After due consideration it will have to be this one.

Model 27-2 from 1967

Hmmmm.... "revolvers you shoot regularly"

I don't shoot much pistol on any regular basis, although you would never know it from the fair several I've managed to accumulate.

If I had to pare it down to just one, it would be this "clone" of the one I had to give back when I left the PD.
I suppose that makes it my "favorite."

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I'd have to go with the good old 64

I've got 3 of them, a 64-3, 64-7, and a 64-8.
I have an NY-1 64-5 on the way.

From the "pinned" era, this is my favorite. It beats my Model 10's only due to ease of maintenance and stainless is just more carry friendly.

.38 Special is my favorite round of all time, and the 64 was (and is) a stand by, go to meat and potatoes service revolver that has done it's time in countless duty holsters on some of the toughest streets in America. It can still be found in use by many Corrections Depts. and security companies.

I'm a PA State Corrections Officer and I've qualified with both 64's and 65's. The 65's at my job are not the most well cared for, stainless is a must for these kinds of jobs, where the gun gets handled and carried by several people every day, is in service 24/7 and treated with about as much care as a flashlight.

No nonsense, drop 6 rounds of +P in the cylinder and put it in your holster. Goes bang when needed, no unnecessary target sights to mung up. Shoot 6, reload, repeat......it just does the job. I have fired my fixed sight revolvers out to 100 yards and hit the target.

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I have a bunch of Smiths in a variety of calibers but when I need to walk a fence line, I take my old four inch 1963 vintage 15-3. Great balance and does every thing I need.

Model 28 followed closely by the Model 66 (both in 4" barrels) are my favorites

By "this era," I am assuming you mean current production to use as a "shooter."

Assuming that is the criteria, I like the new 66-8. It is 4 inch, round butt, K frame, and I prefer this new two-piece barrel over the previous design. It is a virtual duplicate of one of the most desired revolvers that ordinary folks could not obtain in the 1970s - the round butt 19s given over to the FBI by the ONI, yet is in a way more desirable, in that it is stainless. This new Model 66-8 would have been exceedingly popular among LE in the 1970s!

Use of the two-piece barrel seems to have solved the problem with the thin section at 6 o'clock on the barrel shank which occasionally caused problems.

The K frame .357 allows Magnum ammo when needed, lighter loads when not needed, is easy to conceal, accurate, and the adjustable sights allow for easy zeroing.

I am not fond of the lock, but it comes out easily enough. I am not sure, but might consider changing the sideplate screws and cylinder release for stainless parts to get more of a traditional appearance, but this is not high on my priority list as the existing parts work just fine.

The S&W at the top of my list of revolvers that I shoot regularly is the Model 14. Why? I like to shoot them so much, my model 14s are the revolvers I shoot the most, regularly. Gratifying for target shooting, fun for shooting on the plate and bowling pin ranges and not punishing to shoot lots of rounds.
My newest is a M14-3.
George

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FYIMO, if your age and health allow you to still find the balance of a model 27 desirable, I'd say your strength is an indicator that you've got a long life ahead of you. I've always thought my Highway Patrolman was too heavy, and it only has a 4 inch barrel. In fact, my dad gave the gun to me a couple of years ago because it was too heavy for him to lift anymore. (He'll be 94 this year.)

I like the balance of the model 10 with a 4" tapered barrel best. My current model 10's don't have this barrel. Model 14's are the the guns from this era that I like the most, I think.

Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman with a 6 inch barrel made in 1977. Factory target grips. Love it. Can handle anything I put through it and is a great hiking and outdoor work gun in a Jordan thumb break holster.

My first duty weapon was a model 28 with 6" bbl back in 1973


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Wheel guns are real guns too.

My always favorite is my 1957 4screw 44 pre Model 29 6.5 incher bought new January 1958. I had the choice of a 4 or 5 screw gun and thought the extra screw was superfluous at the time. Still my favorite but the loads have lightened up as the years went by. Still my best X ringer.

I like the 5" N Frames, a 5" 29-2 got me started.

1961-1980


Based on my favorite S&W revolver being my 3" 66 from about 1988/89

It would have to be my "Grail gun".......one of the 50 3" 19s!!!!!!

Of the guns I have it would have to be my 4" 66-1.


If I had know about Mr. Spegel and his Boot and Extended Boot Grips prior to about 1988 a 3 1/2 or 4 inch 27 would be a close second for full power .357 magnum goodness .....

Favorite one? This morning that would be this one (click the photo for a little larger view)...





Why? Beautifully engraved 357 magnum.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

M58...

Why, because there are plenty of 44's & 357's made before & after ('61-'80) that I like as much or better than those made within that timeframe. I am assuming "this era" to cover the timespan of this sub-forum.

2nd & 3rd: M17-2 , and my 4" M14-2, just because they are superb shooters.

Richard, that is a stunning revolver!

I have a Model 28 (no dash) with a 6" barrel that I am very fond of. It makes me look good at range.

I like my model 29-2 4 inch in Nickel...

My hands down favorite is a five inch K38, coming in close second would the 10-5 snubby.

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The American dream is alive