[tex_n_cal]

A tough choice...I have owned a variety of them, currently a 629 Classic and a 50th anniversary M27 grace the safe.

[444]

To me, this is a slam dunk.
The Registered Magnum.
Everything else is just a garden variety Smith. These were handcrafted to the owners specifications. It may be the finest handgun they ever made. Even the PC stuff isn't anywhere near the quality of the stuff made back then.
I don't own one and probably never will. I could give you my faviorite that I actually own, I could give you my faviorite current production model, but you didn't ask for that.

[Mike Irwin]

There's the first, and then there's everything else.

Registered .357 Magnum.

[C.R.Sam]

As above.
1935 registered,
Tailored to taste.

Sam

[Randy63]

The Registered .357.

Here's a pic of my 6 incher from 1937.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/055485.JPG

and my 6.5 incher from 1935
http://www.hunt101.com/img/050295.JPG

Randy

[444]

S W E E T

[seeker_two]

First has to be the Triple Lock....

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/sw_triple_lock.jpg

Second is the Registered Magnum (see above posts)....

Third is the S&W 1917....

http://www.sixguns.com/galleries/da_images/da02.jpg

But the rest are cool, too...:cool:

[JNewell]

The original .357 Magnum (registered, not because of the collectibility but just because that's how they started). This is where the factory first met the field in the quest for handgun power. I think it was a turning point. It is tempting to vote for the original .44 Magnum, but the .357 Magnum was the precedent.

[Litlman]

"Registered"!!!!!!! Also known as the "Holy Grail" of S&W!!!!

[Tamara]

The Registered Magnum is the king mack daddy of revolvers, period.

Someday, one will be mine...

[BigG]

Even though all the good people have voted for the 357 MAGNUM, I have to advance the case for the good old 44 MAGNUM. It's my favorite.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=538258

[WESHOOT2]

IMNSHO the M19 from S&W gave the shooting world the most..............

[Grey54956]

Sorry, I have to go with my 586. I love it so much...

(However, if I had a Registered .357, it would be the grandest. But, don't tell my 586... It would break its heart...):D

[Poohgyrr]

HAH !!! ALL of them ;)......

The early, blued, .357's are definitely sweet. But it is extremely close between them and the early, blued, .44 Specials. Picking between a 3.5" .357 and a 4" .44 Special is an exercise in frustration.....

[Mike Irwin]

oops, never mind... :o

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Just to play the Devil's Advocate here-

I voted for the S&W 629 .44 magnum and its variants!:D

As my 5" 629-5 "Classic" is one of the best of
current production models.:uhoh:

But, like most other folk's the .357 Registered Magnum
remains supreme.:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[M58]

1. Reg. Mag.
2. 3.5" M27
3. M58
:D

[jar]

Registered

[tex_n_cal]

Interesting, I thought it would be a tossup between the registered mag and Dirty Harry's .44:)

Considering that most of us have never handled a registered mag, I thought some variation of the .44 would be up there, not the L frame (good as they are)

[10-Ring]

I have limited experience w/ revolvers but I used to say the 686 just epitomized the S&W revolver. Not too long ago, I picked up a mod 19 and that has surpassed the 686...in my book any way ;)

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Absolutely- a registered .357 Magnum. My Grail...

[caz223]

Confining the discussion to magnum rounds, and having shot many n-frame, and L-frame smiths, I'd have to say that my favorite of all time is the N-frame .41 magnum (6)57.
I do think, however that my 5" 627 six shooter shoots fine, too.
If you've never handled a six shot (6)27 you are really missing out, they are really impressive. Out of proportion, in a very good way, the way that appeals to the portion of the brain that likes chocolates, and sports cars that rev to 9000+ RPM, and go three times the legal speed limit.
Stuff that makes me :D like that is never out of style.
It's a pity that I've never met up with a registered magnum, but I suspect that I wouldn't want to shoot it once I bought it.
I guess an old 27 is the closest I want to get to one...

[Majic]

The .357 only raised the mid bore up to the potential of the larger .44 and .45 calibers. The .44mag actually raised the bar on power levels making a true magnum, so I voted for the pre-M29.