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.357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
by Grayling813
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:00 pm
by J.R.@A&M
Grayling813 wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
If I wasn't going to conceal the revolver, and if I wanted it to digest the very same .357 magnum rounds as the rifle, then I'd be thinking either GP100 or Vaquero/New Blackhawk single actions. But I'm a Ruger nut.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:03 pm
by Lynyrd
If you can find a Smith and Wesson Model 28 or 28-2 grab it. I have thousands of rounds fired through my 28 that I bought in the late 70's.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:05 pm
by Grayling813
J.R.@A&M wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:00 pm
Grayling813 wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
If I wasn't going to conceal the revolver, and if I wanted it to digest the very same .357 magnum rounds as the rifle, then I'd be thinking either GP100 or Vaquero/New Blackhawk single actions. But I'm a Ruger nut.
I was on the Ruger site looking at the GP100 when I posted this.
I have several Rugers as well....
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:40 pm
by K-Texas
You're in luck: You can get a Ruger GP100 with a 5" barrel. We just started shooting my shooting partners S&W 686+ 4" 7 - shooter. Never thought I'd be interested in a 7 shot .357 Magnum, but all signs are good at this point. I have a 4" blue GP100 made in 2013 and it's a gem. Really good DA trigger. There is no concern about shooting the warmest magnum loads from a GP100. You can maximize the potential of your rifle loads and never have to worry about your revolver being able to handle those loads with gusto.

Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:45 pm
by chamberc
Grayling813 wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
I have a .357mag fetish... I've got a S&W Model 19 (also the matching Model 29 .44mag) and 4 or 5 686's in various finishes... can't go wrong...
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 5:34 pm
by JustSomeOldGuy
Grayling813 wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
Pair up for what intended use?
- Cowboy Action Shooting/S.A.S.S.?
- Hunting?
- or 'Other'?
Each of these engenders vastly different responses....

Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 5:51 pm
by Grayling813
JustSomeOldGuy wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 5:34 pm
Grayling813 wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:55 pm
Interested in pairing up a lever action rifle and revolver in same caliber. Have the lever rifle selected, need recommendations on good .357 Magnum revolvers, barrel length 3.5 to 5 inches.
Pair up for what intended use?
- Cowboy Action Shooting/S.A.S.S.?
- Hunting?
- or 'Other'?
Each of these engenders vastly different responses....
I'd have to say "other" since I have no intended use other than to have them.
When I bought my press and other stuff the guy threw in a coffee container full of .38 special brass which I ended up decapping and cleaning last week. Turns out there's 499 .38 special cases and 1 .357 mag case. Having a rifle and revolver to shoot sounds them in after reloading sounds like a good reason to me!

Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 6:59 pm
by cheezit
If money is no object a S&W registered magnum
A s&w 27-2, 28-2, 686 in that order.
Any colt snake
From there a GP100
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:51 pm
by LTUME1978
Lots of good options. A Ruger Security Six was my first 357 back in 1974. Having owned more than a few over the years, I have found that I have a strong preference for a 5 inch barrel on a 357. A friend had a S&W Model 27 many years ago that had a 5 inch barrel and it was really sweet. Another current option is the S&W M&P R8. It is an 8 shot cylinder that uses moon clips (great for reloads) and has a 5 inch barrel. It has a rail for a light on the bottom as well as a rail on the top for an optic. They are on the expensive side but you may be able to find a good used one at a decent price. I have a Ruger GP100 now as well and it is a really robust revolver.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:54 pm
by Beiruty
Get one SW 586 5" or 6" (1908s-1990s) and thank me later
No trigger lock.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:59 pm
by Beiruty
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:46 am
by K.Mooneyham
I will add another vote for the Ruger GP100. Built like tanks, will digest an incredible amount of full-house magnums, and not have any issues. I have the "Match Champion" version with a 4.2 inch barrel. It's not quite a "custom" model, but they have been slicked up at the factory versus the standard GP100s. Here is a picture from the Ruger website:

Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:28 am
by kg5ie
K.Mooneyham wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:46 am
I will add another vote for the Ruger GP100. Built like tanks, will digest an incredible amount of full-house magnums, and not have any issues. I have the "Match Champion" version with a 4.2 inch barrel. It's not quite a "custom" model, but they have been slicked up at the factory versus the standard GP100s. Here is a picture from the Ruger website:
I have this gun in the Match Champion model. Awesome gun. Trigger action is smooth. In double action you can take the action just ti the break point , pause, then fire'. Almost like you are shooting single action. With practice, you can shoot double action just like single. Halos my accuracy anyway. Others may disagree.
Re: .357 Magnum Revolver recommendations
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:58 am
by SQLGeek
A lever action requires a single action revolver. ;)
A 5.5" Ruger Vaquero would fit the bill nicely.