I hope this hasn't been covered before, although I suspect it might have been. If so, please accept my apologies and direct me to the correct thread. Otherwise, here goes: All things considered, what do you think is the best production revolver Smith ever made? Give your reasons if you like. I thought about this the other day, and made my decision, but I am up for any other opinions from wiser Smith nuts. I think my 66-1 with the 2.5 inch barrel and round butt is my favorite. 1. It is stainless, my favorite material. 2. It is a K frame, my favorite size compromise between shootability and carry. 3. It is pinned and recessed. 4. No lock. 5. No MIM 6. round butt. 7. Caliber - I love shooting the .38/.357. I thought of the Model 27, and 29 four inchers, and I am a fan of blued/walnut, but I wouldn't carry them for fear of ruining the finish. The only thing I don't like about my 66 is the grooved trigger face, I would prefer smooth. A three inch barrel might be nice, but the 2.5 is close enough. Not trying to start a debate, just wonder what others think.

It isn't possible. I like them all.

Except for the 2nd. model safety hammerless .38...never could get it to work.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Come on, Andy, give it a whirl. I'm not sayin' it's the only one you can keep.

The 3" 66-2. Perfect version of the perfect 357 sixgun. Regards 18DAI.

My choice as well for the perfect S&W revolver. I have been lusting for them ever since I first saw them in an Ashland ad many years ago. I hope to own at least one before I die. It is my Holy Grail. -Ed.

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Shoot the CPU, not the monitor

Perfect....... you know after thinking, I'm gonna say the 681.

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Forum consigliere

Gotta be the 4" M19. Best balanced, best handling and best looking S&W ever.

+1 To me, the M19 is what the SAA is to Colt lovers.

Easy. Four-inch standard barrel M&P/Model-10 .38 Special.

Reasons? I don't need no stinking reasons!

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Georgia On My Mind

Redlevel comes closest to right, but there IS a reason. Most produced. Also, king of the H.P. White tests when, back in the seventies, feds were trying to get a basis for outlawing Saturday Night ********** Specials, only they didn't want to advertise what racists they were, so they left out "**********."

After that, it varies with hand size and recoil tolerance. A man with a big hand might reasonably say 4" M29, while a man with a smaller hand might say K RB .357, or even hold out for a newer .44 with a RB. Women might have other opinions, and even some men might have an excuse for a .38 Spl.

I'm fixing to get a 625-10. It's used, and I think the IL is worn out, but maybe that's the best S&W ever made. If it fits in my left vest pocket and I can fire it accurately left-handed without bleeding or crying, it probably will be.

Different strokes for different folks.

That is like asking a women what pair of shoes do you
like the best? It depends!! What are you going to use it
for? To answer your question I will say the model 66. Don


1:
2:

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"Don't worry be happy"

Model 19/66...3 or 4 " bbl. Love at first sight!

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Term limits!

For me the 3 or 4 inch Model 27. I dont consider it a big gun. I've been shooting a 6 inch for 40 years. K frames feel like a J frame after holding that 27. That gun will shoot any 357 you can put together and not hurt your hand.

...excluding the 32 S&W ballistic factors, the 31-1 with rubber grips is most pleasing in the pocket...falls to hand very nicely....610 3 5/8 unfluted is my ultrafavorite in hand...627 V8 as shooter...a 3" 629 is growing on me...the various 41 mags can not be dismissed....ok, L frames have their charm...and m14s seem to work well....geez, I can see how this is going...

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

My favorite (also the second revover I ever owned, a Python being the first) S&W would have to be a M-28 with four in. barrel

Based only on what I end up shooting the most, it would be the M18, followed closly by the M66. OTOH, there ain't any bad ones(except the klintin lock ones).

The .357 Magnum or the Model 27 in any of its iterations except the later guns with the infernal internal safety. Finely finished, checkered top strap and barrel rib, smooth action, ability to handle any .357 or .38 special load, accurate. Absolutely the crown jewel of Smith and Wessons.

I wrote an article about it in the March, 2008 issue of Dillon Precision's Blue Press catalog/magazine.

First page:
http://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/..._handguns1.pdf

Second page:
http://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/..._Handguns2.pdf

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Have to agree with Paladin on this one:

Need a better picture of this fine gun.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Too difficult to pick just one. I've racked my brain recently trying to narrow down my herd in my head to what I'll eventually need to hold on to . I can't do it. I can come up with a logical purpose for each one.

I once thought my 4" 19 was the one. Then I discovered the 5" 27, which is an absolute marvel to shoot. The best I had fired until the 44 special, model 28 conversion came along. Then I picked up a 625-2 with round butt and a 5" bbl. All the finest since sliced bread until I dig out the mod. 17 and 14. Man, what a fun afternoon at the range!

I've got it too bad, there's no reason to go through life with just one. Smith and Wesson made too many excellent handguns. Why didn't you ask which ONE I want real bad right now. That would be easy, a 3 " round butt 66.

Damn, now I've got a headache thinking about it!

This is easy.It has to be a mdl.10

Dick

What he ^ said.

Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

As much as I want to say an N-frame. I will say a Model 13. Hey, it's a M-10 that makes big bangs.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

My favorite S&W carry gun is the Volcanic

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SOS USA

Hmmmm. Pretty difficult to list just one, but I'm gonna try.

IMO, only one to select, I'd have to go with a 3" 29/629.

Load it up, load it down, carry it, hunt with it, damn near a do-all, be-all.

Don't let anyone tell you it isn't accurate at range either. I wouldn't want to be ANYWHERE downrange of it.

That's what's fun about collecting! You get to try them all!

5" Model 27.

I'd have to say it used to be my nickle plate mod. 10. Then I got a stainless 686. Both are 4" barrels. Both are more accurate than me.

I think the best is any of the N-frames, most functional = L-frames, favorite = K-frames. I bought two more last week. A 64 pencil barrel and a 4" 5 screw pre 10 to go along with a few more that I already had.

model 10 standard bbl, model 27 3 1/2" barrel

13/65 3 inch round butt. Best balanced guns I've ever handled. I really wasn't much into wheelguns until someone handed me a 3 inch Model 13. Haven't put one down since.

A 4" .44 special 1950 target like doc 44 has shown.

And the winner is...627 PC Eight Times!

Wow, and I own one!

Out West

6" mod 14, just about perfect

+1, but I can't believe anyone hasn't mentioned the 15-3 blue 4 inch!! IMO... one nice looking Smith.

rags

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RIP Shipmate

4" Fourth Model New Departure

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and what his trumpet saith

I agree with MickyD. My favorite is a 6" 624. A modern take on the .44 hand ejector 4th model I believe. The tapered barrel makes it light and lively. Very accurate with my 250 gr. Keith bullets, and Skeeter's favorite reload, 7.5 gr. Unique. You can load up to snotblower, or leave it mellow.

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beaver

Model 27-2. 4" 6" or 8", It is simply perfect for any need you could find.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

Ahh, the question was the best S&W Production revolver - not the perfect one.

I'd have to go with the 4" Model 10.

Millions of satisfied owners.

Almost a century of continuous production.

Handed down from father to son, to son, to son.

My favorite is the one that I am shooting. When I put that one down and pick up another one, it becomes my favorite.

In the past year, my favorite has included the following:

K 38/200 converted by Parker-Hale to .22LR


K-38 Target Masterpiece


Chrome Plated 25-9


K-22 Target Masterpiece


And a 8 3/8" 57-1 that I have not taken a photo of yet.

There are more and there will be more.

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Corripe Cervisiam

Triple Lock in .44 Special, 4"-6".

The perfect revolver.

My choice is the 4" 686 - A fine piece of machinery.
An M-49 goes most places with me though....

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In dog years I'm dead.

This is easy, Any K frame.

4 or 5" Model 10

4" Model 25-5

4" Model 29

2" Model 49

There is nothing finer than a S&W 686 4 inch pre-lock. I have a pair and they may just go the grave with me.

The best of any tool should enhance a person's life. In that regard there are two "bests."

First is the J-frame. It made firearms useable and manageable for most people.

Second would be the .44 Magnums. It made hunting with a handgun a reality. Unless you were a member of the ".44 Associates," pushing the limit of the .44 SPL was not practical or safe.

4" Triple Lock (looking for a better one). In practical terms, whatever K frame you prefer. I do like M10s, M18/15/19/66s. Own any of those and you're fixed for life.

Not a revolver, but I sure like this particular Model 39-2.

Attached Images

L1010698.jpg (51.0 KB, 15 views)

Kind of like asking which is better, blondes,brunettes or redheads..

The one that change hair color
and personality at the same time!

...


WAIT!

They all do that!!!

Why, I believe it would be the Registered Magnum with a 4 1/2" barrel. A close second would be the Prewar Heavy Duty in 5". I have an HD, but no Regmag yet.

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Even older, even crankier....