What do you guys feel is the most classic of all S&W revolver? I don’t really know how to ask what I am asking. But I look at some of the 4 or 5 inch 357 or 44 mags and I think that their lines are some the most classic of all revolvers. I am just trying to see if there is some type of consensus as to which Smith is the most classic of all. I know this is a really wide open question, but I kind of mean it that way. What do you consider THE classic S&W revolver? Pictures are always welcome.

Registered Mag
K22
44 mag
kit gun
chief spl

in that order.


Charlie

The profile I like the best is
Mdl-19, 6 inch

the 19 four inch in blue. although, i think the most elegent revolver ever is the 586 4 inch with wood targets

Tough question! My top three is the best I can do:
#1 3.5" 357 Magnum (Model 27)
#2 6.5" 44 Magnum (Model 29)
#3 4" Combat Magnum (Model 19)

These are the great signature Smiths that are never confused with Colts or Rugers. Classic and legendary all. All made a huge impact.

The Military & Police and it's later name, the Model 10. The .357 Magnum arrived in 1935, the M & P was already there. The .44 Magnum in 1955, the M & P was already there. The same with the Combat Magnum, the Model 13, the Chief's Special, and every other revolver. They made more M & P's and Model 10's than any other revolver that ever came out of the Smith factory. It served in WWII for how many countries and police forces around the world? The classic 4-inch version is of course the most commonly seen. It might not have been the most glamorous, but it was the workhorse of Smith & Wesson.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

I think the model 29 is thought of as the classic S&W revolver, although only because of its Dirty Harry fame. I never realized that there were 6 to 7 million M&P (model 10) revolvers manufactured.

3.5" M27
4" Triple Lock .44
6" K22
RD

__________________
Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

I think a revolver being the classic for its maker is the one most sought after by shooters and collectors and with the S&W or Colt and not necessarily the first. So for me in the S&W line it's the Model 27 starting with the registered magnum followed in second by the Model 29. In colts I think it's the Python and the in second is the Diamondback. In both lines I think the first and second models in each are the most sought after and cost the most.

I agree the M & P/Model Ten is the most prolific revolver, but growing up in the 70's every cop I saw carried the same thing.........the four-inch Model 19, or the stainless version, the 66. Yes, there were some early issues, but they were resolved, and the gun went on to be the iconic revolver of its time.

Surprisingly, I don't even own one. But I own Model 64's and 65's, which are variations on the same theme.

The pinnacle? Some would say it's the 6-1/2 inch Model 29, others might argue for the 686 in four-inch trim as the ultimate do-it-all revolver. Then there's the 500...........the King, some would say.

If I could have ONE, to do everything, I'd grab the 686 and run.

I am young to S&W ownership but I love my model 10-7,2" barrel followed by my model 17-4, 6" barrel - so nice to shoot at the range and I have equally as much enjoyment in cleaning them at the end of the day. I've got a 29-2, 8 3/8" barrel coming and can't wait to post my enjoyment with this piece.

I like the 657 3".
Feels good in my paws

There was a similar thread here not too long ago and while everybody likes the 357 and 44 Magnums, I believe the consensus was that the utilitarian Military & Police (later the Model 10), with something like 7 million produced, was the hands-down winner as far as what most people imagine when they think Smith & Wesson.

Edit (from Wikipedia): Boorman, Dean K., The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms (2002), p. 46: "The .38 in Military and Police Model 10 has historically been the mainstay of the Smith & Wesson Company, with some 6,000,000 of this general type produced to date. It has been described as the most successful handgun of all time, and the most popular centerfire revolver of the 20th Century."

Just my opinion, but I always thought the Model 10 (or M&P for the pre-model number generation) with a 4" barrel was probably the most "classic" S&W revolver.

If you want the absolute Classic, it's without any doubt the 4 inch M&P or later the model 10. If you want the pinnacle, IMO that would be the 3 1/2 inch RM or the later model 27.

Now for the good news/bad news side of this question. In it's long history S&W has made so many splendid revolvers that there will be considerable debate on this issue. Bad news is that the simple fact is that in terms of numbers and useability nothing better defines the S&W revolver line better than the M&P or model 10.

__________________
WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

it sounds like the M&P might be the "classic". But i like the term "pinnacle". Maybe that was really what i was after.

I agree with several previous posts. The .38 M&P has been the epitome of S&W since 1899.

Any Pre-War N-frame !

Jerry

__________________
.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

For the Classic, the M&P is the unbeatable face of S&W for over 100.
For the epitome...uhhh, here's the short list.
1. 5" Reg. Magnum
2. 6" .44 Magnum
3. 4" .44 Triple Lock

6 1/2" Model 29......After Dirty harry brought them to "every household" via the movie theater and/or the TV.

__________________
Go big or stay home

Ultimate classic is no doubt the k frame .38 M&P. The ultimate? Probably the Registered Magnum, and I like the 5 inch. The most desireable? Kind of personal preference there, but to me it is the model 28-1.

Either way it's a loaded question.......asking a bunch of S&W fans which model is the "classic" S&W

that was kind of the point, just a fun question to see what people think.

Unitl I get something else, my vote is the 3.5 inch 27-2:

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

As stated, it has to be the M&P/Victory/Model 10.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Military & Police/Model 10 and its variants. It was the only one made by S&W during WWII, all others were ceased in production if I'm not mistaken, at least regular full production, and it was the first one made available for civilian sale after the war. Its been in constant production since 1899, correct? No other S&W revolver can claim that, none. It may not have the "aura" around it like some of the others mentioned but its been the mainstay all these years. These days I do believe the 642 currently holds the number one sales record. I've heard that mentioned in numerous places including from Smith sales reps.

In numbers sold - the Mod. 10
In worldwide model recognition - the Mod. 29
In detail and finish - the Mod. 27
My personal choice - the Mod. 27 3 1/2 and 5 inch.

i like this reply. I dont personly like the look of the 10. But it is growing on me and i have to admit it is a true "classic". But i love the 19,27,29 and so on. It sounds like people love the big N frames, 357 and 44.

It has to be this one.
Dick

Its the S&W M&P 4 inch tapered barrel of course. Nothing represents S&W better than this revolver. Since 1899 this has been the classic fixed sight revolver.

Regards,

I feel there are three S&W handguns that should be considered all time classics.

1. Model 10 Years ago, if you owned a S&W, this was the one you wanted.

2. Model 36 Almost every top cop or plain clothes officer had one. Many civilians had them due to being easy to conceal, store and shoot.

3. Model 19 Just a dang good magnum that was carried by many LEO over the years and I think would still be carrying if a certain foreign gun maker had not given their guns away in trade in order to get the LEA business.

If you want the absolute Classic, it's without any doubt the 4 inch M&P or later the model 10. If you want the pinnacle, IMO that would be the 3 1/2 inch RM or the later model 27.

Bingo!! We have a winner!!

And another vote for these two. 4" M&P is the classic, 3.5" RM/M27 for the pinnacle.
M29/57, also in 4" guise may possibly be close to the RM/M27 for second place IMHO.

5" M&P is right up there with the 4 inch

__________________
Sure you did

The M&P, Mod. 10 has to be the most classic S&W ever built. There are lots of other, maybe a little better looking, but 7,000,000 users can't be all wrong.


The first Mod. M&P

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The older, the better

__________________
Sure you did

Yep, I agree.

My dealer just got a M&P 'Airweight' in 4" blued that is mint. What a beautiful piece.

si---------

I'm with gkitch for my #1...
First: Model 27 3.5 inch
Second: Model 19 2.5 inch (or SS version 2.5 inch Model 66)
Third: Model 39 ASP w/Black Teflon finish, Clear Lexon Grips and Guttersnipe Sight

__________________
Mike...ConquestN98858

I've got to go with the M&P/Model 10 as being the classic S&W. The model 27 would get my vote as being the classiest S&W.

Is "classiest" a real word?

Classic = M&P/Model 10
Utilitarian = 4" Model 19
Pinnacle = Registered magnum

"Least Classic" - Anything with a LOCK!!!!!

The Model 10 standard barrel. I have a 10-5 4" I bought from another forum member that remains my favorite. I want a 5" barrel and I'd feel I'd then own the two revolvers that say Smith & Wesson the best. They still remain the best combination of form and function S&W has produced IMO. There are more powerful and desired revolvers I know but for me it's always been the Model 10. The tapered barrel with like new bluing is as graceful a piece of steel as I think one will find in a firearm.

Tough question. I have to go with the M&P/Model 10. Runners up would include the 36 and 19 due to their wide use in law enforcement circles, and the 29 due to it's Dirty Harry fame.

__________________
Ban lunatics and criminals

All the .44's, but the Magnum is the pinnacle..

I have to say the model 10.

Probably a 1917 ---- but Maybe this 17 no dash sorta fits the bill.

Model 10 with standard barrel.

Having been to a few other countries thanks to Uncle I got to see a lot of foreign cops walking their beats as well as some of the militaries. And I noticed a lot of old Smith M&Ps/model 10s on the job! So as far as I'm concerned that the CLASSIC Smith revolver!
As for the pinnacle: The Model 66 Combat Magnum does it for me. Dale

__________________
"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"