The Best Revolvers You Can Still Buy Today

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Revolvers no longer dominate police holsters or concealed-carry counters, but the best current models still offer advantages semiautomatics cannot fully replace. They can fire extremely powerful cartridges, remain loaded without placing tension on a magazine spring, and handle unusually shaped ammunition without depending on a feeding cycle.

The category also offers more variety than many buyers realize. Current production includes lightweight pocket guns, durable .357 Magnums, hunting revolvers, rimfire trainers, optics-ready defensive models, and premium guns built with old-fashioned attention to detail. These 20 revolvers represent the strongest choices still available today.

Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus

The Model 686 Plus is one of the most versatile revolvers currently available. Its stainless L-frame is large enough to make .357 Magnum manageable without becoming as bulky as the company’s N-frame hunting revolvers. The seven-round cylinder also gives it one additional shot over a traditional six-shooter.

A 4-inch version is the best all-around configuration for most owners. It balances well, provides a useful sight radius, and remains practical for home defense, field carry, or range shooting. Smith & Wesson continues to offer the 686 family alongside its other current medium- and large-frame revolvers. It is expensive, but few revolvers handle as many roles this well.

Ruger GP100

The GP100 is rarely the smoothest or prettiest .357 Magnum at the gun counter. It may be the revolver most likely to survive decades of heavy use without making its owner regret the purchase.

Ruger uses a triple-locking cylinder and a frame built around strength rather than minimum weight. The grip stud also accepts several grip sizes and shapes without requiring the owner to match traditional frame dimensions. A 4.2-inch stainless GP100 gives buyers a durable general-purpose revolver, while Match Champion versions offer better sights and more refined handling.

Colt Python

The current Colt Python is not simply an exact copy of the hand-fitted original. Colt strengthened portions of the frame, redesigned internal components, and returned the revolver in several practical barrel lengths.

Its trigger is smooth, its sights are usable, and the full underlug helps control .357 Magnum recoil. The finish is not as deeply polished as the bluing on prized vintage examples, but the newer gun is better suited to regular shooting than many collectors are willing to admit. Colt also offers factory-compatible optics plates for current Python and Anaconda revolvers, giving the classic design a modern option.

Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum

The Model 66 places .357 Magnum capability into Smith & Wesson’s medium K-frame. It is easier to carry than a 686 and more comfortable to shoot than an ultralight snubnose.

Modern versions use an updated barrel and forcing-cone arrangement intended to withstand a broader diet of Magnum ammunition than certain older K-frames. The revolver still makes the most sense with .38 Special for practice and sensible .357 loads for defensive or field use. Buyers wanting one revolver that can be carried regularly without feeling underpowered should consider the Model 66.

Kimber K6s DASA

Kimber entered the revolver market with a gun that did not feel like an inexpensive side project. The K6s uses a six-round cylinder in a frame compact enough to compete with many five-shot carry revolvers.

The double-action trigger is unusually smooth, while DASA versions add an exposed hammer for deliberate single-action shooting. Sights are generally better than the shallow grooves found on basic snubnoses, and the stainless construction feels substantial. Kimber still supports the K6s family with current accessories and holsters, confirming that it remains part of the company’s active handgun lineup.

Ruger SP101

The SP101 fills the gap between lightweight pocket revolvers and full-size .357 Magnums. It is heavier than a Smith & Wesson Airweight, but that additional steel makes it easier to practice with and far more comfortable with defensive ammunition.

The five-shot .357 Magnum models are the best known, although other chamberings and configurations have been offered. A 3-inch barrel gives the revolver better balance and velocity without making it difficult to carry. Ruger continues to list the SP101 alongside the GP100, LCR, Redhawk, and its single-action revolvers.

Colt King Cobra

The King Cobra is smaller and lighter than the Python while still giving the shooter six rounds of .357 Magnum. It works particularly well as a field or defensive revolver for someone who finds the Python unnecessarily large.

The action is smooth, the stainless frame feels solid, and current Target versions offer adjustable sights and longer barrels. Shorter models are easier to carry but produce substantially more blast with full-power ammunition. Colt’s current revolver support includes optics plates for adjustable-sight King Cobra and Cobra-family models, which gives the platform more flexibility than traditional compact revolvers.

Smith & Wesson Model 642

The Model 642 remains one of the simplest concealed-carry revolvers available. Its enclosed hammer prevents snagging during a pocket or coat-pocket draw, while the aluminum frame keeps the unloaded weight low.

Its five-round capacity, small sights, and sharp recoil with +P ammunition are obvious compromises. The 642 survives because it is easy to carry and does not ask the shooter to manipulate a slide or manual safety. Smith & Wesson continues to list the 642 and related J-frame models in its current revolver catalog.

Ruger LCR

The LCR proves that a lightweight revolver does not need to have a miserable double-action trigger. Ruger uses a polymer fire-control housing and cam-style trigger system to create a smoother pull than many traditional snubnoses provide.

Versions are available in several chamberings, but the .38 Special model offers the best balance for most concealed carriers. The .357 Magnum version adds weight and cartridge flexibility, although full-power loads are extremely unpleasant through such a small gun. The LCR remains one of Ruger’s main current double-action revolver families.

Taurus Defender 856 T.O.R.O.

The Defender 856 T.O.R.O. gives buyers a six-shot .38 Special revolver with a 3-inch barrel and factory red-dot compatibility. That combination makes it one of the most modern affordable revolvers available.

The longer barrel and full-length ejector rod make it more practical than a basic 2-inch snubnose, while the six-round cylinder offers one additional shot over many small competitors. Taurus uses a plate compatible with popular compact-optic footprints, allowing shooters with aging eyes to mount a usable sight without custom machining.

Smith & Wesson Model 629

The Model 629 is the stainless version of Smith & Wesson’s famous large-frame .44 Magnum. It offers enough power for hunting, protection in bear country, and long-range handgun shooting while remaining more refined than many oversized hunting revolvers.

A 4-inch version carries better, but 6-inch models are easier to shoot accurately and control with full-power ammunition. The revolver is not a sensible choice for recoil-sensitive owners, and most people will practice more comfortably with .44 Special. Smith & Wesson still includes the 629 among its current large-frame revolvers.

Ruger Redhawk

The Redhawk is built for shooters who care more about strength than polished elegance. Its large frame, one-piece construction, and heavy cylinder make it well suited to powerful .44 Magnum and other large-bore loads.

The double-action trigger can feel heavy, and the revolver is substantial even with a shorter barrel. That weight becomes useful when the ammunition gets serious. Hunters and handloaders often choose the Redhawk because the platform gives them room to use heavy bullets without treating the revolver delicately. Ruger continues to list both the Redhawk and Super Redhawk in its current catalog.

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan

The Super Redhawk Alaskan looks almost absurd with its short barrel and massive frame. The unusual proportions serve a clear purpose: providing a compact revolver capable of firing powerful cartridges in areas where dangerous animals are a real concern.

It is still heavy, difficult to conceal, and violent with full-power ammunition. The short barrel sacrifices velocity and creates enormous blast. What the Alaskan offers is durability and serious power in a package easier to carry than a long-barreled hunting revolver. It is specialized, but within that role, few competitors are as convincing.

Colt Anaconda

The current Anaconda brings Colt’s modern revolver construction to the .44 Magnum category. It uses a larger frame than the Python and offers the weight needed to make heavy ammunition controllable.

Its action is smooth, the sights are practical, and the ventilated rib gives it the classic Colt appearance buyers expect. The revolver is expensive, but it provides a more polished alternative to the Ruger Redhawk and a fresh competitor to the Smith & Wesson 629. Colt supports current Anacondas with the same optics-plate system offered for the Python.

Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible

The Blackhawk Convertible provides something most modern handguns cannot match: the ability to fire two different cartridge families by swapping cylinders. Popular versions pair .357 Magnum with 9mm or .45 Colt with .45 ACP.

Accuracy may vary slightly between cartridges because the bullet diameters and chamber dimensions are not always identical. The convenience is still hard to dismiss. Owners can practice with common semiautomatic-pistol ammunition and switch to powerful revolver loads when needed. Ruger continues to produce the Blackhawk in standard, convertible, stainless, and Bisley configurations.

Ruger Super Wrangler

The Super Wrangler corrects the biggest limitations of Ruger’s basic Wrangler. It adds adjustable sights and a second cylinder for .22 Magnum while keeping the price well below a premium Single-Six.

Its cast construction and finish do not feel expensive, but the revolver is made to be shot rather than admired. Cheap .22 LR makes regular practice affordable, while the Magnum cylinder provides a little more capability for pests and small game. Ruger currently lists the Super Wrangler alongside its Bearcat, Wrangler, and Single-Six rimfire revolvers.

Chiappa Rhino 40DS

The Rhino 40DS fires from the bottom chamber of its cylinder rather than the top. This places the bore much lower in the hand and reduces the upward rotation normally associated with revolver recoil.

Its trigger system, internal hammer, flat-sided cylinder, and appearance require adjustment. The payoff is unusually flat shooting, especially with .357 Magnum ammunition. The 4-inch version provides a good balance between shootability and portability, while its accessory rail can accept a light or laser. Chiappa continues to feature the Rhino as a central part of its revolver catalog.

Manurhin MR73

The MR73 is one of the few current production revolvers that can honestly be described as a premium professional tool. It was developed for demanding French police use and remains known for exceptional durability, accuracy, and trigger quality.

Every part of the revolver feels expensive because it is expensive to manufacture. The trigger provides multiple adjustments, and the steel components are built around sustained use with full-power .357 Magnum ammunition. It costs several times more than an ordinary GP100 or 686, but buyers receive a revolver made to a standard almost absent from modern mass production.

Smith & Wesson Model 351C

The Model 351C offers seven rounds of .22 Magnum in an extremely light J-frame. Its enclosed hammer and minimal weight make it attractive for hikers, recoil-sensitive carriers, and people who want a revolver requiring little effort to carry.

The trigger is heavy because rimfire cartridges require a firm hammer strike. Ammunition is also more expensive than .22 LR, and the short barrel produces considerable blast. The 351C still fills a useful role for someone who cannot control a lightweight .38 Special but wants more performance than a basic rimfire pocket pistol.

Ruger New Model Single-Six Convertible

The Single-Six Convertible remains one of the best rimfire revolvers for buyers who want something built to last. It includes separate cylinders for .22 LR and .22 Magnum, providing inexpensive practice and additional velocity when needed.

It costs much more than a Wrangler, but the steel construction, adjustable sights, fit, and finish explain much of the difference. The loading process is slow, yet it encourages deliberate shooting and makes ammunition last. Ruger continues to offer the Single-Six family in convertible and caliber-specific configurations.