I agree with Hannah, anything I have.
2- 60's in stainless,.357, 2" barrel for ccw.
model 19 in blue 6", one of the most beautiful guns ever.
629 in 3 or 4", 6" or any length you like. I would like to get one in blue.
have several in stainless.
a K-22 outdoorsman 6" blue from mid 1930's.
Any other of the beautiful blue standard 6" lengths, like so many of you post here.

The Model Number One 1st Issue, with it's bored-through cylinder and self contained metallic cartridge is the revolver that began the company and became the foundation of every S&W revolver that followed.
Since 1857, every revolver using self contained cartridges sprang from this original masterpiece.

The original 357 Magnum.

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John
S&WCA Life Member

Except for the M-29, I don't recall those three being at the top of the polls.

I'm a sports fan and hate the term "best player" on a football or baseball team. Each one has a certain role to file and it's apples to oranges. Applies to handguns as well.

Now if you're asking for favorites:
K-22 and it's children through the 17-3
.44 HE and it's descendants (.44 Specials.)

My 3rd spot is a tie between the M-66 and 25-2.

I have owned an M-27 and they are absolutely beautiful guns, but: the N-frame is too big for a 6-round .357.

I'm tempted to vote for the Triple Lock but, I have to go with the registered magnum.

I really like all the "K" frames but the model 15 is the best with the model 10 next in line.

Put me down for a hypothetical S&W: A TL with RM technology and artisanship. For details, I'd go with the HBH, BQD front sight on a 4-3/4inch barrel with ivory magna stocks (not checkered) and a blue finish. I might add a lanyard loop with a properly offset butt serial number and a minimal amount of inlay on the cylinder drag line and muzzle.

To the S&W PC: I'm waiting...

For me it's the Triplelock followed by the Model of 1926 in .44 S&W Special Target configurations. Of course any pre-lock S&W tends to trip my trigger.

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Dave
SWCA #2465

I like any of the K and N frames prior to MIM and IL.

Any of the early K and N frames are fantastic.

I'm a big fan of the K-38s, especially 15s.

All of the pre-lock, pre-MIM Ks and Ns had a graceful style that sadly, no longer exists in the gun world.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

The best has to be the 357 magnum, or the 44 magnum, or the 38/44 outdoorsman, or the model 19, or the HD, or,or,or,or????????????????????????????????????

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Registered Magnum,Hands down.I had read about how smooth the action was before I bought one and could not see how they could be THAT much better.I must say the first time I cocked the hammer on my RM I had a grin from ear to ear.I have no idea how they did it,but they did!

Ditto - how could you have not added this gun to your orig. 3 ??????????

.38 Chief's Special. How many people went home to their families, or took their families home in one piece, because of one? Still defines the pocket revolver genre when so many other designs have been dropped or changed beyond recognition.

So...McDonald's makes the best hamburger?

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'Merica!

I have to lean towards the 4" N frames that start with a .4.

LTC

I like the 19 it outshoots my python.

Most elegant and artistic? Registered Magnum and other pre-War 357 Magnums.

Best built for strength and quality? The early 44 magnums (pre-1958 or so) while they were still being built as something truly special.

If I had to pick only one S&W to be my "forever gun?" A Model 66-1 with 6" barrel. I could do more with it than whatever use I could get out of the preceding two. JMHO, YMMV!

Froggie

None of the above. A fixed sight L frame. no dash or -1 or -2, blued or SS makes no difference.

"I choose the "357 Magnum" including pre-27 to 27-2. The checkered top strap signifies that this was the S&W top revolver."

This^^^ no contest.

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Run Fast, Bite Hard!

I think its unanimous all of the J, K, and N frames! So, best to have several of each.

This is an impossible question!

Lol...

Unless narrowed down to have some particular situational application, there is no way to say.


What would have been the best S & W Revolver for me to CCW with when I was 8? Probably, the Safety Hammerless aka New Departure, 2 inch Barrel, in .38 S & W.

I could and did handle my Dad's ex WWI m1917 very well then, but, it was a little large for me to do DA without some awkwardness.

Or a nice pre-War 'Terrier' in the same Chambering would have been a fine choice for me back then ( heck, I even carry my Terrier once in a while now! ).


Is my Model 58 perfect or ideal or 'the best' for the actual particulars of some conditions, situations? Yes!

And well, so are many of the one's in-be-tween!


My daily carry for quite a while now, has been an early 1930s S & W 'M&P' 2 Inch which to me is perfect for daily life CCW.

If out Hiking or walking in the Woods and so on, my 2nd Model Hand Ejector in ( or converted nicely enough to ) .45 Colt, is what I would bring.


So...like that...it is conditional to the particulars of who and where and with what probable contingencies.

Or maybe it's "older cousin?"

I have trouble picking only one because I don't really believe in one size fits all or "do it all" handguns. For target (Bullseye) I like the 625-4 Model of 1989 (45ACP) and for hunting I prefer the 625-5 Classic in 45 Colt. Here is a picture, both with Nill grips.



For carry there is only one choice for me, the Model 58.

Keith

For me it would be any triple lock.

I would call the 38/44's its' Father

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

I recently brought home an Outdoorsman S/N 40xxx. It is without a doubt the finest revolver of my modest assortment which includes some 20 other S&W's. Fit, finish, slick action, accuracy, balance, looks. Just truly awsome.
Scott

In overall looks , to me the best is the Model 15 with 4" bbl.

To me the best S&W has to come from the 20th Century. Nothing made after 2000 deserves consideration.

In the early part of the Century the title of "best" has to go to the magnificent First Model 44 Hand Ejector, the Triple Lock.

Later in the Century the best gun spans a number of years but are all the N-framed 357 Magnum, from the Registered version to the model marked M27-2, pre Bangor Punta.

And a third candidate has to be recognized in the middle of the above 357 span of years. The early five-screw and 4-screw 44 Magnums are works of art and should be included.

As for the best S&W to me, it's any of the 45 ACP revolvers I have.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I was gonna say model 58....and maybe it is, but recently a mountain gun model 29 is my favoite to shoot.... :->

I agree with all the votes for the 27, but, you could pack a whole lot of extra power, and therefore uses in the same size package, with a 29/629 with 3"-4" barrel. But then again I sleep, eat, and drink N-Frame 44's.

I don't know if there is such a thing as "best," but I can tell you that I have fallen in love with every pre war N frame I've ever held. Here's my favorite that I own, a 1933 38/44 Outdoorsman:

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Peter
S&WCA #2620

Since I have a lot of kids and a Registered Magnum, or even a 29/629 will be out of my reach for the forseeable future (sour grapes) I would have to say the best SW revolver is a 686 with 6" barrel, in particular the one my wife bought me for Christmas in 1993. But seriously I would say that this particular model is one of the most versatile firearms a person could own.

I bought a 27-2 6" nickel a few months ago. I brought it home & stuck it in the safe. After reading this thread, I got it out & examined it. It really is the top of the line for S&W ,...top of the line for any revolver.... IMO.

An old thread revived{a very enjoyable thread none-the-less}. For me and my all around general use it is an easy choice, the Model 686 Mt. Gun, it closely mimics my all time favorite 4in. Model 19 but offers a stronger frame for 357 use and holds 7 rds and still is very close in wt. and balance and can work in virtually all uses ok. It may not be the absolute best{ that's why most of us own more than one gun} but it'll do. Joe.

"Best" doesn't really work for a company that has been making fine revolvers since the mid 19th century.

How about "Most Delightful":

K W C, I bought a couple nickel 27-2's a short while back too, and just last week took the 5" out and gave it another look over and it is probably the cleanest, tightest and likely also the neatest gun I've ever been lucky enough to own....the 2nd one is the 8-3/8" length and is a tight 2nd in those sentiments as well....fabulous revolvers....

Had a mint 19 4'' pin barrel,sold it 15 years ago and still regrett it.

I don't know if there can be just one S&W revolver can be considered "best" after all there are a lot of S&W Revolvers out there in the world and they can serve many different purposes.

But if there were just one S&W Revolver that COULD be considered the "Best" it would be the S&W Model 10

It's hard to pick just one but as an all around piece... 3" M66. It's just sweet...

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

IMO Nothing feels and shoots as well as an N-Frame 357. Love my 27 with the 6-1/2" tube.

Mike

You know what they say about opinions. Well, this is one of those very rare instances when nobody has an opinion that stinks!

My favorite is the 3.5" 27. If I could only have one S&W revolver, that would be the one.

I still don't have one, BTW. It's the next "grail gun" on my list!

Tough question. I have a model 66-2 with a 4 inch barrel that I will never ever part with. Absolutely love the gun. I just bought a model 642 that I am falling in love with. One to conceal in the winter and one for the summer.

To me the "Best" is the one I like the most which is your basic fixed sight K-frame (M10, M64, M13, M65).

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Support your Police, & NRA

I tried to like K frames, and as handy as they are, they just don't speak to me. The L frames truly have no soul. Something about N frame 45 ACP's and .357's...they just feel right.

My 22-4 is nice in that looks old, not afraid to shoot the hell out of it kinda way.

Having looked at a new "Classic" model 27 compared to an original pre 27, the new line looks like a caricature of the old. It's a little sad and kinda funny seeing that beautifully checkered top strap simulated by shallow laser engraving.

My vote also goes for the M27 variants, including the RM's up through the 27-2. Just beautiful guns and in a very versatile caliber to boot. The fit, finish, checkered top strap, all combined with target cokes just seem to define the "best". Most prefer the shorter barrels, but I still love my vintage 8 3/8' beauty.
Terry

Got to pick the ..........4" Model 67 Combat Masterpiece.

All of the above.. but in particular the pre lock, pre mim 357s of any frame.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Again, it depends on your definition of "best". If you are talking about the gun that is responsible for making S&W famous or the model most produced or the gun that saved the company from going bankrupt, then it is hands down the Model 10 and its pre models.

No other S&W model, IIRC, has made the company as much money or allowed the company to still be in existence as much as the .38 M&P line.

Not the .357 magnum, not the K22, not the .44 magnum, not even the magnificent model 41.

Without the .38 M&P's, S&W would probably not be around today.

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James Redfield
LM #497

The best S&W? The next one I see. But I carry the mod 27.