S&W 5-screw K-22
Pre-war Colt Officer's Model .38
Colt Gold Cup .45
A man after my own heart gnoahhh. I have a matched set of OMs in 38 and 22. Both made in 37. Both at least 90%. So my picks at this moment.
SW Shield in 40
Customized Gold Cup
Bisley Blackhawk in 45 Colt.
Shedding tears over my 22rfs
I hear you about pre-war Colt OM's. They have a slight edge in accuracy over my K-Smiths, but I can shoot the K-22 a bit better for some dumb reason. There is something about the sheer slickness of a pre-war Colt OM that has to be experienced to understand. Now if I could only find an affordable Colt OMM in .32 my life would be complete!
Not being a "carrier of pistols", my list contains nothing geared toward combat/life saving utility. But the Gold Cup wouldn't be non too shabby in that regard, with a spring swap-out.