If only five, what would they be

[Fvernic]

17
28
29
60
66

 

[SgtDog0311]

Ok I'll play. Hopefully my wife never sees this and assumes I'm okay with letting the others go . If it HAS to be five and only five (in no particular order):

629-2 4" .44M Mountain Revolver

625-3 (?) 5" .45 ACP Model of 1989

686-4 2.5" .357 (I've since sold the combats, it's wearing VZs)

19-4 4" .357 (sentimental, my 1st S&W revolver). I have since put its original targets back on, need a better picture.

65-5 3" .357

Very nice! Even though I have not climbed above 38/357 I like your choices.

I'd say 'at 70' the big boys don't have the same appeal - but it could have more to do with years of 525gr 45-70 in BPCR. Probably Me just knowing I wouldn't shoot em.

I love the looks of your top two as much as anything I've bought.

 

[SgtDog0311]

3" mod 36 cal .38 spcl sq butt blue
4" mod ? J-frame stainless .22 LR
4" mod 66 cal .357 (got this on a police discount in the late '70s for $150)
2" mod 60? stainless .357 round butt/rubber
6" mod 29 blued

In the mid-80's I had a matched pair of J-frame, stainless 4" sq butt revolvers, w/adjust-sights, one in .22LR and one in .22WMR …and in sadder/slender times sold the magnum…. wish I could find another…anyway… what model would that be?

Would that be a 48?

 

[Chrisj357]

My five (forgive me) would not all be S&W revolvers.
1. 4" 686

2. 4" M19
3. 6.5" 500

4. REM 12ga Super Mag

5. Marlin 1894 .357

 

[SgtDog0311]

Thank You. I'll stick with our local forum. Prices are much better. Just have to be patient!

I'd say you gotta have these food groups represented. I'll list the Blue model number, but it could just as well be the stainless counterpart:
K frame rimfire. Model 17 or 18
K frame in 357 or 38. Model 19 or 10
J frame. Model 36
N frame in 357 magnum. Model 27/28
N frame in 44 magnum. Model 29.

I'd say once you have a variant of these, you can enjoy a wide range of shooting experiences. From there, you'd probably want a 586. And from there, you can start broadening into different calibers, barrel lengths and finishes.

But it's a highly personal thing. Some guys would say you gotta have different eras represented, for example. You can't argue with that.

For me, I think a 4" K frame is indispensable from any collection. If I could only have one, I think it would be my model 66. It's the one that does the most things well.

One last thing… pleased to say I think I covered your advice pretty well. Didn't go to .44 or Model 27 or 29 but got two N Frames with the 28, an L Frame, host of Ks that covered your own top three, a couple J and even 2 I Frames.

Also, I see now that was a lie about local forums and a 66. Not gonna happen and if it did, price wouldn't be lower either.

Thanks for tour input.

 

[SmithNut]

"If only five...."

Sorry this does not compute......

.............SmithNut

 

[cp1969]

M15
M18
M29
M586

Can't think of a 5th. Don't want to go above .44 Mag.

 

[SgtDog0311]

M15
M18
M29
M586

Can't think of a 5th. Don't want to go above .44 Mag.

Happy to say I have three of your four.

 

[Okie Red]

Only five is a tough choice. If I was only limited to keep five they would be;
5" 38/44 Heavy Duty, 1932
5" 27, 1966 with a set of cokes
3 1/2" 27, 1975
4" 520 NYSP, 1980
4" 67, 1975
Then there are several runner-ups that would to let go of.

 

[Buford57]

642-1 (EDC)
38 (Backup EDC)
586-3 4" Nickel. Most well-balanced .357 I've ever shot.
25-5 4" Because I enjoy throwing big slugs down range.
15-3 just because

 

[imashooter2]

These are what I would keep if I had to pare it down to 5.
M38 2 inch
M64 2 inch
M686 4 inch
M617 6 inch
M627 5 inch

 

[Major 2]

Model 1917
M&P Pre 10
Combat Masterpiece
Chief's Special
#3 Russian

 

[Birdhunter6]

57 6"
58 4"
686 4"
67 4"
63 4"

Or maybe:

48 6"
18 4"
19 4"
HP 4"
13 3"

Wait, how about 5 sets of 5???

 

[xchecker]

"Combat magnum" is S&W marketing terminolgy for the 19/66 (i think there are other models that get called this, too?). It's not an upgrade or anything special as far as I know.

Uh, NO. There is the Target and Combat Magnum. Different sights at the least. Anything else, I'm not aware of.

 

[38 Specialist]

Say more please. I'm under the impression that S&W has (had?) names for families of revolvers such as Target Masterpiece, Combat Magnums, Combat Masterpiece, Military & Police, Night guard, Centennial, Highway Patrolman.

Each of these monikers could contain multiple models. The 19 and 66 were Combat Magnums featuring adjustable sights and chambered in .357 magnum. The Combat Masterpieces were .38 special. The Target Masterpiece was the model 14.

This is why I said "combat magnum" was a marketing designation. A model 19 someone calls a "combat magnum" is not some special version of a model 19.

I may be misunderstanding this. I got my info off the Internet, after all.

Google Image Result for https://loungecdn.luckygunner.com/lounge/media/k-frame-chart-1.jpg

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Not silly enough to keep you from posting I see!

I posted to show how wasteful this type post is........Ya will never be limited to an amount......Yet you people put up this type post everywhere with an arbitrary number........3...7 ....13 ..67.......So it is an annoying post ,

 

[jaydoc]

Mod 57
Mod 27-2
Mod 627-5
K 22
K38

 

[SgtDog0311]

I posted to show how wasteful this type post is........Ya will never be limited to an amount......Yet you people put up this type post everywhere with an arbitrary number........3...7 ....13 ..67.......So it is an annoying post ,

Be annoyed.
Be very annoyed!
Most who appoint themselves the opinion police are.

 

[SgtDog0311]

Say more please. I'm under the impression that S&W has (had?) names for families of revolvers such as Target Masterpiece, Combat Magnums, Combat Masterpiece, Military & Police, Night guard, Centennial, Highway Patrolman.

Each of these monikers could contain multiple models. The 19 and 66 were Combat Magnums featuring adjustable sights and chambered in .357 magnum. The Combat Masterpieces were .38 special. The Target Masterpiece was the model 14.

This is why I said "combat magnum" was a marketing designation. A model 19 someone calls a "combat magnum" is not some special version of a model 19.

I may be misunderstanding this. I got my info off the Internet, after all.

Google Image Result for https://loungecdn.luckygunner.com/lounge/media/k-frame-chart-1.jpg

I had this question… after Model designation, so, say the Model 19-3, 2 1/2" Nickel (1977) I pictured, is it common and correct to use the original "Combat Magnum" with the Model number. I ask, because in looking at both auction listings and at used Bucheimer holsters, I wonder is this properly a Combat Masterpiece or a Model 15, or both? Will this Bucheimer letter-coded for 2 1/2" Combat Magnum for sure fit the Model 19 made 20 years later or have production changes produced changes to be aware of?

 

[xchecker]

Say more please. I'm under the impression that S&W has (had?) names for families of revolvers such as Target Masterpiece, Combat Magnums, Combat Masterpiece, Military & Police, Night guard, Centennial, Highway Patrolman.

Each of these monikers could contain multiple models. The 19 and 66 were Combat Magnums featuring adjustable sights and chambered in .357 magnum. The Combat Masterpieces were .38 special. The Target Masterpiece was the model 14.

This is why I said "combat magnum" was a marketing designation. A model 19 someone calls a "combat magnum" is not some special version of a model 19.

I may be misunderstanding this. I got my info off the Internet, after all.

Google Image Result for https://loungecdn.luckygunner.com/lounge/media/k-frame-chart-1.jpg

I can only say that I own a 19-3 Target, and 2 686 Combat Magnums. CM's have the ramped orange/red inlaid front sight and a fully adjustable rear sight.
The Target has a vertical front and windage only rear.
Maybe one of the experts here can chime in.