[Golfbuddy45]

My new custom S&W .357 arrived yesterday so now I have a handgun match to go with my two 1894CSS .357 Levers. The revolver is a limited edition all stainless with super nice trigger, Custom Black and Silver Laminated S&W 357 grips, 7" Barrel with an Unfluted 7 Shot Cylinder. S&W does not produce any other 7" barrel except in some semi-auto pistols and some of their large bore hunting revolvers like the 500. The gun is very balanced even with the longer barrel. The gun shop owner suggested that the extra rear weight from the unfluted barrel may help with the balance. In any case it is a great shooter. After shooting the first 6 shots with the wood grips I immediately got a set of Hogue grips from the shop store and replaced the laminated grips. They were too deep across the middle and too hard for the kick of those 158gr .357 Federals I was shooting. The Hogue soft grips made all the difference in the world. It was much easier to shoot and hit more centers with the new grips.

Here it is with the original custom grips:

and here with the Hogue grips:

Here partnered with my two CSS's:

 

[knorris948]

Very nice revolver! I am thinking about the same. I am looking at maybe a 4 0r 6" GP100, 5.5" Blackhawk .357/9mm, or a 4" Model 27 S&W.
Keith

 

[Golfbuddy45]

I was going to get the Ruger New Model Blackhawk with the 6.5" barrel but it is a single action only. If I did not get the S&W I probably would have gotten the 6.0" Ruger GP100 KGB-161 .357Magnum. It looks very similar to my S&W but 1" shorter barrel. I ended up with the same handgrips even though the S&W came with the Custom Laminates. I may get the Blackhawk later just to have the Western Style gun.
Whatever the case you can not go wrong with Ruger or S&W.

GB45

 

[Radar 1]

Nice Hog's leg! I have a 4" 686 that I truly love. If you get tired of the sticky rubber in the hot weather, you might try the Hogues like I got. They handle the hot loads well for me.

 

[tlc361]

Nice, but (you knew this was coming) the single action Blackhawk just naturally looks good with a Marlin 1894. They both has that "western" feel and look. All them new fangled shiney extra action thingamajiggs just don't look right together. ;D ;D ;D

 

[Golfbuddy45]

"the single action Blackhawk just naturally looks good with a Marlin 1894" - tlc361 - you are right, I really was going to get the Blackhawk but when I saw that S&W and there were only 2 available I had to get that one first. I am saving up for the Blackhawk and it will join the stable, after all - - - I have TWO .357 Levers!!

GB45

 

[Lil Bear]

I would like to get a Gp100, blue w/4 inch barrel to accompany my 1894c.

 

[kelbro]

I have those rubber Hogues on both my 6" Dan Wesson 15-2 and 6" S&W 586 and they really make the 357 a pleasure to shoot all day if need be. I would like to try a set of the wood Hogues to see how they perform.

 

[Golfbuddy45]

I love the beauty of wood grips and have some great target walnut grips with the thumb rest on my Ruger Comp 22. I also have target grips on an old double action 22 Magnum that really help to balance and stabilize the long barrels. However, I tried solid wood grips on my Ruger .44 Magnum and I tell you about 6 shots was all I could handle. With the Hogue soft rubber grips on that gun I can shoot all day with no ill effects - - that is except for my arm falling off from holding up that 48 ounces all day. I will probably get some of those nice Cocobolo Hogue or Excaliber grips but they will be mostly for pictures and showing off.

I have ordered a scope base for the S&W and will probably put something like my Nikon Encore that I have on the Ruger Super Redhawk. They complement each other very nicely don't you think?

GB45

 

[gyrhed]

I bought a Ruger Vaquero right before I bought my 357 CB. Knowing I was getting the CB. I wish I had waited or looked arround some. I rellay like the Vaquero but Smith and wesson makes this gun in an 8 shot 357, even though its not on the website.

I am just having a little trouble shelling out $1100 for a large frame revolver even though its made of scadium and weighs less than one of the little stell j frames. It is really a cool piece. I have held it empty but the local gunshop that has it in stock would let me load it to see how it felt with 8 roundsa in it.

Need to sell a few guns I do not use so I can buy this one and not use it much either.