Hey Guys, Thanks for the replies. I'm familiar with revolvers and own a few, however I cut my teeth so to speak on the 1911 and Glocks. I'm just now starting to really get into revolvers and I currently have a model 19 in 4", 66 in 2 1/2", a Python in 6", 442, Colt D.S., and a model 360 is my constant companion off duty. I prefer a revolver for woods work for a lot of the reasons BobR listed. I suppose the 19 or 66 would work perfectly for what I'm looking for but I want to add another revolver to the stable. What do you think, would a 686 in 4" fill this role perfectly? Is the 44mag too much gun? I don't have a L or N frame in the stable so I may go that route.
Like so many others have already said "you can never have enough gun". However, the N-Frames .44s are just too big for my taste, unless you are actively hunting. If you are looking for an N-Frame, that's pretty much the ticket, though.
I found that I really like the L-Frames and go back and forth as I also love the K-Frame. You have a 4" 19, which pretty well covers the K-Frame area, although I really prefer the fixed sight 65 or 13 in that category (nothing beats the look of blued carbon steel, but for wear and tear/rust & corrosion resistance, SS is really the ticket). If you are thinking about an L-Frame, that is the modern equivalent (at least in SS), then you might consider the excellent, but sadly no longer offered, Model 620. I prefer fixed sight models for rugged use myself, and when I hunt (with rifles), I carry a 619, which was offered (and dropped) by S&W about the same time as the 620. I think it is an outstanding L-Frame. It incorporates some of the very best features of the 65 4" HB in an L-frame. I have always like the balance, accuracy and overall charachteristics of the K-Frame 4" HB models, and although I prefer the square butt, the round butt can easily be converted to any grip style desired. I went through several grip options until I came across the Ahrend's finger-grooved combats, which I had never cared for until I got these; perfect balance and fit (for my hand, at least), recoil with full house loads are no problem. I use this 619 primarily for the forest, to include dispatching wounded boar (German boar are no joke when wounded/angry).
One of the things I love about the revolver is that they are the combo gun of handguns. I hunt with an old German drilling, which means I have a three ammunition capability (i.e., three kinds of game loads) in one weapon, which a revolver can also match in performance. I carry shotshells, .38 Spl, and .357 magnum loads in the cylinder, and can select up whichever I need. An earlier suggestion of the Governor is worth noting, I just don't like barrels under 3", and really prefer 4", which makes the Governor/Taurus a very long handgun. For all that, I really prefer a traditional revolver.
In the tradition of trying to remind the revolver of an option that should really be offered, I must also recommend my 547. I have to say that I absolutely love this revolver, and use it like my 619 often. 9x19 is an underestimated cartridge. It is a performer, it is accurate, and given the right load, can be as deadly as anything out there (and CCI makes shotshells for it, too). It does not suffer from issues that autos have, such as reliability from different bullet types, OALs, and such. It is a great option, but the reality of them is that they are just too expensive; I paid almost twice for my 547 than what I paid for my 619.
Anyway, that's my apples and oranges, and just my opinion. Here's my 619 if you are interested in them, and that you may not have heard of them before. There are some loyal 620 owners out there, perhaps they'll post some pics of theirs and some accuracy claims, which I would beleive.
mbies easily ,maybe I'd prefer a S&W 625 JM in 45 acp with 230 grain Lswc.Good luck!
