What is your ideal battery / armory of Revolvers and do you have it?

[ABPOS]

For the sake of discussion and planning, just curious on what people say to this.

For example, I have 2 smith and wesson revolvers that pretty much handle my needs. A 442 and a 6" Model 19. One is a great carry gun and 1 is great for Home Defense. I probably wouldn't NEED any more. Actually I could get away with just the 442 but I wouldn't consider that ideal.

And beyond that, I think I could see some other models working better for those 2 things. Well, I would like the airweight for pocket carry when I do. But only on occasion. I'd like a Steel J frame for belt carry. Which is the majority what I do. And I'd like a smaller K frame for Home Defense. Or something different. I can think of a lot of models that would probably be better.

The model 19 is great. But there are probably better models for home defense. Like a TRR8 or 686plus with say a 2.5" barrel.
Something like that. Or even just a better balancing, more compact K frame.

Then I'm sure I could use a .22 for practice.

So my ideal family looks kind of like this:

617 / 63
442
649
4" tapered bbl 10 or 3"HB 10

Then throw in stuff for fun:
M1917 / Victory / 27

You see in my ideal family I don't even own a 6" model 19. LOL. I will say this, that one shoots really good and the trigger is GREAT. But I think other models balance better and might be a bit more practical. I don't plan on gettting rid of it but it doesn't SEEM ideal to me. I'd take a 4" 66 over that any day.

Anyways.....

I always like to see what other people find "ideal".

[squidsix]

J frame .38
K frame .22
K frame .38
K frame .357
N frame .357
N frame .44
N frame .45

Single action centerfire
Single action rimfire
Ruger "six" series

Prefer multiples of the real pretty ones.

Yes I have it.

[.455_Hunter]

For me, a minimalist revolver battery would consist of:

1. NAA Mini .22 LR or Magnum (non-permissive/deep concealment/BUG)
2. 2" I or J frame in .38 S&W or .38 Special (normal EDC)
3. 4" mid-frame .38 Special or .357 Mag ("duty" use/home defense)
4. 4" to 6" SA or DA in large caliber (.45 Colt, .44 Mag) (big game hunting/animal defense)
5. 4" to 6" K22 style DA .22 LR (small game/range/training).

I could get by without any issues equipped as above.

[bigggbbruce]

Originally Posted by .455_Hunter

For me, a minimalist revolver battery would consist of:

1. NAA Mini .22 LR or Magnum (non-permissive/deep concealment/BUG)
2. 2" I or J frame in .38 S&W or .38 Special (normal EDC)
3. 4" mid-frame .38 Special or .357 Mag ("duty" use/home defense)
4. 4" to 6" SA or DA in large caliber (.45 Colt, .44 Mag) (big game hunting/animal defense)
5. 4" to 6" K22 style DA .22 LR (small game/range/training).

I could get by without any issues equipped as above.

What..!! are you looking over my shoulder..

NAA Sidewider 22lr/22wmr conv.
Mdl. 60 snub.357
Mdl. 13
Mdl. 629 Mountain Gun
Mdl. 17 6"

[Dogfish357]

My ideal "practical" list would be:
J frame .38 snubby
L frame .357 w/ 4"-6" barrel
N frame .44

It covers edc/hd/woods carry. Everything else on my list would be fun stuff

[Goldstar225]

My needs are pretty well covered by:

Model 642
Model 15
Model 60-15
Model 34-1

I would like to add a 4" model 19 and change out the model 34 for a model 17.

[MetalMan]

Model 36 x 2
Model 60 x 2
Model 60-15
Model 19-5, 2-1/2”
Model 66-4, 2-1/2”
Kimber Ultra Carry Series 1

While I have many other “wants”, I believe that my “needs” are pretty well covered.

[andy52]

My battery of revolvers is as many as I can afford, which is now about 35 and counting. This does not include any of the semi autos that I have.
I'm well past the need to have stage in my collection it's become more of what I want.

[Dieseltech56]

I have some made up reason in my mind to have all my revolvers. I couldn't pick like 4 or 5 and be comfortable

[colt_saa]

I have been buying Smith and Wessons for 4 decades now. I have many firearms that fill many roles. I own more than I need, but not all that I want

To start with, almost every day of my life since 1980 there has been a J-frame Smith and Wesson with me.

Sometimes as a backup and other times as a primary firearm. At this point I have many to choose from depending on how I am dressed, the mode I am carrying in, where I am going and if I need to conform in terms of ammunition

For home defense, I prefer to use a 12 gauge, but I will pick up whatever is at hand if/when an event occurs. A home defense firearm does not need to be light or small, you are carrying it in your home. Most recently I built a little 12 Ga coach gun for the night stand

I used to keep one of my Remington 870WP shotguns in that role.

I have other things placed around the house if we get surprised or overrun.

What is sitting where just depends on whim at the moment. I do not actually have a "plan" beyond the issue that I will be walking away from the event

[OIF2]

It pains me to say this, but I think I could get by with these three...top gun is a GI National Match .45 built at FT Benning awhile back. The S&Ws are my old 649 .38 and a K22. Life would probably be simpler with these three.
Bob

[THE PILGRIM]

Been buying guns and keeping some for a while.
Never actually gave much thought to ‘ideal.’
Have kept some of most everything, have sold some that didn’t work out.
Like 2- model 53s, 2- Detonics Pocket Nines.
Have tried the long barrels. But Don’t really care for anything longer than 6.5.
Have tried the Nickels, not for me, but I do still have one Model 19.

[dscampbell]

After 50 years I have returned to my starting point
2” K frame 38 special
3” K frame 38 special
3” K frame 357 magnum
4” K frame 38 special
4” K frame 357 magnum



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tadeus67]

2" J frame Bodyguard (I would like a Centennial model 40, but the m-49 is what I have)

4" K Frame

6 " N Frame

K22 and 617

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by OIF2

It pains me to say this, but I think I could get by with these three...top gun is a GI National Match .45 built at FT Benning awhile back. The S&Ws are my old 649 .38 and a K22. Life would probably be simpler with these three.
Bob

I can't argue with your choices. I just don't do autos for nightstand any more. At least at this point. I just like them to not have to have oil / grease. And I don't like concerning myself about what to do with the chambered round for when I dry fire. Is it good, how many times etc etc. Revolvers are just so nice to not have to even think about that. And I prefer dry firing them over anything else. Let alone the fact that everyone else around me has a revolver for their defense gun. In my family. Mom, Dad, wife only knows how to run one. Daughter prefers them. My son is the only one who likes an auto and even that is DA/SA. LOL The M9.

[Mzuri]

I would think that unless you hunt with a handgun or live in grizzly country, you could get by with a 2" J-frame and 4-6" K- or L-frame .357 especially if you reload. If you don't reload or are dead set on having a 22 lr, then a Hi-Standard Sentinel might fit in too. Just don't tell my wife I said this.

[Whitwabit]

Good choices for you and will do well for YOU .. for ME where I
live and frequent autos that carry as many rounds as your two revolver's and double the fire power with the extra magazine is what I carry ..

The reason !! The HOOD gets closer every year .. And when I have to cross the river to the other side for medical reasons (doctor appointments) I want to be well armed .. They run in packs 3-4 in a car .. When you see them walking around with their pants down to their knees there's always a half dozen or more ..

So many fights at the shopping malls their losing business to the point of some stores closing and others added police presence in the store ..

Not any one thing is the best for everyone's situation .. so carry what is best for yourself and family and don't worry what other's think or carry !!

[Grayfox]

I believe its quite possible to get by quite well with just three revolvers.
A small 2" .38spl for concealed carry. Most here like the J-frame, but a K-frame will work. Then there's my personal favorite, the Colt Detective Special.
A K or L frame 4" .357 for carry or home defense. It need be you can hunt with it. My choice is the 586.
A K-frame .22 either 4 or 6" for small game, practice and just plain fun. Here I go with the 4" Model 18. My all time favorite revolver.

[alwslate]

After giving this question a lot of very serious thought I have come to
the conclusion that I probably need one more :-)

[bigwheelzip]

The only revolver in my carry rotation is the 3" 686 Plus.

[JayFramer]

1- S&W Model 64 pre-lock 4" bbl square butt.

Yes, I have one, but sadly it mikes out with a .010" b/c gap. I'd like half that. I need to get one in pristine condition with a closer gap. It is the ideal service revolver in my opinion.

2- S&W 638 pre-lock

A near unicorn gun, one Smith stubbornly refuses to re-release despite a no-lock 642 being available. Virtually impossible to find gun in my experience, one I'd love to own for sure!

[ABPOS]

Any gun with an exposed hammer gets the lock apparently. The 642 doesn't, so... My 442 made in 2013 doesn't have the lock.

You can just take it out though.

[Rastoff]

There is only one correct answer to this question and it has nothing to do with part numbers.

The right gun to use for your personal self-defense is the one you can manipulate and shoot well. Everything else is a tertiary consideration.

So, which is the one you shoot best?

[ABPOS]

Lots of Great responses....

Hey Bob (OIF2), what grips are them on your 649. I saw them on your 442 in your article and I've never seen them anywhere else. And I think the article said they were rubber, eh?

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by Grayfox

I believe its quite possible to get by quite well with just three revolvers.
A small 2" .38spl for concealed carry. Most here like the J-frame, but a K-frame will work. Then there's my personal favorite, the Colt Detective Special.
A K or L frame 4" .357 for carry or home defense. It need be you can hunt with it. My choice is the 586.
A K-frame .22 either 4 or 6" for small game, practice and just plain fun. Here I go with the 4" Model 18. My all time favorite revolver.

I definitely would carry something else too. When I used to work in a bad neighborhood, my M9 went with me. I had to have it in my backpack because it was before our state adopted CCW. But it was always pretty close. I worked in an office and it was right beside me the whole time. There were a few times I had my hand on it. One time my car broke down and it was really cold out. And I was about a mile from work and I walked back. It was night. The upside was because it was cold out, there wasn't much rif raf hanging around. But my hand was on it the whole time. LOL.

Where I live and go now, not really an issue. I would prefer to just carry 2 now if I was going to a bad area. I'm just more comfy with revolvers.

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by Grayfox

I believe its quite possible to get by quite well with just three revolvers.
A small 2" .38spl for concealed carry. Most here like the J-frame, but a K-frame will work. Then there's my personal favorite, the Colt Detective Special.
A K or L frame 4" .357 for carry or home defense. It need be you can hunt with it. My choice is the 586.
A K-frame .22 either 4 or 6" for small game, practice and just plain fun. Here I go with the 4" Model 18. My all time favorite revolver.

If me and my Colt DS got along, I don't think I'd feel the need for another defense gun. But I have this almost spiritual battle with it. I swear there is something other worldly happening between me and that revolver. I can't explain it. My Daughter likes it and it's probably just going to end up being hers. I'm going to get some light loads and she if she can shoot it well enough. Then I won't have to struggle with it any more. LOL.

[jag312]

S&W 696, .44 Special
USFA Single Action, .45 Colt, 4 3/4" barrel



That's it. Of the revolvers that I own, these are the only two revolvers that I carry.

[URIT]

My S&W Governor (410/45LC) serves as my primary home defense firearm. My 19-4, which I carried my last 24 years on the job, serves as a fine HD backup piece.

I have a Colt Detective Special that I carry on special occasions, but most often my CCW is a SW3953 or a Walther PPS40.

[steelslaver]

I figure I am getting closer, but putting together 100 just right revolvers takes a while

[snowman.45]

My revolver battery is constantly growing. I like my lightweight and all steel J-frames, and they get carried often. I like my short barreled K-frames for carry, particularly in the desert or when hiking in the Sierras. I like my L-frames in 4" barrels, just because. I like my N-frames in .357, .44 mag and .45 ACP. In short, I'm afraid I like revolvers too much to limit myself. I'm currently working on my desert battery, which I plan on being a .44 Special/Magnum with a nice Marlin Trapper in the same caliber for when I get moved to Arizona in February. Could accomplish the same things with a similar combo in .357, or maybe a .45 ACP/.45-70 combination. Damn; see what I mean? I simply can't set limits here.

[Stevens]

Mine are:
model 642
Colt Agent 2"
Model 686 4"
Model 63 3" for plinking
Steve W

[petepeterson]

I generally use 3:

34-1
442
60-15

I have more, but those 3 can share holsters, and can cover my needs. Any others that come out are just for shooting pleasure.

[BAM-BAM]

OK.................. I could get by with............just my.......

3" model 66..... concealed carry

4" 686...... mine is a customized round butt; best all around/utility .357 going IMHO................. and finally my

4" Model 18..... cus everyone should have; and needs a .22


truth is I have a bunch more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! which make me !

[nachogrande]

For a "revolver guy" I'm 50/50 with DA revolvers & semi's. I'd like to try N frame revolvers in 45 acp, 45LC, maybe a 480 Ruger single action??? Also if I like the caliber, having 2 of different size/styles/platforms is kinda nice too. Right now, after downsizing I'm at a stripped to the bone working battery of 10 handguns: 2-22's, 1 - 32acp, 2 - 38, 2 - 357, 1- 9mm, 1 - 40, 1 - 45acp OOPS forgot 1, I guess a 45-22 conversion bbl would make that 3 -22's? Mfgr's: 1- Seecamp, 2 -Rugers, 3 - Sigs, 4 - S&W's. OF COURSE this was before the tragic boating accident.

[shouldazagged]

Thanks to limited income and medical expenses, I'm now down to one revolver and an old twelve gauge side-by-side sawed to twenty inches.

The hand gun is an early no-dash 640 .38 Special I will not part with. It doubles for pocket carry and head-of-the-bed gun, with the double loaded with #4 buck as fall-back.

But as soon as I can I'll acquire a four-inch Model 10 for a house gun, and --don't laugh--a Hi-Point 9mm carbine.

[Donn]

Not sure what ideal is, but my 6" Model 29 and 4" Model 19 make a nice couple, as do my Colt 4" Police Positive and 3" Detective Special.

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Thanks to limited income and medical expenses, I'm now down to one revolver and an old twelve gauge side-by-side sawed to twenty inches.

The hand gun is an early no-dash 640 .38 Special I will not part with. It doubles for pocket carry and head-of-the-bed gun, with the double loaded with #4 buck as fall-back.

But as soon as I can I'll acquire a four-inch Model 10 for a house gun, and --don't laugh--a Hi-Point 9mm carbine.

I'm in the same boat with you. I'd have more choices if I had more money. Hopefully some day. I respect and understand what you're saying. No judgements here.

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

There is only one correct answer to this question and it has nothing to do with part numbers.

The right gun to use for your personal self-defense is the one you can manipulate and shoot well. Everything else is a tertiary consideration.

So, which is the one you shoot best?

Thank you for serving and I appreciate your comments. I don't really agree though. I do to a certain extent. But I can think of other guns I could maybe carry that I shoot better than my 442. But my health plays a role in what I carry. I get fatigued a lot easier right now from fighting lyme disease and a 32 ounce 9mm that is kind of big just isn't doing it for me.

Now secondly, I prefer to carry a DA revolver because I find it to be a safer action than my HiPower.

Thirdly, my Girls (Mom / Wife and Daughter) seem to be much more intuitive with revolvers so I'd rather have those around and available if need to hand one off to them. Like if at home I could give my wife the 442 and I'd grab the Model 19.

I shoot my Model 19 the best but it's got a 6" barrel and there's no way I'm conceal carrying that thing.

I understand that hitting your target is what matters most in a gunfight. But to me if one can shoot a certain gun with acceptable accuracy, that's good enough for me. I'm definitely better, accuracy wise, with other guns than my 442.

However, I've tested myself at 25 meters with my 442 and have hit silhouette sized targets with maybe dropping one round. It is not ideal, but it is "good enough" At 7 yards I shoot it pretty darned good. I can not do a 1 holer with it like I can some other handguns though. Although it's not often I do that anyways.... A few guns. I shoot my Model 19 really well in Double action. So I'm ok with that as a choice for my Home Defense gun. But capacity sucks. Others would rank that up there as maybe even more important than how exactly accurate you are. Someone might give up a bit of accuracy for capacity. I would completely understand that.

[M29since14]

Years and years and years ago, I thought that if somehow I could just latch onto four S&W revolvers, I would be set for life and I’d never need another. They were...
M34 4-inch, square-butt
M36 2-inch, round-butt
M19 4-inch
M29 6.5-inch

I eventually acquired them all, and since have had many, many more. Truth be told, I could probably get along fine if I only had a .45 Automatic, but how much fun would that be?

Thinking about stuff like this has always been a colossal waste of time, for me.

[ABPOS]

That's a great list.

I'm a bit neurotic. (Or more than a bit) I typically need things to tie my mind up with that aren't depressing or worrisome. And I like to plan. Even though most plans go to pot. That's why I really love when the Esteemed Hannibal says, "I love it when a plan comes together." LOL.

[M29since14]

Nothing wrong with occupying your mind with pleasant and/or amusing thoughts in your leisure. That’s why we’re all here!

[bmcgilvray]

I have the complete battery of needed revolvers covered with spares for all the categories which matter to me.

Model 10 Heavy Barrel
Model 17
Model 29
Colt Detective Special

There are additional selections of revolvers that can and do stand in for the above but those four see the most frequent use.

[otis24]

My ideal package would be a 640 and a 4 inch Heavy Barrel fixed sight K frame. If I wanted it all in one package, it would be a 3 inch fixed sight K frame.

[Muss Muggins]

I like the 442 or the 642 AIWB coupled with an NAA .22 WMR in my pocket.

As always, I just need one more . . .

[christak]

I only have two S&W revolvers, one K frame and one J frame...a 65-3 3-inch and a nickel 49 2-inch, both are from the 1980's. Love them both...

[Valmet]

While I’d love to have a few more wheelguns (particularly vintage N-frames), as far as shooting goes I’m squared away.
1944 Victory Model
1968 M-17 K22
1972 M-67 Glenn custom (6 bull bbl)
And an assortment of J-frame .38s
Two Charter Arms .44 Spl Bulldogs

[M1A]

629-1, 357 Magnum, Combat Magnum (now blued by Ford's), Chief, 325PD, 25-5, Baby Chief (not shown).

[two-bit cowboy]

My planning evolution has gotten me to this point. I don't feel a need to evolve any more.

Baby Chiefs 2" -- always at hand, home and away.

Baby Chiefs 3" -- always close.

640 Pro -- nearby.

547 3" -- nearby.

940 -- nearby.

460 ES -- nearby.

Ear protection -- nearby.

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I like the 442 or the 642 AIWB coupled with an NAA .22 WMR in my pocket.

As always, I just need one more . . .

I've started to think about that NAA .22 WMR in the pocket for a BUG. I also wonder if someone makes a .38 special derringer....

[ABPOS]

Originally Posted by christak

I only have two S&W revolvers, one K frame and one J frame...a 65-3 3-inch and a nickel 49 2-inch, both are from the 1980's. Love them both...

I meeeeeeeean, that's how you do it. Excellent choices. I'm totally jealous. If the two I had could grow up into something better, that would be a good way to go.....