What do you think the best fighting revolver is?

336A · Post by **336A** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:09 am

I will start, IMO which I know is not worth much it is the S&W M10. It is very accurate, dependable and rugged, will handle any sane .38 SPL load out there and has moderate recoil for quick follow up shots. Another shot in the arm for it is that it filled a lot of lawmans' holsters across the globe.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:17 am

I generally carry a 3 1/2 inch 27 in .357mag. or a 3 inch 29 in 44 mag. Both are concealable, fit my hand and are accurate in rounds that will provide a 1 shot stop if properly placed.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:19 am

The one you've got.

If all you've got is 5 or 6, then it all comes down to "Can you Hit" and "Will it break".

I carry a 2.5" SP101.

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:26 am

The loaded one in my hand!!!!!!!!!

Here is my S&W Mod 28-2 .357 Highway Patrolman for one.

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:32 am

I will vote for the S&W Model 625 in .45ACP with moon clips.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the .45ACP and the 625 can be loaded in a flash with the moon clips.
For carry, a round butt would be preferred.

Jack

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:35 am

That gun you have is awesome! Great gun for a protection handgun.
Now,for a Fighting Revolver? myself it would be a Model 625 Jerry Miculek Series .45ACP first or a Colt Python 4" .357 mag second!
Good Luck!

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:42 am

I keep this Colt New Service King's conversion 44-40 loaded in the bedroom except when the grand-kids are down. I shoot a Colt SAA better but the first shot would be single action anyway then the rest DA. I carried it with the sheriffs department as a summer part time Jail guard for years.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:44 am

I've always been partial to the S&W M19.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:57 am

The best firearm for you is the one you have that you have TRAINED with and know how to use proficiently.

gimdandy · Post by **gimdandy** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:10 am

although heavy , my 640 smith in .357 was bought as an ideal ccw , it's not ideal , but it is ok.
my opinion of " WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST FIGHTING REVOLVER ? " is not a 640 because of weight or a 5 shooter in .357 . .45 ACP 5 shooter would be ok but then size is on the large side .I may look into a sp101 but in the mean time I have smith 332 which I think is very close to ideal in 32 H&R MAG, alloy , size , caliber ,revolver hammerless

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:49 am

Life is compromises. The revolver is one to start with. I like a .44 special or 45 colt, maybe a 45 acp too. However I dont want to lug one around most the time. Next belt gun is a .357. But really if I am packing odds are it is a S&W model 40 .38 special. Thats a pocket gun. I have many handguns, but here are my best 3 level carry guns. PS, I was ansering a thread on the subject, but somehow the post was thought new?

model 40

S&W model 66-3 3" .357. 1 of 300 ported & trilijon sights from the performance center.

My favorite all around belt gun, S&W model 24-3 .44 special

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:52 am

I just tried answering this post, but had to retitle it under best defense revolver? My picks are there.

MrMurphy · Post by **MrMurphy** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:06 am

For a belt gun, a 3" K or L frame, maybe a 4".

A .38 in the pocket, 642 is good.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:12 am

I love J Frames.......I shoot my 317 Airlite .22 good enough to feel good about head shots most of the time.

TNBigBore · Post by **TNBigBore** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:37 am

A S&W 19 with a 3 or 4" barrel is hard to beat. They are very well balanced, accurate and about the smoothest revolver you will ever shoot.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:44 am

You just accidentially hit "new topic" rather than "post reply".

While my SP101 is a tad large for good pocket carry, it can be done.

And while it is a tad "small" for belt carry, it CAN handle my WhompumStompum loads, so I never have to worry about an "oops" like I would with a Light Weight.

Any 2" belt/pocket gun that can throw a 180gr hunk o'lead at 1200fps or better is nothing to sneeze at.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:52 am

what kind of fight are we going to be in?

combat?1917 s&w 45acp, big enough to use as a club when you run out of ammo.

company in a dark alley? any answer above. mine is a s&w 27 also.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:58 am

Pathfinder09 wrote:The loaded one in my hand!!!!!!!!!

Here is my S&W Mod 28-2 .357 Highway Patrolman for one.

those are some pretty grips.
do you have trouble hanging on to them?
i can't normally shoot well with the small ones, prefer something
more to hang onto, like bill jordan/skeeter skeltons styles.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:08 pm

Out of the box.... any of the Model 10's in "Combat Masterpiece" trim. (15,19,67 etc)...30 or 357, blued or stainless... I dont think they can be improved on

I am very partial to the Model 65 SW in 3" with Houges

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:14 pm

[What do you think the best fighting revolver is?]

It depends upon what one's fighting - for manfights, I've found the 6-shot Colt DS, loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs or Mag-Safe's, hard to beat.

Those loads aren't for fighting cars, through walls, or other "stuff", however.

That's only if I don't know for sure it's coming.

If I do know, I'd rather take a shotgun or a .30-30 rifle, than any handgun.

.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:25 pm

4" Ruger GP100 or Security Six

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:39 pm

I guess that would depend upon your preferences and who or what your fighting. For me:

2 legged critter- S&W M19 .357 Mag in a 4"

4 legged critter- S&W M629 .44 Mag in a 6"

As we all know, these are only the back up to a fast handling slick lever action carbine in the same caliber!

milton · Post by **milton** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:41 pm

Bill,what grips are on your Model 40> Those are very nice looking , how do they carry and shoot???

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:51 pm

They are by Eagle. Called "Secret Service". Feel good and work well, yet are still nice and compact.

scarville · Post by **scarville** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:42 pm

If I had to pick just one for all time I'd carry a S&W 686P with six inch bbl. If allowed a second handgun I'd pick a 442 as a hideout. If I'm allowed a third it would be a second 686P on my left side.

Jayhawker · Post by **Jayhawker** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:49 pm

Interesting picks.

For a revolver, my choice is a 3" barreled Taurus Model 441 in 44 Sp.

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:10 pm

Pokey,

The stocks work fine. It is a hand full with full power .357 loads that's for sure. I'm getting a grip adapter to fill it a little. We'll see how that works. I like Harrets Jordah Trroopers as well. I think they would work well on this piece.

Thanks for asking.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:41 pm

Pathfinder, all of my Smith's wear Hougue finger grips, fit my hand nice, my 4 inch 28 behaves well with the Hougue grips.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:44 pm

336A wrote:I will start, IMO which I know is not worth much it is the S&W M10. It is very accurate, dependable and rugged, will handle any sane .38 SPL load out there and has moderate recoil for quick follow up shots. Another shot in the arm for it is that it filled a lot of lawmans' holsters across the globe.

It is about perfect for a bedside gun for my wife. She has no questions about how to operate it including loading. All the springs are at rest while it awaits use. Ballistic performance with at least some available ammunition is both sufficient and within her ability to handle/control. It is inoffensive to her psyche. She has confidence in it.

hocbj23 · Post by **hocbj23** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:51 pm

Toss upbetween my SP101 in .327 Mag, and my Model 70ss in .38 super with the Jordan .355 barrel (9x23) installed.They are both very capable of reaching out and touching someone-hard.BJ

hocbj23 · Post by **hocbj23** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:59 pm

Walther PPK in .380 is my defense pick.Easy to carry,very accurate and will stop most folks.bj

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:16 pm

Bill,
You and I think alike. Yes sir, you know how to pick 'em but..........you and I come from a different generation than these young-uns. They like their Glocks. A revolver ALWAYS works.

I carry a 642 95% of the time, The rest of the time a 4" 1950 Target in 44 Spl. goes on the hip. On rare occasions, when I'm feeling full of energy, a Colt 70 series in 45 Auto gets tucked away.

Thats a nice old Model 40 you have there. Please send it to me...........now, before you forget

BTW, my buddy Tom has a S&W 3" 1950 Target 44 Spl. in his shop right now. IIRC, he wants $599 for it.-----------------Sixgun

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:50 pm

My old S&W 65 3 inch RB.

tman · Post by **tman** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:25 pm

TNBigBore wrote:A S&W 19 with a 3 or 4" barrel is hard to beat. They are very well balanced, accurate and about the smoothest revolver you will ever shoot.

+1

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:30 pm

A Judge

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:28 pm

IMHO, the best fighting revolver is the S&W 625 (or its “grandfather“, the M1917) in either .45ACP or .45 AutoRim.

For serious work, I would want my 3" or 4" .45 AutoRim S&W 625. Then again, the ol’ S&W Model 15, K-38 Combat Masterpiece is sure handy too. Four inch barrels on the M 15 was/is handy & S&W even built a few 2” barrels.

As one poster said, the best is what’s in your hand @ the time, making sure it is utterly reliable & will not break or malfunction.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:42 pm

This is the one I'd least want to go up against... (holds a dozen 12 ga. Mag shells, including slugs)

(Photo off Gunbroker - http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.a ... =129903167 - may still be for sale!)

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:58 pm

I am partial to the early Ruger GP100s that had grooves under the extractor, which allows the extractor to fully seat even if some unburned powder or other stuff gets in the way. Not that this is an excuse for poor maintenance, but I have certainly experienced some slowdown in performance of tightly-fitted sixguns when just a few bits of gunk tied up an otherwise clean weapon during a shooting session.

Since I actually carry SIG P229s as part of my living, I much more often have a Ruger SP101 snubby on or about my person. When I need something really small, well there are S&W J-frames, my usual being a variant of the 642, built up by the Performance Center and labeled as an M460. No, I am not kidding; S&W re-used that model name for their X-frame mega-.45.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:21 pm

Currently, I am either carrying my Bond defender in .357 (with shot shells) when I'm stomping around the lake in high weeds bowfishing, or my 3 inch J-frame with trijon sights, adj. rear, in .357 (180grainers) or my 4 inch model 19 in .357 (same ammo) or my Colt 4 3/4" 44 special in my simply rugged holster. I have Galco holsters for the revolvers, and a leather Bond holster for the derringer. Sometimes I carry my Walther PP in .22 for woods plinking. The Smith K-22 with 6 inch barrel is for hunting, as is the freedom arms in .475.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:38 pm

my S&W 19 4 inch would get my vote.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:48 pm

tman wrote:
TNBigBore wrote:A S&W 19 with a 3 or 4" barrel is hard to beat. They are very well balanced, accurate and about the smoothest revolver you will ever shoot.
+1

I love mine.

But....I have a speed six .357 DAO that is awesome.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:47 pm

My guns are set-up for camping as even if I had a CCW (I'm taking the course this weekend) I could not carry in the school system where I work. But I would like to have a CCW for carrying loaded in other states in National Parks/Monuments and when I go camping in forest service property. Since my calibers have been chosen for "animal social-work" they are not small guns so far. My full size Kimber Eclipse 1911 in 10mm and my S&W 460 snubby for heavy work are my choices depending what state I'm in. I'm thinking of a Para Warthog in 45 ACP for urban work in the future.

-Tutt

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:50 pm

Wheel gun? Like Mike, I favor the S&W Model 19. Nope, not the smallest one out there, but simply a great all-around revolver!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:52 pm

rjohns94 wrote:my S&W 19 4 inch would get my vote.

Mine would get my vote!

dbateman · Post by **dbateman** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:04 pm

s&w mod 27

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:30 pm

For a belt gun, it is a three-way toss up.

In no particular order:
S&W Model 19, 4"
Colt Model P, 4.75" in .44 S&W SPL
S&W Model 686, 4"

I'm torn between the .44 S&W SPL and he .357 Magnum as favorite cartridges. The Model 19 is as light and handy as a SAA, but the M-686 is stronger and will handle a steady diet of magnum loads better.

As for backup or pocket revolvers, I will have to disagree with the gentleman who doesn't care for the S&W M-640.

I consider the S&W Centennial Series Revolvers to be the very nearly perfect pocket revolvers. only the Bodyguard Series is slightly more perfect because it has single-action capability.

The gentleman complained about the weight of the M-640. True it weighs 25 ounces. But who in their right mind would want to shoot a full-power .357 Magnum cartridge in a lighter weapon? Not me boys!!!

But in the Bodyguard and Centennial series you can pick a .38 S&W SPL or .357 Magnum, and opt for blued steel, stainless, or alloy frames, and I suppose some weightless wonder alloy.

Yep, IMNSHO the S&W Bodyguards and Centennials are the perfect pocket revolvers.

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:12 am

Colt .357 magnum SAA. It's what I shoot better than anything else and I know the first shot is going where I want it,and I figure that first shot would be pretty important.

gimdandy · Post by **gimdandy** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:44 am

Doc Hudson wrote:For a belt gun,

As for backup or pocket revolvers, I will have to disagree with the gentleman who doesn't care for the S&W M-640.

The gentleman complained about the weight of the M-640. True it weighs 25 ounces. But who in their right mind would want to shoot a full-power .357 Magnum cartridge in a lighter weapon? Not me boys!!!

But in the Bodyguard and Centennial series you can pick a .38 S&W SPL or .357 Magnum, and opt for blued steel, stainless, or alloy frames, and I suppose some weightless wonder alloy.

Yep, IMNSHO the S&W Bodyguards and Centennials are the perfect pocket revolvers.

I misread the title DOC it clearly states "What do you think the best fighting revolver is?"
I was thinking what is the best carry revolver , the best fighting revolver is anything that is 45 . Since I don't have an index finger, my opinion on the 640 stands it is an obnoxious pistol to shoot accurately and in a fight I want it easy to shoot , accurately.
In a fight one of the last cartridges that I want is .357, although with this new ranch dog mold at 190 gr. and with a tremendous meplat ,I might like 357 some better for pistol and lots for rifle, but generally I want it to start with a 4 and I prefer it to end with with a 5 , but I guess 4 will do. This is MY opinion of what I want and what works for me.

thornblom · Post by **thornblom** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:50 am

I have a 586 S&W 4" and a 686 S&W 4" both in .357 mag. Both have Pachmayr "Gripper" grips. I trained with both of these revolvers and at one time shot competively in combat, shooting paper and steel targets in timed events. The heavier barrel and full length under lug add controllability as opposed to the S&W 4" model 19.

At one time S&W made a 686 in 10mm. If I had one of those with a good action job and full moon clips, I would feel even better than I do with my 586 or 686.

If I were allowed to use a semi-auto, I would choose my Colt Delta Elite 10mm all tricked out by Pachmayr. Nuff said.

Just my thoughts.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:53 am

gimdandy wrote:I misread the title DOC it clearly states "What do you think the best fighting revolver is?"
I was thinking what is the best carry revolver , the best fighting revolver is anything that is 45 . Since I don't have an index finger, my opinion on the 640 stands it is an obnoxious pistol to shoot accurately and in a fight I want it easy to shoot , accurately.
In a fight one of the last cartridges that I want is .357, although with this new ranch dog mold at 190 gr. and with a tremendous meplat ,I might like 357 some better for pistol and lots for rifle, but generally I want it to start with a 4 and I prefer it to end with with a 5 , but I guess 4 will do. This is MY opinion of what I want and what works for me.

As my old friend Bryant Grace used to say:

Different of opinions are what lets cheap whiskey sell and ugly people get married.

What we have here is a difference of opinion.

I got no problem with that.