The old Best Revolver theme...

[Gman56]

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.

 

[brucev]

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.

 

[mtelkhntr]

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.

 

[BigBill]

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

 

[DGNY]

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

 

[357larry]

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.

 

[TNFrank]

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.

 

[Meeteetse]

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.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

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.

 

[ladder13]

Too many to choose, but I might pick a M65

 

[LOBO]

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.

 

[Pitdog02]

1954 Pre 27 3.5"

 

[Bat Guano]

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.

 

[Sprefix]

My money and vote goes here.................45 Colt

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).

 

[s2harry]

wiping up the drool....

 

[fyimo]

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

 

[LTC]

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

 

[wproct]

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.

ECS

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.

 

[gunny4053]

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.

 

[fyimo]

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

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.