Best revolver ever....I hope this is not too boring or too general
- Thread starter Doc Hoy
- Start date
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I don't know... I wouldn't mind having a couple of those ( rifles included ) 
bedbugbilly
New member
Hey Doc - good to see your post!
I doubt that I can answer the question very well but I do have revolvers ranging from C & B up through new Rugers.
A lot of folks will point to the Python as the "one" - and as far as feel, mechanics, etc. I'd probably have to agree. BUT, I have one and personally, don't care for it as I don't like all the iron hanging out front. For me it was an investment and pretty much a safe queen but I have to admit, it does shoot well and the parts do seem to mesh nicely!
At last count, I think I have around 14 or 15 revolvers ranging from the C & B up to new Rugers - I have Smiths, Colts, Heritage, Ruger, etc.
Maybe it's just nostalgia on my part . . .but ifI had to choose just one, it would be my 1952 S & W M & P 5" 38 spl. (precursor to your Model 10). They were certainly made over a wide time span but to me, they just feel right and my personal opinion is that the years from the tees up through the 50s was the "prime revolver time". (Not limiting it to Smiths as Colt and others made good guns - but that is a personal choice thing).
Maybe it's because there was more "hand fitting, assembly" back then and people had good machining skills and work ethics? I was in college with NC was first being thought of and we had a pneumatic NC mill (an antique now). With today's NC machining, it would seem that better tolerances and finish could be achieved but instead, I see many different brands of firearms where the fit and finish is just "so so". Yes, increased production time means increased cost - but most of the guns I see today - unless run through a custom shop and I'm including Smith's, etc. - they are functional but I don't' feel have the "pride in the appearance" as those made in the teens to the 50's or 60's.
But then we live in a "throw away" society now and young people don't even know what it is to darn a sock or can their food.
I doubt that I can answer the question very well but I do have revolvers ranging from C & B up through new Rugers.
A lot of folks will point to the Python as the "one" - and as far as feel, mechanics, etc. I'd probably have to agree. BUT, I have one and personally, don't care for it as I don't like all the iron hanging out front. For me it was an investment and pretty much a safe queen but I have to admit, it does shoot well and the parts do seem to mesh nicely!
At last count, I think I have around 14 or 15 revolvers ranging from the C & B up to new Rugers - I have Smiths, Colts, Heritage, Ruger, etc.
Maybe it's just nostalgia on my part . . .but ifI had to choose just one, it would be my 1952 S & W M & P 5" 38 spl. (precursor to your Model 10). They were certainly made over a wide time span but to me, they just feel right and my personal opinion is that the years from the tees up through the 50s was the "prime revolver time". (Not limiting it to Smiths as Colt and others made good guns - but that is a personal choice thing).
Maybe it's because there was more "hand fitting, assembly" back then and people had good machining skills and work ethics? I was in college with NC was first being thought of and we had a pneumatic NC mill (an antique now). With today's NC machining, it would seem that better tolerances and finish could be achieved but instead, I see many different brands of firearms where the fit and finish is just "so so". Yes, increased production time means increased cost - but most of the guns I see today - unless run through a custom shop and I'm including Smith's, etc. - they are functional but I don't' feel have the "pride in the appearance" as those made in the teens to the 50's or 60's.
But then we live in a "throw away" society now and young people don't even know what it is to darn a sock or can their food.
Pond James Pond
New member
Never shot one, never held one, never seen one in the flesh, never likely to shoot one, but by Jove I like the look of Matebas!!
Jim Watson
New member
Gee, 5-Shots, I had never heard of an Olmi revolver, so I looked it up. Kind of an Eyetalian Dan Wesson. I inquired about a US dealer.
Mostly an issue of personal preference. I like the older S & W's with the under lug only going about half way up the barrel. I just don't like the looks of the newer revolvers. The Colt Python was excellent but if you have an action job done of a S & W you have an equally smooth action. 
I have a lot of S & W's plus Colts. For DA revolvers, really like the S & W.
I have a lot of S & W's plus Colts. For DA revolvers, really like the S & W.If I had to choose a "vintage", I would say the 50s and 60s. My favorite revolver is my 1968 Colt Trooper .357-which started in 1953 as the Colt 357.
It seems that so many of the models and features we find most desireable-target sights on a service revolver, better grips, the factory Bull barrel-the Colt Python-the medium frame revolver firing the .357-the S&W Combat Magnum -became available, many of the cartridges we like the most-the 44 Magnum, then the 41 Magnum (OK, I like the 41 Magnum even it didn't really catch on) were introduced, my 1968 Trooper has a fit and finish that is the equal of pre-WWII production.
It seems that so many of the models and features we find most desireable-target sights on a service revolver, better grips, the factory Bull barrel-the Colt Python-the medium frame revolver firing the .357-the S&W Combat Magnum -became available, many of the cartridges we like the most-the 44 Magnum, then the 41 Magnum (OK, I like the 41 Magnum even it didn't really catch on) were introduced, my 1968 Trooper has a fit and finish that is the equal of pre-WWII production.
riflemen said:
This. And why I try to not wade into "what's best" or "new S&W suck" threads regularly. The best revolver, IMO, is the one that gets you to the range most often.
More objectively, though, the best revolver in my collection (and opinion) is a 3" S&W M65-5. It's "best" because it's the smoothest, tightest and best fitting factory-stock revolver I've had the pleasure of shooting, even compared to my vintage 5-screws. It was made in the early 90s, not long after S&W went to CNC production, so my uninformed and over-reaching presumption is that these guns are generally good specimens because they were made while the CNC machines were new and correctly calibrated, forged internals were still used, and their QA/QC process was still able to detect and hold the lemons before they shipped.
Hunter2678
New member
IMHO....it would be a S&W mod 66 3" in 357 mag. My dream revolver.
jetinteriorguy
New member
I've had my S&W M57 no dash since the early 80's and it's always been the one gun I would never let go of. But a couple of years ago I picked up a 627, and after putting in the lightest trigger spring from Wolf in it its my favorite shooter these days. It's dead nuts accurate, hold eight rounds, built like a tank and just feels so balanced in my hand I never leave it home on my range trips. I know people don't always like the newer Smiths but this one has just been fantastic, most of my friends are all semi auto guys but since shooting both my M57 and the 627 they've all gone out and bought new revolvers and love em.
Mike Irwin
Staff
No one will ever be able to convince me that the S&W Model 19 isn't the best revolver ever made -- the perfect combination of power, ergonomics, weight, etc.