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