so, the wife gave me the green light to buy a .357 mag.

i must be a great husband.

i wanted a python, but it was too expensive..and it seems kinda top heavy.
i think i narrowed it down to a SW 386P (7shot). nickle with a 4" barrel. i want it to shoot smaller wild hogs with, and target shooting.

i know zero about revolvers..what do i need to look for when buying used?

 

I know little about them too.

However, i do know that you should check for:
cylinder rattle (how much play the cylinder has)
firing pin protrusion
forcing cone erosion
crown

 

i'm about to flex my stupidity on revolver knowledge (i'm more of a tupper gun guy), ..but i'm thinking that making sure the timing is right would be important - cylinder lockup, chamber alignment to forcing cone/bore, etc... not sure how to check for this though..

 

i have nothing for you in advise but i'm jealous as i too have been longing for a 357mag, i feel it's wrong i own 10+ pistols and not one revolver

 

OP, please have your wife call my wife; I believe I am deserving of a .357 as well

 

The Ruger GP series is very popular.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_GP100

Stainless, built super tough. Most comfortable grips ever. Not too expensive.
Fritz

 

Smith and Wesson TRR8



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0aEEdcHgD4



Thread/

 

no and i quit my job too

 

Definitely my next revolver purchase. Got a chance to run a buddies through the paces and totally love this piece.

 

When in doubt, pay a gun smith to look over any used piece before you buy it.

I was lucky and got my .357mag the old fashion way, I inherited it (He was down sizing homes, not dead). It was my father's service piece for many years. I love that S&W model 19, I highly recommend it.

 

that 8-shot is fantastic. damn.

i think i like the 3" 686P. damn..

 

you can get an 8 shot 2.5 inch scandium framed revolver

http://www.gunblast.com/SW-Nightguards.htm

 

I have a few revolvers but I would have to say one of the best 357's I own is a Taurus Tracker. AWESOME DEAD ON right out of the box.

 

Check out the S&W 686 Plus in a 4" barrel. Seven rounds of 357, with enough barrel/sight radius for accuracy and velocity. Perfect for the trail, pack or truck. Not great for CCW.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57769_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

People have mentioned endshake and cylinder play. Also check the timing on a double action. When you pull the trigger slowly, the cylinder will rotate of course. At the end of the pull before the trigger breaks, you should hear a click and see the cylinder stop rotating. This all happens at the verry end of the pull, just before the hammer drops. if the cylinder isn't done rotating before the hammer drops, it might be worn to the point where you need a new hand.

 

The 686 plus is definitely a solid gun. I wasn't aware to check for any of cylinder play or endshake (not sure what that is). I noticed a tiny bit of cylinder play...but not enough to make a noise when I shake it.

All I know is it can shoot 2-3' groups at 25 yards all day long. Very balanced!

FWIW, it's the one I keep loaded next to the bed.

 

Nice! I mentioned endshake and cylinder play as things to check in a used gun - not that the 686 has particular issues with it (just wanted to make that clear). Endshake is front-back movement of a closed cylinder (linear to the barrel). There should be basically none. Cylinder play is rotational movement of a closed cylinder. A little is normal, as long as lock-up seems normal as I mentioned in the previous post. Endshake is easy to fix with bushings, but excessive cylinder play usually required new parts and a gunsmith to fit them.