If you woke up tomorrow and all your semi-autos were gone and you couldn’t get them back and had to create a handgun “battery” to cover all the things that you currently like/want to do but with revolvers. What would you get? Preferably models readily available on the new/used market. Not some ultra rare collectors item. Please feel free to use these categories or just make up your own if you prefer.
Home Defense-
CCW-
Target practice/training-
Shooting games-
Hunting-
Fun-
Other-
A quick browse of the S&W site would lead me to choose the model 66. Would work for all situations minus cc for me. But if all my semis disappeared I dont think I would worry about following cc laws. 38 when you want, 357 when you want.
What do you mean create? You young folks with those new-fangled bottom feeders.
Seriously, I had to pare my revolver collection down to its essentials I suspect I could do everything I need to do with a no-dash Model 640 or 649 and a 7-shot 686-4.
Ruger LCR in 38 spl. and a Ruger GP-100 3" bbl. in 357 mag these will take care of any of my defense needs. S&W 686 with 6" bbl. for games and hunting.
Home Defense- 8 shot .357
CCW- J frame 640, or a Colt Cobra (for one more shot)
Target practice/training- The 10 shot S&W .22. We have a local USPSA club that has weekly .22 matches indoors during the winter. Shooting a .22 revolver is very satisfying.
Shooting games- S&W 625 JM. That would do for both USPSA and IDPA (ESR)
Hunting- Some variation of the Model 29 in .44 magnum. Probably a 6-8" barrel, with a red dot.
Fun- I think a Ruger Vaquero (or better yet-a pair of them) would be a lot of fun. Not the most practical, but a great thing to take to the range and just enjoy.
CCW - Ruger LCR
Serious use - S&W 686+ (7 rounder) either a 4" or 6", I’d have to shoot both to decide, but most likely the 6".
Fun - same as my only “fun gun” now, Uberti Cattleman 5.5"
A 642 for concealed carry and/or BUG for those occasions where a heavier piece wouldnt work.
A three inch K-frame or two for concealed carry.
A four inch K or L general purpose revolver.
Everything in 38/357
An N-frame in 45 ACP
An N-frame in 45 Colt would be nice, but a believe the best loading if that round was back in the 19 Century when it was black powder.
Work in a Colt Diamondback in there somewhere, especially if Colt was forced to reissue them with the loss if the autos and might result in them being chambered for 357.
J Frame airweight (442 for me) for pocket/ankle and backup
617 10 shot .22LR for training/plinking/small game
3" 66-4 for CCW belt carry
4" 686 for general purpose & competition
M&P R8 for duty & HD
629 Mountain Gun for everything requiring more power than .357 Mag
A good basic battery would include a 22 LR, a 38/357, and a 44 Magnum.
I’d get a K-22 or a Ruger Single-Six for the 22. I’d get a J-frame or an SP101 AND a four-inch Model 19 or a Speed Six for carry in town, and a 4" Model 29 for carry in the woods when I’m not hunting. And I’d get a long-barreled Model 29-3 or a Ruger Bisley in 44 Magnum for hunting.
To take this from being a basic battery to an advanced battery, I’d just start buying duplicates/spares of everything listed above.
Good choices Okie John. You’ll never go wrong with a Single Six and a .44 Mag is strong medicine for dangerous game, both 2 legged and 4 legged. I would go with a 4" version only because it’s better balanced. A good .357 is also an excellent choice because of the ability to use either .38 or .357 ammo, my choice would be a 3" Model 65…
