.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!

[Stein]

Ruger LCR, something pretty sweet about being able to carry it in a pocket, ankle holster, appendix, belt or wherever.  I find myself always reaching for that one for the last few years.

It is a barking Chihuahua in your hand, with hot loads it is a spicy one for sure.  With 38 spl, it's actually decent to shoot, much more accurate than I expected.

I agree with the "go small or go big" philosophy, either make it easy to carry or easy to shoot, the middle ones combine the worst of both platforms in my opinion.

[N7XW]

The question is not do thyself needeth a new gun.  The question is how many guns do thyself needeth and how to hide said new guns from thy wifey.

[headshot5]

For packing one of the newer 4.2" SP101's are a nice rig.  5-shot, but should be plenty of rounds.  Otherwise a 66 is a solid choice,  or an older ruger security six.  Real nice guns not as clunky (overbuilt) as the gp100. 

[OutHouse]

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

Its weird because the aftermarket grip I bought is nearly identical to the stock rubber grip in terms of shape but for some reason it just fit a lot better after the change.

[b23]

There's no shortage of good ones to choose from that's for sure.  I have a S&W 686 that I've had for quite awhile and it seems to be a decent piece but if I was buying something new today I'd probably look hard at one of the different S&W model 627's.

[Bofire]

I love and am lucky to own several K and L frame Smiths and in my opinion they are the best production revolvers that exist. My fav is the 19. second the 586, 4 inch is  great and the 6 inch very easy to shoot very well.
Carl

[NorseNW]

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.

8 shot you say???  Hmmm didn't really consider it.  How wide are those bad boys compared to a regular six shooter?  Weight doesn't look too much worse.

[NorseNW]

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.

I don't plan on carry concealed.  It will likely spend most of it's time on a backpack help belt.  Rarely go into the woods without at least small pack on.  Maybe a chest rig for other outings but definitely not worried about concealment.  I debated a 5 or 6 inch barrel.  I was comparing an HK VP9 to a Ruger MKIV hunter for overall length to try to get an idea of what one would feel / look like in hand based on size and weight.  That Ruger MKIV is freakin long!

[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.

8 shot you say???  Hmmm didn't really consider it.  How wide are those bad boys compared to a regular six shooter?  Weight doesn't look too much worse.

I used to carry a 4" 6 shot s^w66.  Dont nitice tge difference as far as size and weight carrying on my belt.

[jasnt]

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

Its weird because the aftermarket grip I bought is nearly identical to the stock rubber grip in terms of shape but for some reason it just fit a lot better after the change.

yup they are great. 

[scotsman]

S&W model 60 Pro with 3” barrel. The pro model has tuned trigger smooth as glass. 8# trigger double action 2# single action. Only 23 ounces so easy to carry yet extremely accurate.

[theleo]

The only all steel revolver I take hunting that won't eventually stay back at camp as the week progresses and legs deteriorate is my 3" model 60 with adjustable sights. If it had to be 6 shots or more I'd get Smith with a scandium frame. I'm one of those people that has the mental illness of liking 44 specials, so more often than not I grab a Mountain Lite as I head out the door to spend time stumbling through the woods. 

[BeWitty]

I love my S&W R8. I never carry it but it is my most accurate pistol.

[CaNINE]

I have a Kimber K6S.  I find that I'm using it more and more as my EDC piece.  Also carrying it more in the woods over my larger autos.  It's not the gun I'm taking with me into brown bear country but for WA it fits the bill.  I'm surprised at how accurate the gun is with full house 357 loads.  The trigger is amazing.  Many good options in this category but give the Kimber a hard look.

[jdb]

I too carry a model 60 3”. Very accurate. Don’t even know it’s there until you need it. For many years it was my only gun and I easily carried it concealed. If I had to choose just one it’s the one I’d pick

[4fletch]

May check out dan wesson pistol pack 4,6,8" barrels  had mine for yrs it's a good shooter. For packing I have a compact glock