Best Classic Revolvers

M

marklyftogt

New member
I just bought a s&w model 66-7. I absolutely love the accuracy and feel of the revolver as opposed to the XD9 I have.

Next purchase will be a classic revolver.

Anyone care to share their most favorite older gun?

I am not crazy about the big boomers but open to take a look at anything.

Thanks!
 
Smith and Wesson Model 10, probably the most classic .38 special out there. It was originally the Smith and wesson m&p before the model number system came about in the late 50s. millions of these guns were made and it is still in production (not cheap though, around $800 MSRP). budsgunshop has police trade in model 10s right now for $269. i bought one (you can find my thread towards the bottom of the revolver page) and i love it. probably will never get rid of it.
 
I have several revolvers but one of favorites is my classic Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece . One of the best 22's made and a tack driver indeed.
 
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.38-.44 Outdoorsman/Heavy Duty or 1917 for my pre-war opinion. Post war? That would be hard to tell- 25-2, 28, 19, 17, 15, 14? They're all fantastic. Tough call.
 
COLT

I once owned a Colt SA .45 that was made in 1902. It perhaps was the best hadling and shooting handgun as any I have used. It certainly had the most charisma. Regrettably, it is gone.
 
There are a lot of good classics from Colt, S&W, and Ruger to choose from.

My favorite in double action is the model 27 or as known before model numbers, The .357 magnum.

In single action, a 1st or 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army is about as classic as it can get IMO.
 
Single action? I'd go with Ruger Flattop, unconverted if possible. Doble action, even though I AM a Ruger nut, the feel of a Colt Python is just.....well....how about, wonderful! I just can't believe/won't pay what they are bringing right now. Coogs.
 
Python or Dimondback.

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Well, I'd recommend an N frame Smith in any caliber that you like. (I would go with a shorter barrel lengths) truly a classic in their own right or a Colt Python (again in a 4") the pinnacle of revolvers.

I love the Python, they are so stinking expensive though. So with that in mind, if you want a Python buy it now. They are only going to get more expensive.

If you find a Ruger that trips your trigger they are fine weapons as well. I have never had any problem with the Ruger, I just don't care for the styling of them. YMMV.

Above all - shoot before you by. Make sure you like the revolver/caliber combination that you buy.
 
Well there is that classic blue collar revolver the Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I no longer own the 6" model, but the 4" is still with me. I had both of them refinished. It's a Parkarized finish with a teflon coating. Very strong.
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But if you want a .38 Spl revolver there is the Colt Officer Model Target. Mine was made in 1941. It's the same lockwork that is in the Python. This particular example has a glassy smooth action - without the stacking effect that Colt's older DA is known for. and even though it's seventy years old it's a real tack driver. Very impressive.
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And finally there is the Smith & Wesson 38/44 Heavy Duty (later known as the Model 20). This one was made in 1937. Also a very accurate revolver and the action is very smooth. That classic Smith & Wesson "Long Action" which went away in the late 40's.
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I think the greatest classic revolver of all time is the S&W pre-WWII Registered Magnum. This was basically a hand-built N-frame .357 magnum, the equal of a $1,500 custom made today. I had a 1939 5" blue model, but sadly it was burglarized from my home while at work 20 years ago.
 
Oh man that's harsh. Several years ago I participated in a warrant service on a burglary suspect. Among the many stolen items we recovered in his house were several firearms. One of the stolen firearms was a beautiful and very expensive Westley Richards 12 gauge boxlock shotgun with the drop in lock feature. I ran the serial number and it was in the system. Stolen out of Arkansas. How in the heck it got into Idaho was a story in it's own right.

Well anyway I was able to get in touch with the owner - who had expected to never see it again. After the case was adjudicated he flew up to Idaho to reclaim the shotgun in person.Can't blame him. That shotgun was valued at approximately $45,000.

He had already made arrangements to send it to the Westley Richards store in Helena to have it thoroughly checked out by the company. Anyway he was a real nice retired businessman who obviously had money. Despite our objections he took me and another detective out to lunch and paid for it. He didn't want anything in return. Just wanted to say thanks.

That's one of my best experiences that I've ever had as a police officer.
 
And here I thought I'd see some 'truly' classic revolvers like the Colt SAA (my pick for 'the' classic revolver) , or a Schofield top break, an original Colt Walker, or .... :) . At a gun show last year I got to handle an original 1860 Colt used in the Civil War.... Classic ... but way way way out of my price range. Regretfully had to set it back down, but so cool to handle a piece of history wondering where it was used...

Next purchase will be a classic revolver.
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My vote would then be a SAA Colt in .45 Colt or .44/40 . Can't get any better for a classic older gun.... Wish I could afford one.
 
"Classic" revolvers that I'll never part with include a Smith & Wesson Model 25-2, chambered in .45 ACP, a Smith K-38 made in 1955, a Smith Model 28, made in the late seventies, a Colt Cobra, chambered in .38 Special, made in 1965 and a Colt Officers Special, chambered in .38 Special and made in 1952.
They sure don't make them like they used to...:(
 
And here I thought I'd see some 'truly' classic revolvers like the Colt SAA (my pick for 'the' classic revolver) , or a Schofield top break, an original Colt Walker, or .... . At a gun show last year I got to handle an original 1860 Colt used in the Civil War.... Classic ... but way way way out of my price range. Regretfully had to set it back down, but so cool to handle a piece of history wondering where it was used...
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One mans classic is another man's "old" revolver. ;)
 
For me the "classic" Smith & Wesson is the first N-frame. It came out about 1907 with Smith's new cartridge, the 44 Special. I'm speaking of the 1st Model 44 Hand Ejector, the New Century or more commonly the Triple Lock.

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This one happens to wear one of my favorite barrel lengths for the N-frames, 5 inches and it was reblued, making it affordable for me.

Dave
 
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