Smith and Wesson has been producing revolvers for more than a century, so the company has had plenty of time to get good at it. Their revolvers tend to be highly reliable and reasonably affordable. Many of them are specialized for specific roles, such as competitions or concealed carry, but there are all-purpose models available. The best Smith and Wesson revolver will always be tough and accurate, but its size and caliber will depend on the intended use. There are a lot of models to choose from, so we narrowed the field down to ten based on their performance, ergonomics, and value.
10. S&W Model 686 Plus
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 7 |
| Caliber | 357 Magnum/38 S&W Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2.5’’ |
| Weight | 34.1 oz |
| Price Range | $800-$900 |
The 686 Plus stands out for its extremely light trigger, especially in the single action mode. That makes it easy and pleasant to fire, but it also means that new shooters are more likely to have an accidental discharge with this model than with most others. The barrel is extremely short, which can also make it hard for new users to shoot accurately, but also makes it easier to carry. Those factors make this a great gun for experts, but it is not very friendly to newer shooters.
9. S&W Model 17 Masterpiece
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 22 LR |
| Barrel Length | 6’’ |
| Weight | 39.9 oz |
| Price Range | $900-$1000 |
The Model 17 Masterpiece is a dedicated plinking pistol. The combination of a large, hefty frame with a light caliber means that it has negligible recoil, which combines with the pistol’s long barrel to ensure high accuracy. It costs more than most plinking guns, but the quality of construction is high, which makes it shoot more smoothly and reliably than most. The downside to this model is its low power, which makes it a poor choice for most handgun hunting and defensive usages. Try it if you want a revolver that is specialized for target shooting.
8. S&W Model 460XVR
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 45 Colt/454 Casull/460 S&W Magnum |
| Barrel Length | 8.38’’ |
| Weight | 72.2 oz |
| Price Range | $1300-$1400 |
The Model 460XVR is a hunting revolver that stands out because it offers the highest muzzle velocity on the market. The rifling is designed specifically to make it accurate at long ranges, so it remains adequate for hunting out to roughly 200 yards. The revolver is bulky enough that the recoil feels low even with potent cartridges, which give it enough power to take down large game. This model is overkill for plinking and too large to conceal, but it is an excellent choice for shooting over long distances.
7. S&W Performance Center 325 Thunder Ranch
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 45 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 4’’ |
| Weight | 30.7 oz |
| Price Range | $1300-$1400 |
The Thunder Ranch revolver is a large revolver that uses a scandium alloy to keep the weight of the frame low. That means that the recoil can be a little stronger than some shooters first expect, but it is still fairly easy to manage. The sights are average, but there is a serration in place that reduces glare for better accuracy in poor lighting conditions. That combines with the gun’s precision construction to enable high accuracy for good shooters. This is a good choice for experienced shooters that need high power and accuracy.
6. S&W Model 19 Classic
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 357 Magnum/38 S&W Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 4.25’’ |
| Weight | 37.2 oz |
| Price Range | $800-$900 |
The Model 19 Classic is a compromise between functionality and aesthetics. It is an updated form of the original Model 19, which proved its effectiveness with law enforcement officers decades ago. It is difficult, but not impossible, to conceal this weapon, so it is best for use at the range or for open carry. Walnut grips make it more attractive than many defensive weapons, and their checkering helps to prevent hands from slipping. Use this model if you want an attractive display piece that you can also take to the range.
5. S&W M&P Bodyguard 38
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 38 S&W Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 1.875’’ |
| Weight | 14.2 oz |
| Price Range | $300-$400 |
The Bodyguard 38 is the best Smith and Wesson revolver for people who want a cheap weapon for daily carry. The gun’s tiny barrel makes it easy to conceal, but that does come at the cost of reduced accuracy. Recoil can be a problem for inexperienced or small shooters, so regular practice is vital for this model. An ambidextrous cylinder release also makes this a decent choice for left-handed shooters. Considering using this model as a backup weapon, or for times when you need to minimize the size of your gun.
4. S&W Performance Center M&P R8
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 8 |
| Caliber | 357 Magnum/38 S&W Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 5’’ |
| Weight | 35.9 oz |
| Price Range | $1300-$1400 |
The M&P R8 has a slightly higher ammo capacity than most of the company’s revolvers, which can be an asset in defensive situations. On the other hand, it is too big and a little too heavy to conceal, so it works better for home defense than daily carry. This model is extremely accurate and reliable, so it is also the best Smith and Wesson revolver for use in competitions. It will work well for experienced shooters, but novices may want to start with something cheaper.
3. S&W Model Governor
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 410 2 1/2″/45 ACP/45 Colt |
| Barrel Length | 2.75’’ |
| Weight | 29.6 oz |
| Price Range | $800-$900 |
The Governor is an unusual revolver that can accept small shotgun shells, which makes it a highly versatile weapon. It is too large to be easy to conceal, but it is light enough that it can be carried comfortably all day long. The recoil is fairly light, especially when shooting normal cartridges instead of shells. A good trigger helps to make this gun quick and easy to fire, and it offers accuracy on par with that of most other small revolvers. This is the best Smith and Wesson revolver if you need something versatile.
2. S&W Model 66 Combat Magnum
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 357 Magnum/38 S&W Special +P |
| Barrel Length | 2.75’’ |
| Weight | 33.5 oz |
| Price Range | $800-$900 |
The Model 66 Combat Magnum is the best Smith and Wesson revolver for daily carry. It is one of the smaller revolvers, but the barrel is still long enough to ensure an acceptable level of accuracy at combat ranges. The grip curves to fit the hand naturally, which makes it easier to grip properly during stressful situations. It isn’t the most powerful revolvers, but it is strong enough to get the job done without having too much recoil. Use it if you need a small weapon for defensive purposes. You can also look at our list for more 38 special revolvers.
1. S&W Model 29
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 44 Magnum/.44 S&W Special |
| Barrel Length | 6.5’’ |
| Weight | 47.7 oz |
| Price Range | $1100-$1200 |
The Model 29, which was made famous by Dirty Harry, is the best Smith and Wesson revolver for collectors and a great choice for frequent shooters. It is an incredibly powerful revolver, which makes it suitable for handgun hunting and emergency use in the wilderness. It has relatively heavy recoil, but most people can learn to handle it, and the power more than compensates for it. The frame is too big for concealment, and it can be uncomfortable to carry this gun for too long, but it is great for shooters who can use a big gun.
Making The Right Choice
Picking the best Smith and Wesson revolver can be hard because there are so many strong choices. The key is keeping the gun’s intended use in mind. Accuracy and reliability are universal, but you need to pay close attention to the gun’s power level and ease of use to make the right choice. If you try a good one that we missed, describe it in the comments so others can check it out.
