Our second Smith & Wesson recommendation is the Model 686, which comes in a 6-shot and a 7-shot version (the one with the PLUS suffix). The Model 686 is one of the most common S&W revolvers out there and enthusiasts swear by them.

Size wise it’s technically not a medium frame revolver — it’s larger than conventional medium frame (S&W K-Frame) revolvers but a tad smaller than true large (S&W N-Frame) frame revolvers. But its weight and solid construction help in soaking up recoil. And it shouldn’t have too much of a problem with flame cutting because of its thick top strap (though again it’ll be safer to only sparingly shoot 125 gr. bullets).

Both the Model 686 and Model 686 PLUS are in stainless steel and both are available in 2.5-inch-, 3-inch-, 4.125-inch- and 6-inch-barrel length configurations, with the PLUS variant being the better buy simply because it only costs $20 more (the 6-shot retails for $829 while the 7-shot PLUS variantretails for $849).

My last Smith & Wesson recommendation is their Model 627 revolvers in their Performance Center line of pistols. These are all built on Smith & Wesson’s N-Frame (which is usually within the .44 Magnum revolver weight class). Having a large frame means these revolvers can accommodate a bigger cylinder which holds 8 rounds of .357 Magnum.

These 8-shot wheelguns represent some of Smith and Wesson’s top-end models, the lowest-priced being the 4-inch-barrel Performance Center PRO Series at $999, followed by the snub-nosed 2.625-inch-barrel version at $1,079, then there’s the 5-inch-barrel version with classy wood grips at $1,289, and the M327 TRR8 (Tactical Rail Revolver 8-shot) that retails for $1,329 which I personally think is too big and cumbersome for its intended “tacticool” purpose.

7. STURM, RUGER & CO.

Every revolver guy I know loves Ruger. They have a reputation for building the thickest-framed, heaviest, sturdiest revolvers that can withstand even the hottest .357 Magnum loads, whether we’re talking factory ammo or the original Keith load (173 gr. at 1,400 fps).

The common expression “Rugers are built like a tank” is no exaggeration, as Ruger revolvers have significantly thicker frames compared to their competitors which makes them unique. Another Ruger-only feature that contributes to these revolvers’ strength is the fact that they don’t have a removable side plate.

All single-piece solid frames are formed via Ruger’s patented investment casting process. Granted, they’re cast and not forged (forged metal is always stronger than cast), but Ruger has perfected the process over decades that at one point, French firearms manufacturing company Chapuis Armes bought Ruger’s patentto build their own revolvers.

We wholeheartedly recommend three revolvers from Ruger: their small-frame 5-shot SP101; their medium-frame GP100; and their large-frame Redhawk which was originally designed and built for the .44 Magnum but since last year was also released for the .357 Magnum.

The SP101 revolver has been a popular choice among hikers and campers as a trail gun with the original models only available in two barrel length options: the 2-1/4 inch Model 5718, and the 3-1/16 inches Model 5719. Both are priced at $719.

These early small-frame models have fixed rear sights, but a few years ago Ruger added another model to their SP101 line which has adjustable rear sights, fiber optic front sights and a longer 4-1/5-inch barrel: the Model 5771, which retails for $769.

The GP100 is well-known among revolver enthusiasts as the successor to the Ruger Security Six, itself a robustly-built 6-shot SA/DA revolver priced just right. It’s been around for decades but just in the third quarter of last year, Ruger introduced 7-shot GP100 models.

The GP100 is available in several different barrel length configurations (2.5-inch, 3-inch, 4.2-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch) but we find that the longer 4-inch-, 5-inch- and 6-inch-barrel options have better balance compared to the shorter barrel ones. In general, a stainless GP100 6-shot costs $829 while a stainless GP100 7-shot costs $899 ($50 more expensive than its Smith & Wesson counterpart, the 686 PLUS).

If seven shots of from the newest GP100 isn’t enough or if you simply want the biggest Ruger revolver in .357 Magnum, then you might find their Redhawk line of revolvers in .357 Magnum more appealing.

Also released later last year, the Ruger Redhawk chambered for .357 Magnum are available in three different barrel lengths: 2.75 inches, 4.2 inches and 5.5 inches, all variants are priced the same at $1,079.

Like the competing 8-shot Smith & Wesson, I personally think Redhawk revolvers are too big for the .357 Magnum but if you need more recoil control for some reason, the extra weight will help.

8. FORJAS TAURUS (BRAZIL)

Talking further about the conglomerate Bangor-Punta purchasing Smith & Wesson in 1965, in 1970 the same conglomerate purchased 54% of Forjas Taurus, a firearms manufacturer then based in São Leopoldo, a city within the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

Both having the same parent company, Smith & Wesson and Taurus would freely share technology and manufacturing methodologies in the next seven years. A new Brazilian ownership took over full control in 1977 when Forjas Taurus was purchased back from Bangor-Punta, and from then until recently, Taurus has been manufacturing revolvers that are similar to Smith & Wesson in form and function.

Today, Taurus is shaping up to be one of the most innovative firearms manufacturers company in the world as they come up with new weapon designs almost every year. But their reputation as a company isn’t like any of the others’ on this list. They’re the type that people either like so much or hate so much (I personally lean a tad bit toward the former — I can’t say I like them 100%).

Depending on how lucky you are, you can get a fully functional, no-frills, aesthetically pleasing piece of Brazilian craftsmanship at significantly less than its expensive brand-name (i.e. Smith & Wesson and Beretta) counterpart  — or you can get a very expensive paperweight not too different from those your local Saturday Night Special dealer sells that even with Taurus’ no-questions-asked Lifetime Repair policy, you’d wish you never purchased.

Yes, there’s always that risk of getting a lemon no matter which company you buy from but that risk is somewhat higher when buying a Taurus, at least as far as I’m aware. Then again, the higher the risk, the higher the reward. If you’re a risk taker, we can recommend three Taurus .357 Magnum revolver models.

The Taurus 617 is a medium-frame stainless steel snub nose revolver with a 2-inch barrel and a 7-shot cylinder. It has fixed rear and front sights and black rubber grips and for $589 it’s around 18% cheaper than the Ruger SP101 but it offers 40% more ammo capacity.

The Taurus 692 is the newest revolver on this list, just recently making its debut in the 2018 SHOT Show. I was going to recommend the medium-frame 7-shot Taurus Tracker 627 (which I’ve known forever — I used to own one) but upon seeing how the 692 is a little different (in that it’s still a 7-shot revolver but it comes with an additional cylinder chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum), I decided to recommend the latter instead.

At the time of this article’s writing, the 692 is reportedly not yet in stock everywhere so if you’re itching to get a 7-shot Taurus with a 4-inch or a 6-inch barrel, you might want to look into the Tracker 627. It retails for $709. But if you’re willing to wait it out (maybe give it a year tops), the Taurus 692 in the 3-inch or the 6-inch barrel configuration (matte black or stainless steel) should sell for only $659.

Taurus also has an 8-shot .357 Magnum revolver, it’s their Model 608 available in 4-inch and 6.5-inch barrel lengths, either configuration is selling for $729.

But as with its direct Smith & Wesson and Ruger competitors (S&W 627 and Ruger Redhawk in .357 Magnum), I think it’s too big for the cartridge and for whatever its intended purpose is. And seeing how no one really likes this model, I wouldn’t really bother with it.

9. SARSILMAZ FIREARMS INDUSTRY (TURKEY)

The first time I heard of Sarsilmaz was in January of 2012. I was scouring the web for the newest revolver brands on the market and got a bit of info on their SR-38 (which back then didn’t have that model number).

Based in Düzce, Turkey, Sarsilmaz is reportedly the only private institution in the country that produces small arms in large quantities for military and law enforcement use. Founded in 1880 when Turkey was still a part of the Ottoman Empire, they’re one of the oldest and largest firearms manufacturers in the country. Their guns are of such good quality that they export to 66 countries worldwide.

It took around five years for the SR38 to make it to the US — maybe the ATF really took their time approving the importation and sale of these revolvers (because let’s face it, some Americans don’t like Turks). As far as I’m aware, the SR-38 only started becoming widely available last year via TR Imports from Texas.