What model do you think is S&W's best fighting revolver?

[lagavulin62]

another thread extending into eternity. ok gonna throw in my 2cents. I don't own one yet but I'm thinking that model 13 in 4 inch will make a pretty good home defense weapon, one that even my wife could learn to use. and it would fit nicely in the vehicle. also I like the no-frills about this gun. I like the notched rear sight and those magna grips to really hold onto it. I could probably do some damage with it.

 

[NavyFrank]

Fighting Revolver

I have a M1937 Brazilian with the barrel chopped to 3 inches. I carry it the most. .45ACP in full moon clips for fast reloads. To quote a person that was admiring it said "This is made for killing".

 

[butchkent]

The best fighting revolver is the biggest one you can hit with. A pretty little pocket job isn't worth anything if all you can do is make noise with it.

Personally, I prefer a six shot short barreled K frame or larger .357 Mag. or .44 Mag. Either will permit the shooter an almost endless range of possibilities for selecting the most powerful load that he/she can hit the target with every time. Every time is critical because the one time you miss may be your last or the erant bullet may find an unwanted target.

My serious packin' gun is the mdl 19 , .357M, w/ 2 1/2 inch with Hornady or Corbon 150 gr HP's. Also, depending on the situation, the mdl 29, .44M, in 3 inch with 240 JHPs is my favorite.

Always apply the rule, "one is none, two is one, and 3 is best" when going into a fight.

Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[Lt JL]

A 6" K or L frame .357 with a Patridge front sight and a brass plate on the bottom of the grips. For those moments when you can't shoot 'em, but you are justified in whompin' 'em. John

 

[Spotteddog]

Yup!
There's nothin' that say "lovin'" like a set of brass cleats on the bottom of 35+ ounces of stainless steel!

 

[LOBO]

model 65 3"

 

[BuzzardBilly]

MODEL 58:
I'm surprised the S&W M58 was not nominated till page #6??
Probably because few are familiar with them.
Here is a custom S&W M58 customised by Hamilton Bowen.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

A chunky snub would work for me.

.44

.45 ACP

.357

But I'm usually carrying this .357

 

[Nframe357]

Lot's of very nice hardware folks, lot's more big bore snubs than I would have thought. I think that the model 58 has 2 real issues that prevent it from being considered. 1) the price they fetch now thanks to us 2) caliber, 41 just doesn't have the amount of good defense ammo that alot of other calibers do. A buddy of mine swears by the 41 and has 5 of them, but foolishly he hasn't started reloading yet despite my constantly telling him to.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I gotta ask: How many different good defense choices does one really need with the .41 Magnum?

 

[MTKTM]

I've noticed with threads like this that everyone tends to chime in with some gun they have and like, generally (since most of us have never, thank God, been in a gunfight) basing our opinions on nothing more than theory and conjecture. As many have noted, the best gun in a gunfight is really going to be the one you have.

If I knew I was going to be in a gunfight in advance, well, I'd probably run as fast as I could in the opposite direction!! Failing in that effort, I'd tilt toward one of the 8-shot Model 27s, probably the 5" 627 PC. I like the idea of 8 shots prior to a reload, and the .357 in some of the 125 grain loadings should be an excellent fight-stopper

 

[akjaeger]

Mountain Gun!

The mountain guns have everything I need (power, accuracy, portability) and nothing I don't.
I can hit with them out to 100yds, they are fast and reliable. Not hard for me to conceal either.
The .45 ACP loaded with 200gr JHP's at 1050fps is my favorite for urban areas. Moon clips for fast reloads.
The .45 Colt loaded with 288gr SWC's at 1050fps is my constant companion out here in the Idaho backwoods. Plenty of power for anything I may encounter.

 

[keith44spl]

I've noticed with threads like this that everyone tends to chime in with some gun they have and like, generally (since most of us have never, thank God, been in a gunfight) basing our opinions on nothing more than theory and conjecture. As many have noted, the best gun in a gunfight is really going to be the one you have.

If I knew I was going to be in a gunfight in advance, well, I'd probably run as fast as I could in the opposite direction!! Failing in that effort, I'd tilt toward one of the 8-shot Model 27s, probably the 5" 627 PC. I like the idea of 8 shots prior to a reload, and the .357 in some of the 125 grain loadings should be an excellent fight-stopper

If I had a slightest clue that there would be 'that' kinda trouble I'd have a carbine in hand...If caught between a rock and a hard place with a revolver, I've saved my own hide with a 27 loaded with 125gr JHPs.

But after much reflection, I've chosen the .45 calibers cartridges for business and the .44s and .357/38s for sport shooting.
I can testify that the big bores have the all around edge.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Farmer17]

I've never cared much for a .41 Magnum, but for some reason lately, I've have a burning desire for a M-58. I've read gobs of reports and data over the years saying the 9m/m is a better stopper than a .41 Mag, but now I've come full circle to the opinion that whatever kicks hardest in your hand is going to be the superior stopper.

 

[4330Inroute]

I like MTKTM's response of the best defense is not to be there when the shooting starts.

In this post it's the S & W revolver of choice then I'd pick a 686 6" rb with Rem 125 gr. hp's. with 4 reloads.
This is a winter time carry piece. Summer time it stays in the truck if I choose to bring it along. Summer time here is on avg. 100+ degrees so concealed is almost impossible. Right now it's 106 at 1305 hrs.(PST) est. to be 108-109 by 1700.

 

[pharmer]

Another vote for the "chunky snub", 3" 65.

Joe

 

[KurtC]

Any of the 1917, Model 22 or 25-12 style revolvers. Fixed sights, .45 acp, no lock. Preferably with a 4" barrel.

 

[jimgoldth]

S&W's best fighting revolver?

I would go with a 686+ in 4" barrel version. I have zero experience with the 7 shooter but I was very confident with the 6 shot 686 4" that I carried on duty from 1986 until we were finally issued guns (Sig P228 9mm) in 1992. I believe that the Mod. 686 revolver was definately a very fine duty weapon. Having a 7th round sounds great to me and maybe modification to full moon clips.

 

[tac803]

A 6" K or L frame .357 with a Patridge front sight and a brass plate on the bottom of the grips. For those moments when you can't shoot 'em, but you are justified in whompin' 'em. John

What he said.

This would be my second choice, since it's a heck of a lot easier to carry, and danged near as accurate.

 

[Nframe357]

I gotta ask: How many different good defense choices does one really need with the .41 Magnum?

Obviously more than are offered now, due to the responses here...