What is THE classic S&W revolver?
- Thread starter rc51kid
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Badkarma 1
US Veteran
Having been to a few other countries thanks to Uncle I got to see a lot of foreign cops walking their beats as well as some of the militaries. And I noticed a lot of old Smith M&Ps/model 10s on the job! So as far as I'm concerned that the CLASSIC Smith revolver!
As for the pinnacle: The Model 66 Combat Magnum does it for me. Dale
As for the pinnacle: The Model 66 Combat Magnum does it for me. Dale
Joe in SC
US Veteran
In my opinion the model M&P and later the model 10 in it's various and sundry dash configurations is not the classic. It is the gun for the masses with millions and millions being made, making it the most common S&W out there. A great gun no doubt, but produced in too many numbers to be anything other than common place.
Saying a gun is a classic puts it in the class with the Colt SAA, the 1911, the pre-64 Winchester and the Winchester 94. The Luger, High Power and the flat top Blackhawks also come to mind. My idea of the classic S&W would be none other than the Registered Magnum and all the 357 offspring that followed in the line afterwards, up to and including the 27-2. Visually, none are more appealing than the shorter barrel models such as the 3 1/2, 4 and 5 inch guns.
There's a couple more that are worthy of honorable mention: The Triplelock, The 29, the 19 and the 57. I guess my opinion is the product of my experiences and the guns of my youth.
As a consulation, the entire line of S&W revolvers makes the brand "The Classic American Brand" in my humble opinion.
Saying a gun is a classic puts it in the class with the Colt SAA, the 1911, the pre-64 Winchester and the Winchester 94. The Luger, High Power and the flat top Blackhawks also come to mind. My idea of the classic S&W would be none other than the Registered Magnum and all the 357 offspring that followed in the line afterwards, up to and including the 27-2. Visually, none are more appealing than the shorter barrel models such as the 3 1/2, 4 and 5 inch guns.
There's a couple more that are worthy of honorable mention: The Triplelock, The 29, the 19 and the 57. I guess my opinion is the product of my experiences and the guns of my youth.
As a consulation, the entire line of S&W revolvers makes the brand "The Classic American Brand" in my humble opinion.
giddyupsut
Member
My vote
I like the 657 3".
Feels good in my paws
I like the 657 3".
Feels good in my paws
johnsonl
Member
I have owned S&W revolvers from .22 to .44. The Hand Ejector, Model 10, M&P .38 is, in my opinion, the "classic" S&W revolver.
Quantrill
Member
Any "N" frame up until the "pinned & recessed" was removed
MountainSmith
Member
I am in my mid 50's and have quite a few non-gun friends. One gun not mentioned much on this thread is the Model 36 Chief's special. But, to a lot of people the Chief is the quintessential Smith and Wesson, the one they think of first. Maybe it's because of the old cop shows and detective shows of the past decades. A lot of those guys carried the snubbies. Oh, and I like em.
Pilgrim
US Veteran
bvanwoert13
Member
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I've grown to love the combat models. They look and feel the best to me, especially
with smooth targets. This is my newest, an 18-3
Last edited:
Doc B
Member
1. M&P .38 special
2..44 Hand Ejector
3.3.5 in Model 27
4.Model 29 no dash
Just my opinion and they are so close it's hard to decide.
2..44 Hand Ejector
3.3.5 in Model 27
4.Model 29 no dash
Just my opinion and they are so close it's hard to decide.
Engine49guy
Member
S&W's Most "Classic Revolver"
My apologies either my computer or the website is doubling my post and wont delete
My apologies either my computer or the website is doubling my post and wont delete
Last edited:
Engine49guy
Member
S&W's Most "Classic Revolver"
MAN...Thats a tough question to answer as posed !!!
The more I thought about it the more I kept adding models to my list,
Before I knew it I had a dozen models laid out.
There are classic models in every frame, caliber, and generation of S&W....BUT...The question eludes to choosing just 1.
Perhaps the question would have been easier if it asked:
Choose the most classic post war S&W in each J,K,L and N hand ejector frame.
I needed a concise idea of what Classic really meant.
The Encyclopedia says this:
"The word classic means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality. It denotes a particular quality ....
products are named 'classic' to denote a long standing popular version or model, to distinguish it from a newer variety.
After reading it almost got harder to answer ....
I am taking the easy approach and choosing a "Classic" in each frame.
They are as follows :
N frame: (A TIE BETWEEN) The 6" Model 29 and 3.5" Model 27.
L Frame: The 4" Model 586.
K Frame: (A TIE BETWEEN) The 4" Model 19 and 4" Model 10.
J Frame: The Model 60 and The Model 38 Airweight.
Rimfire: The Model 17 .
There I said my piece and counted to three.
MAN...Thats a tough question to answer as posed !!!
The more I thought about it the more I kept adding models to my list,
Before I knew it I had a dozen models laid out.
There are classic models in every frame, caliber, and generation of S&W....BUT...The question eludes to choosing just 1.
Perhaps the question would have been easier if it asked:
Choose the most classic post war S&W in each J,K,L and N hand ejector frame.
I needed a concise idea of what Classic really meant.
The Encyclopedia says this:
"The word classic means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality. It denotes a particular quality ....
products are named 'classic' to denote a long standing popular version or model, to distinguish it from a newer variety.
After reading it almost got harder to answer ....
I am taking the easy approach and choosing a "Classic" in each frame.
They are as follows :
N frame: (A TIE BETWEEN) The 6" Model 29 and 3.5" Model 27.
L Frame: The 4" Model 586.
K Frame: (A TIE BETWEEN) The 4" Model 19 and 4" Model 10.
J Frame: The Model 60 and The Model 38 Airweight.
Rimfire: The Model 17 .
There I said my piece and counted to three.
Engine49guy
Member
delete post
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safearm
US Veteran
Model 15 4 inch - all the advantages of the Model 10 plus adjustable sights. Combat Masterpiece is an appropriate name.
jouesdeveau
Member
Let's put it this way: before there was Dirty Harry, there was Joe Friday.
M&P/10 snubbie for sure.
Gerry
M&P/10 snubbie for sure.
Gerry
bobsdad
US Veteran
When I think of a "classic" anything (car, shotgun, etc.), the words "first standard", "unique", "admired", "representative of a type", come to mind. In that sense, I would offer the S&W Safety Hammerless as a true classic. It was the first of a unique type. Was obviously admired by many as evidenced by the various attempts to copy the design. And when thinking about that type of handgun it was obviously the "standard" by which others were and are judged. It also represents a design that continues to be useful in a very unique way. Yep, I'd call it a classic.
I'll add my 2 cents...the Combat Magnum (19 or 66) does it for me...it was the most significant "new production" revolver of the 20th Century - PERIOD...at least in terms of meaningful sales & effective use on the beat for LE...the Model 10 M&P was merely competition for Colt...the Model 19 set the new standard...
the Model 27 & 28's made their mark as well, but the Combat Magnum was the real draw for LEO's to S&W post WWII...and w/o LEO sales S&W wouldn't have become king of the revolvers...
no disrespect to the Model 29...it is a true classic...
the Model 27 & 28's made their mark as well, but the Combat Magnum was the real draw for LEO's to S&W post WWII...and w/o LEO sales S&W wouldn't have become king of the revolvers...
no disrespect to the Model 29...it is a true classic...
