I don't know if I'd classify a revolver as an idea fighting gun. Defensive, yes, service revolver yes, but I'm not quite sure on the term "fighting revolver".
I do have a bit of experience with revolvers, having carried one in my 20 years in LE.
I policed in Anchorage where we had a good deal of large animal calls. Moose and bear at school bus stops, moose destroying peoples back yards, and much more common putting down moose involved in traffic accidents. This was more common then one would believe.
So my requirement was for a 357 Mag. I was issued a Model 28 Smith, 4 inch.
I've tried Model 19s, Model 13s, which were good guns but they are in reality a 38 designed to handle an occasional 357. I didn't shoot 38s in my revolvers, I shot heavy 357s.
As we know, it takes a good deal of practice to be able to handle the 357 and become proficient with it. That takes a lot of ammo, and believe me I shot a heck of a lot of 357 ammo.
The K frames didn't hold up. I shot them loose. I love the feel of the lighter weight K frames, for carrying on your belt 10-12 hours a day, weight makes a difference. But light weight also means more recoil.
I always went back to my 4" Model 28. Hot 357s just didn't seem to effect it.
I did get a Model 27, I liked shooting the longer 6.5 in barrel. It was easier to shoot. BUT, like I said, I had to carry it 10-12 hours a day, a lot of that setting in a patrol car. That extra 2.5 inches was a pain, and I mean that literally. It would push the revolver up to my rib cage, pinching my side.
Back to the old Model 28. It was the best compromise I could find.
In them days, the text book for police administration, the bible as you will, was O.W. Wilson's "Police Administration". In his book, Mr. Wilson said "the service revolver should be heavy, so it could be used as a club if need be". I do believe he had the old Highway Patrolman in mind when he made that statement. In todays PC world I think pistol whipping bandits would be frowned up, if the M-28 would be up to the task.
I have used mine to bust out more then one vehicle window.
I couldn't even guess the number of rounds I have through mine, I still use it today (my department gave it to me when I retired) I use it in Bowling pin matches, and carry it in the woods here in mountain Lion country. I have shot it enough that I'm more then comfortable with it.
According to S&W it was made in '73, and I was issued it in 1974. The bluing is a bit faded, and its smoothed out with over 40 years of hard use and dry firing, but its as tight (timing wise) as it was the day it was issued.
At near 70 years old it wont happen, but if I was to get back into LE today, it would be my number one choice of a carry gun. After years of use and practice with speed loaders, the 6 shot cylinder isn't that much of a problem.
When I hired on, APD issued 38 spl 158 gr RN bullets, cast and loaded by jail trustees. Now at the time I was new to police work, but I wasn't so trusting and ignorant about shooting to believe that was the best choice. I cast my own 150 gn LSWC (Lyman mold 358477) with 15 gr of 2400. I still use that mold today. The department did eventually go to 125 gr Winchester 357s, but I found the penetration of the SWC much better on putting down moose.
We all have our opinions, base on our studies or experiences, and its my personal opinion that there is no better revolver for LE then the old Highway Patrolman.