If you could keep only one revolver...

[coach22]

Ruger Stainless Speed Six 2.75 inch 357.

coach22

 

[m.pieroni]

S&W model 19-2 (not cataloged 3 inch)

 

[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...

 

[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

 

[ironvic]

S&W 686+ (or...hmmmmm...)

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).