Have any advice or opinions on a 357?

I'd say grab an EAA Windicator

I have two Taurii in 38/357, both 5 shot DAO. Perfect hammerless CCW pieces and nightstand guns. My 650 is in SS while the 605 has a bobbed hammer in a really fine factory blue surface. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Always go bang, full bore 357 provide brisk recoil, still controllable. 38s smooth as silk and in 158 grain is my daily carry load. Best speedloader, so far, 5 Star with Bianchi the best of the speed strips. Triggers much smoother after some range time and dry firing. While all steel frames and cylinders, the guns are not inordinately heavy. Pocket carry with a DeSantis holster provides discreet carry and quick access.

I grew up shooting long guns and the first handgun that I bought was a Dan Wesson Model 15 357 Magnum with a 3.5" barrel. You can practice with lesser priced 38 Special and use the .357 when needed. I like the caliber so much I later bought a Rossi R-462 snubbie. To my mind it's a great choice. Welcome to the forum from Northern Illinois!

If you're looking at Taurus, don't leave out the model 617. I just carried it tonight to a fireworks show and I felt very well protected. It's a 7 shot snub and I had two additional speed strips stoked with 357 mag reloads.

You can't go wrong with the ones you mentioned either. Just pick a good one and take it home and clean the heck out of it before taking it to the range. Welcome to the forum !

I have a 4.5" 627 and like it very much. The weight and porting make it a good choice. I also have a S&W 686 and a Ruger GP100, and they are very accurate, but the little 627 of mine will match them.

It would be hard to go wrong with the 627.

Maloy

I have a 627 and it's a great revolver. Mine is a 6.5" and it is smooth and accurate. Lomax makes a good suggestion based on your uses.

Can't go wrong with a fire-breathing dragon - uh .357 magnum that is

I have a 3" and a 4" 66, older ones, and a new 605 Poly for concealed carry. I'd say a 66 is the answer to your particular question and needs. They're very well built, accurate weapons, at least MINE are.

357 Mag is a heck of a round .... If I was looking for another .. Id get a Taurus 627 ... 7 shot built on a compact frame !!!

I had a Colt Lawman MKIII, a Ruger Security Six and later I had a Taurus 66 all in .357 magnum. Being left handed, I sold them off over the years. All were good revolvers with the last one being similar to the Smith & Wesson 19.

Yissnakk said:

I'd say grab an EAA Windicator

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You beat me to it.

Lomax said:

Night stand, home defense gun and occasional plinker, why not a 608? Eight rounds of nasty, little heavier and less punishing to shoot.
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I'd like one with a a 2-1/2'' barrel.

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How can you go wrong with eight rounds of thunder in a SS revolver? Lomax is on the money. I'd like a 4" barrel for plinking.

Consider your environs when selecting ammunition, especially for a nightstand gun. Many 357 loads will over penetrate in a home setting. A good 38 load, such as Critical Defense, would be very effective yet reduce the risk of killing someone on the other side of a wall. As far as the revolver itself goes, it doesn't look like you need any help. You've made some good choices.

For home defense I really like my model 617. It gives you a 7 round cylinder. To me it is a little heavy for carry on a daily basis but home defense yea.

I've tried most all calibers in my 80 years and the 357 is a dandy caliber. Now that is all I have. My carry gun is a model 605 357.

I think any one of your models will do a fine job for what you seem to be asking it to do.

Let us know which you decide on going with. A picture would be nice as well.

I've changed my opinion on the carry of 617. I changed the grips to te same grip that came on my model 455 and it made a ton of difference in the comfort of caring the 617. I' caring it in a Barson IWB holster and have gotten use to it.

Doubt I'll go back to the 5 round 605.
That extra 2 rounds in the 617 is appealing.

I have a two model 66s, one is from 75 and the other is 82. They are both very accurate and reliable pistols, and the older ones go for very little money.

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

NEVER fire a .357 magnum inside a 12'X12' bedroom without hearing protection!
That's about all the advice I have.

I loved my Ruger GP100 6" stainless. Still regret selling it.

I keep some .38 JHP 158+Ps in a 6 round speed loader to charge one of my 66s with for home defense duty, but usually don't have it out of the safe. I'll use one of my carries. I used to leave the M4 out, but I've been going so much lately with all the doctor's visits and procedures, I've left it locked up in the safe. Honestly, though, I think my daily carry is enough. I have the .45 out tonight and will probably just lock it up in the morning. I often pull the .38 snubby out of my pocket and lay it on the nightstand. It all just depends on what I've been carrying that day. I rarely rely on a .357, though. Yeah, they are louder than the average handgun. :lol: