I think I would say the 3" 629. It can do anything well.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

S&W Model 686 4 inch barrel. It can be used for hunting, home defense, concealed carry with the right holster of course.

I'm not usually big on reconstituted threads but this is a good one. I love that engraved .41mag, especially because it's seeing time in the field. Since this thread originated I've discovered the versatility and usefullness of the N-frame revolver. Yeah, they're big but not that big, especially with shorter barrels and decent leather. I've got three that qualify as great all purpose carry guns, but I have to say that my 327 Night Guard is probably the best all around package. It is the right combination of size, weight, capacity, and power and will fill pretty much any role you choose, from field work to concealed carry to home and vehicle defense. My Mag-na-port custom 3" M29-10 .44mag and Behlert custom 2.75" M25-2 .45acp come in a very close 2nd and 3rd.

Here are some pics (any opportunity to show off!)

327 Night Guard -


Mag-na-port 29-10 -


Behlert 25-2 (again!) -

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Well this will do 4" N frame 29-8


till I find a suitable 58?

Ours was made in 1970. I bought it off gunbroker, the only time I ever bought off the net, about 4 years ago. It was advertised as being "in good shape." Turned out it was brand new in the box unfired! I didnt pay much for it either.Theresa claims it`s hers! I have a pancake holster for it.

Wow, redlevel!! That's one large, fat, well fed snake.

I carry a wide variety of pistols and revolvers depending on the situation and location, whether it be hunting, hiking, or shopping (I hate shopping!). But this model 10-10 has turned out to be my favorite daily carry revolver (I recently bought this gun from Dream to Dream). It shoots accurately with almost any load I put in it and has enough power to handle most self defense situations. I have other model 10s but this one seems to be more accurate and has a great trigger.

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Same here. The Centennial ( with a trigger job) is my all time favorite

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John

O.K. I'll play. My favorite all-purpose S&W revolver is (God help me!) 6" 28-2. My reasoning is easy to follow. The very first new S&W revolver I ever purchased was a 6" 28-2 as it was the strongest .357 I could find and afford. Sadly that revolver got away from me. Happily it was replaced by my identical-twin brother (deceased) with a virtually identical 28-2 from the late 1970's. I have a 4" 28-2 that I adore. And I wouldn't want to have to give it up. But for all round shooting, plinking and hunting, the 6" 28-2 is in my estimate ideal.

Now... if the discussion focuses upon SD/HD, I'll admit that the very first revolver that I would want in my hand is my 21-4... loaded with some nice 200 gr. Gold Dots!

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<><

A couple come to mind.

64-3


19-4 2.5"


For a bit larger hole this Hard Chrome plated 25-9 .45 Colt

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Corripe Cervisiam

Well, I have carried a Combat Commander, 3" 629, a 4" 28, a 3 1/2" 28, a 4" 25 in .45 Colt, a 4" 29-2, a 6" 29, a 6" 629, a 6" 28, a 4" Python, a 4"19, a variety of Glocks, and a 442 on a consistent basis over the years. If I had to stick with one, I wouldn't, but to me the most practical are the Nframe .357s, and believe it or not I'd go with my 5" 27, which doesn't currently get carried much.

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Even older, even crankier....

Favorite S & W revolver for all purpose? Hmmmm......

For defense, I'd say my 1917 but 45 AR is hard to find and clips are a PITA.

For accuracy, a 25-2 but same problem.

45 Colt is harder to find (although I load for it). Same for 44 spl.

Best all round: Likely a 4" 357. K frame or N-frame?? Durability goes to the N-frame. Since I want useability and not flash, I'd go with my 28-2 Highway Patrolman. Don't have a picture of it.

Second choice: Model of 1989

I don't believe there is a one size fits all, but if I had to choose one, use it for everything, a tool if you will, it's have to be my 4" Model 28.

^ that. Perfect.

I like my RB 3" 686+. I have 7 rounds to work with instead of 6. A 3" BBL is easier to conceal but it's still an accurate firearm, fairly lite weight handgun that handles well, is well balanced with a very manageable recoil, .357 mag. is good all around round to have, plus less expensive .38 spl. to shoot at the range, SS holds up well and when there is a BG around it's certainly intimidating...what's not to like?


Pete

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Don't tread on me

Why is it the simplest questions can be the hardest to answer?
For me it's a tossup between two models, my M-19 4" for carry either on a gun belt or under a coat. Second my M-586 4" which is noticeably heaver but is such a joy to shoot with .357 magnum loads.

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For me, it's gotta be a 681. Fixed sights, .357, and relatively concealable.

Best 'all purpose'...66 in 2.5"!

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But then, what do I know?

In thinking about it maybe one of these two .357s? Or maybe my 24-3 or 25-5? My answer will be different tomorrow.

I used to think that my 38-44 Outdoorsman was my best "all-around" Smith and Wesson handgun. It can be loaded to near .357 velocities and snake shot loads are handy and easily rolled out.
I picked up a smokin deal on a first edition 629 Mountain Gun and after having it magna-ported and re-stocked am of the opinion that it is probably the best "all-around" Smith and Wesson handgun that I own. Even while just messin around in known bear country with my granddaughter and nephews while berry pickin, it has become a fairly constant companion on about every outing and will probably go with me flyfishing in snake country, I've been known to eat a snake or two a year.

Picture I tried to add above...

Performance Center 629:


686:

Mountain Gun.
Back when the S&W bug first hit me I bought a 629-2 Mountain Revolver. I carried that thing many a mile while living in Alaska. It was a fixture in my duffle while pimping fish, on my hip while guiding, fishing or hiking. I had Andy Cannon do an action job in the early nineties and after 15,000 rounds had to send it back to S&W when the trigger stud worked loose.
Now that one is semi-retired and I mostly pack a 625-6 .45 Colt.

Best all round Smith would be a Model 696 no dash with a three inch barrel.

I hardily concur.

My first inclination would probably be the Model 19...but, this Model 15-3 is such a joy to pack and to shoot, I'm afraid I'd be a little more partial to this ol' friend.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I just posted in another thread...

My 60-15 is the "all-around" revolver of the stable. I have handguns that do individual things better, but if I could only have one for every situation, that would be the winner.

Light and concealable, adjustable sights, and with the option of full-house 357 power.

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Because of the metric system?

I reckon I would go with one:



Built by Keith44Spl on a pre-27 357 magnun, converted to 45 Colt with a King ivory bead reflector front sight and stocks by Keith Brown. It feels like a 3 1/2" M27 but carries a big, ol' heavy bullet. My second choice, angling more toward defense, would be my 3" M13 in 357 mag.

M-28 4" hands down.

I see I have posted several times on this old thread. I cant pick my favorite. They change daily. Here are a couple I didnt show earlier. I have had them both roughly 40 years. A 27-2 and a 29-2 both in 5"s. I have packed and shot the 29 more thats because I always had lighter .357s like a old model trooper etc. I think if somehow I lost every gun I own in a house fire or whatever the first gun I would look for would be a 29 mountain gun.
Meanwhile I am happy with my 24-3 4" .44 special or my 5" 29-2.
When it comes to guns I am a polygamist. Here I am 40 years ago toteing my old .44.

I know all about the polygamy...... that 629-2 turned into about a dozen N-frames, I really don't think any of them are better, jest different.
That five inch N-frame habit is the worst, it's demanding and expensive!
I found a 5" 29-2 at the local hardware store, boy was it cool! Well, then I needed a 26-1, a 5" pre-27 and a 5" 27-2 just had to be sent off to Bowen for a 44 special conversion.

Here is another 5" .44 special I have. I had found a 5" barrel off a model 21 at a gunshow about 30 years ago. Found a cheap HD and had my smith ream the cylinder to .44 special and just swap barrels. I didnt get it reblued or anything. Actually I have been carrying this one more lately as I ride atv and dont like to bang my safe queens around.

Lots of choices...but if I had just one for "all around" I'd choose....

4" 629-4 .44 Magnum, for the reasons outlined above (versatility in load choices).

I have a 625 in 45 Colt just like the OP; mine has Spegel grips. It's wonderfully powerful, especially when reloaded with type metal 265 gr bullets and a hefty charge of powder. It also sits in the drawer of the end table next to my recliner, loaded with some hellish HPs; don't come in the back door uninvited. But it's pretty heavy for carry.

I also have a revolver that's been many miles by my side in a El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons holster; a Ruger Security Six 357, six inch barrel, with Hogue grips. Versatile, powerful and accurate, but a bit hard to hide with that large frame and six inch barrel.

I still don't have the ideal universal revolver: to my mind a stainless 4 inch barrel 357 in K or L frame wih adjustable sights; I think the ideal compromise between power, versatility and portability. As long as I have a choice of firearms, however, I can come closer to what the siuation requires with what I already have. My 638 makes a great pocket gun as well as one for holster carry.

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^^+1^^ The 19 was, is and always will be my personal favorite. An economical target/plinker using 38spl. A formidable SD choice with 357mag. I generally load 38spl+p in mine.

I really like the looks of that!

Back in 1986 the only gun I owned was a Browning 9mm (not a 1911) of questionable quality, but I hardly ever did any shooting then and didn't think about guns much at all. Then my house was robbed, and of course the thieves took my one and only gun. The next morning I went out to buy a gun for home protection (partially because the thieves had been interrupted mid-crime and I thought they might return) and bought a Model 19-5, 4 inch, nickel, because it looked so good sitting in the gun case at the local sporting goods store.

Over the last 27 years I have bought and traded numerous firearms, and currently own a mixture of revolvers and semi-autos, but when I had to decide which one stays loaded and in the small GunVault in my bedroom as the go-to-in-the-middle-of-the-night gun, I ended up picking that old Model 19-5. The only thing I have done to this gun, other than cleaning and shooting, is adding Crimson Trace laser grips. The grips don't have the look of the original wood grips, or the feel, but the laser feature makes me more likely to hit what I need to hit in the middle of the night.

Overall I think the Model 19 is about the closest I have found to a do-it-all handgun. Accurate, absolutely reliable, good to hold, and if 6 rounds of 357mag are not enough, I'm in real trouble anyway.

M65

Well, as much as I want to say an N-frame, I can't. I am real close to ladder13's choice. A Model 13, 3" barrel, in blue or nickel. I don't like stainless very much, as it looks like silver paint, and I like a gun that needs to be cleaned after shooting. I tend to take better care of them that way.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Throw my vote in with the 4-inch Model 19 crowd. The bigger guns are nice, and they do have a lot of potential beyond the reach of the Model 19, but I don't really need it and lugging them around, and their heavier ammunition, has never really appealed to me. I also happen to think the 19 is a really sleek, beautiful revolver that none of the N-frames can quite match.

Another vote for the 629 Mountain Gun, but I could live with an MG in 45 Colt too.

To start, I feel that the .357 is the most versatile cartridge at least around here. For hunting, critters don't get too big here. Deer being about the biggest. For defense it's more than adequate and carryable. Great for range shooting. Which model? If I could carry a 4" 686 that would be it. If not, a 4" 'K' frame .357 would do the job. Load to suit your needs.

686 2.5" rb Easy to pack and I shoot it as well as my longer guns. I would like to someday own a short barreled N frame in .44 or .45.