Who makes the best revolvers now-a-days?

[kerreckt]

Ruger GP's and SP's own both and they are well built and will last a lifetime of hard use.

 

[Guillermo]

or the current company calling itself S&W will be purchased by a gun company

Thaddeus cuts to the chase

 

[snooperman]

+1 on the Freedom Arms guns. I bought the model 83 in 357 magnum with a 9" barrel several years ago and it is the most accurate gun I have. I have taken many deer and wild boar with it. That said, the Ruger Blackhawks can not be beaten for the money. The FA guns start at about $2000 now. I too wish they would make a double action gun. For double action I would buy the older S&W , Colts, and for target shooting long range, Dan Wesson.

 

[MrBorland]

I agree the best current revolver would be something from Freedom Arms, but those are single action. If FA made a double action revolver, I, too, would snap one up in a heartbeat.

In DA revos, S&W & Ruger. Newer S&Ws may not have the fit and finish of the older ones, and they may have The Lock and MIM parts, but they shoot as well as (or better than) their older siblings, and they tune up at least as well. When I look for a shooter, I go for one of the newer S&Ws.

 

[fastbolt]

Even if we like to feel nostalgic about them, the "good old days" produced some problematic revolvers. Just because they involved a lot more hand-controlled machine operations for the parts, and hand fitting, that doesn't necessarily mean it was always done well.

I've certainly owned my fair share of older S&W, Colt & Ruger revolvers that weren't exactly functioning at the high end of the optimal (hopeful) quality range. Some NIB older S&W's required repair, or at least corrections, before they'd work normally. Some of my older Rugers required repair, too.

I had enough opportunity to listen to a previous S&W and Colt revolver armorer complain about keeping oloder wheelguns running well (including some 70's vintage blued Pythons issued as service revolvers, especially if they'd been fired with a lot of Magnum loads, instead of +P qual ammo).

I've seen my fair share of older S&W revolvers that had rough fitting and finish inside (even if they had nice exterior finishes), or had been fitted at the ragged end of normal spec.

Nowadays we can benefit from some better metallurgy (and heat treating).

At least with the newer S&W revolvers they're offering a lifetime (to the original owner) warranty which includes free shipping.

 

[CraigC]

you cannot buy a new quality revolver these days

You did it again.

Some folks forget that single actions are revolvers too. Unfortunately you cannot buy a new DA as good as the best revolvers on the market, which are all single actions from USFA, Freedom Arms and Colt (past few years). The DA market has been gobbled up by the "dishwasher-safe, rubber gripped, stainless steel, as cheap as I can get it" generation.

 

[weblance]

The Ruger GP100 and SP101 are all the quality you will ever need. Your grandchildren will be shooting them when you are a long gone memory.

 

[CraigC]

The Ruger GP100 and SP101 are all the quality you will ever need.

Depends on what you're looking for.

 

[snooperman]

Well stated CraigC, I share your opinion that the FA, U.S.Firearms,and Colts are much better made than their double action cousins. Two years ago I bought a U.S. Firearms birdshead sheriff's model in 45 colt, and the workmanship, and finish is superior to any double action on the market. The same is true of my Colt and FA guns as well. Yes, one has to pay for that quality, but at least it is available.

 

[JM Browning]

S&W 686+ performance center. Try it you'll like it

 

[Old Dog]

There are a number of revolver guys for whom I hold much respect (Jerry Miculek comes to mind) who believe that S&W is currently putting out some pretty good revolvers. While I love my 36s/60s/19s/66s/29s -- I find the current 627 Pro and 686 Deluxe to be damn fine revolvers in their own right, superb lock-up, excellent triggers and remarkable accuracy (although I, like many of you, do despise the ugly pimple on the sideplate for both its looks and what it stands for while still not quite fully comfortable with key parts of MIM).

 

[buck460XVR]

At least with the newer S&W revolvers they're offering a lifetime (to the original owner) warranty which includes free shipping.

Good friend of mine that shot Colt 1911's in national competition for his Guard unit for 20 years had a nice collection of Colt revolvers. We've spent many a Sunday afternoon shooting handguns together. After having a hard time finding parts and someone to fix one of them a while back, he sold all of them except for a LNIB Python he intends to give to his first born grandson. Most were sold on GB, but a few were sold at the LGS he now works at since he retired. He did quite well since demand for Colt revolvers makes for a seller's market. From the proceeds, he bought a collection of various new S&W revolvers and registered them in his 22 year old son's name. Said for the rest of his and the rest of his son's life, neither will have to worry about findin' parts or a smith to work on them. Makes sense to me.

If one is looking for a quality new DA revolver to shoot, Ruger and S&W are fine choices. Both are very well made, reliable and accurate for the price point and the customer base they are intended for. I know there are some here that consider themselves above that point, and for them there is no answer other than Korth when looking at new production. The rest of us can be well served by either of the other options. Customer service for both companies is great. MIM parts altho used by both are a non-issue as the process has been proven to work well. New production models shoot just as accurately and have longer life expectancies/round counts than many of the models that proceeded them. If one is really into shooting their DA revolvers and not just fondling them and reminiscing about the good old days of hand fit parts, the targets will speak for themselves.

 

[roaddog28]

For me in the current crop of revolvers it would be Ruger. I have bought two brand new ones this year and have no complaints.
Howard

 

[DennisE]

I've owned 40 smith revolvers all but a handful were new. They never failed me, never had to be repaired, have always bee accurate as hell, They are great guns! Dennis

 

[three-fifty-seven]

Ruger, and Freedom Arms.

 

[TennJed]

I like to buy all assortments of semi autos. Many great companies. I only buy Ruger revolvers

 

[harvester]

If a single action is acceptable the Single Action Army is still available as well as an adjustable sight Colt single action.

 

[Guillermo]

You did it again.

geez

you cannot buy a new quality double action production revolver these days

 

[Jhamblen86]

If you get a new production revolver. Go with a performance center smith. Can't go wrong with a piece a man has touched and made it his personal project.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Have to agree that it is hard to find a top quality DA revolver in current production, closest would be the Smith and Wesson PC guns. I would consider buying one.

Korth is still in business I think, and they certainly don't use injection molded parts... of course they also cost $5K. Which pretty much makes them unobtanium for 99% of people.

I also wish that FA would make a DA revolver, hell they have the aptitude for high precision and quality workmanship. Just not sure what kind of realistic market there would be for a $2K double action wheel gun. As others have noted the world of DA revolvers has degenerated into the rubber grips, dish washer safe, lowest common denominator range of products. Sad.

 

[CraigC]

There are a number of revolver guys for whom I hold much respect (Jerry Miculek comes to mind) who believe that S&W is currently putting out some pretty good revolvers.

Who are paid very well to say that. And they get whatever guns they need gratis from S&W. Sponsors are a wonderful thing that not too many of us enjoy.

 

[Old Dog]

Surprised it took so long before someone said this. Have you any familiarity with just how many rounds Miculek shoots competitively? The need for his revolvers to be supremely reliable and accurate? He doesn't say much about his guns; his performance with them says it all. I know competitive shooters who pay for their own revolvers, and their choice is overwhelmingly S&W -- new production revolvers. I think that most who bitch about the current state of S&W revolvers are simply repeating by rote the complaints about the lock and the use of MIM. Those who actually have a substantial body of experience with current production S&W revolvers aren't complaining too much ...

The question was "who makes the best revolvers nowadays" and I'm gonna interpret that as factory production DA revolvers (the SA revolver market is a niche, a fraction of the DA market), so I'm gonna go with S&W. The company is so much more innovative that Ruger with regard to revolvers, it's not even close. More interesting offerings, more accuracy, better-looking and more ergonomic ...

Having said that, I'll pick up a clean K-frame made in 1967 over any new production 686 in a heartbeat, any day of the week ...

 

[mnrivrat]

I think several companies can, and do, put out some very nice revolvers.

Smith & Wesson still being a strong competetor for top quality guns. I don't personaly care for Rugers but that is not because I think they lack anything in quality. I have a couple Taurus revolvers that I am very satisfied with as well.

 

[Guillermo]

I know competitive shooters who pay for their own revolvers, and their choice is overwhelmingly S&W -- new production

Because they have no choice unless they want a Ruger or a Taurus.

Having said that, I'll pick up a clean K-frame made in 1967 over any new production 686 in a heartbeat, any day of the week

Because you are not a competitive shooter...so you choose the better gun over the one easily fixed "in the pits"

 

[azgsmith]

Yup , hes right . older is better

An older S&W does not have the key safety and over all the fit and finish is better. Ruger revolvers are just about bullet proof but they tend to be heavy and kind of klunky, but they work and keep working.