This...
19-3
19-3
Favorite all-purpose S&W revolver from any era...
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
- Start date
Lately my "go to gun" is this ugly Outdoorsman that I picked up several years ago for a couple of hundred dollars. A lot of wear on the finish and some pitting on the left side of the barrel, but tight as a drum and accurate as hell.
Shipped in 1952, the year I was born. I've got several others in mint condition, one new in the box, but this one I get along with just fine.
I live in the country, so I use it to wack critters out back with my 38/44 duplication load of 11.5 gr 2400 under a 158 gr SWC HP gas check. So far i've gotten several feral cats, rabbits, crows and numerous racoons at distances of up to 100 yards.
This gun is very accurate and still has the "stock" factory trigger pull, which I prefer.
Shipped in 1952, the year I was born. I've got several others in mint condition, one new in the box, but this one I get along with just fine.
I live in the country, so I use it to wack critters out back with my 38/44 duplication load of 11.5 gr 2400 under a 158 gr SWC HP gas check. So far i've gotten several feral cats, rabbits, crows and numerous racoons at distances of up to 100 yards.
This gun is very accurate and still has the "stock" factory trigger pull, which I prefer.
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This...
19-3
oh baby...but maybe the 2 like that would be the ultimate...
GyMac
US Veteran
I would choose a Model 19 with a 4 inch barrel for its versatility. The K frame is my favorite and I own only .38's, but I admit that the .357 can be more useful.
Mule88
Member
If you can handload, the 629 (In whatever flavor you like) Has to be one on the most versatile gun ever!
SAFireman
Member
The question is just too tough...
For around the farm and state parks, I carry a model 65 in 3" - it can be loaded down to soft shooting wadcutter or RNL loads for practice, or up to 180-200 grain hardcast for more serious endevours....the 3" barrel is easy to conceal and the heavy profile cuts down on muzzle flip. It is a good size for belt carry, as well as IWB. You can put any array of grips on it from square butt adapters to a RB boot grip. Being stainless, I can carry it down to the coast without worry about corrosive action from the water.
Now, If I decide to take a longer trip out to the wild, I would certainly pack along my 657 mountain gun. It has the same weight as a 3" N frame. It is also stainless so no worries about getting it a bit wet. The 41 mag round is quite versatile, if you handload...I have everything from 170 grainers for 'social work' to 265 grain hardcast for bigger projects...the 255's clocked at 1800 fps with lil'gun, but are a real handful with a 4" mountain gun. Added bonus - it shares ammo with my Marlin 1894, which will put meat on the table out to 150 yards easily- bunnies not withstanding (think pink mist)
I have to agree with the other posters on several points- the Model 10 is a great shooter and it is easy to carry, and there is not too much that a proper 38 round can't do (short of buffalo hunting
) ...I do think that the modern 357 can fit the bill for whatever your daily travels entail - especially if you have several platforms to choose from, based of course, on your plans for the day - 340PD or 640/649 for city travels, 19/65/66/686 for suburban use and beyond, and the N frames for the outskirts of town.
...after reading this, I find myself trying to find one that I would/could carry all day - everywhere....but I just vary my level of activity so greatly, that I MUST own more more more....sorry it's the disease S&W-itis
....but, it is still cheaper than therapy
For around the farm and state parks, I carry a model 65 in 3" - it can be loaded down to soft shooting wadcutter or RNL loads for practice, or up to 180-200 grain hardcast for more serious endevours....the 3" barrel is easy to conceal and the heavy profile cuts down on muzzle flip. It is a good size for belt carry, as well as IWB. You can put any array of grips on it from square butt adapters to a RB boot grip. Being stainless, I can carry it down to the coast without worry about corrosive action from the water.
Now, If I decide to take a longer trip out to the wild, I would certainly pack along my 657 mountain gun. It has the same weight as a 3" N frame. It is also stainless so no worries about getting it a bit wet. The 41 mag round is quite versatile, if you handload...I have everything from 170 grainers for 'social work' to 265 grain hardcast for bigger projects...the 255's clocked at 1800 fps with lil'gun, but are a real handful with a 4" mountain gun. Added bonus - it shares ammo with my Marlin 1894, which will put meat on the table out to 150 yards easily- bunnies not withstanding (think pink mist)
I have to agree with the other posters on several points- the Model 10 is a great shooter and it is easy to carry, and there is not too much that a proper 38 round can't do (short of buffalo hunting
) ...I do think that the modern 357 can fit the bill for whatever your daily travels entail - especially if you have several platforms to choose from, based of course, on your plans for the day - 340PD or 640/649 for city travels, 19/65/66/686 for suburban use and beyond, and the N frames for the outskirts of town....after reading this, I find myself trying to find one that I would/could carry all day - everywhere....but I just vary my level of activity so greatly, that I MUST own more more more....sorry it's the disease S&W-itis
....but, it is still cheaper than therapy 
Stainz
Member
To conceal - it has to be a pocket gun for me. I love my 296 - but, as an L-frame, it won't fit all of my front pockets. The 642, also in a Mika pocket holster, gets the nod for everyday protection. The conceal carry requirement is so divergent from my usual needs (PLINKING!).
Well, I have both a 625-6 and, my first-ever S&W, the 625-7 my wife bought me new eight years ago - both .45 Colts. Super fun - but ties me forever to mt basement ammo factory. I think to 'do everything', you have to be able to find ammo. That brings me to .38's - and my wimpy .357 Magnums - and my 4" 627 Pro. Don't ask me later - I might sub my 4" 617. Oh yeah, I may have to protect the homestead...
Now, if I have to have only one - might be able to carry my recent UDR 2 5/8" PC627 on my belt. Give me time to re-enforce my belt loops with carbon fibers, of course.
Stainz
Well, I have both a 625-6 and, my first-ever S&W, the 625-7 my wife bought me new eight years ago - both .45 Colts. Super fun - but ties me forever to mt basement ammo factory. I think to 'do everything', you have to be able to find ammo. That brings me to .38's - and my wimpy .357 Magnums - and my 4" 627 Pro. Don't ask me later - I might sub my 4" 617. Oh yeah, I may have to protect the homestead...
Now, if I have to have only one - might be able to carry my recent UDR 2 5/8" PC627 on my belt. Give me time to re-enforce my belt loops with carbon fibers, of course.
Stainz
All-purpose?? Anything I would choose, there is something better for certain purposes. That's one of the reasons I own so many (the other is that I'm a gun nut). One of the best is a stainless Series 80 Colt Gov't Model, but that's a bottomfeeder, so I would probably nominate my 3" double-Magnaported PC 629, which might be a better all-around gun anyway. If I didn't sweat so much, or could always carry OWB, it might be a tossup between my 4" 29-2 and my 4.25" roundbutted 25-2. Plenty of room for ammo choice on all of those except the slabsided one.
Bought (and sold) a M19 back around 1972 before I met Craig Spegel and learned what a proper set of stocks should be shaped like to handle .357s properly. By the time I learned that lesson the gun I had was a 4" Security Six and I stuck with that basic gun through my career. It served me well (make that very well) but the M19 IS a classier piece. I'm currently pulling around a shooter grade 19-3 and it bids fair to be a very nice all-arounder. Obviously I made a big mistake selling off that minty M19 38 years ago. Methinks they are probably the best revolver ever made, and dropping them from the line was insanity.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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My choice: S&W M-28/Highway Patrolman. Wide selection of factory ammo, will hold up to heavy use with handloads, plainer finish somewhat more durable.
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I read this question yesterday and had to think about it, but I couldn't decide. So I went to the safes, sat down with a glass of chocolate milk and had a talk with all my S&W revolvers. We talked it over, shared some old memories and had a few laughs, but of course every one of them thought they should be chosen. Even the lesser guns had something to say, but in the end I still can't chose.
ChinaSeaSailor
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686+ Mountain Gun
For me, the 4 inch 7 shot L-frame in a mountain gun configuration (stainless, tapered barrell, round grip frame, etc.) is the one "do-it-all" revolver. With Ahrends boot grips, it is as easy to carry and conceal as a round butt 4 inch K-frame, with the added strength of the L-frame, and the extra round to boot!
I have carried it many an 18 hour day, IWB (Fist leather #19) in all kinds of environments, circumstances and weather. I find it to always be comfortable to carry and easily concealed.
About all I could ever ask a single revolver to be.
Of course, as always, YMMV.
Dennis.
For me, the 4 inch 7 shot L-frame in a mountain gun configuration (stainless, tapered barrell, round grip frame, etc.) is the one "do-it-all" revolver. With Ahrends boot grips, it is as easy to carry and conceal as a round butt 4 inch K-frame, with the added strength of the L-frame, and the extra round to boot!
I have carried it many an 18 hour day, IWB (Fist leather #19) in all kinds of environments, circumstances and weather. I find it to always be comfortable to carry and easily concealed.
About all I could ever ask a single revolver to be.
Of course, as always, YMMV.
Dennis.
one_fast_ls1
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Smith model 66-1 2.5" RB. 'Cause it's what I have, and I LOVE it.
Hides well, and fits comfortably in my hands. Accurate, powerful, resistant to rusting, and darn pretty!
Hides well, and fits comfortably in my hands. Accurate, powerful, resistant to rusting, and darn pretty!
Ya Just Cannot argue with that statement.
At 5'10 - 185 I do have a bit of trouble concealing my 4" 686, but - then again - TN doesn't require that it be concealed
Out of state I carry an M49 or a Commander - I CAN hide either of them when necessary.
When I started in LE in 1971, the Model 19 was the revolver
that many wanted. Paid one hundred and fifty dollars for it and a case of 158grn .38spl SWCs. Also bought two boxes of 110 grn Super Vel .357mags and a box of Winchester .357mag
AP or was it Remington. Been a long time ago.
Rule 303
that many wanted. Paid one hundred and fifty dollars for it and a case of 158grn .38spl SWCs. Also bought two boxes of 110 grn Super Vel .357mags and a box of Winchester .357mag
AP or was it Remington. Been a long time ago.
Rule 303
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