Remember that the reason Ruger went with six spaces in the cylinder instead of 7 was for strength. 7 spaces means less metal between the rounds in the cylinder. A Ruger will shoot 357 caliber all day no problem. The only revolver that I would try that with, pocketbook permitting.
If I had to pick a manufacturer for the nineteenth and twentieth century, Colt. S&W gets an Honorable Mention in both centuries. Today they don't even deserve a rating as far as I'm concerned. I will most likely keep that opinion until they get rid of the Hillary Hole, otherwise known as the ILS.
__________________
Joe R
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 22:3
I'm way late to this thread but love classic, traditional Smith & Wesson revolvers. That is to say, the ones without ugly frame lugs, two-piece barrels, frame-mounted firing pins, and the wretched lock. Extra points are given for pinned barrels and recessed cylinders along with anything pre-war.
I also like classic Colt revolvers that predate the coil spring design of the Mark III action. Any old V-Spring powered Colt is a winner to me.
I even really like old Webley revolvers.
Rugers just leave me cold. There are still too many desirable models to be found in the Smith & Wesson, Colt, and even Webley line-ups for me to ever actually spend money to acquire the first Ruger.
People vote on what they have experience with and I would say that there is not a lot of difference between the top American manufacturers LISTED; however, not listed was Freedom Arms which only two people mentioned and the Magnum Research BFR (no one mentioned) neither of which are seen much and both of which are hand fitted revolvers of exceptionally high quality and corresponding price. One person mentioned the Korth and probably most of us have never seen but I understand they are top quality revolvers from an article I read 25 years ago that compared one to a S&W M 29 I believe.
My vote was for Other and I would go with Freedom Arms as number 1 and let the rest fight over the number 2 spot. If you look at them on a dollar for dollar basis it is hard to beat a Ruger.
I have a Taurus 605 357 Snubby. It was my second revolver that I bought in 94. I still shoot it. It runs like a dream. Recoil is not so much of an issue. It has a ported barrel and smoothed internals. I know they have a bad reputation of late but I wouldn't give this one up.
My very first gun was a Ruger SP101. I traded it off and regret that decision. I have an LCR and I just bought a 6" GP100. I have shot a 4" 357 and it was smooth. Recoil is still apparent but still less obvious than my snubby shooting 357. They are built like tanks (except the LCR) and for the money, they are truly well rounded guns.
I traded for a Smith 627 4" 8 round 357. Shoots 357 without the recoil that you get in other smaller guns. Double action is smooth but not as smooth as my Colt. Truly love it.
The answer to the OP: The best revolver, I have and I have ever shot is a 1967 Colt Python. Smoothest double action trigger and most accurate wheelgun I've ever used. Easily can shoot as well in double action as well as single action. Recoil is not even an issue, either.
I voted Ruger. I used to be an S&W fan but they have gone down hill big time on the last 20 years. The stinking lawyer lock was the final straw for me.
7 people said Taurus?? Yikes !! Definitely nowhere Near The Best Revolver Manufacturer !! It's a hard toss up for myself.. But when it comes down to it Ruger wins because I love My Super Alaskan Redhawks and both my LCR's (.357 and .38spl+p) ... but .. Colt Python & Colt Anaconda are close enough to almost being my favorite. Then there's the issue of my newest fave revolver right now and that's the S&W Governor (Great Trigger. Lightweight. Strong. Versatile)
BUT I also believe the best revolver when it comes down to just sheer quality you can't beat a Freedom Arms ... you just can't. I kick myself in the arse everyday for selling my FA Model 97 454 casull ...
It's hard to choose just one.. but like i said if you were to roll quality, price, durability, CCW, Home Defense, and Hunting all into one and had to say pick the best.. you'd be hard pressed not to choose RUGER imho.
I like my Rugers, my S&W is very reliable, but I gotta give my vote to the Dan Wesson 357. That is my go to revolver in this (or any other) caliber. Crazy accurate, low recoil and never had a mechanical problem with any of them.
__________________
man that loves guns Big Little X NAVY 375 Dan 357 M 41 M 44 M Long guns 22 223 243 25.06 270 30.06 Black powder 45 cal 50 cal hand and longe guns. I load all that I shoot
I voted Taurus. Reasonable fit and finish, affordable, and gets the job done IMO. I've got a 25 year old Model 85 .38 Snubby that has outlasted all the others, and still shoots great. Admittedly I don't know much about their current offerings as I find featherweights too light for a Snubby.
I have had them all and most models in every make to play with or own as a Armorer and as the weapons expert for Superior court on down to Mun. Court in a county in N.J. and I still own a 4" 686 S & W and a few other revolvers to include a Ruger Single Six with a 7 1/2" bbl. in .22 Magnum and a spare cylinder in .22 long rifle. I love all of my hand guns and the right to own them no matter what make or model and I do believe that all the diffrent company's that make firearms make them to fit a certain part of the public and their pocketbook. Yes I can afford to own a slick Smith & Wesson but my neighbor can only afford a not so slick Taurus. But we are both happy with our choices.
Bill
Like AABEAR says Dan Wesson for me, I bought mine new over thirty years ago and it still is the smoothest shooting pistol or revolver I have ever shot. With the different length barrels one revolver is all you need.
I own SandW revolvers. I own Taurus revolvers. I wouldn't mind owning a Colt Diamondback, but with the price for one the same or higher of what I paid for my BHP MKIII brand new, I don't think so! Dan Wessons I have never seen in person. I wish I could say the same thing for the Taurus's that I did buy!
Smith and Wesson definitely have the best, and smoothest trigger out of the box. And are easier to make even smoother yet. Ruger's are a little stronger, but I don't see blowing up an L-frame or N-Frame with any decent loads anytime soon. So I'll definitely take the Smith, I like their cylinder release best too, but that is just my preference.
Let's put it this way S&W makes to good of a gun for many uses I chased a lot of coyotes in the badlands of SD a S&W would bind up with alittle dust while the security six would keep on truckin.This happened a lot in situations where you just couldn't keep dust and other crud out of the situation including snow in Mn. and the dakotas S&W's sure are fun to shoot at the ol range but to good to take and trust in the wild.When it has to go boom it better be Ruger.
I have already voted so I will not vote again, but I have read most of the votes and it comes to mind that a large group of people are not voting on the original question, "Who makes the BEST revolvers." It does not say who makes the best revolver I can afford or for the fit and finish and price who makes the best revolver, It asks (Expanded Definition) who is the BEST manufacturer of revolvers out there; and that is Makes, present tense not Made, past tense. What many posters have answered is more like what if your favorite revolver and that may be what the original poster meant, but that is not what he asked. I wonder if the votes would change if people voted based on a strict interpretation of the original question. Charter Arms or some others the best, come on, That is like comparing a Holland And Holland double shotgun to a Savage.
I would stand by my statement (shortened): Smith and Wesson.
For the political machinations, not the mechanical designs, I will not touch anything Ruger, as Bill Ruger dumped a bunch of money and support FOR gun laws and gun BANS, in the past. (NOT very American of him, IMHO. YMMV!)
I would stand by my statement (shortened): Smith and Wesson.
For the political machinations, not the mechanical designs, I will not touch anything Ruger, as Bill Ruger dumped a bunch of money and support FOR gun laws and gun BANS, in the past. (NOT very American of him, IMHO. YMMV!)
Sooo, you are going to punish a dead man for what he did and ignore what the present management is doing for the benefit of our shooting society; I find it hard to see where that is very effective, but if it works for you..... I suspect the only one loosing out here is you, I suspect Bill Ruger really does not care!
I sold my first handgun, a S&W model 66, last year and replaced it with a Ruger SP101 to go with my GP100. I never trusted the S&W after I learned the K frame may not hold up to a regular diet of .357
Linear Mode
