Smith & Wesson's best revolver?

[Speedo2]

Well now, let's say that you're favorite purveyor of S&W's has temporarily lost his/her sanity and has laid out his entire assortment of pristine RM's, K32's, pre-29's, K22's, M19's, M10's and all the others for sale for 1 hour only and you've got only one measly grand in your pocket. Let's continue the fantasy and say that he's offering any one of them to you for your measly grand. Now which one is the greatest? Me, I think I'd take the Volcanic, or the Revolving Rifle, or Teddy Roosevelt's New Model Three that he's got tucked away under the counter. I guess for me, the greatest S&W would be the one that had the greatest value to me at the time. For S&W, it may well have been the Victory (after Dunkirk and the Light Rifle debacle).

Within my own paltry assortment of S&W's, the "best" is probably an old K38 Combat Masterpiece that my Dad gave me, that one day, God willing, I'll pass along to one of my grand kids. -S2

 

[29aholic]

I'd take the pre-29 over all of them

 

[Peter J.]

I specialize in Model 10 snubbies, but my favorites (best) are M-27 and M-28 .357's.

 

[Bat Guano]

5" Triple Lock Target, .44 Spl.

Of course, they made some pretty nice guns after 1911, too.

 

[fyimo]

Originally posted by Speedo2:
Well now, let's say that you're favorite purveyor of S&W's has temporarily lost his/her sanity and has laid out his entire assortment of pristine RM's, K32's, pre-29's, K22's, M19's, M10's and all the others for sale for 1 hour only and you've got only one measly grand in your pocket. Let's continue the fantasy and say that he's offering any one of them to you for your measly grand. Now which one is the greatest? Me, I think I'd take the Volcanic, or the Revolving Rifle, or Teddy Roosevelt's New Model Three that he's got tucked away under the counter. I guess for me, the greatest S&W would be the one that had the greatest value to me at the time. For S&W, it may well have been the Victory (after Dunkirk and the Light Rifle debacle).

Within my own paltry assortment of S&W's, the "best" is probably an old K38 Combat Masterpiece that my Dad gave me, that one day, God willing, I'll pass along to one of my grand kids. -S2

1. Pre 27 or 2. Pre 29

 

[1950jcb]

5" 27 EOS

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

S&Ws Best Revolver IMO??
That would be my M19 Combat Magnum..
No RMs Here..

Hk's S&W 4" M19-5 w Factory Combats

 

[photoman]

The Military & Police .38 Special is the best in my opinion as all the others were its offspring.

My favorite would be the early 4" .44 Magnum. The .44 Magnum was the pinnacle of Smith & Wesson when looking at the history of the company. Although, it wouldn't take too much arm twisting to convince me the Registered Magnum was at the top. Can we have two pinnacles?

 

[992B]

Model 27, pick the barrel length of your choice!
Gary

 

[danski]

For all around use, carry, home protection, target, concealed carry one could name just about
any K-frame, or if need be an L-frame (get rid of the barrel lug), but I'd pick a Combat Masterpiece or the Combat Magnum with 4-inch barrels.

 

[153]

I would grab a 5 or 6" RM, with magna grips, a grip adaptor and a humpback hammer and never look back. The RM's were not really revolvers but works of art!

 

[mississippi revolverman]

J frame model 36
K frame model 19
N frame model 29

My favorite 4" mdl 19

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Originally posted by aterry33:
In almost every discussion I've heard, most people identify one of these three revolvers as Smith & Wesson's "best":

Model 15
Model 19
Model 29

Of course, they are different guns for different uses, but if you had to choose one revolver as Smith and Wesson's "best," which would you choose, and why? I know it is kind of an apples/oranges/unfair question.

I guess I'd choose the 19 due to versatility and balance.

everyone has a good idea. i like them all. don

 

[piebiter]

I'd have to go along with the .357 Magnum as well.

 

[Mule88]

Id vote for the 29.

 

[jgt]

I'd say the five inch model post war pre-twenty sevens for fit,finish,beauty,smooth action,accuracy,and packablity. This was a hard addmission on my part because the gun I love above all others is the post war pre-twenty four with a five inch barrel.

 

[Hammerless-12]

For me it has to be the "N" frame guns. First would have to be the early 25-2 with the 6 1/2 inch barrel. I suppose because I can use the 45 ACP round in the revolvers as well as my Colt autos. Next up would have to be the model 29 with the 6 1/2 inch barrel, because the 44 special load is just so accurate and pleasent to shoot. And in my opinion the model 27-2 is one of the best crafted revolvers S&W ever made, and you just can't beat that 38 special load. I did own a registered mag. a while back and it had the absolute best action I have ever held in my hands. Well thats what I like and I'm sticking to it. Its really fun to see all these different post and likes.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

All are children of the M&P/M-10. Without them S&W would be a footnote in firarms history. Haveing said that, I love em all!

 

[roaddog28]

My best shooter is my pre-15 combat masterpiece. I also have two model 10s and a 686-3. Also a couple Ruger Secuity Sixes. I like all of them but the combat masterpiece has the best trigger and feel. Other than the older long action M&P the combat masterpiece is the best revolver.
Only opinion

 

[Allen-frame]

The 'Best' revolver ever produced by Smith and Wesson. My opinion. Hmmm.

The 357 Magnum,built on the N frame. Pre war preferred, but any post war right into the model numbered 27s,
and -2 versions. I have yet to see one that suffered as a matter of lack of quality control.
Granted, they did not sustain the company as the M.&P. did. But we're just discussing 'Best".

It's no coincidence for me that there are 9 of varying configurations in the collection spanning the years
1936 to 1989.

Then , any 4" N frame in a major caliber will do. The N frame set Smith apart from all the competition.


My .02$ Regards ,,,,AlleN-Frame