I'm with the old cop! A 4" 66 was my first revolver way back when, and I still have it. (just can't find a picture on this blasted phone, will update tomorrow)

Keeping my 2.5"er too, both are -1's. But there are SO many awesome model's to choose from, I can only list my favorite all around revolver.

Say, where are all the pictures?

EDIT: I did find one picture on this phone after all. It's from 2 years ago, but it looks the same. :-) She's an "old cop gun" too. Bought it for $199 bucks as a police trade in, maybe in the late 80's.

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I think smith needs to bring back the 65. In fact that would be a great gun to produce. Especially with all these first time buyers.

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Fear only God

one vote for the 581

Model 27 with 6.5" barrel.

#1) 4" 66
#2) 4" 686

I have both. Neither are my personal favorites but both, in the order listed, are, IMHO, the best all around revolves.

For me it is the K Masterpiece series. Next in line I vote for the M&P 38 Special family in blue steel.

I tried to reply 11 times and came up with 11 answers. So much to pick from. My 12th answer is the Model 24 4" I shot yesterday. It's just right.

The 686 gets my vote. Probably the best 357 ever. Not too big and not too small, just right.

My two favorites are Model 28 and 66, both in 4” barrels. The Model 28 because I can shoot are .357 Magnum ammunition without fear, and the Model 66 I carried in my first Police Academy

To my mind the 4” 27/28 seems like the quintessential Smith revolver.

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213th FBINA

Well I have to go with my model 19's nuff said.

I have to agree with this post, since I only have 357mag Smiths. I'd love to find a 44mag, though.

We have a winner!

I've not seen Sasquatch, but I've seen his (or her) cast prints.

I've only seen griz and wolf prints in the mud.

Still in all, THE answer is S&W's Model 60-4,
Chiefs Special Target, 3" full lug Heavy Barrel, .38 Special.

Mine is a premier example, fit, finish, and mechanics!

If you can have only one S&W revolver, it should be a Model 60-4 (seller's photo).

So ends the discussion!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Score one for the Chiefs Special and all the variants it has spawned since introduced in 1950. And still going strong.

While the 4 inch Model 27 is the cream of the crop, Registered Magnum even creamier, the 4 inch Model 28 just has a special, unexplainable appeal for me.

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SWHF #691

Finest means Model 29. All-around means 4". For me, that's it.

I understand the Registered Magnum answers, and I'm surprised that I missed the Triple Lock, but they were before my time, and anyway the RM came only in a subcaliber.

I do like my 3" 629 PC double Magnaported with Fishpaw grips better than my 29-2, but "finest" and maybe "all-round" fit the 29 better.

JMO.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I owned and competed with the L frames. For competition, they were good. Accurate and the extra weight cut down the felt recoil.

Different story on the street. That extra weight pulled on my duty belt. There was a reason many cops preferred the K frame. So once I quit wearing a badge, I sold the L frames.

My choice for the finest design by S&W would be the Model 1917 or it’s progeny, preferably with 4” barrels.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

...except a good set of sights...

Triplelock.......of course!

My idea of a fine revolver would be a stainless N frame with adjustable sights, a 6 inch full lug barrel with a patridge front sight and chambered in a magnum caliber or 45 colt.

I really like my 629 classic.

Define "finest." If you mean the highest quality has to the RM. If you mean most useful then every man has his own choice.

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No life story has happy end.

Many of the experts believe it to be the Triple Lock - Model 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model a.k.a. New Century Triple Lock.

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DITTO

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John

681 is the Ultimate Combat Magnum.
The finest all around would have to include Registered Magnums.
The S&W handgun the most utilitarian would be the model 1917 in 45ACP.

686 with a 4" for me. maybe not the best revolver but I do think it's the best all around revolver

Agree also. The finest S&W revolver is the one you carried daily and your life and the life of others depended on it functioning first time every time. Model 10 and it's related cousins the 64 and 15.

686 for me. I bought one new in 84 and still have it. I have a 681 but don't like the fixed sights on a 4" L frame revolver. Three inch barrel fixed sight on a model 10 is great though.

I’m all in on a 581 nickel. Rides on the hip, in the truck and loves boating...... will get the job done and is sexy to boot. Follows me around everyday

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triggers dog-pile egomaniacs

+1 for this! It's hard to beat a 686 for me. Especially the 4".

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Find a way or make one.

registered Magnum, even if it's a cartridge for girls. After that, any pre - 29.

Nope, all are wrong. It's the M58; everything you REALLY need, nothing you don't, and still light enough to carry all day, every day. And enough power for deer/elk/bear/lowlives.

The Model 27 without a doubt!

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

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Sure you did

Won't speak to the finest but for all round give me a 4" 44 something like this one.

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Joshua 1:9

Agreed. As I have said before, if I could have just one handgun, it would be my 681.

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Let's be careful out there

How about the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece?

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Another vote for the 60-4. Stainless 3" J-frame .38 Special with full underlug and target sights. Shoots like a K-frame. Suitable for home defense, concealed carry, target shooting, woods walking or small game hunting. Well-balanced and perfectly suited to the .38 Special cartridge.

But they did! not Smith & Wesson though.











Someone gave himself the trouble of having a British Service .455 converted into .22 lr and have an adjustable rear sight from a RM/Model 27 installed.

And I have it.

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Expect the unexpected

Excellent! Not much chance of bulging the cylinder...

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Common sense isn't so common.

For "all around", I think adjustable sights and seven rounds in a handy frame size, combined with .38/.357 and a compromise barrel length, puts the 686+ 4.125" at the top of the list.

Lots of beauties in this thread, though.

If I can go back in time the quality and craftsmanship of the s&w k38 combat masterpiece is unmatched.

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Plant garlic in the fall

I read all the answers, and this has been fun.
So many choices to narrow to one.
My model 19 would surely be tops.
I'ts classic, it's sexy, with styling that pops.
But then I start thinking about forty fours.
They're accurate, versatile, who could want more.
But how can I omit the beautiful RM.
If ever you shoot one, you'll want to again.
The L frames have fans, but I am not one.
A search for a solution where we needed none.
So still I'm perplexed which one should I choose?
I know the answer, whichever I use.
When I need it to save me or to take some wild game.
I'll leave it to you all to decide which to name,
As the best of the best that Smith ever made.
For me it's plain, they all make the grade.

But my Model 19 will be the last to go.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

The M629 Mountain Gun.

You can go from mild to wild with a squeeze of the trigger. Just by varying the ammo, you have the whole spectrum of North American shooting covered.

Second choice: the 5" M27.

Third choice: a 4" M66/19.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I'd have to say my 686+. They made that one just right.

All-round from plinking with .38 or hunting with a .357 magnum the 6" model66-1 fits the bill for me.

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I would have to say a 686 also. Good balance between shootability and collectability. I would never even be able afford or truly appreciate a RM owning nothing even near comparison.

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-Matt

I own and enjoy almost all numbered S&W's, and could have voted for any of them. Most all have been voted for in this thread, but the market has voted with $$'s and it's hands down the ubiquitous M&P, M-10, albeit biased by a zillion law enforcement orders. Simple, solid, no nonsense practicality, the ultimate compromise of all the competing influences.

Why hasn't the .45 ACP been getting any love here? I vote for the gun I've been shooting the most lately (I have 5 various S&W's). It is a M625-2, stainless, 5", with very nice factory grips and one of those whatyacallum green highly visible front sights. Many thanks to forum member XAVMECH for selling me his great gun, with great service and a very nice price.

I like the moon clips: faster reloading than a speed loader, I can carry more of them, and they are cheaper.

The gun is very accurate and the sights are very visible to my tired old eyes.

Ammo is available in a wide range of loads, from less recoil than a .38sp to more killing power than a .357 Mag. It can shoot the .45 Super which is as powerful as .41 Mag and is plenty for everything we have in the east - black bear, whitetail deer, hogs, and drug-crazed baddies.

With moon clips it shoots .45ACP, .45GAP, and .45 Super. The .45GAP is abundant and relatively cheap right now, and duplicates .45ACP ballistics. Without clips is shoots all of those except .45GAP and also shoots .45 Auto-rim.

It won't rust and the surface color won't wear off or peel.

Oh, did I mention that it is very accurate?

What's not to love ??????

See post 67.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I love the .45 ACP in a revolver. My very first S&W was a 1917. I have owned several over the years and still have one. I have also owned several M625s in the ACP caliber, I have used them for law enforcement and currently own a M625 Mountain Gun in .45 ACP which I consider the best fighting revolver ever built.

However, the question asked was what the finest all around S&W revolver and most responses have included self defense and hunting. The .45 ACP is a great self defense round, but a bit lacking for hunting. That's why I picked the .44 Maggie Mt Gun (see post #93).

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!