High 5 Revolvers As Defined by a Gun Professional with over Thirty Years Expertise: I’ve spent quite a lot of time during the last thirty years in my private life {and professional} profession working with firearms
And particularly revolvers.
Within the spirit of prime 5 lists, and following the High 5 .38 Particular Revolvers, now we’re going to speak about what I take into account to be the 5 greatest revolvers, no matter a particular caliber, based mostly on my experience and private experiences.
Smith & Wesson (S&W) Mannequin 19/Mannequin 66 .357 Magnum
The Smith Mannequin 19 wasn’t the primary .357 Magnum – that distinction was earned by the behemoth S&W M27 again in 1935 – however when it debuted in 1955 it grew to become the primary gun within the caliber that was a sensible weapon to hold for police and armed residents.
As Weapons & Ammo reporter Keith Wooden elaborates, “It started life because the Fight Magnum, a Ok-body in .357 Magnum designed in session with legendary Border Patrolman Invoice Jordan.
The idea of the Mannequin 19 was to mix the ability of the corporate’s N-body revolvers with the portability of the smaller Ok-frames.” Its stainless-steel variant, the Mannequin 66 Fight Magnum, launched in 1971, and the M19/M66 ended up in additional American police holsters than you would shake a stick at, which held true till the large-scale nationwide police transition from wheelguns to autopistols started within the Nineteen Eighties.
Smith & Wesson Mannequin 19. Picture Credit score: Smith & Wesson.
Ruger GP-100 .357 Magnum
After assessment of earlier articles there ought to be little shock on the inclusion of the GP-100 on this checklist, because it’s my all-time favourite revolver, interval. Like I’ve stated umpteen occasions earlier than, Rugers are the Timex of revolvers, i.e. they take a licking and carry on ticking; that is true of their large-frame, medium-frame, and snubnosed wheelguns alike.
The GP-100 falls underneath the medium-frame class. Launched in 1985, this revolver is super-tough due to its funding casting development and triple-locking cylinder; so powerful that the gun has survived being overwhelmed towards brick partitions and run over by pickup vehicles.
Ruger GP-100. Picture: Artistic Commons.
Ruger GP-100. Picture: Ruger.
Furthermore, because the official Ruger data web page proclaims in boldfaced pink all-caps (although we received’t use these right here), “Ruger GP100 double-action revolvers are among the many most snug taking pictures revolvers.
Based mostly on 33 years of hands-on taking pictures expertise with it, proudly owning one for 19 years and 20,000 rounds fired by, and a number of medals received with it on the Nevada Police & Fireplace Video games, I wholeheartedly concur.
Smith & Wesson Mannequin 29 .44 Magnum
“However being it is a .44 Magnum, essentially the most highly effective handgun on the planet, and would blow your head clear off, you’ve received to ask your self one query: ‘Do I really feel fortunate?’ Effectively, do you, punk?” How may I probably exclude the long-lasting Soiled Harry gun from this checklist?
Arriving on the scene in 1955, courtesy of big-bore revolver guru Elmer Keith, this was the primary gun ever chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge, which in flip descended from the .44 Particular and .44 Russian cartridges. After all, it was the 1971 Clint Eastwood movie that actually made the gun well-known and triggered demand to skyrocket.
Although not capable of lay declare to the title of “Most Highly effective Handgun within the World” – having been outdated by calibers such because the .454 Casull and the Mannequin S&W 500, the Smith M29 nonetheless stays an icon of the wheelgun world.
Smith & Wesson Mannequin 29. Picture Credit score: Artistic Commons.
Colt Python .357 Magnum
To reiterate what I stated in a earlier article on the Python, if Rugers are the Timex of wheelguns, then the Python is the Rolex.
For sheer aesthetic magnificence – particularly within the so-called Royal Blue end – and unbelievably clean manufacturing facility inventory double-action set off, this “Snake Gun” merely can’t be overwhelmed.
Picture: Artistic Commons.
Picture: Colt.
Colt Single Motion Military (SAA) “Peacemaker” .45 Lengthy Colt (LC)
Hey, c’mon, I needed to embrace a minimum of one single-action revolver on this checklist for the sake of “equal time,” proper? Because the official Colt data web page states, “No Colt revolver has earned higher fame than the only motion military – The Peacemaker.
In design and efficiency, in line and kind, no extra sculptural and sensible Colt has ever been created. Motion pictures function fixed reminders of the position this equalizer performed in profitable the West.”
As well as, the Colt SAA served because the official sidearm of the U.S. Military (therefore the official moniker) from 1873 to 1892.
Hit Or Miss?
Okay, agree or disagree? For any followers of both the Colt Detective Particular or the S&W M13, M10, and so forth, are you miffed that your fave didn’t make the checklist?
Christian D. Orr has 33 years of taking pictures expertise, beginning on the tender age of 14. His marksmanship accomplishments embrace: the Air Pressure Small Arms Ribbon w/one machine (for M16A2 rifle and M9 pistol); Pistol Professional Rankings from U.S. Customs & Border Safety (CBP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Legislation Enforcement Coaching Middle (FLETC) Prison Investigator Coaching Program (CITP); a number of medals and trophies through the Glock Sport Taking pictures Basis (GSSF) and the Nevada Police & Fires Video games (NPAF). Chris has been an NRA Licensed Primary Pistol Teacher since 2011.
