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.
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The finest all around revolver ever made by S&W
- Thread starter CAJUNLAWYER
- Start date
The Model 27 without a doubt!
Won't speak to the finest but for all round give me a 4" 44 something like this one.
The 681. Everything you need-nothing you don't.
GAME ON!!!
Agreed. As I have said before, if I could have just one handgun, it would be my 681.
Bill In Texas
Member
Lobster Picnic
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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.
Attachments
But they did!
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.
Excellent! Not much chance of bulging the cylinder...
Darkenfast
Member
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.
Lots of beauties in this thread, though.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
If I can go back in time the quality and craftsmanship of the s&w k38 combat masterpiece is unmatched.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'd have to say my 686+. They made that one just right.
garddogg56
Member
Dieseltech56
Member
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.
ggibson511960
Member
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.
Seamus O'Caiside
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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 ??????
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 ??????
StrawHat
Member
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).
