Best .357 Magnum Revolvers [2026]: Home Defense, Range & CCW

Revolvers are simple, reliable firearms. Despite their dated design, they remain viable and popular choices for many shooters.

Whether you are looking for a home defense gun, your next concealed carry gun, or just a fun range toy, a revolver might just be the gun for you.

And what better caliber to choose than .357 Magnum? It's powerful, effective, time-proven, and allows you to safely shoot softer, more cost-effective .38 Special as well.

With that in mind, we rounded up some of our favorite .357 Magnum revolvers based on use case, features, and value. So let's dive right in!

Best .357 Magnum Revolvers Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best .357 Magnum Revolvers

Input for this article came from the PPT editorial team and our writers. Together, we have a combined shooting experience of 30+ years, including instruction, competition, and multiple shooting disciplines.

We have hands-on time with every revolver on this list, each having a minimum of 500 rounds through it, except the MR73.

Reliability and accuracy testing were conducted at various distances with both FMJ and defensive ammunition. 

Most of the revolvers on the list are personally owned by members of the Pew Pew Tactical staff and have been used for years as range, concealed carry, and hunting guns. Most have a far higher round count than our 500-round testing minimum.

Meet the Experts

This article was spearheaded by Pew Pew Tactical Editor & Senior Review Analyst Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified and USCCA-certified instructor, a former competitive shooter, and an avid hunter.

To say he is a revolver enthusiast is an understatement. Wyatt has previous experience as a home-based FFL and personally owns over 200 firearms — over 20 of which are revolvers. He grew up shooting revolvers and has hands-on experience with every single revolver on this list, as well as countless others that weren’t included.

Best .357 Magnum Revolvers

1. Ruger GP100 - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Ruger GP100

$730

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$730 at GrabAGun

Classic Firearms (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6, 7
• Barrel Length: 2.5" - 6"
• Overall Length: 8" - 11.5"
• Weight: 36 oz - 43.5 oz
• Country of Origin: USA

The Ruger GP100 is one of the most popular revolvers in the world, thanks to its extremely rugged, bombproof design and how easy it is to shoot.

These are traditional DA/SA revolvers sporting a medium-sized frame. The .357 magnum versions are available with either a 6- or 7-shot cylinder, and are offered in barrel lengths from 2.5 to 6 inches.

Ruger revolvers tend to have beefier frames than the competition, which helps soak up the recoil of .357 Magnum. All of that weight makes shooting .38 Special target ammo through these guns an absolute pleasure.

The 4.2-inch and 6-inch versions are the most common and make for some of the best all-purpose revolvers on the market.

They are easy to shoot, hell-bent for stout, and have plenty of holsters and aftermarket grip options. And most importantly, the quality control on these guns is outstanding. If you buy a GP100, it is extremely unlikely you will get a lemon.

Other notable features include a fully adjustable rear sight, a strong triple-locking cylinder design, and a transfer bar safety.

At the end of the day, the GP100 is just at that perfect intersection of affordability, quality control, durability, and shootability.

2. Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp - Best EDC Revolver

Best EDC Revolver

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp

$1157

at Classic Firearms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1157 at Classic Firearms

Midway USA (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Show all prices

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel length: 3"
• Overall length: 8"
• Weight: 34.5 oz
• Country of Origin: USA

It is no secret that Smith & Wesson was going to show up on this list --- they know revolvers.

Their Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp packs a ton of awesome features into their mid-sized K-Frame revolver, making for an absolutely awesome everyday carry piece.

For starters, you get a 3-inch barrel with a PowerPort at the end to reduce recoil and muzzle flip. A fully adjustable rear sight and a Trijicon tritium front sight adorn the top of the gun.

Included are both custom wood "boot-style" grips and a set of synthetic grips. Being a Performance Center model also means you get a pro-tuned action for an ultra-smooth double-action pull and an extremely crisp single-action.

If you are looking for a revolver to carry on the regular and aren't necessarily going for super deep concealment, the Model 19 Performance Center Carry Comp offers a ton of performance in a very carryable package.

Be sure to check out our full review!

3. Manurhin MR73 Sport - Best High-End Revolver

Best High-End .357

Manurhin MR73

$4299

at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$4299 at Midway USA

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel length: 3" - 8"
• Overall length: 8.07" - 13.11"
• Weight: 32.1 oz - 41.9 oz
• Country of Origin: France

The Manurhin MR73 is a 6-shot .357 Magnum revolver made by Chapuis Armes in France and imported by Beretta.

Developed for use by French police and Special Weapons and Tactics units and fielded by the French GIGN, the accuracy and durability of this revolver are legendary. These guns are built to withstand 150,000-200,000 rounds of full-power .357 magnum.

These guns feature a fully adjustable rear sight, match trigger, and are completely hand-fitted to exacting tolerances. They are available in barrel lengths between 3 and 8 inches with a gorgeous deep blue finish.

I had the opportunity to shoot both the 4-inch and 6-inch versions at SHOT Show, and let me say...wow. Everything on those guns felt like a million bucks. The double-action was smooth as glass, the single-action was amazing, the cylinder lockup was bank-vault tight, and the accuracy was outstanding.

It is safe to say that the MR73 is regarded by many as the finest .357 Magnum revolver ever made. Unfortunately, that kind of performance comes with an eye-watering $4,000 plus price tag.

4. Taurus Tracker 627 - Most Affordable

Most Affordable

Taurus Tracker 627

$442

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$442 at BattleHawk Armory

Midway USA (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 7
• Barrel length: 4", 6.5"
• Overall length: 8.75 - 10.75"
• Weight: 35 oz - 40 oz
• Country of Origin: Brazil

As you may have noticed, revolvers aren't super cheap, and magnum revolvers definitely aren't.

Luckily, Taurus is committed to keeping prices down and passing savings on to the customers. But savings don't always mean you have to skimp on features.

The 627 Tracker is a 7-shot .357 Magnum revolver that is built to be rugged and controllable. It comes in either 4- or 6.5-inch barrel, both with a factory-tuned porting to help alleviate the harsher magnum recoil.

A fully adjustable rear sight, raised ramped front sight, and soft rubber grips help complement the ported barrel to make for a fun and easy shooting experience.

I purchased a 627 Tracker years ago as a cheaper knockabout woods gun I could take on hunting trips. It didn't take me long to realize this gun was actually pretty accurate and reliable — a winning combo.

And the best part about all of this? The price. At under $500, it is priced well below its competitors, making it a much easier pill to swallow for those who want to give .357 Magnum a shot.

What do you think of the Taurus Tracker? Rate it below!

5. Smith & Wesson Performance Center 327 TRR8 - Highest Capacity

Highest Capacity

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 327 TRR8

$1403

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1403 at Kygunco

GrabAGun (see price)

Classic Firearms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 8
• Barrel length: 5"
• Overall length: 10.5"
• Weight: 35.2 oz
• Country of Origin: USA

Tactical revolver might sound like a weird phrase to some, but that is exactly what the S&W Performance Center 327 TRR8 is.

The TRR8 is a 5-inch barreled revolver built on Smith & Wesson's larger “N-Frame."

Since the N-Frame was originally intended for .44 and .45-caliber rounds, this means that it can fit more rounds when chambered in the smaller diameter .357 Magnum.

This nets you a whopping 8 rounds of capacity. But despite being a large-frame gun with a high capacity, it isn't overly heavy thanks to its scandium-alloy frame.

I love that S&W went with a 5-inch barrel here. It doesn't feel too short for stout .357 loads, but it isn't so long that you wouldn't want to carry it.

The Performance Center-tuned action and trigger are outstanding. The double-action pull is smooth and not overly heavy, and the single-action is light and crisp. Everything here feels tight, yet polished.

Feature-wise, you get a fully adjustable rear sight, a gold bead front sight, and some rubber grips that do a great job absorbing recoil.

But perhaps the most defining feature is the removable optics and accessory rails. This ability to easily mount optics and lights is what truly pushes the TRR8 into the "tactical" realm.

If you are looking for a home defense gun, woods gun, range toy, or even a competition revolver, the S&W Model 327 TRR8 can easily fill any of those roles.

6. Colt Python - Best Aesthetics

Best Aesthetics

Colt Python

$1087

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1087 at GrabAGun

Firearms Depot (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Barrel length: 2.5" - 8"
• Overall length: 8" - 13.5"
• Weight: 39 oz - 51 oz
• Country of Origin: USA

After being out of production for 15 years, Colt brought back their iconic Python revolver in 2020, to the joy of many.

The Python is most famous of the Colt "Snake Guns," and has long been heralded for its gorgeous design, great handfeel, and smooth action.

The most distinct feature of the Python is the ventilated top rib and a full underlug barrel. A look that has been replicated by many, but matched by none.

A fully adjustable rear sight, ramped front sight, and perfectly-sized walnut grips adorn the gun. They are available in stainless or blued finishes, with both matte and polished options available.

Colt redesigned the new Python to have far fewer internal moving parts, resulting in a much simpler trigger design. While I feel that the older Pythons have better triggers, the new system is much more robust and less likely to go out of time.

What I did enjoy during my time with this gun was how amazing it felt in the hand. The 6-inch Python is one of the most well-balanced revolvers I have ever shot. It is exactly how I would want a revolver like this to feel.

If you want a revolver with killer looks and a reputation to match, the Python is for you.

Want to learn more about the new Python? Check out our full hands-on review!

7. Kimber K6s - Thinnest 6-shot .357 Magnum

Thinnest 6-shot .357 Magnum

Kimber K6s

$799

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$799 at GrabAGun

Midway USA (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Barrel length: 2" - 4"
• Overall length: 6.62" - 8.62"
• Weight: 23 oz - 29 oz
• Capacity: 6 rounds

Kimber may be a relative newcomer to the world of revolvers, but they came out of the gate swinging with the outstanding K6s.

The K6s is available in a few different configurations --- with the main two being the standard K6S (Double-action only) and the DASA (exposed hammer).

Barrel lengths vary by model, but most range from 2 to 4 inches, with my personal favorite model being the 3-inch DASA.

Kimber's claim to fame with the K6s is its 6-shot cylinder, which is just 1.39 inches wide. This makes it the thinnest 6-shot .357 Magnum revolver on the market, and by extension, very easy to conceal.

You also get a snag-free, drift-adjustable rear sight, a push-in Ruger-style cylinder release, and a surprisingly nice trigger.

The fit and finish on these guns is excellent, and is immediately apparent when you pick one up. If you're looking for a high-quality concealed-carry revolver...this is it.

Be sure to read all about the K6s in our review!

8. Smith & Wesson 686 Plus - Best Value

Best Value

Smith & Wesson 686 Plus

$869

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$869 at Brownells

GrabAGun (see price)

Midway USA (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Barrel length: 2.5" - 7"
• Overall length: 7.5" - 12.3"
• Weight: 34.5 oz - 48.2 oz
• Capacity: 7 rounds

Those looking for a high-quality, do-all revolver will find just that in the S&W 686 Plus.

Built on Smith’s medium L-Frame, the 686 Plus is superbly balanced while still having enough weight to cut down on recoil and make shooting a breeze.

While the regular 686 is a time-proven favorite, the Plus model adds an extra round for a total of seven instead of the standard six.

As you'd come to expect from Smith & Wesson revolvers, the 686 Plus has an outstanding trigger. An adjustable rear sight and ramped front sight make dialing in the gun easy, regardless of your ammo choice.

While they make excellent range toys, the 686 is also well-suited for concealed carry, woods carry, and home defense roles as well.

They are available in several different barrel lengths, including 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 inches.

In my opinion, the 686 hits the nail on the head in just about every area you'd want it to. These are the revolvers that everything else is measured against.

Be sure to check out our hands-on review of the 686 Plus!

Which Frame Size Is Right For Me?

Let's talk a little about the various frame sizes that .357 Magnum revolvers are available in.

Small Frame Revolvers

These revolvers are easy to conceal in a holster, purse, or fanny pack. Their small size also makes them easy to draw and deploy quickly. 

But the smaller and lighter you go, the worse the recoil gets. Not only that, but the .357 Magnum loses much of its ballistic effectiveness when you put in a 2-inch or shorter barrel.

What you'll end up with is a whole lot of flash, a ton of recoil, and not that much more energy than if you were to use good .38 Special +P instead.

If you are set on a small-frame .357 Magnum, I typically recommend looking for something with a 2.5- to 3-inch barrel and a weight of around 25 ounces or more.

Medium Framed Revolvers

Without a doubt, medium-framed revolvers are my favorite. They are big enough to have fun while shooting, but not so big that it feels like I am lugging around a hand cannon.

These revolvers usually weigh between 20 and 40 ounces unloaded and typically have a 6-shot capacity, although you will occasionally run into 7-shot models.

With the right clothing, barrel length choice, and a good holster, medium-frame revolvers are still relatively concealable while being much easier to shoot than small-frame guns.

Even though they are a big step up in size over small-frame revolvers, some medium-frame guns can still be pretty stout in the recoil department when using hot .357 Magnum ammo.

Large Frame Revolvers

These revolvers typically weigh between 25 and 60 ounces, with most well north of 40 ounces.

These revolvers can hold 6 to 8 rounds of .357 Magnum and are much better at soaking up recoil due to their sights and weight. You can also shoot for extended time periods without feeling recoil discomfort.

The larger frames are also more durable, allowing for a steadier diet of full-power .357 Magnum without much issue.

However, their large size and heavy weight make them hard to conceal.

Large-frame .357 Magnums typically excel as hunting guns, woods guns, home defense guns, or as a range gun you can shoot all day.

Final Thoughts

Revolvers can still be extremely useful tools, but more importantly, they are cool and fun. I think everyone should own at least one .357 Magnum revolver.

And remember, if you don’t see your favorite revolver, it doesn’t mean we hate it; we just had to make some tough calls to keep this list short and readable.

What is your favorite .357 Magnum revolver? Let us know in the comments below! To see what we recommend feeding your revolver, check out our article on the Best .38 Special and .357 Magnum Ammo.

Latest Updates

• May 2026: Removed S&W 627 Pro, added S&W Performance Center 327 TRR8. Added How We Tested section. Updated photos and media.
• March 2025: Added comparison chart and Why You Should Trust Us sections.
• July 2024: Removed the S&W Model 60, Colt King Cobra, SP101. Added the S&W Model 19 Carry Comp, Taurus 627 Tracker, and S&W 686 Plus. Added How We Chose section and supplemental information about each firearm.