cephastherock
Member
+1 for the 69. Love my 3” stainless.
The finest all around revolver ever made by S&W
- Thread starter CAJUNLAWYER
- Start date
It’s marked Colt. I’m guessing someone manufactured it for Colt.
Frank Black
Member
My first thought too - unless the standard of 'finest all-around' is meant to include possible use in the fields and boonies, or along the river banks of Alaska, where the big bears roam.
Then, for me, it would be the S&W M&P Model 58 in .41 Magnum, ... 'loaded for bear,' of course.
For personal or home defense, the cartridge's milder 'police load' is fully capable of handling the 2-legged predators who prowl the urban zones, thus making the 4" M58 a truly versatile 'all-around' wheelgun.
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Dan Christopher
Member
For me it comes down to two contenders: the 4" Model 19 and the 6-1/2" Model 29. IMO, no other revolvers have better weight
ointability ratios.
ointability ratios.
Patrolman okay but
Highway Patrolman is a great gun but open it up to a 4" model 24-3 in 44 Special is my pet carry piece, Just put the 27-2 3.5' up to keep in the shape it is in for my Grand rugrats.
Highway Patrolman is a great gun but open it up to a 4" model 24-3 in 44 Special is my pet carry piece, Just put the 27-2 3.5' up to keep in the shape it is in for my Grand rugrats.
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Modified
Member
While I don't disagree (I adore my pre-war magnums), I would have to note that another contender may be the New Model 3. It positively oozes "fine", in a way that's impossible to describe to anyone who hasn't handled a high condition example, or better yet, fired one.
Mehutch
Member
Nothing matches the 686-4 seven shooter 4" barrel. Solid, tough, thick forcing cone and will last several life times. The Model 65 is vey close to it.
and no I do not have the 686-4 seven shooter in 4" barrel, but it is the Holy Grail in handguns.
and no I do not have the 686-4 seven shooter in 4" barrel, but it is the Holy Grail in handguns.
luangtom
US Veteran
I will not part with either of my Model 65s....65LS and 65-6, both in 3".
I'd have to go with my non-dash 686 4" to qualify for this forum.
Three vintage candidates in my mind:
- The 4" Model 19
- The 6" Model 27
- The 6" Model 586
And as the challenge was posed (key words: "all around")... one has to go with the 4" Model 19.
Tom_R
Member
The 586 combines the best of all worlds as far as I am concerned.
The perfect frame size in the L, which took the best of the K and the N, incorporated both, and didn’t have any short comings of either. The nice Blue or Nickel finish that S&Ws of the past had, except in a modern package.
I have some 686’s, and they are Excellent, the 586 has a mystique to it that the 686 does not.
The perfect frame size in the L, which took the best of the K and the N, incorporated both, and didn’t have any short comings of either. The nice Blue or Nickel finish that S&Ws of the past had, except in a modern package.
I have some 686’s, and they are Excellent, the 586 has a mystique to it that the 686 does not.
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Bumpus13
Member
That squirrel hates you.
How else could one explain the obviously intentional omission of critical data like the fact that the squatch routinely travels and hunts in packs of exactly six. That particular ornery red tree rat is trying to get you killed by ensuring you end up one round short. Friends don’t let friends go up against a pack of deadly squatches without enough ammo in their gun. Step up to an N frame - your hide will thank you.
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Browns fan
Member
I own a 4 inch 686-3 and a ohio state highway patrol stamped 681
Hard to disagree with any of that.
I own examples of both, but my 586 in 6" is really something special. 
"The finest all around revolver ever made by S&W"
Not your favorite or most carried....my first post reflected my opinion based on these criteria
but the "finest", "all around" revolver "ever made by"
"all around" ..... in my opinion it's a .357..... .38 shotshells and wadcutters,+P .38s to full power .357s
"finest.... ever made by S&W"........ First reaction is the Registered Magnums from 1935-40..... basicly a custom hand built revolver made to order. Pick your barrel length. On further reflection , I would include a .357 revolver built in the 1990s by the S&W Performance Center as a contender. Never bought one as they were IIRC; all the ones I saw had ported barrels which I didn't like..
Now if we included factory "duty/utility/general purpose" revolvers..... IMO it's still a 4" L-frame .357 ....best of both the K and N-frame strengths without their weaknesses...... fixed or adjustable sights is a matter of preference .... but given the range of ammo I'd go with adjustable sights. and stainless for ease of maintenance. So in this group the 686 is my choice.
Not your favorite or most carried....my first post reflected my opinion based on these criteria
but the "finest", "all around" revolver "ever made by"
"all around" ..... in my opinion it's a .357..... .38 shotshells and wadcutters,+P .38s to full power .357s
"finest.... ever made by S&W"........ First reaction is the Registered Magnums from 1935-40..... basicly a custom hand built revolver made to order. Pick your barrel length. On further reflection , I would include a .357 revolver built in the 1990s by the S&W Performance Center as a contender. Never bought one as they were IIRC; all the ones I saw had ported barrels which I didn't like..
Now if we included factory "duty/utility/general purpose" revolvers..... IMO it's still a 4" L-frame .357 ....best of both the K and N-frame strengths without their weaknesses...... fixed or adjustable sights is a matter of preference .... but given the range of ammo I'd go with adjustable sights. and stainless for ease of maintenance. So in this group the 686 is my choice.
Well thought out Bam.
I didn't include the Registered Magnum on my list because of its cost. "Finest all around" must include at least some consideration of value/affordability for me.You are probably right that the true answer is in some creation of the old S&W Performance Center during its heyday. I hadn't thought about that.
Well thought out Bam.
"Finest all around" must include at least some consideration of value/affordability for me.
As to the Registered Magnum if we just adjust for inflation (Inflation Calculator) the 1939 $60 RM would be $1,123.98 today........ less than a Wilson Combat Beretta.
A shooter grade gun can be had for a couple thousand..... the high $$$s are collectors values on rare guns in great condition !!! ( say 10-20% or 500-1000 guns).
Someone once said a $20 gold piece in 1875 would buy you a good suit or a Colt SAA...... that $20 gold piece today will do the same!!
I can't disagree. It's an engineering masterpiece and mine came flawless out the box. And of course 44 mag is the best cartridge.
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