“Classic” revolver

1873 Colt... or maybe a S&W Model 29. No, maybe a square-butt Combat 19.

Oh, wait. I like the Police Positive.. or maybe the old "pencil-barrel" Model 10?

I do like the old snubs, too, particularly those along the lines of the Model 36, so maybe that?

Ah, hell. I don't know...

MedWheeler said:

1873 Colt... or maybe a S&W Model 29. No, maybe a square-butt Combat 19.

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This. Or a colt detective.

There's not one specific model or even make that is in my mind a proper revolver. It's a class of guns, 4" .357, medium to large frame and double action. The image in my mind could match a Python, Smith, DW, Ruger or even a Taurus closely enough. So I bought a GP100, and it checks my personal revolver box perfectly. But I also fancy a Redhawk in 45LC/45ACP or perhaps a GP100 in .44 Special.. I've drunk the Ruger kool-aid; the extent to which this derails my financial progress remains to be seen.

test drive said:

Im mostly a simi auto guy but I do love the lines of a nice revolver. Currently I fancy the looks of a short barrel Ruger Redhawk but that changes from time to time. I was talking to a friend earlier and the subject of what comes to mind when I think of “classic” I like many different makes and models but one of the best looking revolvers if not “THE” best IMO would be a Smith and Wesson snub model 19 round butt with that deep almost wet looking blueing like back in the 70s pinned and resessed. What’s your “classic “ ?

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Gotta agree, this may be the best looking wheel gun ever. Now that Ive scored my Luger, just this and a .380 Savage auto remain on my bucket list.

The 6" 686 and

6" Model 28/29 are close contenders as well. Already got 'em.....

S&W have some sweet looking revolvers and the Ruger Alaskan is starting to grow on my as well.



At 10 O'Clock is a M19 pre lock in Nickle. She's a sweet shooter!

Rockrivr1 said:

S&W have some sweet looking revolvers and the Ruger Alaskan is starting to grow on my as well.

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At 10 O'Clock is a M19 pre lock in Nickle. She's a sweet shooter!

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Do I spy a M1917 reissue at the top as well? Those turned out to be rarer than the originals...lol

Any K-frame, but particularly a 3" Bull-barrel Model 10. Or almost any old Colt, Double or single action. Or a Ruger Blackhawk or Speed Six. Hell, almost any of them... except this one-

4" S&W K frame, blued frame, any standard cataloged cartridge.

Classic to me conjures up the image of a blue or nickel gun, not stainless, with wood grips....definitely not rubber.

The most beautiful revolver ever ? Smith and Wesson model 29 6.5 inch barrel, and yes Dirty Harry is a favorite movie of mine.

I'm a 4" blued 29 guy here...I think that's the gun Nick Nolte used in the 48 Hours movies...

Most pleasing to my eye is a Colt Diamondback.

When I think classic revolver, two immediately come to mind. S&W model 29 and Colt Python

Charliefrank said:

When I think classic revolver, two immediately come to mind. S&W model 29 and Colt Python

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I like to shoot the big guns, but something too big to carry is a major negative when picking a classic in today's terms.

Thinking of my S&W Chief's Special 36-1 as another real classic, and mine is nickel plated.

I've got several, and they're all Smith & Wesson's. I'll only list a couple though.

Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman (Not a Model 28...a "pre" 28) .357 Magnum, from 1954.





Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece, 38, from 1966





One more I guess, and it's not a Smith & Wesson oddly enough. I just thought it when finding the pictures.

Colt Official Police, 38, from 1942. I tell myself I like them better than I do a Python, but it's mostly because I can afford them a lot easier than I can a Python. And they do make me think of the cops in old black and white movies.





You'll notice one thing all of them have in common is they all show a fair amount of evidence of actually having been used. I've got a couple of safe queens that look like new.

I like my Colts, so the 6" Python to me is classic. That said, the S&W Model 19 is pretty sweet as well.

Classics?

Let's see, where to start?

S&W Number 2 Old Army, 32 Rimfire






S&W 2nd Model Russian, 44 Russian







S&W First Model Schofield, 45 Schofield






S&W New Model Number Threes, 44 Russian






Oh, you mean modern Classic Revolvers?

Triplelock, 44 Special






38-44 Outdoorsman, 38 Special






S&W Model 27, 357 Magnum






38 M&P Target Model, 38 Special






S&W Model 19-3, 357 Magnum






Model 14-3, 38 Special




K-22s






Oh, you mean Colts?

New Service, 45 Colt and 44-40






Army Special 38






Police Positive Specials (plus a 22 Target Police Positive)






2nd Gen Single Action Armies, 45 Colt






First Gen Bisley Colt, 38-40





Come to think of it, I own a few revolvers that I would not consider classics, but not very many.

For me "the" classic revolver is the 1873 Colt, Single Action Army chambered for the 45 Colt cartridge. Everything else is in 2nd Place.

Dave

test drive said:

I was talking to a friend earlier and the subject of what comes to mind when I think of “classic” I like many different makes and models but one of the best looking revolvers if not “THE” best IMO would be a Smith and Wesson snub model 19 round butt with that deep almost wet looking blueing like back in the 70s pinned and resessed. What’s your “classic “ ?

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Funny you should mention that, since I have 3 of those little gems.

Don

IMHO, virtually any high polish blue or nickel S&W without an internal lock, the older the better.





Ruger Old Model "flat-top" Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks.





Pretty much anything that resembles a Colt single action.

I'm an old Bullseye shooter which reflects my preferences for Smith & Wesson K-frame, Masterpiece target revolvers, chambered in .22rf, .32 S&W and .38 Special; the Smith & Wesson N-frame, Model 1955 Target (Model 25), chambered in .45 ACP and the Colt Officer's Model Special/Officer's Model Match target revolvers, chambered in .22 rf or .38 Special. All great revolvers having the finest materials, workmanship and finish; the likes of which will, alas, never again be seen on production grade (relatively affordable) revolvers.