14 Formidable .357 Magnum Revolvers

Back in the day, .357 Mag revolvers were among the most popular handguns around. Law enforcement officers wanted a more powerful cartridge than the .38 Special for service use and the .357 sixgun was better able to stand up to the new .38 +P and +P+ cartridges.

Probably the most well-known .357 Mag when I became a cop in the mid-1970s was the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Combat Magnum. Envisioned by Border Patrolman and gun writer Bill Jordan as the “peace officer’s dream,” the Model 19 was based on a strengthened (medium-sized) K-Frame, making it more convenient to carry than the large (N-Frame) Model 27 or Model 28 Highway Patrolman .357 revolvers.

Colt produced a robust .41-caliber revolver during the same era called the Trooper Mk III, which had a new action that didn’t require all the hand fitting needed in the older Trooper and Python models. At the same time, Ruger came out with its first double-action (DA) revolver, the Security-Six, which was another medium-sized .357 Mag, this one with a solid, modular frame that had no sideplate like the Colt or S&W. All three of these handguns were used extensively by law enforcement and had great followings for self-defense and field use.

Sadly, none of the aforementioned .357 Mags are still being made today, but Ruger and S&W are still turning out .357 models along with several other manufacturers. Here are some of formidable options for today’s wheelgunning fans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Charter Arms
http://www.charterarms.com

Chiappa
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Dan Wesson
http://www.cz-usa.com

European American Armory
https://www.eaacorp.com

Rossi
http://www.rossiusa.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
http://www.smith-wesson.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

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