Best revolver of all-time?

youngunz4life · August 18, 2011, 12:21 PM

This thread isn't a drive-by. The title speaks for itself. I wish I knew the answer to the question when you consider any & every variable.

johnbt · August 18, 2011, 12:25 PM

S&W Registered Magnum.

And I'm a fan of the Python.

Single Six · August 18, 2011, 12:29 PM

For me, it's a toss-up between the Ruger GP-100 and it's big brother, the Redhawk.

James K · August 18, 2011, 12:30 PM

Best how? Best target revolver for US style bullseye shooting? Best target revolver for European style shooting? Best revolver for SASS? Best revolver for concealed carry? Best revolver for police service use? Best revolver for military use? Highest price revolver sold as a collectible? Highest price production revolver? And so on.

Next post, ask something easy, like what is the best kind of woman/man to marry.

Jim

Tactical Jackalope · August 18, 2011, 12:33 PM

S&W 686

S&W Model 19

zippy13 · August 18, 2011, 12:36 PM

I'm with JamesK, you need to be a little more specific. Best revolver of all-time for what: Hunting large and dangerous animals, personal protection, competition, reliability, ease of concealment, accuracy, value, collect-ability, or… ?
What's the best car of all-time? boat? plane?

PawPaw · August 18, 2011, 12:39 PM

Colt Peacemaker

aarondhgraham · August 18, 2011, 12:51 PM

Smith & Wesson K-frame,,,

Pick your flavor.

Aarond

temmi · August 18, 2011, 12:53 PM

Well you gotta ask "for What"

The Ruger Blackhawk comes to mind first..

Then the Super Redhawk... (480 Ruger)

Then the S&W J Frame...

In that order.

**Mike Irwin** · August 18, 2011, 01:10 PM

S&W Model 19.

Technosavant · August 18, 2011, 01:22 PM

I'd go with a S&W K frame, but I'll probably be contrarian and say the Model 66, just because I prefer stainless revolvers.

Or maybe the 686, because the L frame can take a steady diet of magnums, or maybe even the GP-100, because it does what the 686 can do, but at a lower price.

You can always find something about a given revolver that isn't ideal for a given task, but if I needed one "jack of all trades" wheelgun, I'd probably look for a 19/66/686/GP-100 with a four inch barrel as my ideal. If that gun won't get it done, there isn't much that will.

old bear · August 18, 2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

I'm with JamesK, you need to be a little more specific. Best revolver of all-time for what: Hunting large and dangerous animals, personal protection, competition, reliability, ease of concealment, accuracy, value, collect-ability, or… ?
What's the best car of all-time? boat? plane?

IMHO, the Smith and Wesson Registered Magnum followed closely by the M-27's made until 1980.

For practical use the Smith and Wesson L frame .357 Magnum revolvers, closely followed by the Combat Magnum.

BarryLee · August 18, 2011, 01:40 PM

I'll play: S&W Model 66 not too big, but big enough...

Microgunner · August 18, 2011, 01:48 PM

Colt 1873 SAA and S&W 5 screw K frame.
Like the Webleys also.

dgludwig · August 18, 2011, 01:50 PM

I agree with those that voted for the Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum as being the best revolver ever.

Old Grump · August 18, 2011, 01:50 PM

I do not know how to define the parameters of best overall. The best I can do is name the one that I want the most and few others would. A colt Walker made of modern materials, a bonus would be a spare cylinder for smokeless powder cartridges. I know its to big and to heavy but I love the look and the concept, way ahead of its time but it can be tweaked to perfection. Besides when I shoot black powder I like to make lots of smoke and this one certainly qualifies as a smoke pole.

Zhillsauditor · August 18, 2011, 01:52 PM

Easy question: the one you just bought. Here are the two I walked home with yesterday:
S&W 686P

and the 617

only1najeep · August 18, 2011, 02:07 PM

I vote GP100, SP101, or Blackhawk, depending on what the situation the Revolver is needed for.

Buzzcook · August 18, 2011, 02:18 PM

The one I'm shooting.

youngunz4life · August 18, 2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Best how? Best target revolver for US style bullseye shooting? Best target revolver for European style shooting? Best revolver for SASS? Best revolver for concealed carry? Best revolver for police service use? Best revolver for military use? Highest price revolver sold as a collectible? Highest price production revolver? And so on.

Next post, ask something easy, like what is the best kind of woman/man to marry.

Jim

Thanx for your input - I know it is tough, and that is why I didn't even attempt to clarify this issue more than I did in my original post:

Quote:

This thread isn't a drive-by. The title speaks for itself. I wish I knew the answer to the question when you consider any & every variable.

Slopemeno · August 18, 2011, 03:01 PM

IMHO the plain ol' pencil barreled Smith and Wesson Model 10. Even back in the day it was a tremendous value considering the cost and what you received. Still is, too.

BigJimP · August 18, 2011, 03:05 PM

Smith and Wesson Model 27 ....in .357 mag / preferably a dash 2 version...in either 4" or a 6" barrel.....( can't have just one ) ...

..and preferably in Nickel.

Nothing wrong with a K frame S&W ...but they're not N frames...!

Magnum Wheel Man · August 18, 2011, 03:06 PM

Winchester_73 · August 18, 2011, 03:40 PM

One of the N frame 357s, like mine...my favorite frame and caliber, so it has to be the best.

FrankenMauser · August 18, 2011, 03:45 PM

S&W Pre-29, 29, 629.

Or...
The Chiappa Rhino.

August 18, 2011, 12:21 PM	#1
youngunz4life Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,877	Best revolver of all-time? This thread isn't a drive-by. The title speaks for itself. I wish I knew the answer to the question when you consider any & every variable. __________________ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -Admiral Farragut @ Battle of Mobile Bay 05AUG1864

August 18, 2011, 12:29 PM	#3
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	For me, it's a toss-up between the Ruger GP-100 and it's big brother, the Redhawk. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway."

August 18, 2011, 12:39 PM	#7
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Colt Peacemaker __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

August 18, 2011, 12:51 PM	#8
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	That's easy,,, Smith & Wesson K-frame,,, Pick your flavor. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

August 18, 2011, 01:10 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	S&W Model 19. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 18, 2011, 12:25 PM	#2
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	S&W Registered Magnum. And I'm a fan of the Python.

August 18, 2011, 12:30 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Best how? Best target revolver for US style bullseye shooting? Best target revolver for European style shooting? Best revolver for SASS? Best revolver for concealed carry? Best revolver for police service use? Best revolver for military use? Highest price revolver sold as a collectible? Highest price production revolver? And so on. Next post, ask something easy, like what is the best kind of woman/man to marry. Jim

August 18, 2011, 12:33 PM	#5
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	S&W 686 S&W Model 19

August 18, 2011, 12:36 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I'm with JamesK, you need to be a little more specific. Best revolver of all-time for what: Hunting large and dangerous animals, personal protection, competition, reliability, ease of concealment, accuracy, value, collect-ability, or… ? What's the best car of all-time? boat? plane?

August 18, 2011, 12:53 PM	#9
temmi Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 531	Well you gotta ask "for What" The Ruger Blackhawk comes to mind first.. Then the Super Redhawk... (480 Ruger) Then the S&W J Frame... In that order.

August 18, 2011, 01:22 PM	#11
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	I'd go with a S&W K frame, but I'll probably be contrarian and say the Model 66, just because I prefer stainless revolvers. Or maybe the 686, because the L frame can take a steady diet of magnums, or maybe even the GP-100, because it does what the 686 can do, but at a lower price. You can always find something about a given revolver that isn't ideal for a given task, but if I needed one "jack of all trades" wheelgun, I'd probably look for a 19/66/686/GP-100 with a four inch barrel as my ideal. If that gun won't get it done, there isn't much that will.

August 18, 2011, 01:40 PM	#13
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	I'll play: S&W Model 66 not too big, but big enough... __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

August 18, 2011, 01:48 PM	#14
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	Colt 1873 SAA and S&W 5 screw K frame. Like the Webleys also. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

August 18, 2011, 01:50 PM	#15
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I agree with those that voted for the Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum as being the best revolver ever. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

August 18, 2011, 01:50 PM	#16
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I do not know how to define the parameters of best overall. The best I can do is name the one that I want the most and few others would. A colt Walker made of modern materials, a bonus would be a spare cylinder for smokeless powder cartridges. I know its to big and to heavy but I love the look and the concept, way ahead of its time but it can be tweaked to perfection. Besides when I shoot black powder I like to make lots of smoke and this one certainly qualifies as a smoke pole. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

August 18, 2011, 01:52 PM	#17
Zhillsauditor Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Posts: 635	Easy question: the one you just bought. Here are the two I walked home with yesterday: S&W 686P and the 617

August 18, 2011, 02:07 PM	#18
only1najeep Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: MS Posts: 157	I vote GP100, SP101, or Blackhawk, depending on what the situation the Revolver is needed for. __________________ Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6. NRA basic rifle instructor NRA basic shotgun instructor NRA range safety officer

August 18, 2011, 02:18 PM	#19
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	The one I'm shooting.

August 18, 2011, 03:01 PM	#21
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	IMHO the plain ol' pencil barreled Smith and Wesson Model 10. Even back in the day it was a tremendous value considering the cost and what you received. Still is, too.

August 18, 2011, 03:05 PM	#22
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Smith and Wesson Model 27 ....in .357 mag / preferably a dash 2 version...in either 4" or a 6" barrel.....( can't have just one ) .....and preferably in Nickel. Nothing wrong with a K frame S&W ...but they're not N frames...!

August 18, 2011, 03:06 PM	#23
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	__________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 18, 2011, 03:40 PM	#24
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	One of the N frame 357s, like mine...my favorite frame and caliber, so it has to be the best. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

August 18, 2011, 03:45 PM	#25
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	S&W Pre-29, 29, 629. Or... The Chiappa Rhino. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.