Essential Smiths to own

[Wyatt Earp]

You need an M&P/skinny barrel Model 10.

 

[29aholic]

I say this with all the love in my heart and I believe some others will agree (Keith44 chime in any time) but if you aint got an N-Frame you aint doo-doo. Welcome to the sickness.

 

[310Pilot]

All of them! You're off to a good start with the 15, but be prepared - the addiction is just starting, it gets stronger and stronger with each acquisition.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Here's mine:
J frame 34/63 4"
J frame 36/60
K-22 6"
K frame 19/66 2.5"
L frame 586/686 4"
N frame 27 3.5", 28 4"
N frame 57/657 3" or 4"
N frame 29/629 3"or 4"

I like the looks and portability of the shorter barrels and find them very accurate. Also fill everything I need to do with a handgun.

They are as addicting as heroin and the only cure is a very angry wife.

 

[BADSBSNF811]

You need at least one each of the J,K,L,N frames for the revolver side. On the semi-auto side a 39/52 series and a 41. That's bare bones

 

[gunnut315]

When the wife and charge cards all scream no more buy 1 more.

 

[lafayne]

I didn't realize that being comfortable and affordable with the purchase had anything to do with an addiction to buying more guns. If I had waited until I could afford some of my guns I wouldn't own them. An understanding dealer and lay away works when you are short of cash and just can't pass it up. The few regrets I have are when I sold the gun I purchased. I suspect I am not alone in this.

 

[zbone]

Wow! I did open up a can of worms here!

I can really understand now why I have this slight obsession with my S&W revolver...at least I'm not alone here and I'm with good company!

The general consensus here is that I should get a representative example of each frame size and at least a .22 K-frame. My brother has a .22 K-frame that I'm sure I can swap him out with one of my autos he's been eyeballing. My next acquisition would probably be either a larger L-frame .357 magnum or an N-frame .44mag...whichever I find a better deal on first, but eventually would like to have both. I do want a j-frame as well, but there are so many types that interest me but I'm leaning towards the bodyguard style with the shrouded hammer.

Those 4 should be a good compliment to my Mod. 15-3 to start. And the key phrase there is "to start." I'm sure I'll be obsessed like everyone else here and will fill in the blanks along the way and have my favorite pet S&W's. Thank you gentlemen for help pushing a new revolver nut in the right direction. I'm glad to join this fraternity.

Tom Turner...those elk stag grips are absolutely BEAUTIFUL on your revolvers! Jeez....now I'll have to order a pair with each revolver I get!

 

[Cartouche]

The Genie is out of the bottle. If you don't own a .44 special, you will be missing out. My favorite big caliber. I have been shooting and addictivly buying S&W's going on 30 yrs. Belive me they still float my boat, fly my kite, turn my head, well ya get the point. Go forth and accuire.

 

[armybass]

Well a 15-3 is a fantastic gun. For others I would say a M10, M19, M29 and the one I want to find....a M17!

 

[firestrat]

I think everyone should have an M&P with the half moon front sight.

 

[devilfrog1911]

Here are a few:
Model 10:

Model 15:

Model 19:

Any N Frame

:

 

[smousefam5]

You gotta have a J frame .22! The sweetheart of those to me is a 4" model 63 though I KNOW I will get opposition to that from the 34/43 lovers!

 

[ldp4570]

Zbone, Be careful, be very careful!!! This is what can happen!
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[armybass]

Originally posted by devilfrog1911:
Here are a few:
Model 10:

Model 15:

Model 19:

Any N Frame

:

Yeah, Jon nailed it! Good list of essentials and great pictures too.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by zbone:
I was wondering what all you experienced folks here would recommend to round out a decent representation of S&W revolvers for a new revolver nut like myself.

What would be some of the essential Smith's to own?

By caliber:
22: Models 34, 317, 63, 17, 18, 617
38: Models 36, 37, 60, 637, 40, 640, 42, 442, 642, 38, 638, 49, 649, 10, 12, 14, 15, 64, 67
.357: Models 13, 19, 27, 28, 65, 66, 581, 586, 681, 686, 619, 620
41: Models 57, 58
44: Models 29, 629

If I were to narrow it down to current production, it would go like this:

J: 63 and 642
K: 64, 617 and 67
L: 620 and 686
N: 629

I did not name autos initially, but here goes, from current production:

22: Models 22A and 41
9mm: Model M&P
40: Model M&P
45: Models 1911 and M&P

I probably left some out, but those are a pretty nice cross section of calibers and frames. I intentionally left out scandium and titanium models, "just because."

 

[Lenshappy]

Nice stuff you guys~!~!

 

[RV4driver]

Within days of first reading this thread...I had to have my own Grashorn Grips. Now my 686 (an essential Smith...)is content.

Jeff

 

[SEG]

Gotta have a M-17 and M-19. But I just picked up my first N frame, a Pre 27 6" w 3 T's. The blue is unbeleivable!! The trigger is the slickest thing I have ever felt.
Not real big on J frames, I like to carry my M-15 4".

 

[JoeS]

For me, I think one of the best things they ever built as a foundation of a collection is the Model 18 in .22.
Then I'm thinking a 4" M19 or 66, 4" 29 or 629.
That seems like the minimum to me, but then you have to have the ones that are for pleasure, Model 14s, full lug and standard, 2.5" 66, J frames in .22 and .38 and of course an L frame .357, N frame .357.
Hell, all of them really.