[DMK]

What would it be?

(has to be one you already own or plan to buy very soon)

[Iggy]

Looking at it from a practical aspect, I would keep my 6" S&W Mdl 28, but from a sentimental outlook, it would have to be my S&W Mdl 58.

We went to the mountain, saw the elephant, and came back together.

[Old Dog]

Piece of cake -- my 4" S&W blued Model 19-4.
Superbly accurate, stone cold reliable, perfect balance, easily concealable and beautiful to boot ...

[Slugless]

6" S&W M28. For both sentimental and practical reasons.

[RNB65]

GP100, 4", Stainless.

[Just Jim]

This is difficult and I have to think about it... I guess a 22 Diamondback. I really like my 25 Smith 45acp alot but the Diamondback is the baby.

jj

[XD-40 Shooter]

Taurus Tracker 7 shot 357 mag. This thing has been nothing short of awesome through 2000 rounds, its a tackdriver.:D

[keyboard commando]

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/pistola_photo/357Magnum.jpg;)

[461]

For now it's the 4" GP-100 but the 4" Redhawk is catching up quick.

[Texas Colt]

Easy question... 4" Colt King Cobra .357 mag. It's a great all-around gun!

[Majic]

Since I reload I would have to say a .41 mag and specifically my Dan Wesson since I can tailor the barrel length for the intended purpose at hand.

[velojym]

4" Stainless GP100

[ugaarguy]

Right now it would be my 3" model 65. If I have some custom work done to a my 45 Colt chambered N Frame, namely having Pinnacle High Performance or another shop machine the cylinder to accept full moon clipped .45 ACP & still headspace 45 Colt it might become the one.

[Legionnaire]

GP100, 4", Stainless.Ditto.

[cslinger]

Well truly if it came down to it I have a couple of sentimental firearms that would stay only because of sentimental value.

For all practical purposes if I could only have one revolver it would be my Smith and Wesson 681PC.

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/1035681PC2.JPG

[Will5A1]

Man that is a tough one, but if it came down to it I'd have to choose between the Victory from my Dad or his Model 36.

[alde]

It would have to be my S&W 696. It's a 3" L-Frame 44 Spl. It's very accurate, easy to shoot well and 44 Spl will take care of anything from small/medium game hunting to self defense from man or beast (except large beast of course). It also CCW's well in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j137/alde711/SW696-1.jpg

[nicholst55]

Only one? :what:

I'd have to think long and hard, but it would be either my M24 S&W .44 Special, my 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt, or my 4-5/8" Super Blackhawk .44 Mag.

[Constantine-p89]

Ill answer in a few days when I buy one.

[TRP1]

my 500 Smith:D

[JustsayMo]

5.5" Ruger New Vaquero in 45 Colt.

[DMK]

Hmm, interesting. I'd have expected some J-frame CCWs in this list.

For me it would have to be my SP101. My Model 642 would be second choice. I'd have to go with practical, though I'd really hate giving up my Model 28 or my Vaquero, or my Single Six, or my... etc, etc

[bluecowdawg]

:)6 inch stainless GP100

[6_gunner]

S&W 1917. I just love that gun!

[warriorsociologist]

6" 686-4+

[parisite]

My Taurus 455, 45acp wheelgun

[Bearhands]

19-4 Combat Magnum, 4" Blued

[22-rimfire]

Blue 4" Model 57 Smith. It can do everything. I view this as one revolver that you don't want to live without. My second choice is a 4" Blue Colt Diamondback 22.

[slow944]

Colt Python DOB: 1982 6" Blue. Didn't have to think twice.

[ashtxsniper]

S&W 686 4" 357 mag

[mainebear]

S&W 27-6 Love that gun!

[Brian Williams]

Just one, it would be my custom S&W 65 with a 4" standard barrel and cut for moonclips.

[jamz]

One of my snubbies, probably the 340PD. I don't carry any of the others.

[jad0110]

One I don't have yet: a 3" 357 Mag, either a S&W K Frame or Ruger Security/Service/Speed six.

Though honestly, I couldn't do without ANY of my wheelies!

[sfhogman]

Feet to the fire, it's my Smith 620. It's a Performance Center graduate, and I just love it.

[sdj]

:eek:

I'd have to say the 442; It's the fave carry. Would really miss the 625, though. :(

As for missing what I don't yet own: SP101 or 686+ 2".

Tough crowd!

[Wayne"O"]

6"686 but what about my blackhawks my 44M my .22s one gun not in this lifetime

[Beachcomber]

That's a tough question to answer as I own revolvers in several calibers and barrel lengths. :confused:

Without knowing the exact purpose which this revolver would be used for... I would probably have to choose my 2-1/2" S&W Mod 66. as I think it would cover most of the purposes that I would require of the "only" handgun that I could keep. (Concealment, accuracy, large selection of ammunition, and a weather resistant finish.) :scrutiny:

[Redhawk 44]

SP101 2.25 BBL and DAO. Very accurate, last forever without repairs, easy to conceal, has tuned action and packs an authorative punch. For everything else I would use my 308.

[UnTainted]

My Smith 460 6.5" performance center. If I could only have 1 revolver, autoloaders could do everything I "needed" (heaven forbid this ever happen) except for what the 460 does.

plus it shoots 45 cold and 454

[Lewis Wetzel]

Easy question....3" Smith Mod. 13 (.357) with a 3" barrel...MAYBE the 2 1/2 Mod. 66 ((.357).....then again, maybe the 6" Mod. 629......What ONE gun? What kind of a question is THAT, eh?

[Old 112]

Only One.

45 Blackhawk twin cylinder.
The 30/06 of revolvers in my opinion.
Bunnies to Bandits to Bull Elk.

I will squirrel away my 19s, 15s, GPs, and Tauri, but don't tell anyone.

Old 112

[Roswell 1847]

.32 S&W Handejector is the best cartridge revolver I own at the moment.
Best BP Revolver I own is my customised 1851 Navy and if I had to chose between the two I might just pick the Navy, though it has no where near the market value of the Handejector. I've got it pretty much perfect and its as accurate as a target pistol, swings on target like pointing a finger and is much easier to draw quickly. More powerful and much more deadly than the .32. If I got a conversion cylinder it could serve double duty and be more reliable for self defense.
Been thinking about making my own .38 long conversion using my spare cylinder , and a spare hammer salvaged from a broken brass framed Navy , by making a recoil shield with loading gate and firing pin then modifying the spare hammer if necessary.
I'd want it easy to return to original condition for BP shooting.
Tests of classic Military revolvers showed that Colt Navy revolvers converted to .38 long were the most accurate cartridge revolvers ever issued by the US military.

Were I to go shopping for another revolver I'd pick the model 19. I've shot a few of those and they are pretty much perfect for what I'd want one for.

Dream gun would be a factory nickeled 38/40 Colt Bisley a fellow showed me once years ago. He was in his eighties at the time and had bought the gun during the depression, it was the only handgun he'd ever owned or wanted to own. Having handled that beauty I can see why.

[ThinkingDog]

S&w 4" 686

[Sgt.Dusk]

Taurus Tracker 6" .357
Bought that a month ago and fell in love instantly.

[Blue4]

S&W Model 624 Horton Special 3" .44Special. Carry it everyday.

[Shawnee]

Ruger 3-screw .22 Single-Six Convertible.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/FiveO/22SS62.jpg

[ArchAngelCD]

Feet to the fire, it's my Smith 620. It's a Performance Center graduate, and I just love it.
sfhogman,
A Performance Center M620??? I didn't know they made such a beast! I know it's not a catalog item so I'm guessing you sent it in for work. I had a M619 which i should have never sold but that's for another thread.

Do you have pics?? YOU MUST POST SOME PICS!!! :D

[JohnKSa]

The first gun I owned. A Ruger GP100 stainless, 4" with adjustable sights.

[Ala Dan]

Probably, my Smith & Wesson model 442 .38 Special~! Why? Cuz it has my
first name DAN in the serial number~! ;) Made especially for me. :D

[Bellevance]

Gotta be a .357 however you cut it. 686+ in 6-inch.

[aka108]

Probably my old 5 screw S&W K-22. Had it since 1948 or 49.

[Rexster]

No need to even think about it; my 4" GP100 with adjustable sights. The 4" .357 sixgun can be concealed, and yet can be used for self-defense and hunting. Moreover, this particular sixgun and I shared a very memorable experience almost fifteen years ago, that resulted in my continued existence will all portions of my anatomy intact.

[glockman19]

S&W 686 4" .357 mag
or
S&W 629 5" .44 mag

[Brassman]

6" Blued GP 100 for accuracy or M&P 340 for concealability? I'd just have to shut my eyes and pick.

[Black Adder LXX]

Another one for the GP100 4" in stainless.

[Walkalong]

I would jump up and down, raise cain, and then, if I could not get my way, I guess it would be my Redhawk in .44 Mag.

Not necassarily my favorite, although it's up there, but very versatile, since I have to keep only one. :banghead:

I still have my Kimber CDP II for carry. They did not say I could not keep ALL my auto's. :D

[10-Ring]

Hmmm...I'd have a tough time choosing between my newest wheelguns, my S&W model 17-2 or my Blue Colt Python circa 1969. Now if I could keep one Colt & one Smith, my problem would be solved.

[TimM]

2 1/2" Blue Colt Python.

[Katana8869]

Ruger GP100 3"

[HuntAndFish]

Gosh, I guess it would be a 4" S&W M66-1. Tough call though.

[marlin1888]

My Colt Python .357 Mag. Action like glass (single and double), very accurate, and still mean looking after all these years!

[KrankyKraut]

S&W Mod. 19 4".

[jibjab]

I really can't decide right now, it's between the S&W 696 and a S&W 36. The m-36 I carry more often but the 696 is one of my favorite to shoot and carried less often :confused: I don't like this thread :cuss: And then there's the .357's what about them :banghead:

[Arcticfox]

It would have to be my S&W 696. It's a 3" L-Frame 44 Spl. It's very accurate, easy to shoot well and 44 Spl will take care of anything from small/medium game hunting to self defense from man or beast

+1 What a gun!

[kildar]

Smith and Wesson 686 6"

[Tom Servo]

Either the S&W M66 or 696, depending on whichever one I can hide from Feinstein and Co more easily :eek:

The 66 is my target gun, but I find the 696 to be just as accurate. It's my daily carry, and .44spl is a powerful and versatile round.

HOWEVER, the 66 (.357/.38) has the advantage of widespread ammo availability.

Man, that's a head-scratcher.

[Sport45]

My Dan Wesson 15-2 would be in my hand.

Of course my Chief's Special would be in my back pocket and I'd be warning you not to try and take any of my other wheelguns...

[ewayte]

4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk convertible (.357/9mm).

[00blkgt]

My o my this is an interesting thread. I don't know which one but I would consider one of these.
625 4" S&W
28 4" S&W
19 2" S&W
15 4" S&W
15-2 6" Dan Wesson
44 Mag 6" Dan Wesson

[kludge]

Ruger .357 Service Six 4" Blue.

But if I could buy/afford to have made a .45 Colt Redhawk 4-5", it would be that.

[Redhawk1]

That was a tough one, but I would have to say my S&W 460 Mag.

[DMZ]

M29 3" .44 Mag.

It has just been with me for so long.

[SoonerSP101]

2.25" Ruger SP101

[19-3Ben]

My 3 1/16" bbl SP101 in .357mag.

I've written about that gun multiple times here, but as others have pointed out, they'll do anything depending on how you load 'em. Right now it is still laying next to the bed in HD mode from last night. But I am going to leave in 10 minutes, and it'll be on my hip. Man I love that thing. Best $450 I ever spent on hardware.

[coach22]

Ruger Stainless Speed Six 2.75 inch 357.

coach22

[m.pieroni]

S&W model 19-2 (not cataloged 3 inch)
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa296/mpieroni/M19-2.jpg

[22-rimfire]

I find this an interesting thread... remember "only one". Those that feel carry is of primary importance choose a small revovler and people that shoot in the woods, home defense, and target tend to choose a larger caliber 4-6" barreled revolver. The in-betweeners choose a 4" 357. Guess I'm one of those although it was a 4" 41 mag Smith Model 57 (previously posted).

As much as I like 22's, it would be hard to give up 22's forever over any mag. Wish you said "only two". :)

[madmattmd]

I dearly love all my S&W revolvers and my Dan Wesson 715-2V, but, if it came down to one, I’d have keep my Dan Wesson 15-2V Pistol Pack (2, 4, 6, & 8 inch barrels).

and, DAYYYMMMM! M. Pieroni, that Model 19-2 with a 3" barrel to too sweet!

Matt

[BikerRN]

One gun? Man this is a tough question.

It would be either my 3" GP100 or 5" 686+ if I decided to stick with the .357 caliber. If I could get a gunsmith friend to "re-do" a gun for me, and I found a 45 LC cylinder I'd have my 45 ACP Revolver reworked in to a 45 LC. That would be the one I would keep, as long as I could change the cylinders to take advantage of both calibers.

Biker

[Rexster]

22-rimfire, I agree on it being difficult to not choose a .22 LR over a magnum. I am old enough to see that magnums are becoming less fun to shoot, and certainly more expensive. As for my choice of .357, it was based on the lack of really large critters in Texas, the South, and Southwest. I am sure that if I walked among living relics of the Pleistocene, I might have chosen a heavier sixgun, and I do have a couple of them. But, remembering Phil Shoemaker's recent article in one of the Wolfe Publications magazines, on back-up handguns for Alaska, I see that a properly-loaded .357 is far from useless even in that environment. Edited to add: Phil Shoemaker is an experienced Alaskan guide. Please note I did not say he uses the .357 himself in Alaska.

[SWMAN]

4" 686

[cowboy117]

My S&W 640-1. :)

[DMK]

Wow, I'm really surprised there aren't more SP101s or J-frames on this list.

[AKCOP]

mdl 66 2.5"

[Redhawk1]

I use my Revolver for hunting, that is why I would pick a larger revolver.

[gcrookston]

Guess I would just have to toss a coin...

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9130/dsc00100ry3.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00100ry3.jpg)
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5340/dsc00049cb2.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00049cb2.jpg)
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1420/dsc000579qb.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000579qb.jpg)

[Rexster]

DMK, if Ruger made a 4" SP101, or even better a 5" SP101, with true adjustable sights, windage and elevation, that would be a great little "only" revolver. I am sure a talented 'smith could convert one, of course, if the owner had a thick wallet. The SP101 fits my hand about as well as a service-sized sixgun. The J-smith is a mite small for an all-around revolver, for me. Edited to add: This does not change my earlier choice of 4" GP100 with adjustable sights.

[Evocatii]

This is a hard one to answer, but I would have to go with the 4" 686+.

[still442]

My initial response was, "well obviously the 686"...

BUT, I prefer to carry a revolver, and my 640-1 is with me all the time. I can always keep the .45 around the house.

So I'll go with the steel J-frame 640-1, .357 magnum.

[Wolfgang2000]

Ruger GP-100 in 357.

I carried different model S&W for most of my career. But after I shot a Ruger GP-100, well it just felt right.

[nerfsrule2]

My first gun A S&W model 29 .44mag six inch in blue. Sorry to my later acquisitions; A Colt 22 Diamondback or 357 Python but I Gotta keep my First...

[Dallee]

My 4 inch S&W Mod 57 in Ni. All I'll ever need. ;)

[GaryP]

From a sentimental perspective my 1980 vintage Charter Arms Bulldog 3" .44
It is my Primary CCW most of the time.

However, as a practical matter I would opt to keep my Ruger 2.25"
Magna-ported SP101 .357 Mag

Decisions, Decisions -- and the keeper is

Ruger SP101 2.25" Magna-Ported .357 Mag :D


:evil:

[ironvic]

I like the 686 Plus in 2.5" persuasion, but for practicality and all 'round general use it would have to be my 6" Colt Trooper MkIII stuffed in a nice El Paso Saddlery holster. Classic good looks and deep blue win the day, along with superb accuracy and the 6" barrel gets the most out of the .357 Mag.

ironvic

[earplug]

I own a 4 inch full lug 45 ACP 625, If I only had one, I'd put a TI cylinder on it and possibly a Mountain Gun tapered barrel or just mill part of the underlug off. Bore the factory cylinder out for some 45 magnum such as the Rowland round. That should cover Carry, power and USPSA/IDPA shooting and practice.

[jakk280rem]

i'd have to go with my 4" s&w 586-1.

[harbinger_j]

Ruger GP100 Stainless 4" barrel

[Landlocked Pirate]

Hard to choose between my S&W 66 4" or my S&W 65 3". For my purposes, probably the 3 incher.

[IrvJr]

S&W Model 60 .38/.357. Compact, yet fairly easy to shoot. Reliable, accurate and pretty potent. Not too expensive to feed (I reload .38 specials).

[Gunfighter123]

Only one ??? Well ,it would have to be my S&W 610 with the 5" brl. -- I have shot over 10,000 rounds in IPSC , Bowling Pins and plinking with it and ya just gotta love a 10 M/M !!!
I end up having all my firearms "slicked up" and/or highly customized ---- my 610 is DA only -- same as my 625.
I will try to post a photo later tonight.
Stay safe -- GF123

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

My ruger gp100 in my opinion (I own 7 other rugers and in the past a couple S&W's) would outlast any handgun made, it would definitely be the one I keep.:evil:

[amprecon]

Since it's the only one I own at the moment It'd be this one a S&W Model 10-5:


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=68491&d=1196827335

[22-rimfire]

That was an easy choice, amprecon. :)

[sloman]

Toss up between my Smith 686 4" and my Ruger SP101 3"

[Sun195]

Hmmm.... as much as I like my S&W 686 4", I'd probably keep my S&W 60 3" instead. 686 is more practical, but I just like the 60 better.

[coosbaycreep]

S&W 29 with a 6 1/2" barrel, although, I might someday trade/sell it to get one with a 4" barrel.

[mbkmkk]

S&W 627 5" .357 mag
or
S&W 629 5" .44 mag
or
S&W 29 4" .44 mag

This is hard!

[nitesite]

Without a doubt my 4" Smith&Wesson Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman .357 Magnum.

It's capable of doing everything from casual plinking to CCW to hunting, and everything else I can possibly imagine.

[nitesite]

amprecon~

You do realize that the grips on that revolver, if they are original, are worth far more than the gun itself....

But please don't separate them from that Model 10.

You might be holding on to a real treasure.

[19-3Ben]

Nitesite, care to share some insight here?

[kludge]

Ruger .357 Service Six 4" Blue.

But if I could buy/afford to have made a .45 Colt Redhawk 4-5", it would be that.

Lookie what I found !!!

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5027&return=Y

[nitesite]

Originally posted by 19-3Ben
Nitesite, care to share some insight here?

Well, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration.

The 10-5 was made around 1962, and K-frame diamond grips from that era have sold for a hundred dollars and higher. Some N-Frame Target diamond grips I have seen sold for upwards of $600.

A lot of those grips were pulled off the gun way back when Pachmayers and other were found to be more comfortable, left in a drawer, then discovered recently and put up for sale. They oftentimes were serial numbered with the original gun. Sadly, many got separated from their parent firearm.

Those grips are in very nice condition and would sell for a lot more than some might think, although not as high as their older cousins.

[Jomax]

My Ruger SP101 .357 snubbie.

[tubeshooter]

As much as I love my .38 snub, I would have to say SP101 also (.357, 3 inch). Just more versatile.

[amprecon]

I don't know for sure if those are the original grips, I assume they are. I bought the gun as is and have not changed a thing to it, really haven't planned to either. I like it just the way it is.

[fastbolt]

Thought about it for years.

Always kept arriving at the same split decision.

Depending on where I'd be living & using the revolver, including under what daily conditions ...

It would be either a 'medium-bore' .357 Magnum or a 'large-bore' .44 Magnum.

Traditional Double Action (although I find Single Action fine for general outdoors/field use).

Barrel length of 4 - 6 1/2".

For ease of maintenance and durability my first choice would be a Ruger, either my 4" .357 Magnum Service-Six Heavy Barrel, or my Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2" .44 Magnum.

My second choice would be a S&W 66 or a 629. I wouldn't mind a 686, and would even prefer it over the 66 for durability, but I don't own one at the moment.

Now, oddly enough, the revolvers I've found the most useful for daily defensive carry in recent years are a number of J-frames. ;)