Combat revolver

But then there is one of my favorite terms, a "fighting handgun". Which gun would that be? Assuming my handguns are not fighting amongst themselves, of course, how do I decide which one is appropriate to fight with and which one is not?

That makes my head hurt.............. :rolleyes:


I am pretty confident that this is not a fighting handgun

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And Alka-Seltzer is really just glorified aspirin these days!



But then there is one of my favorite terms, a "fighting handgun". Which gun would that be? Assuming my handguns are not fighting amongst themselves, of course, how do I decide which one is appropriate to fight with and which one is not?

That makes my head hurt.............. :rolleyes:

If You get into a gunfight, whichever gun You have at that time is Your fighting gun.
 
According to the Big book of Smith and Wesson a "Combat" model was an adjustable sight model made for the military or law enforcement. It was often (but not always) a 4" K frame. It's post war term was used to distinguish a revolver from a "Service" Model which had fixed sights or a "Target" model with adjustable sights and a longer barrel.

I paraphrased the above, but you get the gist. Also, S&W has offered Combat hammers, triggers and grips. They tend to be narrower than the target versions.

The book lists the 681 as the distinguished Service magnum and the 686 as the distinguished combat magnum. But, It lists the 686s with 6" barrels.
 
A grossly misused term. If your toothbrush had a 45 degree handle, it would be called a tactical Oral-B toothbrush.

If it says tactical, or made out of camo, I do not want it. Just my .02.

I don't want it if it is made out of black plastic either

Pretty much agree with your sentiments here, but I'll point out that I have an 8" 44 magnum Colt Anaconda with a real-tree finish on it. It's not called 'tactical'; it was called 'Hunter', if memory serves.

It is a darn fine handgun, too.
 
It's called the losing man's handgun after they take it into combat.
 
If it says tactical... I do not want it. Just my .02.

I'd rather make an assessment of it based upon how it performs and other valuable aspects than what someone else labeled it.

Porsche can call it's next model the Yugo (or Tactical Pinto, even), but if it's a 911 with just a bad name I'm still interested.
 
According to the Standard Catalog S&W 4th edition page 296 there was a Model 586:.357 Distinguished Combat Magnum produced circa 1980-1999.
Production of this model marks the first of the 3 letter 4 digit serial numbers.
 
The S&W model 58 , 41 magnum , even though it doesn't say a thing about combat , it will do just fine .
That's it in my avatar .
Gary
 
When you think about it, any revolver designed for war IS a combat revolver. A robust weapon that can take lots of punishment and still preform.

The old Military and Police or the Colt Army Special are just two of them.

I'd think the first true reliable 'Combat' revolver would have been the Colt Walkers.

But the name 'Combat Magnum' is just so sexy and the 2 1/2 inch barreled ones the sexiest!
 
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"combat" and "tactical" are BS terms used to appeal to those Rambo wannabees who watch too many SWAT movies.
 
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I have an assault toothbrush. Phillips Full semi auto Sonicare.
Also have a modern "combat revolver" that my FFL will have tomorrow.
UPS willing.......Learned today thats its considered a modern combat magnum. . The new ones are " Modern"
But its a 44 model 69. And am just happy its not black.
They used to be .357's? I was confused, so I googled it.
Now its clear as mud. Read up on the model 66 etc.
The History of the Combat Magnum
Review: Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum - Cheaper Than Dirt
These days I am going with marketing for 1000 Bob.
Neat gun IMO. But I also like Glocks, Plastic H&K's etc.
But do not own anything camo, and have zero ninja gear.
So take it with a grain of salt.
 
Only Combat I've done lately involves 4 legged creatures with beady little eyes and long tails that keep getting in my garage. Got 1 mouse and 1 chipmunk so far this year. My weapon of choice are these slabs of goo that you set down on the floor and they get trapped on it when they step on it and die.

My 637 would probably be overkill and even a .22 would. And I'm not staying up all night to ambush them as they enter my garage. I'll just use the traps. :)
 
To add to the play on words:

Those things that protrude from the rectum are called "hemorrhoids" while those things that blast through the hemisphere from outer space are called "asteroids!"

Seems like they ought to be reversed.
 
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My 686 must be a "combat revolver". At least the grips are sold as "combats". ;):D


That is a really nice Revolver in my book!

I always pictured the concept of a "Combat Revolver" as one with a barrel of 2.5", 3", 3.5" or 4inches; a Ramped front sight, a small adjustable rear sight or even better yet a trench style rear sight, both a .400" wide trigger and hammer, (no target parts of any kind/style on the gun), with the stereotypical 70's, 80's, or 90's OEM Round Butt Smith version/idea of Combat Grips (Lew Horton-ish), in a caliber of .357mag, .41mag, .44Special, or .44Magnum... That's just how I pictured the term since I was a boy and on into until now. Of course, YMMV...

My idea of the quintessential Combat Revolver to put the concept in picture is one of these:
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***Again, totally subjective and of course, YMMV... again!***
 
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