I have pretty much narrowed down my search for the perfect packing pistol to two revolvers. Both I have owned in the past. One is a 4-inch Model 28 and the other is a 4-inch Model 19. I like the Model 28 for the fact that it can handle whatever I put in it throw at it etc. but at the same time I like the Model 19 for the fact that it is very comfortable to carry all day long and will handle medium loads a lot since I really don't shoot super hot loads all the time anyways. The hottest thing I run is a 170 grain cast #358429 in .38 Special brass (.38-44 load) at 12.5 grains of 2400 and a 150 grain cast HP #358156 at 13.0 grains of 2400. Everything else is under that for .357 loads. I see the prices are pretty similar for what I am looking for, just not sure if I want to stick with the heavy N frames which I have carried for a while or maybe go back to the Model 19, which I used to carry for a long time but I never really shot a lot of .357's through.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

Your close but the 4" 28 and a 2 1/2" 19 as backup

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

I have a 4" Model 29-2 in nickel that I thought was going to replace my 4" 66-1. But I was wrong! The K frame and it's 4" barrel seem ideal for a packing pistol so my vote would be Model 19, or a 66 for that matter.

Here's how this thread's gonna play out: the gang who prefer N-frames'll vote for the 28; the (smarter) gang who prefer K-frames'll vote for the 19.

It'll be split about even, with the N-framers wrong again, and you'll be no closer to knowing the 19's a better choice because it all comes down to which you prefer -- the N-frame or the right call.

Only you can decide, K?

Here's what I tell most people to do with this question: take exactly 19 seconds -- count 'em -- and the first number that comes immediately to mind right as you hit 19, that's the one you should get.

Good luck, and try to be impartial.

And not to threadjack, but I want to give a shout out to my nephew, who turned 19 yesterday, on the 19th.

Anyway, back to the original question: I'd get the 28, but only if you can find one in a K-frame -- because, you know, that'd be ideal.

Hope this helps.

4" 19 or 66. The handguns are a backup to a good rifle in an Apocalypse situation.

1 vote for the 686 in 2.5"

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

3 Inch m-65 !!!!! Nothing else comes close. Unless it`s a 2.5 inch 686.

OP states two specific choices.

Sorry...but you are all wrong!.LOL...To me, the perfect revolver for the end is the...Smith & Wesson Governor! Because it will handle all the 410 shotgun pellet sizes so you can shoot dove, turkey, rabbits, deer with the slugs. Then you have the 45 Long Colt for big game...and the 45 acp for the two legged animals! You can also shot the 45 Schofield and the 45 gap if you really come up short. Just my 2 cents.

__________________
2 Timothy 1:7

No thanks. For an apocalypse I don't favor any pea shooter.

The N frame 357's are a wonderful gun, as long as you do not have to carry it. They are super comfortable to shoot, and tough as nails. The 19 would be my choice if I were limited to just those two. I think you are overlooking a better choice in the L frame 357's. They are not much heavier or larger than the K frame and will handle any 357 you care to throw at them. I bought my first L frame a couple months ago, a 4" 686 no dash. it came home and went right into a holster I had for a 4" K frame.

I think a 460v would be the best choice. You will save on ammo....any time you have to jerk the smoke wagon most potential 2 legged predators will R-U-N-N-O-F-T at the mere sight of the X-frame beast! LOL!

But seriously, I vote N-frame.... Can't kill em.

And this is someone who owns and LOVES his 4" 19-3 and also owns a 28-2....

Both are great guns, the 19 would be lighter. having a pistol that will shoot 38/357 is huge because during the bad times most abandoned homes and places are liable to have a box of???????? what ? you know it.... every third dwelling in my area I can guarantee you has a box of 38's laying around. A great choice you have made in IMHO. I am really thinking of adding a Lever action 38/357 to my collection..

Apocalypse?

Well if it's zombies like in Walking Dead, I'd look for a can of zombie spray. Does anyone make one?

I'd carry my M60 3" or LCR 357 plus my Henry lever action in 357 magnum.

Both can share ammo and if I run out of ammo that big Henry octagonal barrel would work well whacking zombies on the head.

If it is the Apocalypse that you are facing you should have a rifle in your hand. Handguns, as much as I love playing with them, are backup to a rifle only. They are there to allow you to fight your way to your rifle.

My rifle of choice is a 357 Magnum lever action, develops punch similar to 30-30 at 100 yards. The 357 shot from a rifle delivers the performance we were promised from the 357. The old cowboy adage of having a pistol and rifle in the same caliber is as true today as when pronounced the the 1870's.

I would choose the M19 because it fits my short hand best. And it has a greater variety of barrel lengths. Don't need lots o'different guns, that combo works great for me. (OK, OK, I have an M66 but it's the same difference).

__________________
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

Actually, if you have little delicate girly hands, take the K-Frame. If you have normal manly sized hands (ex: can palm a basketball), then the N-Frame is the better choice!

When the Aocalypse hits here is what I would want to have:
- A good .22 rifle like a Ruger 10/22
- A high capacity 9mm - like my Sig P226
- A .357 magnum, like a 28-2, 686, or 19/66 r a good Ruger GP

The .22 can be used for small game

The 9mm can be handled by anyone

The .357 would be good for two legged and four legged enemies, and larger game.

Start with those, and you will have good chances.

Well, the ladies do say I have a light, perfect touch -- my ham-fisted friend.

19/66 or 13. Main reason I choose the K is because I have a 13 and a 66. I have no experience with the larger frames (but I did own a 629 once.) I think they are a good balance of weight, caliber, barrel length (my are 4in) and size

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Well I have to lighten it up, I would take all of them. lol

I have the aforementioned rifle for the imagined emergency, but as a back up, I would pick my M 65 4" as the perfect sidearm. I have revolvers in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but this one is IT! - at least for that use. Stainless construction, no rear sight to bend, dead on accurate, common caliber, fits my little girly hands, always goes bang, and is all business. In fact, I loaded up about ... ok, a lot ... of 38s and 357s in 158 lswc and packed away in sealed boxes. Since everybody else has a 38, also, as mentioned above, I figure a six pack of these things would trade for just about anything you need when you need it the most.

Rapidray said it all, the Gov. covers all the bases

Bill Jordan didn't call it The Answer To A Peace Officer's Dream for nothing. The 19 all the way.

__________________
S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

Yes, but in an Apocalypse, I doubt I'd be making many arrests! There would be very little Peace.

Clearly the best answer is to get both...then more

I will be using my S&W model 59 with a 15 round capacity of JHP's. My BUG will be a Shield 9mm with 9 more rounds. I will be carrying a Savage 42 in .22LR over .410 shotgun. The .22 is a good small game getter and the .410 is good for birds, rabbits or larger game using slugs. The Savage has a stock ammo holder holding 9 rounds of slugs, 7's and 5 1/2's. On the sling are two 50 round .22LR holders. The 24 rounds of 9mm in the 59 and the Shield should be enough to deal with anyone that impedes my retreat out of the blacktop jungle.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

OP mentions he has narrowed it down to the 19 or 28 for the perfect apocalypse pistol, but I have to agree with Peak 53.

Mine is a 65, but a 3". Stainless because you may have to carry it in all weather conditions, and while crossing water. Light so it can be easy on your belt all day. Fixed sights that are hard to damage. Can handle .38's or .357's up to the 158 grain standard loads. Carry it in a good thumbreak or retention holster.

A 4" 686 would have most of the good qualities and handle whatever loads you might find, but would be heavier and has adjustable sights.

I would have a hard time not selecting my stainless ruger security six.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

I have a pretty good selection of J, K, L, and N frames. BUT: If we are going to limit this discussion to using .38/357 as the caliber of choice, I'd be packing my old model 66, 2.5-inch. I think my 19-3 is prettier to look at, but the stainless gun more practical to carry. I have an old 686-4 snub, that would be a close second. These two old revolvers handle well, and for me, are a lot more comfortable to pack. The 357 is a formitable round for most situations, IMO. My N-frames are gorgeous works of S&W manufacturing at its best. I just don't think I'd be up to packing one of these on my hip all day, every day... Or to put it more directly: the model 66's smaller frame suits my smaller "frame".

Attached Images

image.jpg (118.2 KB, 16 views)

If I'm limited to .357 Mag as the caliber I'll take the Model 19. I love N Frames and have no problem with one on my hip but I prefer N frames in calibers that begin with 4.

__________________
Bill Bates

I'd choose my 65-5.
Pretty good combination of power, weight and size.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

TEOTWAWKI.........

I'd go stainless.....
My first choice would be my 4" round butted 686-0; IMHO the best of the 19 and 28 rolled into one!
Backed up by my 3" 66

Of your choices.......hummmmmmmm

If I have a rifle..... the 4" 19, though I still advocate for a stainless 66 ..... and try to stay away from old/hotter 125s.

No rifle; the 28 because it's my only gun and it's a tank, with 125 SJHP and 158 soft points for Deer and such!

Taroman..... is that a factory non Ladysmith 65 or a polished LS?

My choice would be my S&W 325PD in 45 ACP, with my old welding inspectors canvas bag full of moon clips already loaded, oh yes, my 325PD is a 4 incher.

Reb

If I can answer for Taroman (because I dig his photos and know some of his collection from them), it's a 65 Lady Smith he high polished.

As much as I love N frames, there is an advantage to the K frame in finding repair parts.

__________________
Proud anachronism

Form follows function in all apocalypse based hypotheticals, ergo a glock 19 is the king-pin for a piddly sidearm.

Give me a suppressed AR for the serious work

Mk 19 MOD 0 for zombies......Model 28 for everything else.......

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Man, every single time -- it must be some kind of unwritten cosmic rule that whenever a member asks for help choosing between two firearms he's whittled his options down to, the thread must invariably become a pile on of suggestions for favorite firearms not on the OP's list.

Ask a silly question.............

__________________
Even older, even crankier....