Best/ Favorite Revolver?

texag06 · #1

Thanks to tex45acp's thread about his new revolvers, I am really considering making my next purchase a wheelgun. Therefore, I ask all of you: In your opinion, what is your favorite revolver for carry, or whatever? Please give considerations such as price, weight, reliability, etc. I think I am partial to the S&W's, but don't own any as of now. Thanks in advance.

-Dustin

p.s. Feel free to use pictures to support your argument. I can't get enough of these things!

jbirds1210 · #2

There are two S&W wheelguns that I would call my favorites....first would be the classic Model 10, Smith perfected their double action revolver early in the game!...second would be the 686!

I will take some pics when my wife comes home and brings the camera (she is out of town)
Jason

JLaw · #3

Revolvers are great, you'll love it. I shoot them better than I do pistols. Going with what jbirds1210 said, the S&W Model 10 is a classic that will serve you well in any roll, the 686 is a strong wheelgun that will put you up into the .357 Magnum range. Just to start you off with pics, here's an older Taurus 65 I've had for quite some time, it's a standard blue, fixed sight service revolver chambered for .357 Mag. I paid ~$185 + tax (used), it's been 100% reliable, it is all steel. Just do you're research when looking into Taurus, for the most part they are great firearms.

This S&W Model 19 is a 2 1/2" barrell .357 Mag with adjustable sights. This one's seen many, MANY miles in the holster. Bought this one used also, for $200 + shipping. Just changed out the well worn out mainspring, will get it to the range soon to verify 100% function. It too is all steel.

And if you're looking for deep concealment, there's always the trusty ol' S&W 642, chambered for .38 Spl +P. I got a great "buddy-buddy" deal on this one, but I think they're going for around $370 (???) now NIB. It's an Airweight, so it can be carried all day with no effort at all.

Good luck and let us know what you pick up, and be sure to show it off.

JLaw

texag06 · #4

Thanks guys. Good looking guns JLaw. And don't worry, as soon as I have one in my hands, you will all see the pics!

-Dustin

Houston1944 · #5

My favorite range revolver is my S&W 24. It is the most accurate handgun I own. The 44spl is such a sweet caliber you can shoot it all day.

My Ruger 44mag SRH has put a ton of deer meat in the freezer so it's hard not to include in my list of revolvers.

Revolvers are just like eating chips, you can't have just one.

JLaw · #6

Houston1944 wrote: Revolvers are just like eating chips, you can't have just one.

'Nuff said.

JLaw

jbirds1210 · #7

Alright fellas...here are a couple of my babies of the wheelgun species! Enjoy

Smith & Wesson Model 10 and Model 13-3 factory nickel.

Model 10 Smith old school.....The production date of this baby is 46-47 and this is supposed to be the original leather. The back of the holster is embossed with Alamo Leather Goods Co.# 522. I have had this revolver refinished...it was in really rough shape!

ETA: Highvelocity......I took the rubber grips off just for you!

GrandmasterB · #8

This 4" Ruger Security Six has been a long-time favorite of mine. .357 for carry or home protection, .38 Specials at the range for fun, practice and IDPA.

But for pure competition, there's the S&W 625 .45 ACP. Love the moonclips for a fast reload.

jbirds1210 · #9

Those are nice...very nice. I love both of them. That Ruger looks like a work horse!
Jason

dws1117 · #10

Man what beautiful wheelies.

Thane · #11

The Ruger Security Six is quite a workhorse, yes. My parents got me two of them, one blued, one stainless, both 6" barrels, for my 21st birthday. They are both built like bricks, except more durable. I understand the newer GP-100 series is even stronger (!).

For accuracy, well... I can ring a 100-yard gong with either, using magnum ammunition, offhand. I gotta aim above the gong to do that, due to bullet drop at that distance, but they're consistant enough to ring steel if I do my part.

Also, a big +1 on the S&W 686. That's gotta be one of my favorite revolvers to shoot, due to its weight; even the recoil of the heaviest magnum ammunition is tamed by that full underlug barrel, and if anything, it's built more strongly than the Ruger.

But for sheer "classic wheelgun," you can't beat a Smith Model 19.

aguyindallas · #12

I LOVE my 642, but will admit I lust for a 66 and 686.

KBCraig · #13

I've got to admit... if there's one handgun I despise, it's a Smiff Model 10.

When I started work here, we were issued Model 10-13s. I admit that I have long fingers, but I could not fire those things worth a flip. By the time I had the looooooooong trigger pull taken up, my grip had altered to the point I didn't have a good grip. Plus, there was usually a bump right before release.

I admit those were poor specimens, but I do not like the grip shape on a standard old school revolver.

My wife's Taurus M85 grip is shaped like a Smiff with a T-grip in place. Completely changes the geometry, and much more comfortable. I can shoot it with ease.

Kevin

Thane · #14

KBCraig -

As much as I like S&W revolvers, I'm actually going to agree with you. The "stock" grips of many of the K-frame revolvers are quite uncomfortable to me; they're too square, and don't fit the hand right.
I prefer the "target" (I think that's what they're called) style of grips. Fatter and more massive, they provide a better purchase for the hand, while not being so big as to obstruct a proper grip. Plus, they fill in under the trigger guard, while leaving the backstrap open, so they don't extend the length of pull.

Chris · #15

these are mine. a smith 640-1 in .357 mag. and don't discount the model 10's baby's daddy, a smith model 1905 from 1923 in .38.