So far most posts have been either for a .22 or 38/357. .22's are indeed fun to shoot (and cheap ammo) however they require a heavy spring to set off the rim fire ammo. Therefore double action is hard to shoot accurately and can quickly tire out your trigger finger. Thus, most shooting tends to be in SA mode. If you get a .22, SA/DA is a must, not DAO. 38/357's will have a nicer trigger however the recoil will be much higher, especially in the lighter guns using 38+P or 357. After shooting 50 - 100 rounds your fingers/wrist can get sore which is no fun. So if you only want one gun that is fun to shoot all day you should consider one chambered in .327. Most of these guns can shoot .32 S&W, .32 S&W Longs, .32 ACP (all very low recoil) and .32 H&R Magnum and Federal .327 Magnums which have the energy to be good defensive rounds and still lower recoil than 38/357. The .327 is just below 357 magnums energy wise. The down side is ammo is harder to find and if your local store does not stock it you need to order it on line (and there's plenty available on line).
one revolver to rule them all...
- Thread starter Brando1992
- Start date
22-rimfire
New member
The 4" is easiest to carry in a holster. With large framed revolvers, you are generally not concealing it. I suppose anything is possible. Police carried 4" DA revolvers in a belt holster back when they used revolvers.
Range fun consists of hitting what you aim at and enjoying the shooting part. A 6" barrel works just fine for the range and I tend to tire carrying a 6" in the woods, most find it just fine on a belt holster.
So, you want a full sized steel framed revolver in the caliber you choose. Double action versus single action is a choice. I prefer double action except for hunting calibers where you are generally only taking a shot or two and almost never a full cylinder.
One should consider carefully just what you are going to use the revolver for and factor in ammunition costs. For me, a DA 22 revolver is just about perfect for plinking fun. Certainly less of a thrill to shoot than centerfire. You generally want a pretty high quality DA 22 revolver and the larger the frame, generally the lighter the trigger in double action. But it certainly doesn't have the power of many centerfire calibers. So, it is your choice.
Range fun consists of hitting what you aim at and enjoying the shooting part. A 6" barrel works just fine for the range and I tend to tire carrying a 6" in the woods, most find it just fine on a belt holster.
So, you want a full sized steel framed revolver in the caliber you choose. Double action versus single action is a choice. I prefer double action except for hunting calibers where you are generally only taking a shot or two and almost never a full cylinder.
One should consider carefully just what you are going to use the revolver for and factor in ammunition costs. For me, a DA 22 revolver is just about perfect for plinking fun. Certainly less of a thrill to shoot than centerfire. You generally want a pretty high quality DA 22 revolver and the larger the frame, generally the lighter the trigger in double action. But it certainly doesn't have the power of many centerfire calibers. So, it is your choice.
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
4.2" 357 mag or my 4" 357 mag Python.
Doc
Doc
If you're asking me today and if it had to be new it would be the venerable N frame Smith & Wesson 627pro 4". Weighs just a tad more than the 686, holds 8 rounds of your personal flavor, easy to change front sight, adjustable rear, slab side barrel, and an improved trigger (similar to the 686SSR). Only detractor for me is that "infernal" lock (IL). 
I've read that shooting 38 out of that N frame feels like shooting a 22 for those of you who find plinking more fun than anything.
I've read that shooting 38 out of that N frame feels like shooting a 22 for those of you who find plinking more fun than anything.
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Super Blackhawk
New member
I'd go with the iconic
There are some revolvers on the market n some discontinued that are absolutely legendary designs.... I'd go with any of these....
Colt Python
Ruger super black hawk 44mag or Blackhawk 357 convertible
Smith model 29-2
Orig Smith 586 without stupid frame lock
Ruger GP100
There are some revolvers on the market n some discontinued that are absolutely legendary designs.... I'd go with any of these....
Colt Python
Ruger super black hawk 44mag or Blackhawk 357 convertible
Smith model 29-2
Orig Smith 586 without stupid frame lock
Ruger GP100
A medium-frame 4" 357, probably with adjustable sights. That is as close as you can get to "one revolver does it all" .
It is good for hd, target shooting, plinking, to have in the car, to open carry, or to amble around in the woods with. I could be concealed if necessary. For shorter ranges, maybe 25 yards if you are good, you could even hunt with it if you had to.
If I had to start over as a younger man, that would be my first handgun. A snub 38 and a longer-barreled 22 would be the next two choices.
It is good for hd, target shooting, plinking, to have in the car, to open carry, or to amble around in the woods with. I could be concealed if necessary. For shorter ranges, maybe 25 yards if you are good, you could even hunt with it if you had to.
If I had to start over as a younger man, that would be my first handgun. A snub 38 and a longer-barreled 22 would be the next two choices.
Independent George
New member
I have just one revolver - a Ruger GP-100 Wiley Clapp. It's heavy enough to tame a .357, small enough to carry in cold weather, and long enough to shoot accurately. Also: it's pretty. So pretty.
I'm going to give two answers here. One is my old standby, and the other is my new "favorite."
The old standby is the Smith & Wesson Model 15, Combat Masterpiece, in 38 Special of course. Just a delightful gun to shoot. 38 ammo is relatively inexpensive and easy to reload. I suppose somewhere along the way S&W made one that wouldn't shoot, but I haven't seen it yet.
But my new favorite is the fairly new Model 69, 44 Magnum. I shoot 44 Special in it so recoil is not a factor, but that means you pretty much have to reload for it, but you'd probably want to if you shot magnums in it also. This gun makes me look like I know what I'm doing at the range. Man it's a good shooter, and I haven't heard from anyone who has one who says theirs doesn't. Smith & Wesson has knocked it out of the park with this one.
The old standby is the Smith & Wesson Model 15, Combat Masterpiece, in 38 Special of course. Just a delightful gun to shoot. 38 ammo is relatively inexpensive and easy to reload. I suppose somewhere along the way S&W made one that wouldn't shoot, but I haven't seen it yet.
But my new favorite is the fairly new Model 69, 44 Magnum. I shoot 44 Special in it so recoil is not a factor, but that means you pretty much have to reload for it, but you'd probably want to if you shot magnums in it also. This gun makes me look like I know what I'm doing at the range. Man it's a good shooter, and I haven't heard from anyone who has one who says theirs doesn't. Smith & Wesson has knocked it out of the park with this one.
highpower3006
New member
One revolver? Impossible!
But, if I had to pick just one, it would be a M29 S&W. Definitely needs to be hand loaded to get the most potential from the cartridge, light .44 special loads for target use, all the way up to stuff for more serious work.
Target only, get one with a longer barrel. Carry it around hiking and such, shorten it up a bit.
But, if I had to pick just one, it would be a M29 S&W. Definitely needs to be hand loaded to get the most potential from the cartridge, light .44 special loads for target use, all the way up to stuff for more serious work.
Target only, get one with a longer barrel. Carry it around hiking and such, shorten it up a bit.
walnut1704
New member
My go-to .357 is a 6" S&W Model 66. I prefer 6" barrels. I've had many others and any 6" double action with adjustable sights would be good with me.
"Maurice The FrankenRuger" is real:
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/03/maurice-frankenruger-magazine-fed-revolver/
Magazine fed revolver. Partially gas operated (automatic shell ejection). Up to 14rd capacity so far. It's "Maurice" because some people call it "The Space Cowboy" (Steve Miller Band reference).
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/03/maurice-frankenruger-magazine-fed-revolver/
Magazine fed revolver. Partially gas operated (automatic shell ejection). Up to 14rd capacity so far. It's "Maurice" because some people call it "The Space Cowboy" (Steve Miller Band reference).
You know, it all depends on the "can only have one" circumstances. If it's a legal, financial or other normal day-to-day limitation and you can pick and choose which one you want, it's one thing. But, if it's a spur of the moment decision for whatever reason, it's another.
My grab 'n' go revolver would be a Smith Model 10, 'coz I know it's always going to work and I can most likely find ammo for it.
My grab 'n' go revolver would be a Smith Model 10, 'coz I know it's always going to work and I can most likely find ammo for it.