I like reading these forums. I found one thread on here from 2009 but didnt satisfy my couriosity.
I wondered what others think is the best revolver. With that comes the criteria for your selection.
For me its the model 27/28 four inch barrel. It fits my hand its accurate and handles well with moderate recoil.
It is my absolute favorite and NO I dont have one

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US ARMY
Viet Nam 70-71

Well, looks like I will be the first to chime in. I have a M27-2 and a M28-2 and in my opinion, they are the most versatile revolvers ever made. If I HAD to pick between those two, I would take the M28-2. The M28 is all business with no frills. I enjoy shooting my M28 and do often. Great trigger, much more accruate than I am, and will take a beating and work just fine. While I also think that the K frame M19/M66 are also versatile, there is just something about the M28. Just my 2 cents.

the N-frame Smith is hard to beat, I think- the large frame helps to soak up recoil, and the trigger's on the example's I have seen are typically nice

I think each maker has its positives and negatives-
The Ruger Security/Service/Speed/Six series has a "modular" design that I like-
Colt revolvers (older D/A) are great examples of gunsmithing-
For me, the Smith's would be best, followed by Ruger- if there were still lots of Colt gunsmith's and parts around, that order would change

K-frame Smith & Wesson in .38 Special or .357 Magnum with 3 or 4 inch barrel. It fits everyone with appropriate grips and is effective in either caliber with proper loads for self-defense or small game hunting. (In .357 Magnum, it may be used for medium game [white tail deer] in a pinch.) It can also be concealed by just about anyone with a decent holster.

And, yes, I have two K-frames: a .357 Magnum Model 13-3 and a .38 Special Model 10-5.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

For me, I like my 6.5" 629 Classic. When people ask the "best gun" question, I put it in the context of if society fell apart tomorrow.. In that situation I would want my 629 Classic. It's more than capable of taking down a deer to feed the family. With my shoulder rig, I can easily carry it concealed under a button up flannel shirt.. That's my pick.

Older s&w model 10's . The best of the best.

I like my 28-2 4",but also would have to give a shout out for my 66-3 in 3". If held to one revolver only it would be between these two.

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They hold no Quarter

Are you kiddin' me....

We've had a whole page of a "what's the best revolver" thread and nobody's put up a 5 inch Mod 27-2!



Shame on you N frame guys!

GF

Not that it's necessarily my favorite or what I'd consider best, but I like what someone had posted on Wikipedia, before it was removed, about the Highway Patrolman, calling it "the epitome of minimalism in handgun design". In reality, that would likely better apply to the Military and Police, but that's beside the point.

Best to me is the one that encompass all the traits "I" like same for you. It could be after the collapse of society or just every day best. I like the size the trigger action the recoil absorbing weight, balance and looks of the 27.

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US ARMY
Viet Nam 70-71

If I had to use a revolver to survive. I do choose a Military and Police or the later model 10. I don't have to shoot the revolver all day long. But when I do need it it has to work. Yes, the model 27 and 28 are great revolver's. Sturdy but heavy. You have to carry this revolver al day around. Therefore I pick the M&P or the model 10. It is good enough for me.

Best for what? Strapping on in plain sight? Concealed carry? Defense, target, hunting, plinking?
I am going to assume we are talking defense. I am going to farther assume you mean concealed. That comes from haveing not seen many people that probley ARENT leo actualy open carrying in town, and I am almost 72.
Okay. Many here have mentioned packing 5" 27s and probley 4" 28s. I have a like new 27 5" that I have owned 40 years. I cant remember the last time I actualy "packed" it, but bet its been 35 years. Thats because I have lighter more compact and cheaper guns that will do the job.
I had to open carry on my humble security jobs for over 35 years. A average work week was 65 hours. The romance of lugging a heavy large gun soon wore off for me. To start with it had to be .38 special. I had my choice usualy of colt offical police, s&w 586 or ruger speed sixs all in 4" barrels. Most of the time I carried my own 4" colt trooper .357. However I quit that to keep my captain out of trouble as I really was suppose to carry company owned guns. I mostly carried a colt offical police. I was about the last to opt for it as all the newbies wanted those 586s and speed sixs. They "looked" more modern and flashy. The colt was the lightest. I liked that since we had to carry .38s in the .357s anyway. I have accumilated many handguns of all calibers, all the popular smiths, colt pythons etc.
Probley I mostly carry a nice old m&p or a .44 special converted HD the most. IF I carry in town concealed, its a old model 40. In the boonies on my quad rides its either the m&p or the banged up .44 special HD. The reason is they are my cheapest guns, the safe queens stay home, and these will do the job.

You wouldn't have to ask me twice.
If I picked one revolver it would be a 25 or 625 in 45 Colt.













I seem to shoot the big thumpers in 45 Colt ctg. best
But then again I have had a bit of practice.


I could not see picking a 38 Special as a best all around gun
but many here will.

Good luck
Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

I LIKE IT! That's food for a new category! What's the best post-apocalyptic S&W???

IC

Best? Best at what? Finest trigger, fit, finish, and function? All around utility, plinker/protector - gotta be a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR:



It can be a frugal plinker or protection - even a CCW, of sorts!

Stainz

For me it would be the 4 by 4 of handguns a stainless 4" 629 - a size you can carry all day - loads from mild to wild in a sturdy, accurate and portable package.

The best? Any of the Centennial J frames. Absolutely the most practical revolver ever and it's the one that's always on or about my person.

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Centennial Every Day

The 3" 66-2. Best do everything revolver I've ever encountered. Regards 18DAI

GF,
Nice selection 5" model 27

What GF said!! But maybe, just maybe... a 5" in 41 Mag.....

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Terry

I will stand by my 6in 28-2! She has the smoothest trigger .I like my 6in 686-1 but the 28 is very accurate! I wish it was a 4in but I dont think it would be as accurate.

I have been blessed to have a few nice S&W revolvers. Recently I came into a 6" 28-2 that was about unfired. It matches up with my other 6" 28-2 that I have had since I got it from my brother. I've been shooting 28's since 1980. I've had other S&W revolvers..., K, L and N frames. But of them all I simply prefer the 28. To my taste and in my eyes, the 28 has a simple elegance that I appreciate and enjoy. One day I will own a 4" 28. But for the time being, I am very happy with these two very nice 6" 28's. For my part I think the 28's are some of if not the very best revolvers ever made by S&W.

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<><

If, like they say, you dance with the one that brung' ya', mine would have to be a 6" 28-2. It was the first revolver I ever bought for myself. Since then more have followed me home and out of those if I were to change in the middle of the dance, the only one that would interest me is my 4" 686 no dash.

I been a ruger revolver guy since 1976(police service six-357mg) and got a few redhawks in 44mag when they first came out. So i have no experience with the S&W N frames at all. I have not been fond of the redhawk 5 1/2'' barrel in 44mag at all with its recoil. Maybe i'm just getting older now but the recoil is way lower on the 7 1/2'' barrel nuff said about rugers.

I just purchased two new S&W's a m57 w/6 1/2'' barrel and a M58 w/4'' barrel in 41mag both in nickel finish. I just shot the new to me 41mag w/4'' barrel and she is well balanced and handles much better than i thought it would. I'm hooked on the S&W n frames now. Bill

In a pinch, my 625 .45 ACP Mountain Gun. Could probably scrounge some ammo from 1911 pals [and then the revolver would outshoot their '11s]. Compact for an N, weather resistant, shootable and accurate even w/o target grips, handsome to my eyes and S&W durable!

Second choice - 66 3" - good to go w/ .357 or .38 Special.

Regards,

Dyson

I'm not a fan of N frame .357's. If I have to tote an N frame around I would just as soon it be in a more substantial caliber. The larger calibers load down as well as up to suit your need.

A k frame .357 makes sense, either a 3 or 4 inch barrel. And whatever it is it better be stainless.

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Expect no quarter.

The one you have with you when the gunfight breaks out is the Best.LOL
Really though, it depends on what you're going to do. For CCW you can't beat a 642, J-Frame.
For Duty carry a good K-Frame packs along real nice, not too heavy and you can still load up and shoot 357Mag.
For Heavy Duty an L-Frame is nice or if you don't mind the extra weight an N-Frame is good too but if I go N-Frame I'd rather go 44Mag, may as well get a larger caliber with that larger frame, also it makes the gun lighter because the holes in the cylinder and barrel are larger.
If I could just pick one I'd be happy with a good K-Frame, 3" or 4" fixed sight like a M13 or M65.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Like all of these . . "what is best, which one would you choose " ideas, it depends on what you are doing. If I could only own "one" due to some fanatical government I would probably choose a different gun than the one I like the looks of or is the easiest to carry.

So, having said that, if I could "own" only one it would be my 4" Mdl. 29 or my 4" Ruger Redhawk and plenty of .44 special and mag ammo. Neither is the most fun to shoot or carry, but they are extremely versatile, and except for CCW in a swim suit, they can be concealed.

Truthfully, a quality .22 would probably be the best for most of us.
Oh yes, the one I like the looks of the best and is much easier to carry would be a J-frame Mdl. 36/60. Tomorrow my opinion might be different.

The old 4" N-frame in 44Mag. Mine happens to be a 629-4. Shootable, plenty powerful and accurate if need be, or precisely throws big chunks of lead if you want moderate powered finesse.

Although I do put a lot of trust in a good single action; 45 Colt, 44 Special or 44 Mag please. A Ruger 4 5/8" BH in SS works plenty fine for most things that need attending.

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" I said, good DAY! "

Too many to choose, but I might pick a M65

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Sure you did

65-3, 3" .357 mag.

I can conceal it, it is about perfect for home/self defense, and I can put meat on the table with it if need be.

1954 Pre 27 3.5"

What I thought was the schnitz long ago compared to now is a long story. But for day in, day out, I like the 442. My old work gun was a Security Six, now on its second barrel and second reblue. Not fancy and not pretty like a M19, but anvil tough and stone reliable. It is the default piece for going to town, plinking out in the sagebrush, or on the ATV.

Never met a K frame that I didn't like; I almost have enough of them, and they will all outshoot me. I like N frames, too, but they would fit me better if I were eight inches taller with hands to match. Until that time my M28-2 4" and 24-3 4" are mostly for fondling.

Suffice it to say that good wheelguns outnumber everything else in my safe. Every one is a favorite; the others are gone.

My two favorites are as follows. 25-5 4"(Pure Class),and then a 625-6 .45 Colt Mtn.Gun(Bad is as Bad does,and this jewel is extremely capable).

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Go big or stay home

wiping up the drool....

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US ARMY
Viet Nam 70-71

I guess it would all depend on the situation and my requirements on the one S&W I would keep. I think the Model 27-2 is the best looking of the S&W revolvers and for me the 5 inch barrel balances best but I'd probably keep the 3.5 inch barrel. Now if this was a head to the woods for a long time situation and only take one it would be my Model 28 with 4 inch barrel.

27-2 5 inch

27-2 3.5 inch

28-2 4 inch

I started out wanting, and purchasing a M17, then a M14 caught my eye, Why not a 4" so I found a M18. Why not try an N frame that starts with a .4? So a 25-2 6.5" & 25-5 6", then a 25-5 4". The 4" really seemed handy so I found a 29-5 4".

I have found my favorite combination of frame size and caliber, .44 & .45 in 4".

The addiction continues.

LTC

This sums up my thinking pretty well also. I like stainless steel, so I like the Model 66 revolvers alot. I've owned them in the past, but unfortunately right now I don't. So, for now I have to say a model 60 in 38 special, as that is my newest acquisition.

I would probably choose my 5" 27-2. I love my 28, but the 27 seems to balance and point just a bit more naturally, and in a pinch, I don't want to put any more thought into the task at hand than necessary. I'd choose it because it shoots great, in an apocalyptic situation where I might have to scrounge ammo, .357 and .38 SPL could probably be found in every Mom and Pop store in every corner of the country, it's big enough to defend life and limb, yet put meat on the table when needed, is easily carried in my chest rig, and is supremely reliable.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

There is no cure and next it will be the 357 magnum is a good round so you need several model 27's and of course a 4 inch model 28 and the beat goes on. It's called a sickness and there is no help up here from us enablers.

You must fix that my friend.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

"Best" is too broad. Each one of mine has a purpose.
My M340PD lives constantly in my non-dominant side pants pocket. My M696 serves well when I am doing a Bodyguard assignment, and there is only a single threat. I want them to see a BIG bore if I have to throw down on 'em. The M28-2s serve well when I can wear a sweater and conceal an N-Frame in my IWB holster. (Plus, I just like carrying a Highway Patrolman). My favorite carry revolver is my 2 1/2" M66-1. .357 Magnum power, six shots and a concealable, comfortable grip. What's not to like about that?
Tonight I have a surveillance assignment. It's getting a little cooler, so I have on a sweatshirt. I'm kinda in a .38 Special mood, so I'm carrying my 2" Nickel M15-3 Combat Masterpiece, backed up by the aforementioned M340PD. The nice thing is, I have about 25 choices. So it just depends on my mood.
Jim

I'm of like mind with .357Larry. To me the "N" frames are just too bulky and my "L" frame 686 with 4" bbl is nice to shoot, but still has more heft than I want. For in hand feel, quick to point and overall most handsome S&W revolver I like the "K" frames, of which I have four in .357 caliber - 3" 65, 4" 13, 4" 66 and 6" 19. For Larry, the two which aren't stainless are nickel.

I like any of the N frames as long as they are in 44 special. However I have a fixed sight model ten heavy bbl that is just plain fun to shoot. Jacketed bullets or lead alloy "boolits" gobbles them all up and is suprisingly accurate. Frank

ANY

627.

8 shots o' .357 !!!

after thinking about this for a while. It would be a split between my 28-2's and my 27-2's. Just can't decide between those two models.

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SWCA #2601

After having my 625-4 5" have a 4" mountain gun barrel installed, I believe it would now be my pick.