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

[625smith]

Tough to choose just one! I would choose between my 625 or my 696.

 

[JoeS]

Some folks made a good point, do you have to lug it around all the time or are we talking house gun or something else?
I guess if its house gun I tend to like a 4" n frame, a 629 or my 25-5 would do fine. I'm not a real big .357 fan although I love the K frame.
If I gotta carry it, considering that would mean concealment probably a J frame like my 649 or a 3" K frame in .357.
I've sort of believed there was room for one great fighting revolver that they never built. A L frame chambered in a shortened .41 mag casing, a .41 Special as it were. 4", fixed sight, shooting say, a 180 grain slug at just under 1000 fps or so. Bella.

 

[Jimmymac46]

I would nearly agree with 625smith in that I too have a 3" 625 and a 3" 696 (my favorite). However due to the question being a one gun, fighting revolver, I would have to go with a 4" 66 or 686. The reasoning is availability of ammo, slightly longer sight radius for that longer shot if necessary, yet still concealable. Were the question any fighting handgun, I would choose a Colt Mark IV Series 70 government 45 acp and a hole slew of seven round mags. Government can be carried without holster, just slipped in your belt; serious reliability, and serious firepower.... IMO.

 

[Titan]

Another vote for the 686 plus in 3 or 4 inch.

.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

Best Defense Revolver

Nframe357: Although I love 3" N-Frames, an L-Frame fits in my hand better. My 4" 686 (no dash) is an excellent revolver, but considerably heavier than my 646 with its' titanium cylinder. The 40 S&W cartridge is versatile, lethal, & as plentiful as 38/357's. My choice for an all-around defense/target/plinking revolver.

Respectfully,
H-F Hank
NRA Benefactor
USAF Vet

 

[j38]

3" to 4" K frame ..... .38 special ... .357 magnum, .... . smoke is coming out of my ears ....

Good Luck,

Jerry

 

[Nframe357]

OK to clarify, if you knew you had to go somewhere that a confrontation would be likely, but could not carry a long gun and you hadn't drank the auto koolaid and still relied on a wheelgun for your defense. Lot's of great replies and awesome pics folks!

 

[Dragonfly]

OK...I'd take this:

oops no long guns...then this:

um, sorry...no kool aid...then this:

Yeah, that'd do it!

 

[Crazy K38]

I vote for the 3"686 the 357 mag si a great round without being TOO powerful, and the 686 is hard pressed to be out preformed

 

[bubbajoe45]

Any 3 or 4" barreled N frame in .45 ACP or .44 Mag or Spl. Crazy K38, I am having trouble grasping this concept of 'too powerful'? These 44s would work for me . . .

 

[yugolovr]

Call me crazy, but I'm happy with my good ol trusty model 10.

 

[fyimo]

My 3.5 inch barreled model 27-2 for a revolver and my Sig model P226 in 9mm with 19 rounds in a semi auto.

Revolver

Semi Auto

 

[Joe Kent]

For years my favorite "Fighting Revolver" was the 4in. Model 19, but today I use the 4in Model 686 Mt. Gun. 7 shot 357. The balance is basically the same as the 19. and the stainless is a sturdier finish. If there was a 7 shot 4in version of the 681 I would probably like that as well. I have the 3in. version of the pre-lock 681 performance gun, but it does not balance as well for me. All said and done we need to remember that the very best use of a "fighting" handgun is to fight your way to your rifle.

 

[roaddog28]

Would be my 66-4.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

First choice would be a Model 58. Since the 210gr./900 fps is no longer available, I'd as soon have the Model 58 in. 45 acp or .45 Colt.

Second choice would be a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 acp but I'd prefer one with easy to see fixed sights.

 

[Rock185]

Since purchasing my first S&W revolver, a Model 57, in 1965, I've been issued and/or owned and used the models 10, 64, 19, 60, 63, 66, 27, 28, 29, 547, 640, 642, 586, 686 and 686+. I guess for me, it would be the standard 686 or 686 Mountain Gun. I think highly of the models 28 and 66 also, and carried a 66 for 40+ hours a week for years. I have personally seen two Model 19s,and at least one Python, with the forcing cone cracked in about the 6 O' Clock position though. I do think the "L" frames are better heavy-use guns than the "K" frame .357s. ymmv

 

[shawn mccarver]

This should be interesting, like the title says which model of S&W revolver do you feel is the best fighting model? Lot's of choices here from the wonderful Registered magnums through todays models. I love old Smiths but a RM wouldn't be my first choice to go into a fight with, mainly because I'd hate to lose it to the police or damage it. How about a 4" model 28? Good choice and that is what it was designed for, but it's blued. In my mind a fighting gun needs to be as tough as possible and I feel stainless models would be a better way to go, blued is beautiful but it can be a pain to care or in some enviroments.
So a 4" SS revolver, what caliber 357? 44? 45? Any and all will defend one well but a 44 mag is a bit much for fighting with unless you run mild mag/warm special ammo. So we have 357 or 45,sure the 41mag/10mm are more than up to the job but decent ammo isn't available everywhere.
My choice would have to be a 3" or 4" 686 357 mag., very versatile and also very effective, ammo is plentiful and readily found just about anywhere(before the ammo run of late). The 357 has been doing a fine job of defending folks for 74 yrs. My next runner up would be a 4" or 5" 625 45 ACP, same thing goes for the 45 lot's of good ammo choices with the plus of moon clips for fast reloads.
What's your choice?

I have to qualify the question before answering. If you are asking what is the best revolver that you can both carry all the time and that would also be the best in a fight, the answer may be different from the slightly different question "you know a fight is going to happen and you must reach into your gun ready cabinet and grab your choice of handgun."

In the first instance, I vote for a four inch round butt K frame in .357 magnum, such as the Model 65 or 66.

In the second instance, I vote for the 1911 .45 - OK, you said revolver, so I vote for the 8 shot magnum Model 27, four inch. I could also live with the 625 in ACP with 230 grain loads or the 629 with a Keith bullet of 250 grains at 950 fps.

 

[Pigirondan]

Call me crazy, but I'm happy with my good ol trusty model 10.

+1. I'd venture to say that the Model 10 has been in the most gunfights.

 

[cmort666]

I don't like stainless, but a stainless, pre-lock 4" .44 Magnum loaded with 200gr. Speer Gold Dot Blazer .44 Specials would be excellent.

A 4" 29-2 loaded with Gold Dot Blazers is one of my regular home defense guns. I'm not worried about losing it. I'll get it back eventually.

 

[Joe in SC]

I would take my 6 inch 44 special. I wouldn't handicap myself with a short barrel. Thinking a little more about it, my guess would be the model 27 or 28 for the absolute best. Fires a very powerful round, absorbs a lot of the recoil, accurate and holds up well to use.