[Franciscomv]

My next addition to my arsenal (baring any impulse buys) is going to be a small .357 revolver. I've been without one for a while and really miss it.

I don't need an ultralight gun, I like stainless steel frames just fine. What I do need is a gun that will stand up to a steady diet of magnum rounds. I just love snubnose revolvers and shoot them a lot, so I want a tough gun.

I'll shoot a couple of boxes of .357 through it every week.

Right now I'm looking at a new S&W 60, it feels very comfortable and the price is great (the same as in the US, which is amazing for a store in Argentina). For a bit more money I can get a Ruger SP101, which I've been meaning to try out forever. Is it stronger than the S&W? I like the cylinder release on the Ruger as well, the one on Smiths tends to cut my thumb when rapid firing.

I know it would make more sense to go for a bigger, sturdier frame for frequent shooting at the range, but I like J frames.

[robocop10mm]

Even the beefed up version of the 60 will not withstand that much magnum ammo. The next step up would be a Model 65. K frame 3" round butt. You WILL have issues with this one also. If you truly want to shoot 5000+ rds of magnums a year, you will need to go up to an L-frame. A 3" 686 round butt was made. They were a special run for Lew Horton allegedly directed toward the US Secret Service. They are out there, but I have not seen one lately.

[NGIB]

I have a 3 inch 686+ and it's about the smallest (and lightest) gun I'd want to shoot lots of magmuns through. I was at my range one day a year or so ago and I felt a concussion and heard a gigantic BOOM from the lane next to me (yes, I had my ears on).

Fella had just bought one of those scandium lightweight .357 snubbies and was trying it out with full-load .357 defense ammo. He shot one cylinder though it and carefully put it away. He was visibly shaken and had not had a good experience....

[CA357]

My wife has a Model 60. She shoots .38's in it. I've fired .357's through it with no problems. I guess that hundreds or thousands of .357's wouldn't be good for it. But once in a while, it's not a big deal.

Check out the SP101, it's a stout little rascal and will take .357's all day long.

[spittinfire]

I have a Ruger SP101 that I bought for the wife to shoot 38s. I also wanted an all around gun that could take magnums all day long for years to come. I was consistantly pointed back to the SP101. It's a great pistol with a reputation for eating hot magnums with a smile.

[Franciscomv]

Originally Posted by NGIB

I have a 3 inch 686+ and it's about the smallest (and lightest) gun I'd want to shoot lots of magmuns through.

I own a 4" 686, it's a great gun, but I want a smaller frame. And I understand how small, light, revolvers behave. I just happen to enjoy it, I don't know why but I do.

It's just a fetish of mine.

Originally Posted by spittinfire

I have a Ruger SP101 that I bought for the wife to shoot 38s. I also wanted an all around gun that could take magnums all day long for years to come. I was consistantly pointed back to the SP101. It's a great pistol with a reputation for eating hot magnums with a smile.

Most of the feedback I'm getting is pointing me in the SP101 direction as well, I really like its looks too. The thing is, the S&W 60 feels better in my hand and it's quite a bit cheaper (remember I'm not in the US, we've got weird pricing here). Are there Hogue grips for the SP101?

[tookalisten]

Yes, you can order Hogue grips for the SP101 straight from the Ruger website with the Ruger emblem on the side. I put these on my SP101 and definitely like the feel better when shooting .357's. Very pleased with the SP101!

[Virginian]

I have a Taurus 605 with a 3" barrel, and I have been very happy with it, but I do not expect it will stand up to a steady diet of Magnums any better than a S&W Model 60. But it may give you a much cheaper alternative. Depending on the grips you choose it can give a lot of different "feels". Good luck.

[robocop10mm]

I certainly understand the want for a compact .357. The problem is wear and tear. Shooting large numbers of mags through a compact gun WILL shorten the life span of the gun. Theoretically a gun has a life span measured in rounds, not years. A model 60 (in .357) may have a life span of 1000 rds of magnum ammo. A model 65 or 66 may have a life span of 2500 rounds of magnums. A 686 - maybe 5000 - 7500. A 27 - MAYBE 10,000.

Kind of like car engines. You can make a 2 liter 4 cylinder churn out 300 HP, but it will not go 100,000 miles with out MAJOR work. A 5+ liter V-8 can make 300+ HP and last easily 100K. 200K is not unheard of.

[Mark F]

Originally Posted by Franciscomv

My next addition to my arsenal (baring any impulse buys) is going to be a small .357 revolver. I've been without one for a while and really miss it.

I don't need an ultralight gun, I like stainless steel frames just fine. What I do need is a gun that will stand up to a steady diet of magnum rounds. I just love snubnose revolvers and shoot them a lot, so I want a tough gun.

I'll shoot a couple of boxes of .357 through it every week.

Right now I'm looking at a new S&W 60, it feels very comfortable and the price is great (the same as in the US, which is amazing for a store in Argentina). For a bit more money I can get a Ruger SP101, which I've been meaning to try out forever. Is it stronger than the S&W? I like the cylinder release on the Ruger as well, the one on Smiths tends to cut my thumb when rapid firing.

I know it would make more sense to go for a bigger, sturdier frame for frequent shooting at the range, but I like J frames.

Trust me on this one... You WILL NOT shoot 2 boxes of .357 Magnums in a S&W 60 each week. You won't make it through the first box... before you'll be ready to ho home and soak your hand... BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.