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Revolver guys: If you could own only one revolver... read OP

15176 Views 227 Replies 176 Participants Last post by jkallner, 3 mo ago

Sheepdogged

Discussion Starter · 12 mo ago

If you could own only one revolver, but you didn't need it to be a j-frame for concealment, what would you buy?

I'm asking because I am not a revolver guy, but I'd love to own one mostly just to have one. I have plenty of concealed carry semi-autos, and though I am not against carrying a revolver (I would), I don't necessarily need it to be concealable (or very concealable). I just want a cool revolver to make me a more well-rounded shooter because I've never owned one. I would like it to be practical enough for self-defense, and it should be carryable appendix in a pinch, but I wouldn't need to pocket carry it, per se.

Thanks in advance.

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Double Tap

· #2 · 12 mo ago

Sheepdogged said:
If you could own only one revolver, but you didn't need it to be a j-frame for concealment, what would you buy?

I'm asking because I am not a revolver guy, but I'd love to own one mostly just to have one. I have plenty of concealed carry semi-autos, and though I am not against carrying a revolver (I would), I don't necessarily need it to be concealable (or very concealable). I just want a cool revolver to make me a more well-rounded shooter because I've never owned one. I would like it to be practical enough for self-defense, and it should be carryable appendix in a pinch, but I wouldn't need to pocket carry it, per se.

Thanks in advance.

You said it doesn't have to be concealable therefore it would have to be a S&W Model 19. It's the only gun I regret getting rid of

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Sheepdogged

Discussion Starter · #3 · 12 mo ago

Double Tap said:
You said it doesn't have to be concealable therefore it would have to be a S&W Model 19. It's the only gun I regret getting rid of

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That's actually the gun that was on my mind when I wrote the post. Former FBI Special Agent in Charge, Ted Gunderson, carried a Model 19 even after he retired. He referred to it as his "Combat Magnum". I looked it up and discovered the FBI issued it to certain agents, and when they switched to other revolvers and eventually semi-autos, it was said the one regret agents had was giving up their Model 19 Combat Magnum.

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Amigo

· #4 · 12 mo ago

S&W 686. I still have the I bought in 1983. Sweet.

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CodeSection

· #5 · 12 mo ago

I own a couple of pre-internal lock S7W 686s. Today, I would not buy any revolver with an internal lock. There have been occurrences, while rare, where the internal lock malfunctioned and locked while shooting. Then there is the political issue of S&W caving into political gun pressure when they faced a financial crisis.

You did not mention a caliber. Ruger's GP-100 comes in different calibers. FWIW, I carry an SRH Alaskan .44 Mag in a chest holster when out at night in my CO backyard due to black bears.

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GoneBallisticInAlabama

· #6 · 12 mo ago

Going to be hard to AIWB any revolver much more substantial that a J-Frame snubby.

I would say the most versatile, "practical" in your words, would be a 4" S&W 686. You can choose from a HUGE variety of .38 Special and .357 Magnum, practice, target and defense loads. Stainless steel for easy care.

I only have two revolvers. A 4" 686-3 and my TALO S&W 6.5" 629 Deluxe (.44 Special/.44 Rem Magnum). I got them for "options" in caliber. Good quality guns that will shoot maybe the largest selection of off-the-shelf ammo on the market.

Those were my choices, made for practical reasons.

Ruger makes some good, very strongly built revolvers. Don't overlook those.

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Adjutant

· #7 · 12 mo ago

S&W 586 Classic....wouldnt give it a second thought

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Vanquish

· #8 · 12 mo ago

No doubt it would be my S&W 686. I've had mine for about 27 years and have put many thousands of rounds through it. It's a fantastic revolver, very accurate, and a blast to shoot.

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RWLawrence

· #9 · 12 mo ago

Ya, had a smith 19 back in the 70’s, that was one gun I wish I’d never sold.

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bumper

· #10 · 12 mo ago

I guess I'd take a Colt SAA Generation 1, in good to excellent condition. I'm not really very much of a revolver guy, though I carried a Colt Python on the department for 10 years. Talk about knowing you had to make the first 6 count, this was before speedy loaders, and the department was even slow to approve those. We were out gunned and we knew it - really dumb that those in position to make those decisions were so mired in tradition.

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Sheepdogged

Discussion Starter · #11 · 12 mo ago

GoneBallisticInAlabama said:
Going to be hard to AIWB any revolver much more substantial that a J-Frame snubby.

I would say the most versatile, "practical" in your words, would be a 4" S&W 686. You can choose from a HUGE variety of .38 Special and .357 Magnum, practice, target and defense loads. Stainless steel for easy care.

I only have two revolvers. A 4" 686-3 and my TALO S&W 6.5" 629 Deluxe (.44 Special/.44 Rem Magnum). I got them for "options" in caliber. Good quality guns that will shoot maybe the largest selection of off-the-shelf ammo on the market.

Those were my choices, made for practical reasons.

Ruger makes some good, very strongly built revolvers. Don't overlook those.

Good advice. What does the "3" mean in 686-3? I also have seen people write Model 19-3 or some other number hyphenated after the model number. What does it all mean? Is it a version number like a Glock generation or something?

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tommyh

· #12 · 12 mo ago

1. Manurhin MR73, 3 or 4 inch. If not, 2. Smith and Wesson Model 65 or 19. If not, 3. Smith and Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum. If not, Smith and Wesson TRR8/M&P R8.

I love me a good SAA, cartridge conversion, or top break, but if you're talking one revolver, I think a modern DA/SA is the way to go.

Reactions: 3

tommyh

· #13 · 12 mo ago

Sheepdogged said:
Good advice. What does the "3" mean in 686-3? I also have seen people write Model 19-3 or some other number hyphenated after the model number. What does it all mean? Is it a version number like a Glock generation or something?

That's more or less correct. Dash numbers refer to changes made within a specific model line.

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SMISSCCJ

· #14 · 12 mo ago

S&W model 13, 19 or maybe a Ruger Security six

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imbue

· #15 · 12 mo ago

686 4"

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icecolenh

· #16 · 12 mo ago

686+.

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jazzman001

· #17 · 12 mo ago

Personally, I would pick a Colt Python 4"

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Kihlevippen

· #18 · 12 mo ago (Edited)

If money isn't an obstacle then I'd buy a Korth, but for the versatility I'd go with a regular S&W 586/686 (6-shot). Easy to find parts and tune. Plus holsters and speedloaders are abundant.

Reactions: 4

Sudsc61

· #19 · 12 mo ago

The only revolver I have left is my 2” Rhino.357.Uses the lowest cylinder so it shoots from middle of the pistol and reduces muzzle flip. Great shooter. I would also consider the Kimber K6S. But concealment is a big consideration for me. No more pistols I can’t carry.

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challer61

· #20 · 12 mo ago

Korth
Already have two 686

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