Believe it or not, revolvers are still being used in 2019. Unless you’re a gun expert, you may be wondering how they’re still relevant today.
There are some shooting practices that can only be done by using a revolver.
In this article we're going to share with you everything you need to know about the best modern revolvers of 2019.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Modern Revolvers
- OUR TOP PICK: Kimber K6s
- RUNNER-UP: COLT - Cobra .38 Special 2"
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Ruger GP100
Comparison of the Best Modern Revolvers
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Are All Revolvers The Same?
One of the most common misconceptions about revolvers is that they’re the same as pistols. This couldn’t be further from the truth. With that being said, not all revolvers are the same. There are single-action revolvers as well as double-action revolvers. We will be talking about both today.
What Makes These the Best of the Year?
These revolvers were not plucked out at complete random. We’ve had our eyes on some characteristics and features considered the best when it comes to finding the right revolver for you. These are the characteristics and features you’ll need to look for while searching for your own revolver:
Ergonomics
Comfort is one of the benefits a revolver owner should look for. It’s important to find a revolver that will stand out as one of the best when it comes to ergonomics. Pay close attention to the grip design. Some have ridges that will allow you to have better grip and support on your revolver, thus making it easier to control.
Durability
Durability is another must when it comes to revolvers. And you cannot find it in a revolver that isn’t made with of the best quality materials. As you look through each revolver on the list, pay close attention to what the revolvers are made from. Steel and polymer are probably two of the best materials to look out for in a revolver.
Power
Of course, you’ll need a revolver that delivers some serious knockdown power. For example, some calibers will be a bit more powerful when it comes to doing damage. One such caliber is a .357. Most .357 revolvers are proven to do quite a bit of damage and can deliver enough knockdown power to take out small game targets like varmint.
Review of the Best Modern Revolvers
We wanted to share in-depth reviews about the five best modern revolvers on the market today to help you decide on one for your use. We’ve included honest pros and cons to help you weigh your options and help you find the gun that will work best for your needs.
Along with those, you’ll also be able to see what people have to say who have already spent their hard-earned money and used the gun themselves. Let’s start out by talking about the best overall modern revolver: the Kimber K6s.
Best Overall:
Kimber K6s
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers were satisfied with the revolver overall. They were impressed mostly with the rubber grip giving them vice-like control over their revolver so they were able to fire accurate and more precise shots from almost any manageable distance. One user said she took this out to the range to test it out for the purpose of concealed carry. She was not disappointed when she found she could hit a bullseye consistently from 40 yards out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One thing that obviously stands out is the overall size. It’s perfect for the sake of concealed carry. Since it will fit like a glove in most OWB holsters, you’ll be quite content with the fact that you can carry it just about anywhere (wherever it’s legal). Not to be outdone, the shooting ability is quite smooth and won’t be much of a pain when it comes to the cycling itself. So all you have to do is ready, aim, and fire (then rinse and repeat). If you want a revolver that is simple to use and super-accurate, this will certainly stand out as one of your best choices.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re looking for the perfect EDC revolver, this might be the one you’ll need in your arsenal. It’s at the perfect size and can fit in just about any storage space where it’s appropriate. It’s better to be prepared for any danger, rather than get caught in a situation where you don’t have a weapon to work with.
Bottom Line
The Kimber K6 Revolver will certainly stand out as one of the worthiest candidates for the best modern revolver. But it will probably be the odds-on favorite for those looking for a great EDC revolver for self-defense. If you want something that will give you a level playing field in a life and death situation, this revolver makes a strong case for being your best friend to back you up in any situation.
Runner-up:
COLT Cobra .38 Special 2"
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the quality this gun brings to the table. Not only is it made out of high-quality materials, but it’s also incredibly reliable without breaking the bank. It also has comfortable grips which are an incredibly important feature for a firearm to have. One user said he was able to go through an extended period of shooting at the range without hand fatigue.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This revolver stands out as one of the best when it comes to EDC revolvers. At two inches, the barrel is small enough to allow for easy storage in a holster or small spaces. Not to mention, it’s insanely accurate from various close ranges. It’s also so lightweight that you won’t feel like carrying a dumbbell in your holster while out and about.
Who Will Use This Most
This gun would be best used by someone who is practicing on a target or needing a weapon for self-defense. It’s a high-quality revolver, no matter your skill level and can be used by newbies, people with moderate experience, or self-proclaimed experts. So if you want something that will be easy to use and won’t cause any grief through so many rounds, you’ll absolutely want to invest your hard-earned money in this revolver.
Bottom Line
The Cobra .38 Special stands to make a convincing enough case on why it should be one of the best EDC revolvers on the market. The size itself might be enough to satisfy a lot of potential users. But it’s the performance that counts. So if you want an EDC revolver that is accurate and can do a good deal of damage in any given application, this could be right up your alley.
Best for the Money:
Ruger GP100
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Other than the small price tag, people seem to enjoy the triple locking cylinder feature, along with the transfer-bar mechanism. This mechanism prevents any accidental discharge, which could be seen as an additional safety feature. One user said he was quite happy to get a lot out of this revolver at a price he was able to afford.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This revolver hits the all-important sweet spot in what to look for in a budget revolver. While it’s affordable in price, it excels in quality and performance. Not to mention, it’s at a pretty reasonable size that can be considered ideal for concealed carry use. So if you love yourself a revolver and would want nothing more than a smaller model for the purpose of EDC, this might be exactly what you’ll need.
Who Will Use This Most
If you have used a revolver before and need some type of upgrade from your starter model, you can’t go wrong with this. This will probably have more power and do a bit more damage than your current revolver. If you think now is the time to make a suitable upgrade for an EDC revolver, this one might just be a good option to have.
Bottom Line
The Ruger GP100 has proven itself to be one of the best in the business while being the most affordable. It can pack a serious punch and can definitely stand out as a seasoned vet’s favorite when it comes to EDC and home defense. This might be the only revolver you can rely on once you purchase this for yourself.
4. Ruger LCR
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most new buyers were seriously impressed with the overall features and abilities of this Ruger model. They were quick to conclude that it can be quite accurate with targets ranging from 30 to 50 yards out. One user said that he takes it out to the range for the sake of casual target shooting, but won’t hesitate to use it if he ends up in a dangerous situation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This revolver proves itself that Ruger is one of the most reliable and prolific brands when it comes to this type of handgun. Rugers have long been durable, reliable, and perfect for any given application for decades. They continue to lay the groundwork by manufacturing a revolver like this. It’s tough, accurate, and easy to use for most users.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be a great revolver for those who want a superior grip. If you happen to be caught up in nasty weather during a range session, rest assured that you will still have excellent control over it and be able to hit your shots exactly where you want them. It might be hard to believe at first. But trust us, once you fire this puppy a few times, you’ll never want to go back to your old revolver.
Bottom Line
The Ruger LCR might just be the revolver to go with if you are a newbie user and want something that will be great for handling, regardless of what weather conditions you end up finding yourself in at the range. Furthermore, it can be a useful firearm when you are in a dangerous situation. You’d be insane to not consider this an EDC revolver.
5. Smith & Wesson 686 Centerfire
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of new buyers were pretty satisfied with the revolver. They called it really easy to fire and reload. It saved them a lot of time that would have otherwise been wasted on struggling with the loading process. One user said the cylinder was surprisingly easy to pull out compared to revolvers he’s fired before.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Smith & Wesson brand is another name like the Ruger which is often floated around a lot when it comes to revolvers. They stand out as a brand that constructs high-quality and high-performing revolvers and firearms. This specifically makes no exceptions. It’s accurate, solid in construction, and definitely useful in just about any application.
Who Will Use This Most
This revolver might be a great model for newbie users. So if you’ve never owned a revolver in your entire life, this just might be the perfect one to start with. You’ll have a good amount of firepower to work with and be confident in using it for all kinds of applications. Don’t be shocked if you end up using it for more than one purpose.
Bottom Line
The Smith & Wesson 686 Centerfire will be important to you if you are in search of a do-it-all revolver that can get the job done. You can fire accurately and precisely at any manageable distance while enjoying the benefits of a revolver that can stay tough and reliable for the long run. Don’t be shocked if this bad boy stays with you for years or perhaps a few decades.
Pros and Cons of Revolvers
So how do you know if a revolver is the right firearm for you? Let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of revolvers, in general, to help you get a better idea.
Pros
What are the benefits of revolvers?
Easy To Operate
Revolvers are some of the easiest firearms to use. As long as the ammo is properly placed, all you need to do point at the target and pull the trigger. You can’t get much easier than this.
Reliable
There’s been a lot of controversy when it comes to the reliability of a revolver. Many people may choose a semi-automatic pistol instead. What sets a revolver apart is the fact that it will fire with power year after year. You also don’t have to worry about any jamming that could leave you in an unsafe situation.
Variety of Ammo Choices
Another great thing about revolvers is that you have a wide variety of ammo choices. While many users have different opinions on which is the best round that can be used in a revolver, the fact that you have several options is a plus for us.
Conceal and Carry
Because revolvers are small and compact weapons, they’re perfect for conceal and carry. Depending on where you live, at the time of writing this article, many states allow concealed carry revolvers.
Cons
As is common in the world, there are a few things you give up for the benefits of a revolver:
Round Capacity
Depending on the revolver, you may only get between six and eight shots per round. Things like the size of the cylinder and size of the ammunition play a role, as well. While six shots should be good enough to get most jobs done, the option to have more rounds can bring a greater sense of safety.
Reload Time
Another thing that isn’t great about revolvers is the fact that they have a longer reload time. To increase the reload time, you can get a speedloader, but it’s still not as fast as semi-automatic weapons.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you have a better idea of why revolvers are still relevant in modern times. If you’re in the market for a new weapon, consider one of the five amazing revolvers listed above. All of the firearms we reviewed are the best of the best. We hope you were able to find one that works for you and your needs.
People Also Ask
When it comes to guns, there can be many questions people have. It’s often thought that revolvers were used in the wild west by cowboys and haven’t been used much since. Since that isn’t the case, and they’re still in use by many today, we wanted to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about revolvers.
Are Revolvers Still Viable?
Revolvers are quite viable. This is mostly because of how durable they are. You can count on them for several years and they rarely, if ever, stop working or encounter any issues. I don’t know about you, but I want a weapon I can rely on when needed.
Are All Revolvers Six Shooters?
There are a variety of different chambered shooters when it comes to revolvers. The most common you’ll find is five or six chambers. However, you can find plenty of revolver options that have up to ten chambers. There’s even one that has 12!
Why Do Modern Revolvers Have Short Barrels?
A revolver with a short barrel is also called a snub-nosed revolver. There are many reasons that barrel links are shorter nowadays. One of the main reasons is that they’re more concealable for those who carry publicly. They’re also easier to hold steadily and make shooting repetitive shots a breeze.
Why Are Most Modern Revolvers Stainless?
A revolver being made out of stainless steel is nothing new. When they were created, they were often made out of carbon steel and stainless steel. Stainless steel is durable, lightweight, and most importantly, resistant to chemicals and rust, making it perfect for a conceal and carry weapon.
