.357 magnum revolver selection

[NorseNW]

Alright gents I'm hoping to get some input with folks that own these guns or at least a similar revolver from the manufacturer.  I've decided I NEED a new .357 revolver.  I own only one .38 snub nose revolver so I lack first hand knowledge of wheel guns.  I narrowed it down to 6 shot with 4" barrel preferably.  My research has lead me to these options:

S&W model 66 (K frame for reference)
Colt King Cobra Target model
Kimber K6S DASA

I am open to other options / opinions (except Korth pistols because that's just crazy!)

For reference the plan for this pistol is as a carry pistol while hunting and hiking.  Personal protection for kitties and tweakers.

Thanks for any input you may have in how to spend my $$$$

[Bango skank]

Any reason you want a 6 shot?  They make 7 & 8 shot .357s.  I carry an 8 round 5"barrel as my daily woods gun.  Why have 6 when you can have 8?

[Bango skank]

Really though, cant go wrong with s&w.  I dont like the feel of rugers, but thats just me.  Never handled the kimbers or new colts, but ive read a lot of stuff about problems with the new colts that would make me very hesitant. 

[kselkhunter]

I love my S&W 627 Performance Center model.  Very nice trigger.  Very accurate.  My favorite revolver to shoot.  Accepts moon clips, and I always have a spare 8-shot moon clip in the holder on my chest holster.  I put a Burris Fastfire III red dot sight (the Allchin mount replaces the rear sight) on mine, as where we archery elk hunt the younger mountain lions have a tendency to follow us back to camp in the dark.   

[Bango skank]

I love my S&W 627 Performance Center model.  Very nice trigger.  Very accurate.  My favorite revolver to shoot.  Accepts moon clips, and I always have a spare 8-shot moon clip in the holder on my chest holster.  I put a Burris Fastfire III red dot sight (the Allchin mount replaces the rear sight) on mine, as where we archery elk hunt the younger mountain lions have a tendency to follow us back to camp in the dark.

Thats the one i got.  Cured me of the constant "need a new sidearm" disease.

I dont carry a spare moon clip though.  Guess i figure if 8 rounds of .357 doesnt get me out of trouble im probably screwed anyway at that point.  Carry a few snake loads in my pocket though during snake season.

[kselkhunter]

I love my S&W 627 Performance Center model.  Very nice trigger.  Very accurate.  My favorite revolver to shoot.  Accepts moon clips, and I always have a spare 8-shot moon clip in the holder on my chest holster.  I put a Burris Fastfire III red dot sight (the Allchin mount replaces the rear sight) on mine, as where we archery elk hunt the younger mountain lions have a tendency to follow us back to camp in the dark.

Thats the one i got.  Cured me of the constant "need a new sidearm" disease.

I dont carry a spare moon clip though.  Guess i figure if 8 rounds of .357 doesnt get me out of trouble im probably screwed anyway at that point.  Carry a few snake loads in my pocket though during snake season.

My friends love shooting it so much that I carry spare ammo, as they're constantly borrowing it from me to shoot.  I usually have a few spare moon clips full.   I always have an extra few boxes in the truck, and some extra for in the backcountry.   With one of my friends it's gotten to the point that I've told him he needs to pack extra ammo for it if he's going to keep borrowing it.   He loves that thing. 

[Bango skank]

I love my S&W 627 Performance Center model.  Very nice trigger.  Very accurate.  My favorite revolver to shoot.  Accepts moon clips, and I always have a spare 8-shot moon clip in the holder on my chest holster.  I put a Burris Fastfire III red dot sight (the Allchin mount replaces the rear sight) on mine, as where we archery elk hunt the younger mountain lions have a tendency to follow us back to camp in the dark.

Thats the one i got.  Cured me of the constant "need a new sidearm" disease.

I dont carry a spare moon clip though.  Guess i figure if 8 rounds of .357 doesnt get me out of trouble im probably screwed anyway at that point.  Carry a few snake loads in my pocket though during snake season.

My friends love shooting it so much that I carry spare ammo, as they're constantly borrowing it from me to shoot.  I usually have a few spare moon clips full.   I always have an extra few boxes in the truck, and some extra for in the backcountry.   With one of my friends it's gotten to the point that I've told him he needs to pack extra ammo for it if he's going to keep borrowing it.   He loves that thing.

Tell your friends to buy their own.  Great guns, everybody needs one.

[OutHouse]

Really though, cant go wrong with s&w.  I dont like the feel of rugers, but thats just me.  Never handled the kimbers or new colts, but ive read a lot of stuff about problems with the new colts that would make me very hesitant.

I have a Ruger GP100 and I agree the feel is a bit off but when I put aftermarket grips on it problem was solved. I have the six inch barrel and when using single action its pretty darn accurate. I'm to the point of blowing up cans with both eyes open point and shoot style!

[fly-by]

Do you plan to carry concealed when hiking?  The 4" barrel selection is a bit of a "tweener".  A little long to conceal and a little short for a dedicated field sidearm.   However if you're limited to one, those are some good choices. Been interested in the K6S DASA target since it came out.  At 25.5 oz it will be way lighter than the N-frames mentioned above, at the expense of capacity.

[screedler]

Really though, cant go wrong with s&w.  I dont like the feel of rugers, but thats just me.  Never handled the kimbers or new colts, but ive read a lot of stuff about problems with the new colts that would make me very hesitant.

I have a Ruger GP100 and I agree the feel is a bit off but when I put aftermarket grips on it problem was solved. I have the six inch barrel and when using single action its pretty darn accurate. I'm to the point of blowing up cans with both eyes open point and shoot style!

I really like the feel of my GP100 with the stock grip. I also have the .357 6" model. Single action is a ton of fun shooting steel targets with it. It's a little heavy to carry in the field is how I feel about it after taking it hunting with me last year though.

Good luck with your selection!

[buckfvr]

6 shooters get empty too fast.

[Ridgeratt]

Thats why they make speed loaders. 

[N7XW]

Taurus
Just kidding, couldn't resist 

[Bango skank]

This thread, the new pistol thread... dangerous.  I have no real need for another handgun, but these posts make me start thinkin.... need or not, new guns are fun.  And i do KINDA need a full size 9mm in a way.

[jasnt]

Love my gp100 with hogue grip!! 357, thing is a pleasure to shoot! Absolutely my favorite pistol to date!