This should be interesting, like the title says which model of S&W revolver do you feel is the best fighting model? Lot's of choices here from the wonderful Registered magnums through todays models. I love old Smiths but a RM wouldn't be my first choice to go into a fight with, mainly because I'd hate to lose it to the police or damage it. How about a 4" model 28? Good choice and that is what it was designed for, but it's blued. In my mind a fighting gun needs to be as tough as possible and I feel stainless models would be a better way to go, blued is beautiful but it can be a pain to care or in some enviroments.
So a 4" SS revolver, what caliber 357? 44? 45? Any and all will defend one well but a 44 mag is a bit much for fighting with unless you run mild mag/warm special ammo. So we have 357 or 45,sure the 41mag/10mm are more than up to the job but decent ammo isn't available everywhere.
My choice would have to be a 3" or 4" 686 357 mag., very versatile and also very effective, ammo is plentiful and readily found just about anywhere(before the ammo run of late). The 357 has been doing a fine job of defending folks for 74 yrs. My next runner up would be a 4" or 5" 625 45 ACP, same thing goes for the 45 lot's of good ammo choices with the plus of moon clips for fast reloads.
What's your choice?

__________________
Sie vis pacem parabellum

a 66 357

Here are my still in service house guns.

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

The one I have in my hand when the fight starts.

Those M-66's are hard to beat, I've got a couple snub 66's myself.

__________________
Get off my lawn.

I vote for the Model 686.

__________________
NRA Benefactor Life Member

I am partial to the 681.

I vote for the one you can hit what you're shooting with. If you can't do that (and some days I sure can't) choose the heaviest one. It'll make a better club. Come to think of it, it's hard to beat a golf club in close quarters. Especially if you already have a vicious slice.

A revolver for Close Quarters Combat?

I would choose a 2" 625 with a NY reload.

If I were to purchase a revolver for so called 'fighting' it would be any of the 8 shot .357 models.

H.

Depends on the type of fight! If it was a brawl, I'd want one of those ten inch X frames to club someone over the head with. But in a gunfight, a 686.

Although I don't own one, I'd pick a 4" 681 for an all-round fightin' revolver. The "L" frame can stand a pounding, the fixed sights make it super rugged, the 4" barrel gives a good balance between concealability and sight radius/muzzle velocity and stainless steel will be very durable. Having it chambered .38/.357 give plenty of flexibility in ammo choice as well. Hmmm, I think might have taliked myself into one!

I vote for the 686 also.

__________________
N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

I vote Model 66 in 2.5".
My favorite is setup just like 500 Magnum Nut's.
A Model 60 makes a nice backup.

__________________
Mitch
SWCA 2438

Actually, Colt saa, a couple of those -11's have gone through my hands and I still have a -10. For serious work, though, you can't beat a chopped 25-2. As already mentioned, if nothing else it makes a better club.

The Clint Smith 44 special was designed for that purpose, even though most of them sit in a case. I like the idea of sturdy fixed sights and a 44 special. That is why I purchased my model 329 Nightguard.

...this might be the one:



Or, from more of a purist perspective, maybe this:


Of course, if I had any pics of my new-to-me 625-3, I'd have to put that up for consideration as well. Those moons can be pretty quick

__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

For me it's my 3" 66. Great accuracy, custom made for my hand and handles like a dream. Bought it in 85 and can handle it better than any other hangun I own. With the longer ejector rod positive ejection of spent cases is a sure thing. Not a sure thing with my 2.5" 19 and hot loads.

With my new 686 CS-1 (Thanks Slufstuff!!!) and a few trips to the range I might change my mind.

I also pack a 3" 657 in the winter loaded with 210 gr. Speer Gold Dots. Never feel undergunned with a .41 mag and it will reach out there and hit with authority!

These will be backups to my riot 870 with 8 rds. of 00 if it's at home and I don't have time to get to the shotgun.

All 3 will get the job done if I do my part, but the 66 is my all time favorite and I shoot it the best of the bunch.

3" 66


3" 686 CS-1 (Slufstuffs photo) My grail Smith!

3" 657 with a Hogue monogrip

__________________
V/R
Roger / SG

The j-frame...because you will be more likely to have it on you than a K,L or N frame...and if I really thought I was going to be in a gunfight, I'd take my Browning Hi-Power with 15 rounders...

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

I'd say it is the 4" Model 65. Fixed sights, magnum power.

Pricey, but a M627: 8 rounds of .357 plus makes a pretty good club. I'd hate to do that to a PC gun though...

__________________
Fast is fine;accurate is final

I always felt very secure with my 4" model 19.

__________________
Thanks,
Mike

I think a heavy 627 with 8 shots should work well, when you run out of ammo you use it like a club.

__________________
May God Bless The USA

I gotta get one of those... guess it's on my wish list.

__________________
Fast is fine;accurate is final

A 3" m-13 for me. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

8 shooter 627 for my choice.

First to come to mind for me would be a 3" or 4" K or L frame in .357.

4" Model 686 Plus. YMMV.

My four inch 25-5 in .45 Colt with a .38 snub back up.

__________________
Stay safe people!

Unless something else fits your hand better, this is it, except that those cartridges should all be in moon clips.

I lived with a 4" M66 in uniform for almost 10 years. It ended up saving my hide in a bad encounter. Still have it, even though a case report number is etched on it. Not sure I'd part with it.

__________________
Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

My 1st question to this is : Am I going to be called out for sure, or am I going to be carrying my gun forever waiting for the faint possibility? Two completely different guns depending on the senerio. If I am just going to pack just in case, it would be a light .38 J frame. If it looked like a fight was a sure thing that I couldnt get out of, it would be a .44 special or a 45 colt. That is, if I didnt have a 1911. You know the 1917 was just about as fine of a fighting gun for a revolver ever designed! But in my case I would be happy with my .44 special 4" 24-3. Then again, I have a 3" model 66-3 from lew horton that I think a lot of too.

3" Model 65

My druthers, (and a required revolver choice)?
If able to be open carried, any big bore S&W N frame in .45 (insert favorite flavor here) or .44 Special/Magnum (insert favorite flavor here). If it "has to be concealed" and still be a wheel gun? A 3" Model 66, 3" Model 65 or a 65L/S. Stack the deck further with bobbed hammers, give me two of each, and I'd feel twice as warm and fuzzy about the choices.

I recently had this decision to make. I was torn between a 2 1/2" 686 7 shot plus and a 3" 629 Performance Center concealed carry. I came to a decision that a 3" .44 Magnum with a 210 Gr. G.D. at about 1000 FPS would be good remedy for any problems from man or beast.

I'd have to go with the gun that I actually carry, a 640 no dash. But if I could choose another real quick, it would be a 3-inch 65 or 66, both of which I can shoot better than a J frame, but only if I am carrying them, of course.

686 or little brother 681.

Hi:
"K" Frame 4" barrel, Blued, 38spl.

I would have to go with a 681 round butt with a 3 " barrel and maybe a xs big dot front sight

This one, a 625-4 3",



or this one, a 625-10 2",



I prefer the heavy 3" for shooting, but the light 2" is a better everyday carry gun.



Buck

Actually, Smith has made a number of fine choices:

1 - 4" Model 624 with a 250 gr Keith HP bullet ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique
2 - 4" Model 625-8 JM Special with a 200 gr SWC at 900+ fps
3 - 4" Model 686 and a 150 gr SWC HP ahead of a stiff charge of H110

These are some sterling examples. If you don't believe in using handloads for self defense, then factory loads of the proper performance level for the task at hand.

Dale53

Tough to choose just one! I would choose between my 625 or my 696.

Some folks made a good point, do you have to lug it around all the time or are we talking house gun or something else?
I guess if its house gun I tend to like a 4" n frame, a 629 or my 25-5 would do fine. I'm not a real big .357 fan although I love the K frame.
If I gotta carry it, considering that would mean concealment probably a J frame like my 649 or a 3" K frame in .357.
I've sort of believed there was room for one great fighting revolver that they never built. A L frame chambered in a shortened .41 mag casing, a .41 Special as it were. 4", fixed sight, shooting say, a 180 grain slug at just under 1000 fps or so. Bella.

I would nearly agree with 625smith in that I too have a 3" 625 and a 3" 696 (my favorite). However due to the question being a one gun, fighting revolver, I would have to go with a 4" 66 or 686. The reasoning is availability of ammo, slightly longer sight radius for that longer shot if necessary, yet still concealable. Were the question any fighting handgun, I would choose a Colt Mark IV Series 70 government 45 acp and a hole slew of seven round mags. Government can be carried without holster, just slipped in your belt; serious reliability, and serious firepower.... IMO.

Another vote for the 686 plus in 3 or 4 inch.

.

Nframe357: Although I love 3" N-Frames, an L-Frame fits in my hand better. My 4" 686 (no dash) is an excellent revolver, but considerably heavier than my 646 with its' titanium cylinder. The 40 S&W cartridge is versatile, lethal, & as plentiful as 38/357's. My choice for an all-around defense/target/plinking revolver.

Respectfully,
H-F Hank
NRA Benefactor
USAF Vet

3" to 4" K frame ..... .38 special ... .357 magnum, .... . smoke is coming out of my ears ....

Good Luck,

Jerry

OK to clarify, if you knew you had to go somewhere that a confrontation would be likely, but could not carry a long gun and you hadn't drank the auto koolaid and still relied on a wheelgun for your defense. Lot's of great replies and awesome pics folks!

__________________
Sie vis pacem parabellum

OK...I'd take this:



oops no long guns...then this:



um, sorry...no kool aid...then this:


Yeah, that'd do it!

I vote for the 3"686 the 357 mag si a great round without being TOO powerful, and the 686 is hard pressed to be out preformed

Any 3 or 4" barreled N frame in .45 ACP or .44 Mag or Spl. Crazy K38, I am having trouble grasping this concept of 'too powerful'? These 44s would work for me . . .