Favorite S&W revolver from this era and why

[fyimo]

This was the era I concentrated my collection on when I was building it and I ended up with 37 S&W revolvers. My age and health issues had me sell off a large portion of them but after buying every barrel length in the Model 29-2 and 27-2's with some barrel lengths in both blue and nickel my favorite was the Model 27-2 with 5 inch barrel.

To me it was the best balanced revolver and I could really shoot it well. That said I sold them all and my only N frame now is a 28-2 4 inch with an S serial number and it's my range 357 Magnum.

I was just wondering what other S&W revolvers top the list of revolvers you shoot regularly.

 

[Doc44]

I bought this Model 29-2 about twenty-five years ago from my local dealer who acquired from a local police officer on a trade in. It was shipped in October 1972 and has a serial number in the N21000 range. I have shot it over the years and carried it hunting in Montana and Missouri quite a few times. I have taken two whitetails with it and it is my most accurate 44 Magnum. About ten years ago, I was shooting it at the range and something flew over my right shoulder. The hammer spur had broken off from the hammer and the recoil threw it over my right shoulder. My dealer installed a new hammer for me. (click on the photo for a better look)

Bill

 

[pownal55]

I'm with you on the 5" 27-2 it has always been my favorite also. The long barrel 29-2 is great shooting from the bench but my 14-3 gets the most use and the rest rarely get fired at all. When my daughter visits from NYC that 14 gets a real workout.

 

[tyusclan]

The only one I currently have from this era is a 1969, nickel, Model 10-6 that my dad gave me. It's one of my "not for sale at any price" guns.

I did have a 6", blue 19-3 from 1970, but I sold it to my son to help fund the purchase of a matched pair of 3", 66-2s (I'd have to double check the serial numbers, but I think they're early 80s). I didn't really want to sell it, but I wanted those 66s badly. I figured he or one of the kids would wind up with it eventually anyway, and it helped me get something else I wanted.

 

[weatherby]

My favorite and the why is someone over 50 years ago knew all my likes combined them and had this built. I've shot it ....I'll shoot it again when/if someone important to me wants to.

 

[dogngun]

My 65-2. I used to really like to carry old Model 10's and the occasional Model 13, but they are getting a bit too costly for my income. This one was very clean and not too expensive, and it's one of my keepers...



These revolvers are everything you really need and NOTHING extra at all.

 

[old bear]

My limited Smith and Wesson collection is limited to .357 Magnum revolvers. K, L, and N frames. Which means each has a different use, and I like them all when they are used for their intended use.

Yet if I had to pick ONE I will never get rid of it would be my 6" M 27-2. As it was a gift from my wife who has NO interest in firearms of any sort.

 

[Tom_R]

I really like my 4" model 19-4, and my 4" 28-2.

I also have a 4" 27-2 (I haven't shot it yet) and a 4" 629(No Dash).

 

[gwpercle]

Model 58 N-frame.
Model 64 K-frame gets shot the most at the range , but the 58 is still my favorite.
If I had to choose only one? That's going to require a lot of thinking over. I just don't know.
Gary

 

[teesur]

Like fyimo, my favorite is also the 5 inch Model 27. Here is my 27-2 which I bought new in June 1973. It is still with me and still in the same condition that it left the factory in.



teesur.

 

[Frank237]

Despite carrying a 4" Model 19 on duty for several years and shooting a long barrel M-41 for Bulls eye for half a dozen years.

I would have to say that the K-22/K-38's are my favorites. Shot a 6" K-38 occasionally for bulls eye as well as PPC on my Department. The area Agencies shot a PPC competition every Wednesday morning Spring, summer and fall. I ahd a lot of fun with those comps.

Shot the 6" K-22 for bulls eye too, but mostly as a plinker and gopher gun. Taught many new shooters on that K-22 as well.

They may not have the more "modern" look of the enclosed ejector rod models.....But my favorite Smith from the 1970-80's era would be the standard old, six inch, blued K-22/K-38's.



FN in MT

 

[DRYHEAT]

Sorry to hear you had to sell off so many due to health fyimo. You pose a tough question. I do not own any guns I don't shoot, so to pick 1 revolver in this era I am stuck. No more than I could choose between my two grandsons there are two Smiths that I would have to hang onto:

One big, one small (like the grandsons!), both shiny (NOT like the grandsons!).

 

[viceunit]

If I decided to sell off my collection and keep one favorite it would have to be my 2-1/2" 19-3, blued. I bought it in 1976 and I like it as much or more now than when I bought it. It was THE gun to have in those days. Depending on the day I can shoot it as well or better than some of my longer barreled guns. A gun you have for nearly 40 years you never get rid of.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[getoff]

2 model 37s i have. one is '65-66, the other is '66-67. very cool very advanced for the time. still carry them often. triggers are smooth as silk, finish has stood the test of time, and they are just plain cool!

 

[Green Frog]

My favorite from this era is a no-dash Model 66, but it became the donor gun for http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/260686-project-616-a.html so I don't know whether it still counts or not. I took the attitude of Keith44 and cared enough to use the best.

If I have to stay more or less original, I guess it would have to be the old Model 29-2 I got used in 1979 and had rebarreled to 8 3/8 in about 1981 or so. I haven't shot it for a while, but I wouldn't dream of selling it.

Froggie

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I'd have say the 686/586.

If I had to chose one gun it would be them.

I thunk I have four or maybe five.

I need some new pictures for you.

You must be tired of this one, 686-4 2.5

 

[Voyager28]

My favorite? This one.

Why? If I have to explain it you wouldn't understand.

Bob

 

[DRJ]

I'm a J-Frame junkie, There I've said it. I have a number of J-Frames from this era and love them all. I just love those little little guys.

Doyle

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It's a very difficult concept. I have around 20 S&W revolvers and better than half either come from this era or originate in it. The second one I ever bought was probably manufactured directly in this era because I bought it in 1981. It's still my favorite for that reason alone, my first Model 10 snubbie. Factor in it's incredible accuracy, great trigger, bank vault tightness, yep, still far and away my favorite. It has 4 matching siblings in the stable but it's the lead hoss!

My 686+ 2.5 inch is another favorite. The one thing it has over the M10 is the versatility of firing .357 Magnum rounds. That could be significant at some point in time. I bet it was made after 1980, though.

Sticking to guns made prior to 1980, I suspect my 2.5" Model 19 fits the bill. Pinned barrel, recessed chambers, you know, that whole sexy assortment of near features. My grail gun for a very long time.

***GRJ***

 

[M29since14]

Definitely would be a late '60s M29 with 6.5 inch barrel. I bought it used somewhere long ago. Has a little freckling on the left side of the barrel and some other minor finish issues but overall still a sound old gun and from the particular era of production that interests me. It's a great old gun - always enjoyable to shoot.