If only five, what would they be

[38 Specialist]

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.

Ah. Well that certainly contradicts my understanding. What is a 19-3 Target? Where does it indicate that it's a target model? Is the 686 a "Distinguished Combat Magnum" by any chance?

 

[brucev]

Background: I own just a handful of S&W revolvers. Nothing like many of you. Been a long time Vintage Marlin Lever enthusiast and BPCR competitor. But my eyes went south so last four years I turned to handguns some, since I can still shoot for fun.

While I was taking stock of holsters today when I took this picture I got to thinking, if I had collected the four S&W Revolvers I have now with more knowledge, which models would I have considered iconic S&Ws.

I figure I'll likely pick up a few more before passing my collection on, so your input regarding your top five revolvers might help me fill some holes. Either Rimfire or Centerfire, although I already want a 617 and a 63.

Model 18. Model 28. Model 686. Model 41. Model 625.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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

You just made my ignore button.

 

[javbike]

Model 29-3 model 17-4 model 27 RM model 10 model 640

 

[bubbajoe45]

I own these to carry and shoot, so from a practical perspective:
442 Centennial 2"
296 .44 Spl 2"
21-4 .44 Spl 4"
325 NG .45 ACP 2.5"
29-2 .44 Mag 4"

 

[SgtDog0311]

For anyone else annoyed by the thread all I can say is this:

I am a member of a lot of gun, casting & reloading forums. I have a fair collection of Marlins. Advanced Glaucoma ended my competitive shooting so I turned to some other gun interests, Smith & Wesson being one. I wanted to collect some of the more Iconic models.

This query was my attempt to get a feel for what others felt to be good candidates. I might have come up with a less 'annoying' way to do that. But this and one other similar query gave me what I wanted. Thanks for playing along. I recently sold about 10k worth of excess Marlins as I shaped that collection. That allowed my to acquire roughly twenty (with some repeat) S&Ws that I'm pleased with.

Appreciate the input. It was helpful. I won't tell the repeated lie and say "I'm done now". I've learned over the decades we're never really done. But that is part of the fun.

 

[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

That page is very cool. World of info there.

 

[62fuelie]

I would lean toward the magnums that can also chamber a reduced power load (.38 Sp, .44 Sp.) when available.
Mine are:
M-66 3"
M-57 4"
M-29 6.5"
K-22 (with magnum cylinder)
M-27-2 3.5"

 

[A10]

My 5?
M&P in .38 Special
.357 magnum (pre-model)
.44 Magnum (pre-model)
1917
Model 60

Bonus for a 586/686 because they're Lframes

 

[Rakkasan13F]

My five:

4" 617-1
3" 60-4
3" 65-2
4" 686-2
4" 627-0

 

[BarryinIN]

Since the words were "top five revolvers", that takes out a semiauto or two. Therefore, not necessarily in order:

Model 12
Model 65 (and 13)
Model 442/642
Model 18
Model 69

Why?

The 12- It is the sleeper among both revolvers and CC guns, filling a need many don't realize they have. It's also one of the very few of its kind. It concealed carries almost as easily as a J-frame, weighs almost nothing more, is markedly easier to shoot, and holds 20% more ammo.

The 65- It's a K frame. It chambers the useful 357 Magnum. It's stainless steel. The fixed sights are as rugged as a rock. If one can carry an all-steel revolver, a 65 will do almost everything almost everyone needs.
The 13 counts here also and my heart prefers that, but practically demands stainless due to my ultra corrosive sweat. Reintroduce the 65 or 13 with a UC sight treatment and… my breath just went away, I got so excited.

The 442/642- A concealed carry masterpiece in my opinion. The UC models only perfected it.
Honorable Mention here would be a J frame Centennial in .32 H&R Mag.

Model 18- Great size gun for .22 shooting. There are smaller and easier to carry .22 revolvers, but the 18 is big enough with enough weight for a steady hold and no bigger than it has to be. Maybe a ten round cylinder would be nice, but would also be far from necessary. Stainless would be welcome, though.
Honorable Mention: The 34/63 is great for kids or for a handier .22 revolver for anyone.

Model 69- Yes, it a newer model so it may be surprising to see here, but it is unique gun. Many of us don't like carrying anything larger than an L-Frame/GP-100/Python-sized gun, and the 69 gives you the largest bore available within that limitation. The GP-100 .44 Special matches the bore size, but doesn't allow the magnum option.

Next five?
Model 19
25/625
21
17
686

Imaginary guns that could possibly bump something out of the top five?
-UC model 12. Might as well make it Scandium to allow +P rating.
-L-frame 10mm (largest bore allowing six round capacity in that frame).
-L-frame 5-shot .41 Mag
-547 return

EDIT for the dream gun list.
-Want to go crazy? I mean, really crazy? The C-frame model 73. For those who don't know, that was an experimental gun giving a 6-rd .38 in the smallest frame and cylinder possible. You might say a S&W-ized D-frame Colt, or maybe the Kimber K6s.