Two different cartridges.
I thought that’s what you meant, but wanted to make sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by maudib
About 10 years ago, I quit shooting 38’s out of my 357, and 44 special out of my 44 mag. I decided to do this after talking to some people and digging around online. It’s been really nice, just keeping up with one type of brass per revolver. I just load 38 special loads in 357 magnum brass, and have great light plinking loads. This way clean up of the cylinder is easier and no carbon ring build up.
JTD
That makes quite a bit of sense. 357 Mag cases are a bit hard to come by these days, so I already bought some 38 special a few months back in anticipation of adding a 357 revolver. Who knows, I may end up with another in 38sp only!
I’ve done this same thing from the start. Never had a use for loading any special brass in both my revolvers. Light loads load and shoot just fine in magnum brass. Got a few buckets of .38 special brass around because I use to shoot a fair bit of it, but never been reloaded.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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I like Ruger revolvers for their toughness. Saw an idiot shoot a bunch of double loads through his Ruger Alaskan. Think it was a Cassull. He also hammered a bunch of squibs out of the barrel. A Colt or Smith would have lost the topstrap & cylinder. The shooter would have found them in his skull.
I have a GP 100 in .44 Special & a Match Champion in .357 Mag. Like them both. Did buy a Smith 617 to try the trigger out. Didn’t figure .22 lr would shred the topstrap. Seen a ton of peeled revolvers in pics, but no Rugers.