I’m going to give the response of an admitted curmudgeon / fanboi (can I interchange those terms? Ha!) of the pinned-and-recessed era of Smith & Wesson revolvers, with my personal favorites being the N-framed Models 27 and 28. One can find some stunning examples of these types of guns, though they will likely come at a price.

I have no experience with the wide world of Colt (old and new) or Korth, but I hear and read good things about them all. S&W is the brand that holds my double-action revolver attention.

Obligatory eye candy below.

 

I’m going to give the response of an admitted curmudgeon / fanboi (can I interchange those terms? Ha!) of the pinned-and-recessed era of Smith & Wesson revolvers, with my personal favorites being the N-framed Models 27 and 28. One can find some stunning examples of these types of guns, though they will likely come at a price.

I have no experience with the wide world of Colt (old and new) or Korth, but I hear and read good things about them all. S&W is the brand that holds my double-action revolver attention.

Obligatory eye candy below.

View attachment 1697710
View attachment 1697712

I’ll have to take a look at S&W, the one in the pic is stunning!

 

Korth, Freedom Arms, Hamilton Bowen custom Colt, Smith and Wesson, Ruger; Colt, Smith & Wesson...............

 

Looking at getting into revolvers. I’d rather start from the top instead of working my way up. Who makes the best revolver? .357 mainly. Looking at Korth because I heard they are the best but I really have no clue.

Thanks!

Manurhin M73 , Korth and Spohr

 

I can't speak to the Nanurhin but I've only heard good things. I own 2 Korths, I think that says it all...

​

 

Looking at getting into revolvers. I’d rather start from the top instead of working my way up. Who makes the best revolver? .357 mainly. Looking at Korth because I heard they are the best but I really have no clue.

Thanks!

How do you measure best?

Define that for us or it'll just be the usual pandemonium of people shouting idiosyncratic favorites.

 

Overall quality, fitment and warranty. I just bought a 6” Korth Ranger .357 with an included extra 9mm cylinder. I hope the Korth hits all 3.

 

Smith Model 27 or vintage colt python

 

Pre lock/mim S&W hands down. Mid 80s or earlier but I’m biased 🤣🤣

 

I agree with @Doc45, S&W 686-4!

 

Just finished the build. 66 no dash. Waiting on the grips to come in.

 

A fellow D&L man of culture I see. I have the same sights on my 66-8.

 

S&W, preferably an older pinned barrel version.

 

"best" is not really a thing.
What are your intended purposes for the revolver?
A revolver intended for range use will vary greatly in features from what you will want on a defensive carry revolver.
Sure, there is Korth and other high dollar manufacturers, but price is not what determines "best".

For me, "best" is a defensive revolver that takes the form of a S&W K frame snub or 3 inch variety.
Best for "fun" for me is a Single Action Army clone or similar single action revolver.
For hunting or predator work, a large bore/long barreled DA revolver wins the day.

If you are just getting into revolvers, be prepared to have a BLAST and try all kinds of excellent variety!!

 

You said “…best" is a defensive revolver that takes the form of a S&W K frame snub or 3 inch variety…”

and I agree: this 3 inch Colt King Cobra feels even more slim than a S&W K-frame M-19/M-66, a desirable classic

 

Plain and simple. Korth, right out-of-the-box.

 

My favorite is the pre-lock 686, standard or PC. But any of the early PC, K or L frame.

 

How does one define "Best"? I have had personal experience with four revolvers that I would consider as to be as good a revolver as can be (I am far from being an expert, however). I have had a 4" S&W 686, a Ruger SP-101 snub, a snub-nosed Colt King Cobra, and I have shot my son's 4" Ruger GP100. I thought all of them might be the best all around handgun someone could own. I no longer own the 686 and my son won't sell me his GP100, so, at least, I still have my King Cobra. It is very hard to go wrong with a good .357 revolver for more reasons than I have room to list.

 

Manhurin, Korth, or Spohr.

 

Excepting Korth, the other two seem to be rare beast in this part of the world. I wonder if Korth would be as well known as they are without NHC pushing them??

 

I would look at Gemini Customs and Korth.

 

Best in my world is relative based on usage; carry, queen or range day.
6" Colt Python won't make it as your daily carry, but it's good fun at the range!

 

 

Before I ever spent Korth money I'd have customized S&W .357 5" for range fun. I bought a 686 a couple years back for that. Maybe this year.

 

1. Colt King Cobra 3 inch for inside waist band, looped to belt, concealed carry. Got my wife one, but now I’ll get my own.

guessing, based on reputation and hear say:

2. Colt Anaconda 6 inch 44 for OWB, shoulder holster, or chest harness to use for city social work or mountain backup, good trigger reputation.

2 (tie) Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch 44 for mountain carry to steadily pound away with 340 grain +P+ to stop brown bears from continuing to hurt your feelings.

3. Korth, because I don’t know and I want to understand

 

1. Colt King Cobra 3 inch for inside waist band, looped to belt, concealed carry. Got my wife one, but now I’ll get my own.

guessing, based on reputation and hear say:

2. Colt Anaconda 6 inch 44 for OWB, shoulder holster, or chest harness to use for city social work or mountain backup, good trigger reputation.

2 (tie) Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch 44 for mountain carry to steadily pound away with 340 grain +P+ to stop brown bears from continuing to hurt your feelings.

3. Korth, because I don’t know and I want to understand

I want to understand a Korth too, I shot the carry version at Nighthawk a few years back and the 5” Mongoose still whispers to me….

 

I prefer Smiths over Colts

 

I have an affinity for the Willi era Korth revolvers.

 

Smith & Wesson IMO. Colts are ok but they are like putting the toilet paper roll in the holder backwards or flushing a toilet in Australia, they spin backwards.

These new space guns like the modern Korth are not my cup of tea but thats just personal opinion. These guns are set aside for Glock, AR and the 2011 crowd.

Now, I do like the early Korth guns but back then they looked just like every S&W or Colt gun of the time.

 

Spohr?

 

One of those fancy overpriced German revolvers. They do a ton of limited editions for crazy money.

 

The best, (of anything) is hard to define. For overall quality and condition I'll opt for my Smith and Wesson 6" M 27-2. The rest of my Smith and Wesson revolvers tied for a close second.

 

Ever handled one? I have. Do I own it? No. I cant afford one. Are they worth the asking prices? Not in my opinion. Are they well made? Beyond belief. They gar exceed the quality of any S&W, Colt or Ruger. I myself am a S&W fan because thats what I can afford and they did make fine revolves that have lasted me over 40years personally and others far longer.

 

 

Dude! You’re showing off!!

good stuff 👍 you’re doing something right.