What's the best .357 Magnum for me?

[bluefields88]

Well, my birthday is a few months away and I think I'm gonna treat myself to a new gun. I've been wanting a .357 revolver for a while and I'm thinking about getting a new Ruger G100 4" in stainless.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...&type=Revolver

The price seems right and I think it would be a good first gun to own, seeing as my dad's got 5 or so handguns to himself but not a .357 Magnum. I also like that is can shoot the cheaper .38 special rounds. My question for all you gun guys is what do you think of the gun? Should I go on gunsamerica.com and buy a used S&W instead? or do you guys think this one will do?

[zmg00camaross]

well it is a ruger and is a invesment it wont deprciate, you still pay a good price for a used s&w, but i would rock the ruger, or buy a s&w 460 xvr thats one bad mofo

[Derrick1227]

I love my S&W its 4'' barrel 7 shot I couldn't ask for me its dead on too

[INMY01TA]

Well I'd go with the Ruger GP100. Tougher (and cheaper) than the Smith. I have a Taurus 7 shot 357 which I like very much but in hindsight I should of paid the extra $120 for the Ruger.

[davered00ss]

I think the Ruger is better quality than the S&W. I have a GP100. Not a big revolver fan. I like auto's better.

[nhraformula]

Im a total fan of the SP101.

[davered00ss]

If I had to carry one, the SP101 would be it.

[ztrouble]

Get it! I have one that's a dream to shoot

[bluefields88]

If I had to carry one, the SP101 would be it.

I live in CA, so I wont be carrying it around. It would be locked in a box under my bed most likely. I just want a good revolver for the shooting range and when I go camping.

[02transamce]

I think the Ruger is better quality than the S&W. I have a GP100. Not a big revolver fan. I like auto's better.

on the fence myself,like the ruggedness of a revolver,like the fact a auto holds 15+ rounds.hell i'll get both i guess,.357 revolver and .40 cal auto.

[86 IROC-Z]

An empty one. Loaded guns are bad on ones' 21st birthday

[bluefields88]

An empty one. Loaded guns are bad on ones' 21st birthday

Hahaha, true story. I turn 21 on New Years Eve too.

[86 IROC-Z]

Hahaha, true story. I turn 21 on New Years Eve too.

Double the fun. The way you'll start off 2010, the year will only get better

[sl63409]

Another vote for the Ruger. I bought a GP100 within a couple months of their introduction. Love it. You're paying for the name with Smith & Wesson. Quality firearm, but overpriced IMO.

Absolutely stay away from Rossi and Taurus - they're knock offs of American and European designs... and the old adage, "You get what you pay for" applies.

Another valid option is a used Colt Python or Diamondback (.38). Both are quality handguns. My first handgun was a Diamondback, one of the very last aluminum frames they made. Got stolen in a home burglary. If you get the steel frame, you're good to go with hot loads (+P or +P+) which put you close the .357 stopping power. Don't push them through the aluminum frame though - at least not on a regular basis.

I'm a Certified NRA Pistol Instructor and for people that ask my opinion on a first handgun, I tell 'em, go with a Ruger, go with a revolver. Another nice feature of the Ruger is (even with the 4" barrel) it's heavy; it won't pop your wrist when you fire it; very low/manageable recoil.

Good luck with your selection, whatever you choose.

[bluefields88]

Another vote for the Ruger. I bought a GP100 within a couple months of their introduction. Love it. You're paying for the name with Smith & Wesson. Quality firearm, but overpriced IMO.

Absolutely stay away from Rossi and Taurus - they're knock offs of American and European designs... and the old adage, "You get what you pay for" applies.

Another valid option is a used Colt Python or Diamondback (.38). Both are quality handguns. My first handgun was a Diamondback, one of the very last aluminum frames they made. Got stolen in a home burglary. If you get the steel frame, you're good to go with hot loads (+P or +P+) which put you close the .357 stopping power. Don't push them through the aluminum frame though - at least not on a regular basis.

I'm a Certified NRA Pistol Instructor and for people that ask my opinion on a first handgun, I tell 'em, go with a Ruger, go with a revolver. Another nice feature of the Ruger is (even with the 4" barrel) it's heavy; it won't pop your wrist when you fire it; very low/manageable recoil.

Good luck with your selection, whatever you choose.

Ya I'm already in the NRA. Any idea how much insurance is for a handgun through them?

[INMY01TA]

An empty one. Loaded guns are bad on ones' 21st birthday

Considering you have to be 21 to buy one this makes no sense...

[Smittro]

An empty one. Loaded guns are bad on ones' 21st birthday

The most dangerous gun is an empty one.. The old "I did'nt thing it was loaded" excuse has killed many. Keep one or two chambers empty with the safety on (if it has one).

[INMY01TA]

Absolutely stay away from Rossi and Taurus - they're knock offs of American and European designs... and the old adage, "You get what you pay for" applies.

This is your opinion (I could care less if you're a firearms instructor). I own several makes of handguns and I'm not partial to Taurus in any way but mine has been flawless. I spend alot of time on several RTKBA forums and see comments like yours from people from time to time. Ahh ya, the good ole Taurus haters. Sure they put out some lemons but there are lots of other malfunctions with Smiths and every other brand as well.

I tell 'em, go with a Ruger, go with a revolver.

Many others will argue the reliability of a revovler vs a pistol. Most would say go with a Glock.

[rbob93]

For what you intend to use it for I say go to a pawn shop & find a revolver that feels good in your hand.
No reason to spend more than you need to unless you're trying to impress people at the range with how much you spent.
A bear/wolf/cougar won't give a shit if you shoot him with a $700 or $300 weapon, & a paper target won't know.

[sl63409]

Ya I'm already in the NRA. Any idea how much insurance is for a handgun through them?

It comes with your membership.