This was the era I concentrated my collection on when I was building it and I ended up with 37 S&W revolvers. My age and health issues had me sell off a large portion of them but after buying every barrel length in the Model 29-2 and 27-2's with some barrel lengths in both blue and nickel my favorite was the Model 27-2 with 5 inch barrel.

To me it was the best balanced revolver and I could really shoot it well. That said I sold them all and my only N frame now is a 28-2 4 inch with an S serial number and it's my range 357 Magnum.

I was just wondering what other S&W revolvers top the list of revolvers you shoot regularly.

I bought this Model 29-2 about twenty-five years ago from my local dealer who acquired from a local police officer on a trade in. It was shipped in October 1972 and has a serial number in the N21000 range. I have shot it over the years and carried it hunting in Montana and Missouri quite a few times. I have taken two whitetails with it and it is my most accurate 44 Magnum. About ten years ago, I was shooting it at the range and something flew over my right shoulder. The hammer spur had broken off from the hammer and the recoil threw it over my right shoulder. My dealer installed a new hammer for me. (click on the photo for a better look)

Bill

I'm with you on the 5" 27-2 it has always been my favorite also. The long barrel 29-2 is great shooting from the bench but my 14-3 gets the most use and the rest rarely get fired at all. When my daughter visits from NYC that 14 gets a real workout.

The only one I currently have from this era is a 1969, nickel, Model 10-6 that my dad gave me. It's one of my "not for sale at any price" guns.

I did have a 6", blue 19-3 from 1970, but I sold it to my son to help fund the purchase of a matched pair of 3", 66-2s (I'd have to double check the serial numbers, but I think they're early 80s). I didn't really want to sell it, but I wanted those 66s badly. I figured he or one of the kids would wind up with it eventually anyway, and it helped me get something else I wanted.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

My favorite and the why is someone over 50 years ago knew all my likes combined them and had this built. I've shot it ....I'll shoot it again when/if someone important to me wants to.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

My 65-2. I used to really like to carry old Model 10's and the occasional Model 13, but they are getting a bit too costly for my income. This one was very clean and not too expensive, and it's one of my keepers...



These revolvers are everything you really need and NOTHING extra at all.

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Liberals made the USA

My limited Smith and Wesson collection is limited to .357 Magnum revolvers. K, L, and N frames. Which means each has a different use, and I like them all when they are used for their intended use.

Yet if I had to pick ONE I will never get rid of it would be my 6" M 27-2. As it was a gift from my wife who has NO interest in firearms of any sort.

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I really like my 4" model 19-4, and my 4" 28-2.

I also have a 4" 27-2 (I haven't shot it yet) and a 4" 629(No Dash).

Model 58 N-frame.
Model 64 K-frame gets shot the most at the range , but the 58 is still my favorite.
If I had to choose only one? That's going to require a lot of thinking over. I just don't know.
Gary

Like fyimo, my favorite is also the 5 inch Model 27. Here is my 27-2 which I bought new in June 1973. It is still with me and still in the same condition that it left the factory in.



teesur.

Despite carrying a 4" Model 19 on duty for several years and shooting a long barrel M-41 for Bulls eye for half a dozen years.

I would have to say that the K-22/K-38's are my favorites. Shot a 6" K-38 occasionally for bulls eye as well as PPC on my Department. The area Agencies shot a PPC competition every Wednesday morning Spring, summer and fall. I ahd a lot of fun with those comps.

Shot the 6" K-22 for bulls eye too, but mostly as a plinker and gopher gun. Taught many new shooters on that K-22 as well.

They may not have the more "modern" look of the enclosed ejector rod models.....But my favorite Smith from the 1970-80's era would be the standard old, six inch, blued K-22/K-38's.



FN in MT

Sorry to hear you had to sell off so many due to health fyimo. You pose a tough question. I do not own any guns I don't shoot, so to pick 1 revolver in this era I am stuck. No more than I could choose between my two grandsons there are two Smiths that I would have to hang onto:

One big, one small (like the grandsons!), both shiny (NOT like the grandsons!).

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Bill - SWCA #2327

If I decided to sell off my collection and keep one favorite it would have to be my 2-1/2" 19-3, blued. I bought it in 1976 and I like it as much or more now than when I bought it. It was THE gun to have in those days. Depending on the day I can shoot it as well or better than some of my longer barreled guns. A gun you have for nearly 40 years you never get rid of.


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Tony

2 model 37s i have. one is '65-66, the other is '66-67. very cool very advanced for the time. still carry them often. triggers are smooth as silk, finish has stood the test of time, and they are just plain cool!

My favorite from this era is a no-dash Model 66, but it became the donor gun for Project 616 so I don't know whether it still counts or not. I took the attitude of Keith44 and cared enough to use the best.

If I have to stay more or less original, I guess it would have to be the old Model 29-2 I got used in 1979 and had rebarreled to 8 3/8 in about 1981 or so. I haven't shot it for a while, but I wouldn't dream of selling it.

Froggie

I'd have say the 686/586.

If I had to chose one gun it would be them.

I thunk I have four or maybe five.

I need some new pictures for you.

You must be tired of this one, 686-4 2.5

My favorite? This one.

Why? If I have to explain it you wouldn't understand.

Bob

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I'm a J-Frame junkie, There I've said it. I have a number of J-Frames from this era and love them all. I just love those little little guys.

Doyle

It's a very difficult concept. I have around 20 S&W revolvers and better than half either come from this era or originate in it. The second one I ever bought was probably manufactured directly in this era because I bought it in 1981. It's still my favorite for that reason alone, my first Model 10 snubbie. Factor in it's incredible accuracy, great trigger, bank vault tightness, yep, still far and away my favorite. It has 4 matching siblings in the stable but it's the lead hoss!

My 686+ 2.5 inch is another favorite. The one thing it has over the M10 is the versatility of firing .357 Magnum rounds. That could be significant at some point in time. I bet it was made after 1980, though.

Sticking to guns made prior to 1980, I suspect my 2.5" Model 19 fits the bill. Pinned barrel, recessed chambers, you know, that whole sexy assortment of near features. My grail gun for a very long time.

***GRJ***

Definitely would be a late '60s M29 with 6.5 inch barrel. I bought it used somewhere long ago. Has a little freckling on the left side of the barrel and some other minor finish issues but overall still a sound old gun and from the particular era of production that interests me. It's a great old gun - always enjoyable to shoot.

...easy question for a change...4" 57. Just has balance, power and shootability.

Have had a several over the last 40 years and have four left... 1980 blue, 1979 blue engraved, 1980 nickel engraved and a 1964. The 1980 has been my shooter since 1983 when I bought it from a fellow Dallas PD officer.

This was day one way back then but there were Pachmayer Presentation grips on it. 25 yards DA...wish I could still shoot like that...



In Idaho last year...Elmer Keith country...







Shooting across a dry lake bed...200-550 yards...




200 yard target....






1964...







Engraved guns...




The OPs pick of the 5" 27-2...that would be my pick for pre-1960 vntage guns...perfect balance... That or the very rare special order 5" pre-24....

Bob

^^I'm with this Guy,A first year 4" Model 57^^

A 4" Model 66. Why? Because it is everything you need in a revolver & nothing that you don't.

My favorite from 1961-1980 period would have to be the Model 19 Combat Magnum. I carried one as a cop, deputy sheriff and Fed, so it has a special place in my heart. My Model 19 also saved my bacon one night, so how could it NOT be my favorite...???

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S&WCA #2815
Gun Scribe

For me I have loved many S&Ws but the one with the siren's song is the Model 66-1 2.5" that I bought in 1980 and is still by my side. I will post a photo in a day or two.

My 625 JM goes to the range most! Next would be my 586 no dash, 4", and 686-3, 6". I have K's, L's, & N's. K's get shot the least. It is not that I don't like them! I like the others better!!! Bob

5 1/2" 627-0 w/unfluted cylinder followed closely by my 686-3 seven shooter in 4".

Model 19-3 older grips I love em'. This one goes on the road trips up north here and to the range also.

20140701_153721.jpg

How long is an Era? I have this M&P22 I'm pretty fond of, its lots of fun to shoot.



Of an earlier age, not particularly earlier era, is this 1958 Model 18-0. I consider this is in my era, whereas some of you would look at this as ancient history.



In dog years I'm already gone! Why are these my favorites, mostly because I own them I guess. There are many I'd LIKE to own and they would be pretty favored also, but alas, I am only rich in spirit.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

Technically 1961 could include some late 4 screws but perhaps the focus is 3 screws of which my favorite would be a difficult choice between this 6" Model 27-2 and 4" 19-2,
Both shipped in 1966 with "3-T's", damond GA's and yellow Baughman FS inserts with "Proud" site pins .

From this period I favor my 66-1 and 15-3, both 4 inch. Carried the 66 and a 19 for a number of years on the job and.as for the 15, what can I say, the sweetest 38 Spl. revolver ever produced.

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S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

My favorite is my 17-4, I like almost any older S&W but this is my favorite because it is my first S&W bought with money from my first job out of college and it was tuned by Bob Chow an long gone but most missed gunsmith in San Francisco. I shoot it all the time and I would guess that I have put close to 10,000 rounds through it. the case is a wood shop project of mine.

Mine, a 27 5" right out of the box. In 1972 my buddies and me continuously pumped every hot hand load that was popular. The imprints on the recoil shield are testimony to the wonder full life this old girl has lived. Sorry, there is a drag line. Mike

I really haven't sampled many from this era personally, mostly from the 80's and 90's. But what I love is the classic appearance. It's not one gun from this era, but I can point to one feature that overshadows the rest.

I really want to be excited about the new classics series, but they somehow miss the esthetic so badly that before I even get within arms reach of the dark display cabinets I can see something is wrong.

The biggest feature to me is non underlug barrels. I know that trend has been in motion since... What? WWII? But the round heavy no-lug barrels really do it for me more than any feature.

Even in the modern Ruger SP101 with 4.2" barrel, the .22 looks hot but the .357 adds a full underlug and the appearance suffers.

Then it's all the little (and not so little) details that make the new classics stand apart. Cylinder gaps, the shape of the release button, the flat blueing, all the engraving and barrel markings. The hammer, firing pin, case hardening. Those beautiful flush mounted head stamps.

Ahhhh. I'm, gonna go broke accumulating old guns. Yet i only wish I'd started sooner.

There was such a long slow and painless progression from the early 1930's until the end of P&R guns, and that change is such a clear marker of the cumulative and rapid evolution of manufacturing details in that period. The next such big obvious marker is the IL, but that's for another thread.

Underlugs. That's my one feature.

I'm with you, teesur.... The 5" 27!!

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Terry

For this era ('61-'80): Model 58. Made only in this time frame until just a few years ago. And in this particular case, I like the old ones better.

Well, TODAY, I would say my 67-1 for its tack-driving shootability. I'm loading a lot of Trail Boss - midrange .38 Special LSWC loads - and it is very enjoyable to shoot. The 15-2 gets about equal time but I just like the looks of the 67 a little bit more.

Sorry to hear about your health FYIMO...hope you're feeling better soon!

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But then, what do I know?

In 1963 Dad brought home this K-22. It's been around since then, and is probably my most used handgun. If they all had to go, this would be the last to leave my hand.

The original walnut stocks got pretty used, so I replaced them some time back with ivory.

Fyimo, I'm with you. My favorite shooter and the one that gets the most ammo through it is a M-28-2, S prefix. I have others similar to it but this particular gun is the one.

I don't own a single one that is not a perfect gun in its own right. My Js for power and concealability, my 28s for multi use durability and power, my 66 for its weight, balance, and power, my 5" 27 for its overall perfection of the manufacturers art, my 29sfor power and accuracy, and my 57s because they are truly the best balance of power, shootability, and packability.

If I had unlimited ammo at my disposal it would be my 4" 57s. Otherwise, my 3 1/2" 28.

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Even older, even crankier....

After enjoying model 10's in 2, 4 & 6"; 13 4"; 14; 15 4"; 19 4", and 28 6" my most favorite is an ex Victoria model 10-5 3" as it just balances so nicely and shoots POA = POI.
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Wheel guns are real guns too.

That would be my two model 58! One gets carried with me 24/7 and the other 58 is still BNIB. My dad was a small arms instructor and he started me off on the M&P model 10.

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2 Timothy 1:7

Two 58's!? Oh I dread the day back in the late 70's when I sold mine. It was new and it was beautiful. Sorry about the hijack.

My favorite S&W revolver is my model 10-7. Still the classic police carry revolver.
Howard

...I agree..so I made one for myself...out of a rusted 64...





Bob

Ok, you have my attention. How was it made and who did the work? That is a very cool revolver. That barrel is not a 27 but does have the lazy amperstand. Very nice!

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2 Timothy 1:7

My favorite would be the Model 57 I bought for my 50th birthday. It was unfired and had the gold fill that was popular back in those days. I've shot it but have kept it nice and later bought an S serial 57 for hunting and carrying. They are what got me started on 41 mag and bought a few others since.

My favorite revolver, period, is my Model 67-1 from 1977. In my opinion, a taper barrel, 4" K-frame is the best handling revolver money can buy. Add adjustable sights and durable stainless finish, and you have .38 Special perfection.

A close runner up is the early taper barrel Model 64.

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I really like the balance, the power to weight ratio, plus the way they seem to fit my hand. I'm talking about the s&w n frame revolver.
It's tough to pick just one to me it's saying pick one of your three kids that you love the most. I never play favorites but I'd have to go with my very first handgun caliber I ever purchased. The s&w m28 6" barrel in 357mag.
We have a winner. But keep in mind I love them all.

But the m58 4" bbl & k38 combat masterpiece 4" bbl are close seconds.

A favorite 22cal revolver would be impossible. The s&w k22 would be tied with the colt officers target model. I hate to overlook and leave out the H&R revolvers but to me there awesome tough revolvers but they do deserve a mention. I think most rimfire revolvers shooters grew up with h&r.

It's like asking a Harley rider what was his first motorcycle? They stumble to say Japanese.

My Model 10-6. Simple, basic, perfection.