Buy a new 357 Magnum (Which would you buy?)

[6mm Remington]

Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Colt would all be nice. I would handle and try and shoot (If Possible) each of them to see how they fit and feel in your hands.

I would go with either a 3" or 4" barrel as well for a much better carry pistol that you would have on you and actually use.

 

[thomas89]

@thomas89, what do you like the most about it? Are you shooting both 357 and 38 special when you are shooting it?

Just a smooth all around pistol. Balances well, crisp trigger in single action, smooth pull in double action. Hard to explain. I’ve shot both .357 and .38, I like the option to hunt with the 357, but the .38 is way more enjoyable in the 6” one I have.

I have quite a bit of experience shooting both Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawks in .41 and .44, the Colt is far smoother than both.

 

[Dan O]

My choice would be a S&W 627 PC model based on the N frame, 8 shot with a 5 inch barrel. Lipseys has a L frame 686+ mountain gun, it's a 7 shot 4 inch barrel weighing 35 oz and does not have the safety lock. For carry in the mountains this would be my choice of a 357. The 627 8 shot would be an option but a little heavier and a little more money.

For many years I carried a S&W Model 66 4 inch for my duty weapon. I really liked it, it was accurate and light weight. The issue with the 66's were a steady dose of heavy 357 loads sometimes cracked the frames. This was the rumor I've heard from various magazines but I've never seen it in person. Still have my Model 66 4 inch and a Model 66 2 1/2 inch round butt. If I didn't want the higher capacity heck I already own what I'm totally satisfied with.