What's you favorite S&W revolver Model and Why?

I would have to say it's my father's model 28 in 4" version. He bought it new in '72 and I learned how to shoot with it when I was 8, uh, back in '75. Yep, I learned to shoot with an N Frame .357 magnum. Those were the days.

I took a quick pic of it last time I borrowed it, testing out my camera, so it was not all wiped-down and prettied up.

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When I was in college, not knowing about how a handgun keeps its value with its original finish, I had the gun re-blued. Well, it had been shot and carried for many years and was looking bad, at least to me!

Well, I never intend to sell it anyway (I will inherit all my dad's guns when he passes away).
 
I constantly vascillate between guns as to which is my favorite. I bought a Model 17 back in '83 that always satisfies. It has all the goodies behind an 8-3/8ths barrel. The other one that is sorely missed is the Model 66 with the rare-ish 3" barrel. I was told they made them that way because they were destined for the Secret Service or FBI or something, and required the ejector to reliably clear the cylinder of the long cases. I put Compac Pro grips on it and, like the guys posting about the snubbie version, it just looked right. Damn accurate, too. Even saved my life once. Or, maybe just a beatdown... There are others, but they aren't S&W's so I won't go there.
 
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I like them all and there are alot to like in my house. However, way out in front of all the rest is the Model 57/657. I'm actually surprised that more folks didn't pick it as their first choice. Unless you don't reload, there's nothing to not like. I have them in stainless and blue and in most barrel lengths. All of them shoot spectacularly with light loads, heavy loads and everything in between. Objects on the receiving end would notice little difference between full bore .44 and .41 but with less recoil in the .41, mostly because the 6" model 57 weighs more than the 6.5" model 29. The only round I ever fired that I did not like was the Remington factory 210 grain lead, I'm sure it left more lead caked on the inside of the barrel than was sent downrange. It's really a shame that it didn't gain more popularity, prompting more loadings and bullet styles, with more economical ammunition options. Although, that's just fine because alot of people pass them by when they hit the counter at the stores, I don't, I seem to always give them a good home.

Take care,
Steve
 
Todays favorite

My favorite today would have to be the 53 I picked up today, It will be my project for the near future. I have a few things to gather for it.

However my 27-2 6 inch and I spend a lot of time together.
 
It's not right to pick one favorite, but right now it is my M-24 six inch. I really like shooting .44 special.
 
I've tried J frames, K frames, L frames, Rugers and Colts, but I consistently keep buying or trading back for K frame Smiths. Within that grouping, I prefer the Model 19/66 with the 4" barrel. I thought a Model 66 being stainless would be the ultimate woods/truck gun until I recently acquired an abused Model 19. A previous owner allowed a LOT of rust to develop on the frame exterior which was bad enough, but his biggest "crime" was to take a nail and etch a number into the frame. I cleaned, buffed, parkerized, then DuraCoated it, and now it's my "go to" gun for everything. I now think of this revolver as being indestructable. It looks great, and shoots even better than it looks!
 
texasjarhead said:
I've tried J frames, K frames, L frames, Rugers and Colts, but I consistently keep buying or trading back for K frame Smiths. Within that grouping, I prefer the Model 19/66 with the 4" barrel. I thought a Model 66 being stainless would be the ultimate woods/truck gun until I recently acquired an abused Model 19. A previous owner allowed a LOT of rust to develop on the frame exterior which was bad enough, but his biggest "crime" was to take a nail and etch a number into the frame. I cleaned, buffed, parkerized, then DuraCoated it, and now it's my "go to" gun for everything. I now think of this revolver as being indestructable. It looks great, and shoots even better than it looks!
Click to expand...


If you're able to put them up, I'd like to see photos of the parked m19. thanks...
 
A different kind of reason:

I probably have a different reason than most but here goes:
I use to spend summers when I was 13-16 years old helping my Uncle up in Lincoln, Maine. He owned a dairy that his father started, but when his Dad died, he sold out but signed on as a distributor for Grants Dairy out of Bangor, Maine. I helped him during the summers delivering milk, and making a milk run to Bangor to get milk. BUT, the best part was helping him build several hunting camps which he rented out to the folks that worked in the New Haven Conn. gun factories. During the building of these he would give me his S&W 357 Mag to shoot the over abundance of hedgehogs (Porcupines) at the time in Maine. One year I earned 50 cents for each set of four feet that I brought to the downtown Lincoln City Hall. One summer I earned $22. Cleve died many years ago and it wasn't until 25 or so years ago that I wanted one just like I use to use on them hedgehogs. It looked like the one in the pic which I purchased about 25 years ago fron a co-worker. Cleve went from the original 357 Mag to the 44 Mag and then the 41 Mag. Since the 41 caliber was the last I remember him having, I have purchased a few of those also. Sorry to ramble on but the S&W has a special meaning to me which was the fond memories of him. RIP Cleve Whalen!
 

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It has to be the Model 28 that my dad carried as a Sheriff deputy in the 70's. 4 inch and hard chromed. Has to be the best gun ever. What I wouldn't give to have it back.
 
I dont have as much selection as some of these guys.

Of the ones I have it would either the 6 1/2 29-2 or the 6 in 27 , both in nickel. While they arent much on concealement, they sure do shoot and have accuracy and power to burn.

A 27 with the 3.5 or a 4 inch barrel is on my list, although I spent up a lot of my Colt sales cash in just a few weeks. Even though I will be pulling in my horns for a while, I will keep looking though as those 3.5 27's have to be nice.
 
Like all model 14's old and new , but the 14-5 and 14-6 are just so easy to shoot, nice balance and look good. The 4" version 14 PPC is my favorite. Here my consecutive 2. Love em all. Bob
 

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It would have to be my 4" # 15-4, smoothest action in a revolver! Don't know why it took me so long to find one, this one is tops!
 
They are all my favorites, so....

How about this one : model 66-1, 2 1/2", It was love at first sight! I like the Houge grip, fills my hand, keeps it steady, Ray's holster holds it close and is light and cool. It is a trusted friend, indeed.
 

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this model 10-5 3" is my favorite SW. I just added the crimson trace LG-105 grips to help with aging eyes. It just balances so nicely.


Scott Campbell Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My favorite S&W is just about any 4" N frame. Some days I think I like the 27-2 best cause it's a beautiful gun. Some days I just know I like
the rugged look of the 28-2 best. Then when I look at the beauty and
think about the compact power of the 29-2 I realize no other S&W can
top it. But then when I bear down and try my best to shoot small
groups on paper this old cut down 4" 25-2 shows the others how it's
done. So..? I'm happy I don't have to pick only one.
 

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The 4" Model 28-2 with perfectly fit magnas that look like they grew on it, as most magnas original to most 28s did. Because it was the first S&W I could afford (first gun was a Security Six) and because that slate-grey finish is freaking sexy. It's as appealing to me for what it is as the most highly polished 27. I also had a thing for the gap between the cylinder face and the frame on 24s, 27s, and 28s. Don't know why. Don't have much usefor the caliber, but I love the gun.
 
I love my JM 625. It is a well balanced revolter and as accurate as I can be.
 

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Wow, that's a tough call. Lots of nice guns on these pages. It really makes you think. In terms of beauty, balance, versatility, quality, carry-ability, handling, and overall usability, I'd have to agree with Bill Jordan and pick the S&W Model 19 in 4" blued.

Model19leftsideonrug-3.jpg
 
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