Annihilator
Emissary
Really nice Ruger, congrats, let us know how it shoots.
.357 Magnum Revolver: Controllable Concealed Carry Options
- Thread starter Annihilator
- Start date
HayesGreener
Ronin
I know some folks here like Taurus but my experience with Taurus in general and their revolvers especially has not been good. A security company showed up for one of my courses with two Taurus revolvers brand new in the box, and both of them malfunctioned (misfired) about 20% of the time. They took them back and swapped them out for Glock 19's. I have had more malfunctions with this brand than all the other brands combined, and then there is SCCY, which is another story. My opinion is, you might get a good one if you are lucky. For a cheap plinker ok, but I would never stake my life on one as a defensive handgun. I would recommend holding out for a good used S&W or Ruger or Colt, but I doubt you will find one in today's market in the $400 range.
wmg1299
Professional
I picked up mine a few years back. The GP100 is probably my favorite revolver, and is one of my favorite guns overall. I've always wanted to add a 4" version to my collection, but availability and pricing are out of my reach. I got a sweet deal on my GP100 in 2018, and should've purchased most of the other guns I wanted back then. Hindsight is 20/20.
Old_Me
SAINT
hopefully this coming Tuesday, it'll get full .357 then some .38 specials.
SimonRL
Hellcat
I actually picked up my first revolver yesterday - an SP101 with the 2.25 in barrel. I managed to secure a box of .357 and .38 special and gave them a go - .357 first. I can’t say what I thought of the trigger because the first 5 shots removed any feeling in my hands. Swapped to .38 special and life kind of came back to normal and actually put rounds in the 4in splatterburst targets I was using. Although I didn’t think the trigger was gritty I did think it was extremely heavy. Hopefully that will lessen over time. Slapped five more rounds of .357 back in and yep, that was not a false memory. Overall a
good experience as a complete newbie. I wish someone had been there to monitor the look on my face. It made me think of the first time I got on it in a 700hp car. The gun is a very pretty gun and fits in my jeans pocket with no problem whatsoever. A good buy. It’s a new challenge that I’m sure I’ll master eventually. Biggest shock to the system was spending $60 a box each for .357 and .38. I would stop shooting before I paid that for 9mm!
good experience as a complete newbie. I wish someone had been there to monitor the look on my face. It made me think of the first time I got on it in a 700hp car. The gun is a very pretty gun and fits in my jeans pocket with no problem whatsoever. A good buy. It’s a new challenge that I’m sure I’ll master eventually. Biggest shock to the system was spending $60 a box each for .357 and .38. I would stop shooting before I paid that for 9mm!
uspatriot1960
Custom
Annihilator
Emissary
You can’t even find .357 around my area right now, limited supply on .38 also.
uspatriot1960
Custom
How about a Charter Arms in .357? Specifically the Mag Pug. From what I’ve read, they’re pretty good, other than they’re not as pretty cosmetically as the S&W, Ruger or Colt. I really don’t care about that. I’m not trying to sound cheap, but trying to justify in my head paying $400, $500 or $600 more for a gun that won’t be used a whole lot. Mostly as a “truck” or “woods” gun. I like the S&W 360, 360pd and even the model 60, but just can’t see spending that much more for something that won’t be used a whole lot. And the Rugers and Colts are heavier than I want. Not looking for a collector piece, just something that will function properly.
ChanceMcCall
Custom
Nice article on the .357 magnum, controllable concealed carry options, I still say the Kimber looks very interesting.
Best .357 Magnum Revolver Buyer's Guide (2023)
A proven self-defense option, the .357 Magnum revolver is a solid choice for concealed carry if a shooter picks a manageable piece.gundigest.com
My wife ended up buying the Kimber which she plays with at the range and really likes it. She is still very committed to her Boberg as her carry piece. She also likes my Hellcat but has decided not enough to buy one and carry it. She is not enthused about any of my .45s however.
uspatriot1960
Custom
I’d love the Kimber. But at around $1000, it’s pretty pricey. I have a Kimber Pro Carry II that I got back around 2008 and I love it.
SimonRL
Hellcat
The Mag Pug and the Bulldog seem to her pretty good reviews. I think you hit the nail on the head with the prices. When you’re paying $300-400 for a revolver you’re just not getting the fit and finish of a more expensive revolver. That was certainly my experience while looking around before I bought my SP101. I think for the most part you’re going to get something fairly reliable - which is ok as long as it’s not going to be your EDC.
Annihilator
Emissary
I have the Bulldog in .44 Special, it’s now my main ccw gun, no issues with it, good little hun.
uspatriot1960
Custom
Yeah, I may carry it from time to time, but it definitely won’t be my EDC. And just can’t get myself to pull the trigger (pun intended, lol) on a $800-$1000 revolver that I won’t be using all that much. I really just want something that will be reliable. HayesGreener spooked me off the Taurus with tales of them not going bang. And HansGruber with his story of the screws loosening up after just a couple hundred rounds. Just don’t have anything on Charter, other than reviews I’ve read and watched on the internet. I know they are American made up in CT. And I know they’ve had a storied past with a bad stretch in the early 2000s, but all indications seem to point to them being pretty decent now, other than the cosmetics not being perfect...
wmg1299
Professional
I recently picked up a .44 Spl. Bulldog and it has become one of my favorite revolvers. While the fit and finish may not be up to S&W or Colt standards, the Bulldogs and Pugs do have a reputation for reliability. The Charters run very well, but the triggers are not quite as refined as the other American manufacturers.
My Bulldog trigger isn't rough or gritty, but it does "stack" a bit differently from my other revolvers. While my fancier revolver triggers either start heavy and get lighter as you approach the wall, or have a smooth and consistent pull to the wall, my Bulldog trigger feels like it gets heavier as it approaches the wall. This isn't a problem if you're willing to run a few boxes of ammo through the Charter to get to know the trigger (which can be expensive these days). If the Charter is your only revolver you will have no problem. If you have a lot of high-end revolvers, the Charter trigger may feel a little awkward until you get used to it.
That being said, I like that my Bulldog has a distinct feel to it. I would recommend picking up a Charter if you can find one at a decent price.
Annihilator
Emissary
Trigger gets better after its shot or dry fired some, mine has kinda smoothed out some, but yea I agree about the stacking.
Bassbob
Emissary
I wouldn't say I love Taurus and I probably won't buy another one ( Unless I get a great deal on one) and you couldn't give me one of their Semi-autos, but I do have a 30+ year old, unscoped model 44 with an 8 3/8" barrel that has been flawless and has put down many deer. A buddy of mine bought the same gun at the same time as well as the matching .357 and all three of these revolvers have been solid for over 30 years now. None of them are carry guns.