My thoughts are the 28-2 highway patrolman. The action is like glass it is a .357 in an N frame so it is robust, the old school craftmanship is there, it has a recess cylinder, and who doesn't love the "coke bottle grips". I can shoot mine at 100yds with open sights no problem. It was the S&W that started it all for me
Mdl 48. I started handgunning with one, hunted and killed a few whitetails (culling does at feeder blinds, no 200 yd. shots down a sendero), squirrel, coyote and turkey. It also matches my much loved (customized by my father)Marlin mdl.980. Call me a .22magnum kook
Carried a department 28 first in late 70's, then bought the 27 and carried it several years. Evidently I am a bit odd; I prefer the 6" barrel and never had an issue with drawing it using a break front holster.Bought the 66 'cause the price was right! And the 60 made an excellent backup. Wish I had bought more back then at dept. costs! $250 for the 27, $160 for the 66 and $150 for the 60! Those were the days.....
Model 19's, specifically a 19-4, and preferably before the swapped over to the newer style blueing.
A fairly lightweight K frame that can shoot 357's from several different barrel lenghts. The 19-4 incorporated all the "reliability fixes" to the K frame platform like the change in gas ring, etc but was still P&R.
It's my belief that when properly cared for, the K frame 357's were about indestructible, despite some of them developing forcing cone issues. I think that is mostly caused by lack of maintenance.
I would say a 66-1 would substitute for the 19-4, and may be a tad less maintenance due to the SS finish, but I am a sucker for the old blue guns.
#1. 6" Highway Patrolman; my 1st handgun I bought with paper route money when I was about 13 yrs old. Great shooter!
2. 4" mod 57 .41 mag. If you haven't discovered the joys of shooting an S&W .41; you need to.
3. 5" Mod 27; bought at Boise Gun Co. while riding my BMW GS thru Idaho. Beautiful revolver and shoots fantastic!
If I had to pick one it comes down to 2 revolvers I don't own but I want . One is the 610 I love the 10mm and with the 610 I can shoot 10mm or 40. Plus I love the speed of moon clips. Next choice another N frame the 627 PC . I love the 357 and economical 38spcl plus you can use moon clips and its an 8 shot. I don't know that I can pick one as a favorite. Looks and capacity the 627PC wins. Favorite cartridge the 610 gets the nod.
For me it is the .44 HE with a 4 inch barrel. They may not be pretty, they don't have adjustable sights. They are just a pure fighting handgun in my favorite caliber. One of these is what I want close at hand if things get bad.
I'm a big fan of the .44 special and Colt .45. That being said one of my favorites is the S&W Model 696. It's L frame size with 3" full under lug barrel have a great look and feel.
One I shoot each time I go to the range and rotate into my EDC.
I'm a big fan of the .44 special and Colt .45. That being said one of my favorites is the S&W Model 696. It's L frame size with 3" full under lug barrel have a great look and feel.
One I shoot each time I go to the range and rotate into my EDC.