Best Classic Revolvers

marklyftogt · April 20, 2012, 12:42 AM

I just bought a s&w model 66-7. I absolutely love the accuracy and feel of the revolver as opposed to the XD9 I have.

Next purchase will be a classic revolver.

Anyone care to share their most favorite older gun?

I am not crazy about the big boomers but open to take a look at anything.

Thanks!

dnsharpshooter · April 20, 2012, 01:31 AM

Smith and Wesson Model 10, probably the most classic .38 special out there. It was originally the Smith and wesson m&p before the model number system came about in the late 50s. millions of these guns were made and it is still in production (not cheap though, around $800 MSRP). budsgunshop has police trade in model 10s right now for $269. i bought one (you can find my thread towards the bottom of the revolver page) and i love it. probably will never get rid of it.

GM2 · April 20, 2012, 03:03 AM

I have several revolvers but one of favorites is my classic Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece . One of the best 22's made and a tack driver indeed.

10-96 · April 20, 2012, 03:27 AM

.38-.44 Outdoorsman/Heavy Duty or 1917 for my pre-war opinion. Post war? That would be hard to tell- 25-2, 28, 19, 17, 15, 14? They're all fantastic. Tough call.

Pathfinder45 · April 20, 2012, 03:32 AM

I once owned a Colt SA .45 that was made in 1902. It perhaps was the best hadling and shooting handgun as any I have used. It certainly had the most charisma. Regrettably, it is gone.

kcub · April 20, 2012, 04:23 AM

Great thread!

The Colt Python has to be on anybody's short list.

bossman · April 20, 2012, 06:16 AM

S&W 36-1, A 3 inch nickel plated j-frame in 38 spl. Fun little gun and shoots great.

bds32 · April 20, 2012, 06:37 AM

There are a lot of good classics from Colt, S&W, and Ruger to choose from.

My favorite in double action is the model 27 or as known before model numbers, The .357 magnum.

In single action, a 1st or 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army is about as classic as it can get IMO.

Doug Bowser · April 20, 2012, 07:03 AM

Mine are S&W Models 10,14 and 28. All of them are great.

Doug

Coogs · April 20, 2012, 08:11 AM

Single action? I'd go with Ruger Flattop, unconverted if possible. Doble action, even though I AM a Ruger nut, the feel of a Colt Python is just.....well....how about, wonderful! I just can't believe/won't pay what they are bringing right now. Coogs.

Budda · April 20, 2012, 08:21 AM

Python or Dimondback.

jglsprings · April 20, 2012, 08:24 AM

Well, I'd recommend an N frame Smith in any caliber that you like. (I would go with a shorter barrel lengths) truly a classic in their own right or a Colt Python (again in a 4") the pinnacle of revolvers.

I love the Python, they are so stinking expensive though. So with that in mind, if you want a Python buy it now. They are only going to get more expensive.

If you find a Ruger that trips your trigger they are fine weapons as well. I have never had any problem with the Ruger, I just don't care for the styling of them. YMMV.

Above all - shoot before you by. Make sure you like the revolver/caliber combination that you buy.

Jeff #111 · April 20, 2012, 10:28 AM

Well there is that classic blue collar revolver the Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I no longer own the 6" model, but the 4" is still with me. I had both of them refinished. It's a Parkarized finish with a teflon coating. Very strong.

But if you want a .38 Spl revolver there is the Colt Officer Model Target. Mine was made in 1941. It's the same lockwork that is in the Python. This particular example has a glassy smooth action - without the stacking effect that Colt's older DA is known for. and even though it's seventy years old it's a real tack driver. Very impressive.

And finally there is the Smith & Wesson 38/44 Heavy Duty (later known as the Model 20). This one was made in 1937. Also a very accurate revolver and the action is very smooth. That classic Smith & Wesson "Long Action" which went away in the late 40's.

black mamba · April 20, 2012, 10:31 AM

I think the greatest classic revolver of all time is the S&W pre-WWII Registered Magnum. This was basically a hand-built N-frame .357 magnum, the equal of a $1,500 custom made today. I had a 1939 5" blue model, but sadly it was burglarized from my home while at work 20 years ago.

Jeff #111 · April 20, 2012, 10:49 AM

Oh man that's harsh. Several years ago I participated in a warrant service on a burglary suspect. Among the many stolen items we recovered in his house were several firearms. One of the stolen firearms was a beautiful and very expensive Westley Richards 12 gauge boxlock shotgun with the drop in lock feature. I ran the serial number and it was in the system. Stolen out of Arkansas. How in the heck it got into Idaho was a story in it's own right.

Well anyway I was able to get in touch with the owner - who had expected to never see it again. After the case was adjudicated he flew up to Idaho to reclaim the shotgun in person.Can't blame him. That shotgun was valued at approximately $45,000.

He had already made arrangements to send it to the Westley Richards store in Helena to have it thoroughly checked out by the company. Anyway he was a real nice retired businessman who obviously had money. Despite our objections he took me and another detective out to lunch and paid for it. He didn't want anything in return. Just wanted to say thanks.

That's one of my best experiences that I've ever had as a police officer.

rclark · April 20, 2012, 03:22 PM

And here I thought I'd see some 'truly' classic revolvers like the Colt SAA (my pick for 'the' classic revolver) , or a Schofield top break, an original Colt Walker, or ....

. At a gun show last year I got to handle an original 1860 Colt used in the Civil War.... Classic ... but way way way out of my price range. Regretfully had to set it back down, but so cool to handle a piece of history wondering where it was used...

Quote:

Next purchase will be a classic revolver.

My vote would then be a SAA Colt in .45 Colt or .44/40 . Can't get any better for a classic older gun.... Wish I could afford one.

dgludwig · April 20, 2012, 06:21 PM

"Classic" revolvers that I'll never part with include a Smith & Wesson Model 25-2, chambered in .45 ACP, a Smith K-38 made in 1955, a Smith Model 28, made in the late seventies, a Colt Cobra, chambered in .38 Special, made in 1965 and a Colt Officers Special, chambered in .38 Special and made in 1952.
They sure don't make them like they used to...

Jeff #111 · April 20, 2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

And here I thought I'd see some 'truly' classic revolvers like the Colt SAA (my pick for 'the' classic revolver) , or a Schofield top break, an original Colt Walker, or .... . At a gun show last year I got to handle an original 1860 Colt used in the Civil War.... Classic ... but way way way out of my price range. Regretfully had to set it back down, but so cool to handle a piece of history wondering where it was used...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One mans classic is another man's "old" revolver.

thedaddycat · April 20, 2012, 08:10 PM

I really like my S&W Model 36.... how "classic" it is would be entirely a matter of opinion

. This one was made in 1970.

Dave T · April 20, 2012, 08:47 PM

For me the "classic" Smith & Wesson is the first N-frame. It came out about 1907 with Smith's new cartridge, the 44 Special. I'm speaking of the 1st Model 44 Hand Ejector, the New Century or more commonly the Triple Lock.

This one happens to wear one of my favorite barrel lengths for the N-frames, 5 inches and it was reblued, making it affordable for me.

Dave

KyJim · April 20, 2012, 09:31 PM

I have several of the classic revolvers mentioned on this thread. I really like the SW K-frames for just plain fun to carry and shoot. I like either the Model 10 or the Model 15, basically the adjustable sight version of the M10.

Casimer · April 20, 2012, 10:39 PM

+1 on the Model 15. I've got a bunch of older S&W's and Colts and that's become my favorite shooter. Mine looks like an old pair of blue jeans, but fortunately none of the earlier owner had messed with the action and so it's broken-in naturally. What's impressive is that despite the obvious signs of use, the action and general mechanical condition are still excellent.

Winchester_73 · April 20, 2012, 11:22 PM

...bet you can't have just one!

But how can you pick just one? :P

Its like asking a woman to pick her favorite shoes. Except with guns, they actually maintain value!

A few for the younger whippersnapper....these were how it used to be, before these new fangled glocks, magnums, black rifles.

Then you have Colt vs S&W...

Colts

S&W

decisions....decisions....decisions

Jeff #111 · April 21, 2012, 09:48 AM

Smith & Wesson M&P Model of 1899. One of the first ones made for 38 Spl - 1902. One of the last ones made without the ejecter rod locking lug. Missing the correct ejector rod end piece. Other than that in very good shape. Now this is a classic.

marklyftogt · April 21, 2012, 12:43 PM

I will take one of each! Thanks for all the great ideas and pictures!

April 20, 2012, 03:03 AM	#3
GM2 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Southeast, USA Posts: 350	I have several revolvers but one of favorites is my classic Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece . One of the best 22's made and a tack driver indeed. __________________ Good character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. Last edited by GM2; April 21, 2012 at 03:07 AM.

April 20, 2012, 03:27 AM	#4
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	.38-.44 Outdoorsman/Heavy Duty or 1917 for my pre-war opinion. Post war? That would be hard to tell- 25-2, 28, 19, 17, 15, 14? They're all fantastic. Tough call. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

April 20, 2012, 03:32 AM	#5
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	COLT I once owned a Colt SA .45 that was made in 1902. It perhaps was the best hadling and shooting handgun as any I have used. It certainly had the most charisma. Regrettably, it is gone.

April 20, 2012, 06:16 AM	#7
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	S&W 36-1, A 3 inch nickel plated j-frame in 38 spl. Fun little gun and shoots great. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

April 20, 2012, 07:03 AM	#9
Doug Bowser Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Posts: 163	My classics Mine are S&W Models 10,14 and 28. All of them are great. Doug Last edited by Doug Bowser; April 22, 2012 at 02:23 AM.

April 20, 2012, 12:42 AM	#1
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	Best Classic Revolvers I just bought a s&w model 66-7. I absolutely love the accuracy and feel of the revolver as opposed to the XD9 I have. Next purchase will be a classic revolver. Anyone care to share their most favorite older gun? I am not crazy about the big boomers but open to take a look at anything. Thanks!

April 20, 2012, 01:31 AM	#2
dnsharpshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ Posts: 212	Smith and Wesson Model 10, probably the most classic .38 special out there. It was originally the Smith and wesson m&p before the model number system came about in the late 50s. millions of these guns were made and it is still in production (not cheap though, around $800 MSRP). budsgunshop has police trade in model 10s right now for $269. i bought one (you can find my thread towards the bottom of the revolver page) and i love it. probably will never get rid of it.

April 20, 2012, 04:23 AM	#6
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Great thread! The Colt Python has to be on anybody's short list.

April 20, 2012, 06:37 AM	#8
bds32 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 481	There are a lot of good classics from Colt, S&W, and Ruger to choose from. My favorite in double action is the model 27 or as known before model numbers, The .357 magnum. In single action, a 1st or 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army is about as classic as it can get IMO.

April 20, 2012, 08:11 AM	#10
Coogs Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2012 Location: NW Pennsylvania Posts: 109	Single action? I'd go with Ruger Flattop, unconverted if possible. Doble action, even though I AM a Ruger nut, the feel of a Colt Python is just.....well....how about, wonderful! I just can't believe/won't pay what they are bringing right now. Coogs.

April 20, 2012, 08:21 AM	#11
Budda Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 446	Python or Dimondback. __________________ ...They have the internet on computers now....-Homer Simpson-

April 20, 2012, 08:24 AM	#12
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	Well, I'd recommend an N frame Smith in any caliber that you like. (I would go with a shorter barrel lengths) truly a classic in their own right or a Colt Python (again in a 4") the pinnacle of revolvers. I love the Python, they are so stinking expensive though. So with that in mind, if you want a Python buy it now. They are only going to get more expensive. If you find a Ruger that trips your trigger they are fine weapons as well. I have never had any problem with the Ruger, I just don't care for the styling of them. YMMV. Above all - shoot before you by. Make sure you like the revolver/caliber combination that you buy. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

April 20, 2012, 10:28 AM	#13
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	Well there is that classic blue collar revolver the Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I no longer own the 6" model, but the 4" is still with me. I had both of them refinished. It's a Parkarized finish with a teflon coating. Very strong. But if you want a .38 Spl revolver there is the Colt Officer Model Target. Mine was made in 1941. It's the same lockwork that is in the Python. This particular example has a glassy smooth action - without the stacking effect that Colt's older DA is known for. and even though it's seventy years old it's a real tack driver. Very impressive. And finally there is the Smith & Wesson 38/44 Heavy Duty (later known as the Model 20). This one was made in 1937. Also a very accurate revolver and the action is very smooth. That classic Smith & Wesson "Long Action" which went away in the late 40's.

April 20, 2012, 10:31 AM	#14
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	I think the greatest classic revolver of all time is the S&W pre-WWII Registered Magnum. This was basically a hand-built N-frame .357 magnum, the equal of a $1,500 custom made today. I had a 1939 5" blue model, but sadly it was burglarized from my home while at work 20 years ago.

April 20, 2012, 10:49 AM	#15
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	Oh man that's harsh. Several years ago I participated in a warrant service on a burglary suspect. Among the many stolen items we recovered in his house were several firearms. One of the stolen firearms was a beautiful and very expensive Westley Richards 12 gauge boxlock shotgun with the drop in lock feature. I ran the serial number and it was in the system. Stolen out of Arkansas. How in the heck it got into Idaho was a story in it's own right. Well anyway I was able to get in touch with the owner - who had expected to never see it again. After the case was adjudicated he flew up to Idaho to reclaim the shotgun in person.Can't blame him. That shotgun was valued at approximately $45,000. He had already made arrangements to send it to the Westley Richards store in Helena to have it thoroughly checked out by the company. Anyway he was a real nice retired businessman who obviously had money. Despite our objections he took me and another detective out to lunch and paid for it. He didn't want anything in return. Just wanted to say thanks. That's one of my best experiences that I've ever had as a police officer.

April 20, 2012, 06:21 PM	#17
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	"Classic" revolvers that I'll never part with include a Smith & Wesson Model 25-2, chambered in .45 ACP, a Smith K-38 made in 1955, a Smith Model 28, made in the late seventies, a Colt Cobra, chambered in .38 Special, made in 1965 and a Colt Officers Special, chambered in .38 Special and made in 1952. They sure don't make them like they used to... __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

April 20, 2012, 08:10 PM	#19
thedaddycat Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2011 Posts: 388	I really like my S&W Model 36.... how "classic" it is would be entirely a matter of opinion. This one was made in 1970.

April 20, 2012, 08:47 PM	#20
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,456	For me the "classic" Smith & Wesson is the first N-frame. It came out about 1907 with Smith's new cartridge, the 44 Special. I'm speaking of the 1st Model 44 Hand Ejector, the New Century or more commonly the Triple Lock. This one happens to wear one of my favorite barrel lengths for the N-frames, 5 inches and it was reblued, making it affordable for me. Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret

April 20, 2012, 09:31 PM	#21
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I have several of the classic revolvers mentioned on this thread. I really like the SW K-frames for just plain fun to carry and shoot. I like either the Model 10 or the Model 15, basically the adjustable sight version of the M10.

April 20, 2012, 10:39 PM	#22
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	+1 on the Model 15. I've got a bunch of older S&W's and Colts and that's become my favorite shooter. Mine looks like an old pair of blue jeans, but fortunately none of the earlier owner had messed with the action and so it's broken-in naturally. What's impressive is that despite the obvious signs of use, the action and general mechanical condition are still excellent.

April 20, 2012, 11:22 PM	#23
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	its kind of like Ruffles... ...bet you can't have just one! But how can you pick just one? :P Its like asking a woman to pick her favorite shoes. Except with guns, they actually maintain value! A few for the younger whippersnapper....these were how it used to be, before these new fangled glocks, magnums, black rifles. Then you have Colt vs S&W... Colts S&W decisions....decisions....decisions __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

April 21, 2012, 09:48 AM	#24
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	Smith & Wesson M&P Model of 1899. One of the first ones made for 38 Spl - 1902. One of the last ones made without the ejecter rod locking lug. Missing the correct ejector rod end piece. Other than that in very good shape. Now this is a classic.

April 21, 2012, 12:43 PM	#25
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	I never thought this would be easy... I will take one of each! Thanks for all the great ideas and pictures!

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