Author Topic: Best double-action revolver (Read 7833 times)

Don McCullough · « **on:** July 27, 2004, 06:02:50 PM »

Best double-action revolver?

My vote goes to the Colt Python and the Colt Dianmondback.

I'm a also a big fan of the S&W model 19. Famous gun writer/shooter Bill Jordan's favorite.

All 4 inch barrel.

Like to have a Colt Detective Special--later model with barrel shroud. Be a delight to carry due to it's light weight and small size.

I just like the "feel" of the Colt DA action. Puts me in the minority but that's O.K.

Don McCullough

HappyHunter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2004, 01:14:02 AM »

I guess my favorite DA is a Smith & Wesson K frame.

Of the K frames I prefer the older models with names not numbers. Would you rather have a 1958 model 15 or a 1957 Combat Masterpiece? What a difference a year makes. So I like the pre 1958 Smiths best.

K frames are my favorite but I have been known to "settle" on the occasional N or J frame.

The older guns are often found at a bargain price and are certain to be worth more than you paid for them soon...this is what I tell my wife anyway.

Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

TNrifleman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:11:24 PM »

My two cents worth:

I like the S&W line of DA revolvers. From J, K L, to N frames, they are well made, accurate, and reliable. I haven't tried the new X frame 500 S&W, as I don't currently have need for a hand-held cannon.... :wink:

Old Griz · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:21:26 PM »

:cb2: Tough choice. The Python is probably the best "production" gun, but for the price you could get a 686 slicked up really nice, or a Performance Center gun, and still have money left over.

TScottO · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:26:08 PM »

I've never seen one in person but from my understanding "Korth" was supose to had produced the best DA Revolver. Has anyone else ever heard of them?

Be Safe,
Scott

GhosTT · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:31:48 PM »

I had a Stainless 6" Python for years.

Perfect trigger,but too fragile for the loads I put through it.
Had it back at the factory twice.

Traded it in for a Ruger GP100 also stainless,6".
Mine turned out just as accurate and rugged as hell.

De41mag · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2004, 06:00:01 PM »

I'll have to say a S&W N-frame, 5 inch barrel.

I own 2 five inchers, a 625 in 45ACP and a 629 in 44mag. I've called S&W about turning my 657 w/ a 7-1/2 barrel into a five incher but they said they can't do it.

Just my $0.02

Dennis

papajohn428 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:50:25 PM »

My vote for best all-around is a 686 four inch, like Chuck said. The best of all worlds, strong and powerful but still small enough to pack all day without courting back problems. I think the stainless N-frames are about as pretty as guns get, but the current apple of my eye is a stainless 3-inch K-frame, a 65-2. Handles like a dream, shoots like it's radar-guided, and looks good, to boot. My S/O calls it, "Mistress" :lol: , I think she's jealous!

In big stuff, I always liked the looks of the 7-1/2" Redhawk, but Freedon Arms is like a Rolls Royce to me. As one gunwriter said, it's "Slick as a Ferrari and tough as a tank". Right on. If I win the Lottery, I'm getting a 41 and a 357. :wink: Maybe more later.

Papajohn the Lustful

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2004, 01:46:35 AM »

For double action hunting, I would have to go with the Smith & Wesson 460 Mag in a 7.5 inch PC model. JMHO. :grin:

Nobade · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2004, 06:09:14 PM »

Yep, best depends on the operator. Me, I like my K38 best. But those Korths are beautifully made and super slick. Never shot one though, sort of like a Sig P220, too expensive to use!

leverfan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2004, 08:44:25 PM »

Quote from: TScottO

I've never seen one in person but from my understanding "Korth" was supose to had produced the best DA Revolver. Has anyone else ever heard of them?

Be Safe,
Scott

Korth quality has varied over the years, with some revolvers that I've seen showing a sub-par fit and finish that would shame Taurus. IMHO, the price has always been far higher than the performance of the gun justified, but that high price has also given the guns an almost legendary mystique. If I had that much money to spend, it would go towards several guns of moderate price, with enough left over to have them slicked-up and decked out with custom stocks from Herrett.

Gebann · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2004, 08:22:56 AM »

My favorite revolver is the Colt Detective Special (new model with ejector shroud and custom grips). I don't carry it much (carry a Walther PPK) but it resides next to my bed. The action is much smoother than a S&W IMHO. My wife says it is the easiest gun for her to shoot. :grin:

Gregory · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2004, 02:45:03 PM »

I've owned DA revolvers made by Hi Standard (Sentinel MKIV), Taurus(Mod85), Smith and Wesson (66&624), and Ruger(Redhawk). The only one I own now is a S&W M624.

Stu · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2004, 03:44:48 PM »

I vote for the Colt Trooper MIII. I like the solid rib on top of the barrel.

cbagman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2004, 04:34:22 AM »

:-D Been shooting a S&W Mountain Gun in .357 chambering. It is on an L frame with 7 shot cylinder and 4 inch light weight barrel. Packs good and shoots better. I don't think many were made.

cbagman

Rmouleart · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2004, 05:32:55 AM »

Back in the days I carried a Colt King Cobra, Nice revolver, till she started displaying a timing problem, I guess it was a inherited problem with the King Cobra's, Looked deadly though;) Nice action when it worked right, I only noticed the timing would go off when using double action, got rid of it of course, I think the Ruger SRH are very durable for a double action,nothing fancy, but a good working tool, very hearty, seem to get smoother the more rounds you run through it, never gets sloppy, like some other revolvers, I will not mention. I also like the way Ruger locks both ends of the cylinder keeping nice and tight. I always accurize all my handguns as well, smooths out the rugers trigger and action a bit. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Somerled · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:44:08 PM »

Best DA for what?

Deer hunting: The Ruger Redhawk with the 5.5" barrel would be my choice.

Deep concealment: A S&W 642 or a Colt Detective Special, .38 Spec., 2" barrel

Belt or IWB carry for self defense use: S&W "K" frame, 3 or 4" barrel, .357 Mag. or perhaps a 4" "N" frame "Mountain" gun in .44 Spec. or .45 Colt.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2004, 10:39:37 AM »

Well everyone has a opinion about which gun is the best. So I just wanted to say everyone that picked Colt or Ruger or any other gun other than a SMITH & WESSON are wrong :-) I never seen any gun with as good trigger as S&W'S out of the box. Plus the N frames just seem to fit and point better than anything else. And if you don't believe it ---than something's got to be wrong with you :roll: :wink: --Willy

AZ300wsm · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2004, 01:08:01 PM »

I'll cast my vote for a stainless S&W 686. I've owned one for 15 years and never had a problem.

Malamute · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2004, 07:12:18 PM »

I've owned Colts, Smiths, and Ruger DA's.

Gunsmiths I've talked to didn't care for the Colts, one said he flat refused to work on them, (this guy in particular is definately not a "garage gunsmith")because of the delicate timing of the action. He told me other smiths he knew felt the same also. They tend to go out of time more often, and are harder to get back in time.

I like Rugers, but feel they are not very well fitted and finished in general. They are very tough and reliable, and well designed, but lack something to me.

Smith & Wessons tend to have an outstanding action out of the box, particularly the older ones. They have nearly perfected the double action. Accuracy is typically excellent, trigger pull is typically excellent, and the general fit and finish are excellent. Again, most of the Smiths I have, and have had in the past have been older guns, from the early 80's and older, but most I've seen recently are very well built guns. They tend to work very smoothly and crisply.

IndianaDean · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2004, 04:52:04 AM »

They're all good!
Seriously though, I like both of the 686 +'s I have, a 4 in and a 2.5 in.
Also, a rare 3 in model 66, along with a Ruger gp100 and an Astra 960 .38 special.
I love them all. I'm particularly fond of the S&W's however.

300winman · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2004, 12:01:33 AM »

I own a Taurus Raging Bull in a 44mag. Would love to have a Super Redhawk in the 480 Ruger or 44mag.

Van/TX · « **Reply #22 on:** September 19, 2004, 02:22:29 PM »

Nothing to add except.........

Graybeard Outdoors officially endorses BUSH and Cheney in 2004.

Thank God

.....Van

Mohawk · « **Reply #23 on:** September 20, 2004, 07:37:50 AM »

I would have to say the S&W Model 19. I have a 19-3 that shoots better in DA than in SA. Slickest trigger I've ever fired!

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2004, 12:53:35 PM »

IMO.. S&W is BY FAR the best DA revolver produced..

tbu61 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 02, 2004, 05:59:11 PM »

In 1972 I shot a Python and smiled, always wanted to buy one.
In 1990 I bought one and smiled (a lot).
Every time I go into my gun room I look at a stack of Handguns, Smiths, Rugers, Colts, Walthers, etc... but I don't really smile till I see that Python.

My son is 14, and he has more fun with the Python than I ever did, in fact he always invites the "old-timers" at the range to shoot it.......
(as you might have guessed) They smile too :grin:

If you have never shot one, you are missing out on something very special, maybe you'll get lucky one day and meet my son on the range.....

Regards
Todd

dogngun · « **Reply #26 on:** October 09, 2004, 04:07:36 AM »

I have a S&W Mod 19 round butt 2 1/2" that I want to keep till I'm gone from here.
Also have S&W Mod 29 4", pretty much the same.

There are some really nice Rugers, and some great Colts, too.

Have to get one of each, and have a few years to shoot'em....

Contributions gratefully accepted.
Mark

LMM · « **Reply #27 on:** October 12, 2004, 11:03:05 PM »

Quote from: Rmouleart

Back in the days I carried a Colt King Cobra, Nice revolver, till she started displaying a timing problem, I guess it was a inherited problem with the King Cobra's, Looked deadly though;) Nice action when it worked right, I only noticed the timing would go off when using double action, got rid of it of course, I think the Ruger SRH are very durable for a double action,nothing fancy, but a good working tool, very hearty, seem to get smoother the more rounds you run through it, never gets sloppy, like some other revolvers, I will not mention. I also like the way Ruger locks both ends of the cylinder keeping nice and tight. I always accurize all my handguns as well, smooths out the rugers trigger and action a bit. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

I had the same experience with my Colt King Cobra.

RUGER all the way!!!! No better double action revolver made. King of the single actions also!

Rmouleart · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2004, 02:46:46 AM »

I agree with you 100% LLM, after accurizing a Ruger rvolver you have a well tuned wheelgun that will out last us. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Savage · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2004, 06:52:43 AM »

My favorites are my Mdls 19 & 29 S&W. Beautiful guns and smooth as silk.I am also fond of an old Security Six in SS that I own. I am not afraid to shoot as many full house loads as I want thru the Ruger. The Ruger is hands down the strongest & most durable of the three. I reserve the mdl 19 for 38spl, and shoot full house loads in the mdl 29 sparingly. If I wanted to shoot a lot of heavy 44mag loads, I'd get a Red Hawk.
Savage