Which revolver has the legendary status?
- Thread starter TexasGunbie
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I have to go with a Colt SSA in .45 Colt for the SA and the S&W M29 for the DA.
Why? In it's time the Colt was the most popular, reliable handgun out there. It's points naturally and fires a powerful but controllable round and was easy to pack.
The DA is a little toughter and the Python and the 29 both made the final cut, but the nod went to the big Smith. It blazed new ground in the handgun world. It gave all of us a reasonably priced revolver that you and I could hunt with. It's not often you have the chance to hold a pice of history in your hands and with both the Colt and the Smith you can.
1-Colt SAA
2-S&W M29
3-Colt Python
4-Ruger Blackhawk
Why? In it's time the Colt was the most popular, reliable handgun out there. It's points naturally and fires a powerful but controllable round and was easy to pack.
The DA is a little toughter and the Python and the 29 both made the final cut, but the nod went to the big Smith. It blazed new ground in the handgun world. It gave all of us a reasonably priced revolver that you and I could hunt with. It's not often you have the chance to hold a pice of history in your hands and with both the Colt and the Smith you can.
1-Colt SAA
2-S&W M29
3-Colt Python
4-Ruger Blackhawk
roaddog28
Member
SA Colt Peacemaker.
DA S&W M&P 38 special or Model 10.
Howard
DA S&W M&P 38 special or Model 10.
Howard
CajunBass
Member
Colt Single Action Army
Smith&Wesson M&P/Model 10
Smith&Wesson M&P/Model 10
I'm still baffled that not many are recognizing the model 10/ M&P revolvers. A few have in a round about way mentioned the K frame Smith.
The 1911 is legendary to me not because of how many cowboy movies it was in, or how big and bad it is, but more or less because it has been the most popular gun/ type/ design in its class for about 100 years.
The only revolver that can really claim the same is the is the K frame Smith & Wesson , model 10, M&P .38SPC. Take your pick on name as it progressed through the years.
I guess maybe the reason is beacause it is just a plain jane revolver in .38SPC. The fact is though there is no other revolver that can claim the success, popularity, and widespread use as the M&P/ Model 10. That is fact I would challenge anyone to dispute. It is so well known I'm not sure it is worth finding a source to cite. It is common knowledge.
These other revolvers are all "cool", but don't really scream legendary. Guns are all cool, but they are also tools. Their proven reliability and universal acceptance don't even compare to the 1911 or the model 10.
If you want the legendary gun don't look at Dirty Harry... look at police departments, military contracts (for purchasing weapons), production numbers, and how many other companies copied the design, and continue to do so.
The Model 10, formerly the M&P, is essentially the baseline standard for a revolver recognized worldwide from 1899 to present. That is a gun design that has survived during three centuries and is still mass produced to this very day.
The 1911 is legendary to me not because of how many cowboy movies it was in, or how big and bad it is, but more or less because it has been the most popular gun/ type/ design in its class for about 100 years.
The only revolver that can really claim the same is the is the K frame Smith & Wesson , model 10, M&P .38SPC. Take your pick on name as it progressed through the years.
I guess maybe the reason is beacause it is just a plain jane revolver in .38SPC. The fact is though there is no other revolver that can claim the success, popularity, and widespread use as the M&P/ Model 10. That is fact I would challenge anyone to dispute. It is so well known I'm not sure it is worth finding a source to cite. It is common knowledge.
These other revolvers are all "cool", but don't really scream legendary. Guns are all cool, but they are also tools. Their proven reliability and universal acceptance don't even compare to the 1911 or the model 10.
If you want the legendary gun don't look at Dirty Harry... look at police departments, military contracts (for purchasing weapons), production numbers, and how many other companies copied the design, and continue to do so.
The Model 10, formerly the M&P, is essentially the baseline standard for a revolver recognized worldwide from 1899 to present. That is a gun design that has survived during three centuries and is still mass produced to this very day.
Steve_NEPhila
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The Smith and Wesson Model 10 heavy barrel. The model 10 HB was about as close to the universal police revolver as one can get. Go back 20+ years and every major department in the US and quite a few abroad carried them. They are rugged, reliable, all business and are very very accurate. My vote, the Smith and Wesson Model 10, heavy barrel:
For the double action revolver, I think the Smith and Wesson M29 is pretty legendary, but I'm pretty sure you could group in similar guns like the Ruger Redhawk.
Single action, my vote goes to the Walker Colt, with the SAA/Peacemaker coming in second
Single action, my vote goes to the Walker Colt, with the SAA/Peacemaker coming in second
Sevenfaces
Member
the single most legendary revolver is the Peacemaker. I would say the Smith M29 is second, thanks to dirty harry, and in third I would place the Colt Python.
BHP FAN
Member
OK, I agree with the 1911, and Colt SAA, but WHY has no one mentioned the .45 acp S&W 1917?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Got to say the Colt Detective Special has been used in more movies & books then all the Pythons combined. Dick Tracy & Humphry Bogart made them world famous.
Only Pythons I can think of were used by the bad cop in the Dirty Harry movie, Hutch on the Starsky & Hutch TV show, and Bill Cosby in Mother, Jugs & Speed.
Then
Only Pythons I can think of were used by the bad cop in the Dirty Harry movie, Hutch on the Starsky & Hutch TV show, and Bill Cosby in Mother, Jugs & Speed.
Then
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BCRider
Member
I'd also suggest that the term "Detective Special" has been used SOOOOO often that it's come to denote any snubby small frame revolver be it a Colt, S&W or likely any companies small snub nose blue finished gun. That linkage being different from pretty much any of the same guns from any maker in nickel plating that automatically are known as "Saturday Night Specials". Movies and books have presented us with this sterotype for so long that it's pretty much a given at first glance by anyone not actually in the shooting sports. And certainly that would include most movie producers, book and script authours and the vast majority of the movie and book reading population.
EastKY_DO
Member
SA - Colt Peacemaker
DA - Colt Police Positive (Barney Fife's sidearm)
DA - Colt Police Positive (Barney Fife's sidearm)
oldbear
Member
I believe there are several. Smith and Wesson Registered Magnum, the M-27, the Colt Python, Colt 1911, and Browning High Power.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Not revolvers though.
If you include auto's, the Luger & Walther PPK & P38 would have to be up there in world wide legendary status & recognition.
rc
Erik M
Member
SA: Colt SAA, Peacemaker
DA: S&W 29, Colt Diamondback
DA: S&W 29, Colt Diamondback
Absolutely.
Olympus
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We need to quantify the statement a little bit. Does "legendary status" mean that it has to be made popular in television or movies? I see a lot of comments based around a particular model's popularity on televison and movies, and I would have to say that doesn't necessarily make it "legendary".
m500'92
Member
Peacemaker and S&W Model 10, thinking it must be the most popular DA?
Lucky Derby
Member
Robert Blake used a "pinto" Python in "ElectraGlide in Blue." Avery Brooks carried a nickel 8" Python as Hawk in "Spenser for Hire", Brodie Greer as CHP officer Berry Barickza drew a 4" on Danny Bonaduce in an episode of "CHiPs".
Lucky Derby
Member
Barney carried a Colt Official Police in most episodes. Sometimes he carried a M10.SA - Colt Peacemaker
DA - Colt Police Positive (Barney Fife's sidearm)
Lucky Derby
Member
I would say for SA it would have to go to the Colt SAA: AKA The Peacemaker
DA probably the "Detective Special" or a M29.
DA probably the "Detective Special" or a M29.
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