February 12, 2014
By Joseph von Benedikt
This year's list of new revolvers reads like a battle of the wheelgun titans. Smith & Wesson and Ruger each have several new models and interesting variations on existing models. Plus, Taurus has a unique pocket revolver worth a "view," pun intended.
Prefer little pocket revolvers with big bark? Interested in heavy-hitting, long-barreled hunting guns? Or are you a retro guy that believes the revolver is the ultimate duty gun? We've got something for everyone.
So brush the labrador hair off your dog's favorite recliner, pop a top on something worthy, and settle back to peruse the best new revolvers for 2014. Warning: Compulsive spending is a common side effect of viewing new-model revolvers.
Chiappa SAA 1873 Buntline If you like popping squirrels from treetops Wyatt Earp style, this long-barreled
Chiappa single-action .22 LR is your ticket to rimfire happiness. Â
Given it's 12-inch barrel and the tremendous radius between the adjustable sights, it should be accurate enough to pick off bottle caps at 25 yards. The frame is constructed of a zamak alloy, and if I'm not mistaken so is the steel-lined barrel. Safety-concious individuals will appreciate the side safety key.
Weight: 38.4 ounces
Barrel length: 12 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds
Price: not available at press time.
Ruger GP100 Match Champion Probably the sexiest GP100 to ever roll off a production line, the new
Ruger Match Champion comes packed with desirable features.
It sports a recoil-dampening, heavy slab-sided half-lug barrel, Novak Lo-Mount Carry fixed rear sight and fiber optic front and a Hogue stippled hardwood grip. Ruger's triple-locking system provides accurate, consistent cylinder alignment and unsurpassed strength. We can't think of anything better for use under the gnarliest, most abusive conditions nature can throw down.
Weight: 38 ounces
Barrel length: 4.2 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds
Price: $899
Ruger LCRx Expanding Ruger's futuristic line of partial-polymer-frame revolvers, the
LCRx offers shooters an exposed hammer to manually cock and shoot single-action when additional precision is required.
Small and light, the 13.5-ounce .38 Special is fitted with Hogue Tamer grips, a worthy addition to assist in recoil control. Non-polymer portions of the frame are made of aerospace-grade, 7000-series aluminum, and the fluted stainless steel cylinder has an Ionbond-Diamondblack finish.
Weight: 13.5 ounces
Barrel length: 1.87 inch
Capacity: 5 rounds
Price: $529
Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull Loved by hunters for the integral scope mounts machined into the extended frame,
Ruger's Super Redhawk is a premium choice for big game — especially now that it's available in .454 Casull.
Hogue Tamer monogrips help control recoil, and Ruger's triple-locking cylinder ensures strength and consistency even with a steady diet of the heaviest hunting loads. Another beauty of the .454 Casull chambering is that the cylinder will accept and safely fire .45 Colt cartridges. Why
wouldn't you want one?
Weight: 52 ounces
Barrel length: 7.5 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds
Price: [imo-slideshow gallery= 83],079
Smith & Wesson Governor If versatility is your game, the
Smith & Wesson Governor is the name. Just try to find another handgun capable of firing rimmed cartridges (.45 Colt), rimless cartridges (.45 ACP), and shotshells (.410 gauge).
Built of Scandium alloy and finished in matte silver, the Governor is a big, stocky revolver with a cylinder milled to accept moon clips and 2-shot moon clips — both of which are included from the factory — enabling you to reload quickly and mix and match all three types of ammunition to your heart's delight. A comfy rubber grip minimizes the affect of recoil.
Weight: 30 ounces
Barrel length: 2.75 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds of .45 Colt, .45 ACP or .410 gauge shotshell
Price: $809
Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 Magnum Revolver gods wept when S&W discontinued their
.357 Magnum K-frame revolvers decades ago, but it had to be done; frames of guns being fed a steady diet of heavy magnum loads were cracking.
Now re-introduced in the beautifully balanced, stainless steel Model 66, the new K-frames are strong where the old model was weak. Perhaps the ultimate in .357 Magnum size and pointability, it has revolver enthusiasts across the nation dancing around bonfires in celebration.
Weight: 36 ounces
Barrel length: 4.25 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds
Price: $849
Smith & Wesson PC Model 460XVR If European explorers still carried heavy backup handguns to scrape irate Indian tigers from the trunks of their riding elephants, this would be their 'Howdah ' pistol of choice.
While its 3.5-inch barrel lacks the velocity- and accuracy-aiding length of some of its X-frame siblings, this
.460 S&W Magnum has the responsiveness and quick handling characteristics needed in a defensive handgun — when potential attackers are large and toothy. It's the perfect backup plan for those of us foolish enough to want to hunt grizzlies with archery gear. Boasting a Performance Center hand-tuned action, the 460XVR also has the ability to fire .45 Colt, .454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum cartridges.
Weight: 59 ounces
Barrel length: 3.5 inches
Capacity: 5 very large rounds
Price: [imo-slideshow gallery= 83],609
Smith & Wesson PC Model 629 If you drive a classic Jaguar because, well, you can, this is definitely your revolver.
With an included optic rail and light rail, this
Model 629 stainless steel .44 Magnum would be the envy of Dirty Harry, and mounted with a magnified optic rather than a red dot it will serve yeoman's duty on big game. Heck, you could even attach a bipod to that rail machined under the barrel. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel shrugs off the elements and sets off the custom wood grips, but don't judge it by looks alone — being a Performance Center revolver, it's got a hand-tuned action with an icicle-like single-action and butter-smooth double action trigger.
Weight: 59 ounces
Barrel length: 8.37 inches
Capacity: 6 rounds
Price: [imo-slideshow gallery= 83],399
Taurus View We're not entirely sure what Taurus was thinking when it created the
View revolver , but they
clearly aren't hiding anything. Okay, enough with the tasteless puns.
Incorporating a cool, see-through polymer side plate that allows a good look at its guts, the View is loosely based on the Taurus Model 85. However, it's got a new, distinctly different grip profile to reduce printing through thin clothing and enhance the shooter's ability to control muzzle jump during recoil. Frankly, at only 9 ounces, it will be a dream to carry and a nightmare to shoot with heavy +P loads.
Weight: 9 ounces
Barrel length: 1.41 inches
Capacity: 5 rounds
Price: $599
