Recommend a S&W 357 mag snub nose

TennJed · January 10, 2013, 05:46 PM

I am a Ruger and really not too familar with S&W centerfire models (I do have a 617 22lr) guy but would like to get myself a decent Smith 357 snub nose. No paticular purpose. maybe the occasional carry, but the main reason is I want one.

I would like to keep it under $600.00 My finish preference would be blued (not the modern "Black") first, followed stainless, and last would be "black". 5 or 6 shots, and no more than a 2.5"

What would you recommend?

jason_iowa · January 10, 2013, 06:15 PM

I would stay away from the light weight. Other then that any of them would be fine.

Shotgun693 · January 10, 2013, 06:31 PM

Look for and M13, blue, or M65, stainless.

Jack19 · January 10, 2013, 07:25 PM

Like Shotgun693 said, get yourself a decent K-Frame and do what you have to do to conceal it when you use it that way.

J-Frame .357s..about a cylinder full is enough.

Nanuk · January 10, 2013, 09:15 PM

I saw a used 3 " model 13 go for $500 at the funshow. That would be my pick a used K/L frame.

CajunBass · January 10, 2013, 09:56 PM

My wife likes her Model 65LS, Ladysmith.

So do I now that I think about it, but she's selfish.

Kaimen · January 10, 2013, 10:04 PM

640, may be a little heavy for some but I like it when shooting 357 rounds.

Dan-O · January 10, 2013, 10:10 PM

649 .357

Deja vu · January 10, 2013, 10:50 PM

I love my 640. No hammer to get caught and has a Crimson trace 305 grip on it for a bit bigger (and softer) grips and the laser is nice too.

bumnote · January 10, 2013, 11:49 PM

Find a used M-19 snub. Should be able to find one for less than what you want to spend. Mine is my main carry. Heavy enough to soak up enough recoil, but not heavy enough to become a bother.

lowercase · January 11, 2013, 01:09 AM

+1 on the S&W Model 19 snub.

BarryLee · January 11, 2013, 01:22 AM

Also, consider the S&W Model 66 the stainless steel version of the M19.

Tad_T · January 11, 2013, 02:15 AM

I have a Model 66-4 2.5" that is my carry revolver.

My Model 19-4 is a 6" and is a little large for easy concealed carry.

They are both great weapons. Neither a snub nose 19 nor a 66 would disappoint.

JimmyR · January 11, 2013, 04:49 AM

I have a Model 19 4", and while I can't speak to it's snub nosed brother, I will say that for a 50 odd year old revolver (19-3), mine is a freaking tack driver and a pleasure to shoot.

therealdeal · January 11, 2013, 05:38 AM

stainless steel, smith&wesson 649, 5shot, 357 snubby, 2 1/8 inch barrel "shrouded"(hidden) hammer

Wishoot · January 11, 2013, 08:48 AM

I love the older Speed /Security / Service Six models.

Had one and foolishly sold it several years ago.

glenncal1 · January 11, 2013, 01:08 PM

If you want to shoot .357s out of it I would go with a K frame over the J frame 19 or 66, I think they did make some 2.5" 686 but don't quote me. They would be even better on recoil. .357 out of a J frame is pretty snappy.

BigJimP · January 11, 2013, 01:46 PM

+1 on the model 19's ..if you want blued...

Model 66 ...if you can settle on stainless.....
----------------
and you should be able to find either one in the $ 600 price range ..in very good to excellent condition.
--------------
Personally, if I carry a revolver ...I find very little difference in weight between the 2 1/2" and the 4" ...and I shoot the 4" a whole lot better than the 2 1/2" beyond 21 Feet....but beyond 21 Feet may not matter to you if its only a Defense gun. The longer sight plane ...is primarily the issue between the 2 1/2" and the 4" making the 4" easier to shoot. But I find the K frame S&W's model 19's or 66's very easy to shoot with typical 158 gr .357 mag loads ( and I shoot them a lot )...

Model 66-1's 4 and 2 inch 008.jpg
a couple of my model 66's ...in 4" and 2 1/2" ( I have model 19's as well in 4" - but I prefer Nickel on the model 19's).

Handguns - Nov 2009 010.jpg (a pair of 4" model 19's are at lower right / pair of model 66's in 4" at upper right ).

Comancheseven · January 11, 2013, 02:00 PM

I have a Smith & Wesson 686, 6 shot 2.5 inch and it is great. It's a bit heavy but I do carry it with a Jackass Shoulder rig and I conceal it with a light jacket. You will like the weight when you are shooting full power 357 Mag's.

Dave

Microgunner · January 11, 2013, 02:28 PM

It's black and a little pricy but the 340PD is the absolutely easiest .357Mag to carry I've ever owned.
11.4oz, 1.875" bbl. 5-shot.

GP100man · January 11, 2013, 10:10 PM

S&W 581 ,barrel chopped to 2.5" ,grip round butted , slick triggered .
Deep polish blue , gold dot front site.
Mite would consider converting to DAO

Schnitzjr · January 12, 2013, 08:56 AM

I have a new 686 2.5 snubbie. Could be hard finding one for under $600.

biggun_ · January 14, 2013, 06:54 PM

Model 66 stainless. Smooth as silk!

January 10, 2013, 05:46 PM	#1
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	Recommend a S&W 357 mag snub nose I am a Ruger and really not too familar with S&W centerfire models (I do have a 617 22lr) guy but would like to get myself a decent Smith 357 snub nose. No paticular purpose. maybe the occasional carry, but the main reason is I want one. I would like to keep it under $600.00 My finish preference would be blued (not the modern "Black") first, followed stainless, and last would be "black". 5 or 6 shots, and no more than a 2.5" What would you recommend? __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

January 10, 2013, 07:25 PM	#4
Jack19 Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2001 Location: Somewhere in the Ford Galaxy Posts: 713	Like Shotgun693 said, get yourself a decent K-Frame and do what you have to do to conceal it when you use it that way. J-Frame .357s..about a cylinder full is enough. __________________ Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals. Samuel Adams

January 10, 2013, 09:15 PM	#5
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I saw a used 3 " model 13 go for $500 at the funshow. That would be my pick a used K/L frame. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

January 10, 2013, 09:56 PM	#6
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	My wife likes her Model 65LS, Ladysmith. So do I now that I think about it, but she's selfish. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

January 10, 2013, 10:50 PM	#9
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I love my 640. No hammer to get caught and has a Crimson trace 305 grip on it for a bit bigger (and softer) grips and the laser is nice too. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

January 10, 2013, 06:15 PM	#2
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	I would stay away from the light weight. Other then that any of them would be fine.

January 10, 2013, 06:31 PM	#3
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	Look for and M13, blue, or M65, stainless.

January 10, 2013, 10:04 PM	#7
Kaimen Member Join Date: April 21, 2012 Posts: 23	640, may be a little heavy for some but I like it when shooting 357 rounds.

January 10, 2013, 10:10 PM	#8
Dan-O Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 969	649 .357

January 10, 2013, 11:49 PM	#10
bumnote Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 407	Find a used M-19 snub. Should be able to find one for less than what you want to spend. Mine is my main carry. Heavy enough to soak up enough recoil, but not heavy enough to become a bother. __________________ "And remember, Abraham Lincoln didn't die in vain, he died in Washington D.C." - Firesign Theatre Last edited by bumnote; January 11, 2013 at 12:29 PM.

January 11, 2013, 01:09 AM	#11
lowercase Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Posts: 287	+1 on the S&W Model 19 snub.

January 11, 2013, 01:22 AM	#12
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Also, consider the S&W Model 66 the stainless steel version of the M19. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

January 11, 2013, 02:15 AM	#13
Tad_T Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 231	I have a Model 66-4 2.5" that is my carry revolver. My Model 19-4 is a 6" and is a little large for easy concealed carry. They are both great weapons. Neither a snub nose 19 nor a 66 would disappoint.

January 11, 2013, 04:49 AM	#14
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	+1 Model 19 I have a Model 19 4", and while I can't speak to it's snub nosed brother, I will say that for a 50 odd year old revolver (19-3), mine is a freaking tack driver and a pleasure to shoot.

January 11, 2013, 05:38 AM	#15
therealdeal Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 627	S&W 649 stainless steel, smith&wesson 649, 5shot, 357 snubby, 2 1/8 inch barrel "shrouded"(hidden) hammer __________________ NRA Distinguished Life Member "Abraham Lincoln freed all men, but Sam Colt made them all equal." (post Civil War slogan)

January 11, 2013, 08:48 AM	#16
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	I love the older Speed /Security / Service Six models. Had one and foolishly sold it several years ago.

January 11, 2013, 01:08 PM	#17
glenncal1 Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2009 Location: Denver area Posts: 504	If you want to shoot .357s out of it I would go with a K frame over the J frame 19 or 66, I think they did make some 2.5" 686 but don't quote me. They would be even better on recoil. .357 out of a J frame is pretty snappy. __________________ Jim Many K and N Frames

January 11, 2013, 01:46 PM	#18
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	+1 on the model 19's ..if you want blued... Model 66 ...if you can settle on stainless..... ---------------- and you should be able to find either one in the $ 600 price range ..in very good to excellent condition. -------------- Personally, if I carry a revolver ...I find very little difference in weight between the 2 1/2" and the 4" ...and I shoot the 4" a whole lot better than the 2 1/2" beyond 21 Feet....but beyond 21 Feet may not matter to you if its only a Defense gun. The longer sight plane ...is primarily the issue between the 2 1/2" and the 4" making the 4" easier to shoot. But I find the K frame S&W's model 19's or 66's very easy to shoot with typical 158 gr .357 mag loads ( and I shoot them a lot )... Model 66-1's 4 and 2 inch 008.jpg a couple of my model 66's ...in 4" and 2 1/2" ( I have model 19's as well in 4" - but I prefer Nickel on the model 19's). Handguns - Nov 2009 010.jpg (a pair of 4" model 19's are at lower right / pair of model 66's in 4" at upper right ).

January 11, 2013, 02:00 PM	#19
Comancheseven Member Join Date: October 5, 2012 Location: Colorado Springs CO. Posts: 38	I have a Smith & Wesson 686, 6 shot 2.5 inch and it is great. It's a bit heavy but I do carry it with a Jackass Shoulder rig and I conceal it with a light jacket. You will like the weight when you are shooting full power 357 Mag's. Dave

January 11, 2013, 02:28 PM	#20
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	It's black and a little pricy but the 340PD is the absolutely easiest .357Mag to carry I've ever owned. 11.4oz, 1.875" bbl. 5-shot. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

January 11, 2013, 10:10 PM	#21
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	S&W 581 ,barrel chopped to 2.5" ,grip round butted , slick triggered . Deep polish blue , gold dot front site. Mite would consider converting to DAO __________________ GP100man

January 12, 2013, 08:56 AM	#22
Schnitzjr Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2012 Posts: 108	I have a new 686 2.5 snubbie. Could be hard finding one for under $600.

January 14, 2013, 06:54 PM	#23
biggun_ Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 43	Model 66 stainless. Smooth as silk!