What's your favorite model and why?

[lppd4]

I'll take my 5" 27-2 close second would go to a 686 4". Great all around gun

 

[NCBeagle]

When you say "favorite," Model 042 comes to mind. I prefer the J Frame centennials for carry and the 042 is stunning. It is also sort of an oddball. It's not a cataloged model, made to cover perceived finish problems in model 642, etc.

 

[fhsjrm]

Gotta go with my M57. My grandfather left me two M58s, that made me fall in love with .41 Mag, but I like the sights on the 57.

 

[jkingrph]

Really hard to choose, My first was a 14-2 I bought myself as a graduation present for pharmacy school back in 1968. I then shot a combat masterpiece as handgun qualification in USAF OCS abut a year later, I liked the balance of it a lot. Then in late 69 I picked up a 17-2, and honestly for shooters that was it for a long time. I did get a couple of stainless, fixed rear sight .357mag models, one a 3" the other a 4", one was for my son going off to law school in another state. When my father died I ended up with his 4" model 10, and then I got a M29 and a 629 Classic Hunter, unfluted cylinder and factory ported barrel. A few years back I got a plain hand ejector in 32-20 as a companion gun for a little Marlin 1894CL in that caliber, Then a couple of weeks ago I was in a shop and spotted what looked like a combat masterpiece, but it was a .22LR, turned out to be a model 18 so I made a deal on it, and ordered and finally received a model 48, .22wmr.

I would say my two K models but have yet to shoot the M 18 and think it might take top billing if it shoots good.

I almost forgot I did get a 342, one of the Ti Lite models, double action only for pocket carry, but it is just a little too large to conceal unless you have big deep pockets. Plus it is so light at I think under 11 oz that it plain hurts to shoot even with standard 38 special loads, so it is at the bottom of the list for favorites.

 

[URIT]

My favorite revolver is a Model 19-4. I carried that gun for more than 24 years on the job. A sweet gun with a fine trigger!

 

[absolutevil]

Model 65-4. Six months in police academy worth of clean shine and polish and a few years on my belt makes it have a warm feeling in my heart.

 

[WILDPIG]

This one does it for me.

WILDPIG

 

[Toyman]

My model 68 L.A.P.D.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Don't have a favorite of my 8 S&W revolvers, limited to one, a toss up between my 4" nickeled M-27 with its polished action and my 6" M-28.

 

[Sevens]

Wait a darn minute… I thought the Model 68 was the "OSP", actually the CHP, not the LAPD….?!

 

[lilwoody]

I suppose if I had to pick one it would be my 6" 686 no dash that I bought brand new about 40 years ago.
The one I've had the most fun putting together is my 8" model 10/14/15/19/66 Frankensmith I put together last year.

 

[Hair Trigger]

It's really hard to pick a favorite, but it's probably my 6" M57. Why? Because it's not a M29, but looks just like one, and it's a caliber that sort of failed to inspire, but seems to have an underground fan club.

A close second is probably my 7" M41, it's the sexiest .22LR semiauto out there.

Please don't tell my other S&W's I didn't pick them, I don't want to bruise their egos.

 

[Sevens]

Some favorite S&W revolvers:

In .357, I want a 6-inch Model 28-2, it's a brute and exactly what I want for full-nuts 158gr JSP handloads. This one here is from 1966 and it needed me and I was thrilled to bring it in to the fold to live out it's dream of belching fireballs:




I just think that 28's are some of the greatest wheelguns that S&W ever churned out. Nothing fancy but with all of the horsepower. If that shiny Model 27 is your GTO then this beast is my Pontiac Tempest and it's as capable as it is unassuming.

Overall, no revolver made anywhere or any time by anyone feels better or more natural in my hands than a 4-inch square butt heavy barrel Model 10 or 64. I shoot all of mine exclusively in double action and I mean 100% of the time. One of my favorites is this one made in 1969 for the Toledo Police Department:




I think I'm fortunate to have found it. I have a funny story about this one that I have detailed before, always makes me smile.

If I were forced in some total nightmare scenario where I was only allowed to keep ONE of my revolvers… it might very well end up being this custom PPC machine built by the legendary Travis Strahan on a Model 64:



There is only ONE thing about this revolver that I will never understand…

The guy at the gun show that sold this to me… what on Earth was he thinking?! Why would any rational person sell this?

 

[Well Armed]

2.5" 686+ that's a work in progress. Will be adding fixed rear combat sights, front night sight, removing the lock, having the cylinder cut for moon clips, adding an extended cylinder release, changing the grips, and replace some of the MIM parts with TK Customs forged parts. It's the perfect size and weight for me as I actually EDC it concealed OWB.

I also have the same 3" 3-5-7 series 686+.

 

[robvious]

In the 1980 & up revolver category... my 617-4 6 inch would be that special one.. not because it is rare... but because it is used most.. by myself and my son... out to 100 yards at times... very capable of busting clay pigeons against the 100 yard burm at my gun club... it is just the most fun to shoot hands down.

 

[STCM(SW)]

My best one for sure....
M696 .44 Spl
Great revolver in a great caliber.....

 

[CH4]

Wow, that's tough. Although I really like 2.5-3 inch L frames, I'd probably go with the 3.5" 27. It just has a certain je ne sais quois.

 

[petepeterson]

Put me down for a 19-3, please.

 

[Jetmag22]

3 1/2 inch model 27

 

[gnappi]

I'd have to say the 2.5" 686+

In a pinch it can carry reasonably well and take down medium sized game.

PLUS... it looks sooo darn good :-0