Have a good friend on the Colt side starting a very focused Smith Collection. What would be your first 10 gun if money was not a concern. This is not about expensive guns - it is about representing the best of Smith and Wesson or those gun that should be in the hand of a Smith Collector.

I have my list but would appreciate your feedback first…

Thanks BigL

10 model 18's?

Anything pre-lock snub nose. 3" or less barrels with round butts.

Are you talking about things that are relatively obtainable? It's a pretty broad question.

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Because of the metric system?

"MY" first 10 guns would be Mod 1 1/2 Old model and 1 1/2 New Model's, then .32 Safety Hammerless, one of each issue and nickle as well as blue. But I doubt if that would be very many peoples first 10 choices. It is a wide open question, as "What are HIS preferences?" Collecting is a personal choice of what you like, not what everyone else likes. I have a friend that collects H&R revolvers, and has an extensive collection. Definitely not my preference. To each his own.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Your personal 10 first choices...

I'd want a variety of #3. An early Double Action. A .45 Schofield. That would be a decent start.

One thing I learned recently being a relatively new collector is our tastes change over time. However, the important ones are important even if we miss them. In this case my friend is a very smart and developed Colt collector who feels I can provide a level of trusted guidance. Truth is there are no mistakes buying the right stuff even if it is not a personal preference (ergo a Reg Meg with a cert matching box and tools 99% - hard to go wrong there). I was trying no to post a personal list until we have a few more ideas but heck here are a couple:

1. K22 Outdoorsman early first year if possible Complete 99%
2. K32 - First Model if possible Pre-War
3. Model 19 3" or any model 19 K frame of choice
4 Model 22 1950
5. Baby Chief
5 Model 11-4
6 Triple Lock
7 Reg Mag
8 Pre 27
9 Perfected
10. pre 29 with case

This is just off the top of my head and I am missing all kinds of good stuff not withstanding some of the other suggestions are terrific… I think the interesting question now is can it be done with 10 examples? Is it better to focus on say n frames or K frames looking at 10 guns? Do you add an engraved gun factory? Which one in nickel? All blue? Richard - there is no correct answer is the point. The question is intended as a personal perspective hopefully from more people to come… Thanks everyone… Very helpful..

Well, considering that I *AM* starting a Smith collection, the goal for now is simply to get to 10 guns!

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High Caliber History

• Model 10
• Model 27-2
• Model 29-2
• Model 25-2
• Model 36
• Model 41
• Model 52-2
• Model 39
• Model 586
• Model 13 (3")

Model 1, mod.1 1/2 old ,1 1/2 new mod .mod 2 S.A.38s&w,D.A.first mod
32/22 hft. mod 29-2.mod 19 -2or3,mod 10 snub.mod 32 ,32cal. hand ejector ,mod.1917,regulation police 32 cal.,
mod 30,mod 31 ,mod .686,
guess I went over board but you can't stop

Might want to consider a Model 45 M&P in .22LR

Everybody asks for favorites and I can't do that.

686 6",3"

Model 10, 4"

Model 29 6"

Model 66

Model 60 3"

Model 442

Shield

M&P 15r

Model 5606, 5943, What is the 3rd gen compact 9?

Model 27

I kept it down to 10 by having some models in 2 barrel lengths

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Ten Models K38/15 Combat Masterpiece. 1949 K-38 thru Model 15-8

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John

A 29-1 and a pre -27 transitional come to mind.

I'll have a go at it.

M14
M17
M18
M19
M25-2
M25-5
M29
1917
M41
4506-1

That was pretty much my shopping list when I started.

LTC

10 Registered Magnums

44 Magnum 6.5" barrel, Triple Lock,
38/44 Heavy Duty, .44 M&P,
.22 Outdoorsman, a .44 #3 Russian,
Early Model 60, a Nickel .32 HE Target,
.357 Magnum, Early .38 spec. HE.
Hmmm, that'll do for a start.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Good call!!!

In no particular order:

686+ 4" Mountain Gun .357Mag
49 .38spl
625 PC .45ACP
M10 2" .38spl
460PC 6.5" .460/.454/.45LC
649 .38spl
622 .22lr
4506 .45ACP
3913 9mm
17 6" .22lr

Whew - made it. I guess I own 10 S&Ws. (unless there's something holding up a shelf in the back corner of the safe I forgot about...) My collection isn't so much a collection, as it's an accumulation. Some were for work purposes, some hunting, some just because.

I know - not what you were looking for, but it got me thinking about my own guns. Certainly not a collection for money, but it's been a great collection for memories.

You could easily get at least ten great examples without straying from K-frames just as you could do with Colts limiting the selection only to M1911s and GMs. But maybe that's getting too specialized. My feeling is that by having a large variety of different models and types you are really building more of an accumulation than a collection.

1) M27 3 1/2 inch barrel.
2) M29 4 inch
3) 686 no dash
4) 586 no dash
5) 581
6) 681
7) M66 no dash stainless sights
8) M15-3 snub
9) M28 4 inch
10) M27-2 nickel

These are all attainable, but desirable guns, IMO.

Here's my collector's list to pursue
1) M&P Hand ejector in 38 spl. (pre model 10)
2) Registered Magnum with 3.5 inch barrel
3) Model 29, 6 inch barrel
4) Model 58
5) Model 36
6) Model 66
7) Model 19
8) Highway Patrolman 5 screw (4 inch)
9) Model 539 (single stack 9mm)
10) Model 1006 (10mm auto).

I re-read the OP and thought more about the statement

With that in mind, I would like to add the following guns:

Registered Magnums - any barrel length.
Pre-model numbered guns
686 CS-1
M 520 (N frame version)
K22s in all barrel lengths

It might be fun to chase down a set of the "Twelve Revolvers" issued guns as well.

A more difficult task is to decide which 10 to keep when you decide to right size.

I like the way you think..

So you wanna play rough?

10 Colt Pythons

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Calahan..

Thank you for your input.. Exactly what I was looking for..

There is not right or wrong answer.. There is what works for you first and everyone else second… If you have 10 guns i am sorry to say you have the collector illness.. I like you do not collect for money.. I buy what I like and have been very blessed among the way..

That IS the right size, silly.

It will be about all I have to leave for my family, so rather than sell......

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

How about a vintage #4 portable?

Thanks for the like. I thought either it was a ****** joke or just went over everybody's head.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

You asked!! Hit it..

1. 1955 Python with box and target (okay any 50's era 3 dig)
2. 1950 4 digit
3. 2 1/2"
4. 3" California Combat
5. 38 target Nickel
6. 1 commemorative of choice - Most ridiculous & desirable for me ATF. Like the bicentennial set (engraved with saa&dragoon)
7.60's era 4" Blue
8. Bright Stainless
9. Matte Stainless
10. ENickel
11? Double Diamond…
12? Hunter

Always room for one more Python

1. Model 16 6"
2. Model 17 6"
3. Model 627-0 of 1989
4. Model 27-2 5"
6. Model 57-2 6"
7. Model 29-2 6 1/2" (already got this one)
8. Model 60-4
9. M&P 9 compact (got this one, too)
10. M&P 40 pro 5"
If I had the $$$$$$ to buy all these, NONE would be safe queens; I would shoot the S%#@&&** out of all of them!

I'll give it a try. And I'll immediately set myself a rule that it must be 5 revolvers and 5 pistols... all realistically available... and all revolvers must be pre-locks:

Revolvers:
1) Any damn K22 that you can find and afford!
2) Model 36 (or 60) - 2"
3) Model 28 - 4" or 6"
4) Model 29 - 6" preferred
5) Model 19 (or 66) - 4"
Pistols:
6) Model 41
7) Model 39
8) Model 3913 (any variant, pre-rail TSW or NL preferred)
9) Model 5906 (or 5903 - Can be TSW)
10) Model 4506-1

10 Model 10 police trade-ins, to ensure domestic tranquility.

Then we can discuss the other stuff at our leisure.

I am unsure that I would replicate what I have but the following make up what I first went after

Model 37
Model 10-5
Model 19-3
Model 27-2
Model 29-2 Nickel
Model 586-5
Model 624 wanted a 24 but that was available at a rock bottom price

I am still working to find
Model 25-5
Model 28-2
Model 36
Model 24-3 Lew Horton

All at a price I am willing to pay and a condition I find acceptable.

Have them all and then a few more. Models 13, 15, 52, 625, 645, 745 plus some much older versions in the M&P series around 1905-20. Dave_n

Model 10, 14, 15, 17,18, 19, 27, 29, 63, 66; all 4" except 6" 14, 17 and 29. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

My personal preferences in no particular order:

1. Reg Mag
2. Target Model .45 of 1950
3. Pre 27 5"
4 Pre 29
5. Model 57
6. Model 41
7. Heavyduty
8. Triple Lock
9. K38 Target Masterpiece
10. K22 Outdoorsman

Aw poop. That ain't a long enough list. How about first 50.........

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SWCA LM#2190 SWHF#414

I would go eclectic.

Early Model 39 with steel frame and slide in nickel.

Model 320 revolving rifle with all the goodies.

ASP.

A select fire: Either Model of 1940 Light Rifle Mark I or II or a model 76.

First Model American in 44 Henry Rimfire.

Jovino 25-5 in .45 Colt, prefer nickel and combat grips.

Ladysmith 3rd model 6" barrel with adjustable sites.

Registered Magnum, 3.5" in nickel with all the goodies.

Triple Lock Target Model in .45 Colt.

A Model 41 "Tool Room" Gun with all the goodies.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

This is a challenge to weed it down to 10... first ones are easy...
so here is my list... but don't hold me to it...lol
1. Registered Magnum
2. K22 Outdoorsman
3. Model 36 nickel
4. Model 41
5. Model 686 CS-1 3"
6. Model 66 or 67 no dash stainless sights
7. Model #3 44 Russian
8. Model 29 6.5"
9. Highway Patrolman - early
10. Model 460XVR 8 3/8"

I have only managed to get half...

I already have a bunch of Smiths. And, I'm not a collector, I'm a "WANTER". So here's my list and they're nothing exotic or rare but just what I would like to have. As funds become available, I think I will be able to "collect" most of them.

Md. 13
Md. 25
Md. 28
Md. 40
Md. 64
Md. 65
Md. 66
Md. 67
Md. 1006
Md. 3913

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Here's my list, but it's not fancy:

Model 10-5 (4 inch and 2 inch)
Model 13-4 (3 inch)
Model 28-2 (4 inch)
Model 36
Model 60 (2 inch)
Model 60-14 (2 inch IL)
Model 64-2 (2 inch)
Model 66-2 (4 inch)
Model 317
Model 637
Model 640 Centennial
Victory U.S. Navy model
Governor (IL)
6906
Model 15-22

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I would start with several Registered Magnums and end it there.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

19
27
29
39
57
59
66
629
639
645
5903

Oh wait, I have to stop at 10...nooooo, I need to continue

For me, not being accustomed to money is no object, or having the depth of knowledge of many here. I would go with revolvers only, most blued, all with nice wood grips, representing all frame sizes & most calibers as possible without IL's & no dash's. Trying to include 2 J frame hammerless snubs a humpy & a 640, a model 10, mdl 29, 681, a RM, a combat masterpiece , a K-22, a couple of N frame big bores 10mm, 45lc, I ran out. I guess the early 9mm Chiefs special would be in the 2nd 10 along with the bottom feeders.

60 no dash x 2
66 (3"), 66-8
19, 586, 27-2 (all 4")
Registered Magnum (5")
28-2 (6")
327 TRR8

1. Registered Magnum
2. 66 RB 3"
3. 19 4" SB
4. K-22 6"
5. 317 3" kit gun
6. 1917 US Surplus
7. Model of 1950
8. 27 3.5"
9. 29 6"
10. 629 4"

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

10 5 inch model 27-2

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Who are those guys?

Here is my list:

1. Registered Magnum
2. Pre-29
3. Model 27 Nickel w/ 3 ½ barrel
4. K22 Outdoorsman 1st Year
5. Triple Lock
6. Heavy Duty
7. K22/40
8. Pre-10 Nickel snubby
9. Model 66-2
10. Model 27-2 w/ 5 inch barrel


I have I have half of them now. Will probably never own 2 of them. Still hoping for the other 3.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

N frames:

6 1/2" Model 29 (probably a -2)
3 1/2" Model 27 (probably a -2 also)
6" Model 28 (at the risk of being redundant.....)

K frames:

Model 10 (2")
Model 15
Model 17 (6 or 8 3/8")

J frames (all 2"):
Model 36
Model 49
Model 60

Autos:
Model 39

They would all be blue except, obviously, the 60.

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Even older, even crankier....