Looking back to the days when Revolvers were in the holsters of most law enforcement, what would you rate as the top 3?

My top 3
1 - S&W 25
2 - S&W 24
3 - Colt 357 (first model on Python frame)

1) S&W M66
2) S&W M65
3) S&W M686

Honorable mention goes to the M19, M13, M10, M64, M586.

I wouldn't put any N-frame on the list for a police service revolver--too heavy to be carried all day. Even during the heyday of the police revolver the N-frame was not the dominant choice--the Colt Police Positive and S&W M&P revolvers were.

Here's my choices:

1. S&W M586/686
2. Colt Python/Trooper
3. S&W M19/66
4. Ruger GP100
5. Ruger Security/Service Six

S&W K frame .357's were thought to be THE ideal LE revolver, and if used with .38 +P, they weren't pretty darned good. But when shooting magnum loads, they were somewhat notorious for splitting forcing cones, which would lock up the gun...a less than desirable feature.

There were many law enforcement agencies that were restricted to .38 special only. Given such a restriction, I would reach for a S&W M-15 Combat Masterpiece; the greatest .38 special IMO.

The forcing cone cracking is not a problem with 158 grain bullets. The 110's and 125's were the culprits in cracking forcing cones. I've got 2 M-19 S and I've never had a problem but, I never liked those light weight bullets.

You might be real surprised if you weighed a Model 28 and a 586 at the same time. Measure 6" guns and you'll be downright flabbergasted.

I would have to say the Python, then the 586. However the Dan Wesson should be mentioned somewhere.

when I first came out of the Academy I worked part time for a university Police depth that still issued smith 586s. I rely really liked that revolver.

Colt Official Police, S&W Model 10, Colt Police Positive.

Exactly. The issue was the ammunition, not the gun. Another instance of faulty logistics compromising a perfectly good weapon.

Way back - The Colt Single Action Army revolver.

The best service revolver was the Model 58, had it been chambered for 45 ACP and issued with top quality moon clips. I shot one rechambered/rebored to 45 Colt back when Skelton was writing articles about N frames recut for 44 Special.

The weight removed in the Model 58/45 Colt conversion improved its handling qualities immensely.

The 58 was a bit heavy, though.

a family member joined the FBI in the old days. He loved his Model 13 Smith. The Department issued the .38 Special 158 grain LSWCHP. He still says that was an effective load. It sure did the job for him when the chips were down on a few occasions.
I like the K frame smiths, Model 10, Model 15, and Model 19 myself.

The best carry revolver ever put out is the 4 inch L Frame 686 in 357 Magnum and then the Model 66 with the Colt Python coming in a distant third.

That was the thought, but it did happen with 158's. My first handgun was a 19 and my forcing cone split while shooting 158's. I've also replaced barrels on guns where people told me they were shooting 158's.

Model 67 for duty and a 3" M10 for plainclothes would work for me. Carrying an N-frame around all day would be a little much, at least where I worked.
Bob

I carried a 4" Cobra for many years and never felt under armed. I did lust for a pair of factory nickle Vipers, 4" an 2" at the local hardware store but never seemed to have the cash them days.

That's my favorite configuration for a Model 10.

In .38 Special, you just can't beat those two. VERY nice Bob.

because I want to get my post count up I am going to start a thread...Best Flintlock Pistols.

The daily douche chimed in...brilliant comment.

Count your blessings. He could have just listed three glocks.

I've carried K, L and N frames on a duty belt. I'll take a K-frame every time. The M66 or M19 with the Remington .357 reduced velocity 125's @ 1,250 fps, the 145 gr. Winchester Silvertip or .38 Special 158 gr. LSWC-HP +P works just fine.

Harper's Ferry 1805
Scottish "Black Watch"
Napoleonic 1801
"Kentucky" frontier versions

Next?

Didn't Bill Jordan have a big hand in the development of the Model 19? (pun intended)

Yes, Bill Jordan worked with S&W to design and develop the S&W Model 19 which was initially named the '357 Combat Magnum'.

<><> http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/08/05/sw-model-19-the-police-officers-perfect-revolver/ <><>

I came across a beautiful blued S&W Model 19-3, 357 Mag, square butt, walnut grips, 4" barrel,
and apparently unfired - a couple years ago at a friendly pawn shop.
I'm keeping this Model 19-3 as-is and will let its next owner shoot it

I have a Dan Wesson Model 15-2, 357 Mag. revolver that I more than like to shoot.

Yep. The account of it is found in No Second Place Winner.

He made some recommendations. Heavy barrel, shrouded ejector rod, and adjustable sights.

Now that makes a lot of sense. If you were to carry a BUG and chose the Colt Cobra/Agent, then you could use the same speedloader even.

S&W M65. 4" For uniform. Round butt 3" for street clothes.

And a Model 60 for undercover. There ... now it's three.

Model 10

Model 19

686.

No debate is viable in my mind.




Dave

I could be happy with those.
Bob

For uniformed work, a 5" Model 24 .44 Special would be at the top of the list.

That said, for off duty, there is one .44 out there that most are unaware of.

Back in the 1980s there was an outfit called ASP. Among other things, they used to do conversions of Ruger Speed Six and Security Six revolvers to .44 special.

That would be extremely hard to beta in my eye. The only thing I dislike is the fixed sights on the converted Rugers, but I would imagine that it would not be too tough to set up a Speed Six with some adjustables.


For a BUG, pocket carry, the J Frame is still the gold standard in my book.

Yes, Armament Systems; Paris Theodore was the designer of the ASP revolver and auto pistol. Most think of the chopped S&W 39, but the .44 security six was first.

post some pictures of yourself as a swat medic, EMT, security officer, private detective or anything else you have pretended to be or currently pretend to be.

Maybe a picture of yourself at the twin towers as you recounted you were there just before the attack.

"Best" can mean a lot of things...

Best for general departmental issue for your "average" one size has to fit most officers from 5' females to 6'5" Trooper types would be the S&W Model 65 .357 Magnum in the 4" square butt or 3" round butt configurations. Light enough to be carried all day, stainless steel for low maintenance, no adjustable sight to break and aftermarket grips that can be had to fit just about everyone's hand.

This was the issue gun when I worked for Rochester PD and the .38 Special version, Model 64, was the issue in Dallas. Both issued the same ammo...the .38 Special 158 grain LSWC-HP +P.

The difference between the two departments however was that in Dallas once you qualified with the city issue you could then go buy your own handgun, revolver or semi, qualify with it and carry it along with whatever ammo you wanted to. You could then pick your own "best". In Rochester the only thing you could change were the grips.

"Best" for me...

While in Dallas I carried all N-frames:
29-2 6.5" .44 Magnum
29-2 4" .44 Magnum
57 4" .41 Magnum
58 4" .41 Magnum
57 4" .41 Magnum
24 3" .44 Special

If I was back on the street today I would carry a 57 or 58 with Federal 190 grain VitalShok loads. If limited to a "newly made" revolver it would be a Ruger GP100 or GP100 Match Master with any 125 grain HP ammo.

Bob

Today, if limited to revolvers, I would look take one of those Smith 8 shots

today, just about anywhere, the choice would not be available for revolvers, and ammo other than issued. At least around here.

That's interesting. Knew you liked the 57, Bob, but didn't realize you favored it that much.

Have a friend who likes them that much, too.

I like the 65LS, ejector shroud, 3" with Pachmayr grips and 145 STs.

A 686 4" is fine, and I miss mine, but heavy.

If not carrying, I would think a 6" 686 would be a formidable piece for quite a distance, though perhaps not as much as say a 657 6"

Must say a former 6" SS Python was Bar None the most accurate centerfire handgun I have ever owned and shot save for TC Contenders. It shot like a fine 22, on the money every time any distance. I'd almost bet it would have shot 3-4 MOA if not better.......Yet the Pythons are considered less durable than comparable Smith's.

You can't seem to find anyone who has worn out a GP100 or SP101.....owned the GP, it was a tank.

GunGeek: The answer to your inquiry is:

#1: Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 4" barrel
#2: Doesn't matter.
#3: Doesn't matter.

I was issued one of these for more than 10 years and upon retirement bought it for $60.00 from my department.
Long live the Smith & Wesson Model 66 (and the 686 as well).
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

"The best service revolver was the Model 58"

I agree with this. But not rechambered/barreled. The 41 mag cartridge is the cat's azz.

It's an awesome man stopping round (in the police loading), but the gun is heavy. Few departments adopted the Highway Patrolman Model 28 for the reason that it was too heavy, unless you're just going to be driving around 95% of the time.

...I have more .41s than anything else... Don't buy one...you won't be able to stop...

I carried a model 65 that our armorer put a smooth faced trigger in. I added a pair of Herretts Jordan trooper grips and simply shot the daylights out of it. We only issued a .357/125 load and I believe the forcing cone issue to be overstated.

This old revolver tuned itself up and only ever shot better with heavy use. Others reported similar results.

My vote is for the S&W 15- the first handgun I qualified with in the Air Force. I would love to find an USAF issued one for the collection.

I don't have experience with a wide variety of revolvers, but I am a big fan of the 686. A long time ago I carried one on duty and really liked it.

In fact last week I bought a police trade in on GunBroker. Dies arrived yesterday. Can't wait to head to the range. My 11 year old son is as excited to shoot it as I am.

-Z

For a 2017 current production duty revolver, I'd take a 4" or likely 6" GP100, or a pre-lock S&W 686.

If a time machine is involved, then the following;
1) 5" M24
2) 5" M27
3) 4" M29
4) 4" M57
5) M25 cut to 5"

Off duty would still be a Colt 1911 variant.

If I was going to have to carry a revolver every day I'd probably go with the S&W Model 13 with a round butt frame and 3" barrel. Outfit it with a Tyler T grip and call it good.

Has anyone tried the Ergo Grip?

Awesome choice. Same here. In fact, I carried just that gun for a few years on a daily basis.

Your grip choice is OK (I've had mine set up like that before and liked them), but it pales compared to some more hand-filling aftermarket grips, like the Ahrends Retro Combat Round Butt. That's what mine wore most of the time I carried it.

Interesting concept, but I've never tried them. Looks like it would transfer recoil more directly to the rear than conventional grips.

That thing is halfway to being a glockolver.

Smith & Wesson. Models 686, 66, and 65. All with 4 inch barrels.

Smith M&P
Colt Police Positive/Police Positive Special
Smith Chiefs Special
Colt New Service
Smith 19

Fugg... that's UGLY!

If it makes a revolver that Fugly, it better turn that revolver into a laser guided weapon with instant replay on CNN.

Looks like a dog turd stuck on the handle of a S&W.

Yeah it maybe butt ugly, but does it work? There shouldn't be much, if any "twist" with that contraption.

The ad I looked at made it appear that they were intended for small framed revolvers and guys with huge hands. My .02.

Agreed.

I also am partial to M10s in .38. Perfectly sized for uniform carry, accurate and easy to shoot well with a slick double action.
Bob

Yeah, I think the Model 10 was an ideal service revolver. The 13 was essentially the same gun, but capable of increased power if desired.