best rated 357 in mag. 2" - 3"

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I presently have a S&W 686plus 357 in magnum 3" revolver. I really really like this S&W.
My question is who makes the best 357 in magnum revolver
2" to 3". NO POLY

[arquebus357]

Manurhin...

[USSR]

I'm partial to the 2.5 inch S&W Model 19/66 as made when they were P&R'd. The beauty of them is, aside from their fine handling characteristics, you get to shoot them and watch them appreciate in value each year.

Don

[amd6547]

I’ve been pretty pleased with my 3” fixed sight GP100. Like it much more than the 2.5” Model 19 it replaced.

[Doc Holliday 1950]

ok. Let's try to keep the price under $1000.00 & This will be for concealed carry
as I'm in Florida.

[seeker_two]

I really liked my 3" SP-101, but it was heavy for its size and function. It worked well in a OWB holster when concealment wasn't a big issue. For your needs, I'd suggest a LCR .357Mag. It carries well, and it's the least punishing of the lightweight magnums to shoot. If weight isn't an issue for you, look at the SP-101 and the Kimber K6.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[arquebus357]

OK...sorry

[USSR]

Oh, yeah!

[lamarw]

I have numerous .357 Magnums but only one in the short barrel you are asking about. It is a Model 66. It is a good revolver.

I have heard very good things about the French Manhurin. I would like one.

[mk70ss]

Can’t go wrong with this one.

[JERRYS.]

I once had a 3" gp100 Canadian police trade in. that was a good gun. gunbroker was flooded with them about 15 years ago and I got one. shoulda never let it go.

[BigJimP]

Your best options in my view will be S&W..

A model 66 is probably your best bet...and will be the easiest to find.

If you want an N frame...the model 627 is a very good gun ( despite the internal lock that I don't like ), perf center model, 8 shot, in 2 5/8" ...its right at $1,000 or so new. I've had one for a couple of years, and its easy to carry with a good belt IWB.

[UncleEd]

All excellent answers.

All future answers will be
excellent as well.

[T. O'Heir]

"...Canadian police trade in..." Wasn't Canadian. The .357 has never been authorized for police use here. Absolutely not a Ruger GP100 either. Too heavy.
There is no 'best' anything. However, with a 2 or 3 inch barrel you might as well shoot a .38 due to velocity loss.

[L-2]

The "wants" are:
-metal-framed
-price < $1K

I've had a few over the years and they all work(ed) fine, when shooting and carrying. Here are the ones I personally own/owned:

-Ruger SP101 3". One of those guns I sold but should have kept. It did have some sharp edges, particularly the edges of the trigger. This was when these first came out ~1988 and I don't know if they've been refined more or not. There was no rear sight, but with practice it was still accurate enough for my purposes. I also like the push-button type cylinder release. Back then, this one was in .38 Special and the .357 Mag version was not yet developed/available.

-S&W Model 10-9 2". I don't think this was pinned & recessed, but was in 99+% shape as I never carried it, hence why I sold it. Back then, .357 seemed to be important to me and I'd bought a K-frame by then which was a .357. I should have kept it on retrospect as I'd carry it now.

-S&W Model 66-2 2.5". Another K-frame. This is a great handling and shooting gun and I now only shoot .38 Special through it. I realize if I crack that forcing cone (which others have done) I likely won't find another barrel for some gunsmith to install. This gun has already been back to S&W twice (I'm probably at least the 3rd owner) for excess end-play and then a broken firing pin.

-S&W 586 L-Comp 3". This is also nice to carry and shoot. It should be very similar to the OP's existing 686 Plus, having 7-rounds, but in a black-colored/blued steel and with a power-port-comped barrel. I did replace the front sight with a brass-bead type as the front night sights on these models have the tritium vial too recessed to be useful as a night sight.

-S&W 640-1 Pro. This is my most carried snub-nose with its night-sights (which work, unlike the 586 L-Comp, above) and handles and shoots very well for me with my preferred larger Pachmayr "Compac" grips. What concerns me most, which I know is a personal thing, is its 5-round capacity. I'm often carrying an S&W 642-1 as a backup gun if carrying the 640 Pro as the primary. (I'm mainly a Glock-guy and carried a Glock on-duty and mostly now even after retirement. I'm typically walking around with over 30 rounds with just one extra reload, which is comforting to me.)

-S&W 642-1. This is mainly used as a backup gun to something else. Again, I usually use a large Pachmayr-brand "Compac" grip as I can just shoot and hit better when using that grip vs. the smaller grips as supplied. The smaller grips to conceal better when pocket or ankle carrying, however.

Revolvers I'd like to try someday (maybe buy) but would be over $1K:
-that new black-colored Colt Cobra with the bobbed hammer.
-that newer black-colored Kimber K6S.

[Carmady]

A .357 will have about 400 fps more than a .38 out of a snub.

The results start around 6:12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27wDLjY5JSs

[BeornLS]

All mentioned above are nice choices. I myself think it's hard to go wrong with a SP101.

I'm just thankful we have so many choices now a days for nice sub 3" revolvers in .357 magnum...

[Go_Ordnance]

For snubbies in 357, I’ve got a 640 Pro and a K6S. I was hesitant, but the Kimber is a great revolver.

[tallball]

I would reconsider the no poly. My LCR has a great trigger and is EASY to carry. Since I got it I almost never carry any other snub.

[HighValleyRanch]

Doc's already had the LCR's and didn't like them.

[Cheapshooter]

Thought you had a Windicator 357 Magnum
Are you looking for something a little smaller, and lighter?
I think the Ruger SP 101 would fit the bill. Even though it wouldn't be my choice. I have shot them, and did not really like it. Something about the grip that just isn't right for me.

[105kw]

I really like then 3" model 13 S&W.
I have had several over the years, the one I've got now is pinned and recessed.

Model 65 is good too.

[Onward Allusion]

I like my 627. 8-Shots of 357 is a lot of comfort.

[Cirdan]

I had the LCR and absolutely hated it. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Now I have the SP101 with a 3" barrel. Love the thing, and shoot equally well in double vs. single action.

[Real Gun]

Unless you reload, you will need to pick a gun heavy enough to handle commercial ammo. My smaller 357s all get custom subsonic loads. My smaller guns include a Smith 60-10, and Smith 60 Pro PC, and a Ruger SP101, all 3". Otherwise, I expect you would quickly gravitate to 38 Special ammo.