Which is the most accurate revolver? If you have watched the Dark Tower movie, you’d have noted that Idris Elba's guns are on another level. Those guns are so accurate that he can fire a bullet and hit it with the second cartridge. But, back to the real world, which is the most accurate revolver? What’re the features to look for? Let's find out.
Key Takeaways
- The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Competitor 686 .357 Magnum revolver has a front and rear sight GREAT for accuracy.
- The Ruger SP101 4" is a LIGHTWEIGHT revolver (1.9 lbs) that is easy to hold, aim, and shoot.
- The Colt Python is a long barrel revolver, making long-range shooting a walk in the park.
Top 6 Most Accurate Revolvers
Before I answer the question "which is the most accurate revolver?", it's worth noting that in the accurate-shooting community, it's not primarily the gun type that hits the target. It's the man holding the revolver.
Give Jerry Miculek a water gun, and he'll prove the point. That man can kill with anything that has a trigger. However, a great revolver does indeed make the aiming easier.
Here's our list of the top accurate revolvers.
As the name suggests, this machine is a top competitor-it's built for precision. As Smith & Wesson puts it, the S&W 686 is modern-world craftsmanship.
Key features
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Barrel measurement: 6"
- Overall measurement: 11.5"
- Cylinder capacity, 6 rounds
- Action: Single (SA) and Double-action (DA) revolver
- Caliber: 357 Magnum,
- Adjustable Barrel sights (front and rear)
- Frame, cylinder, and barrel Material: stainless steel
- Grip: Synthetic
- Frame Finish: Matte Silver
- Chrome Trigger with Trigger Stop
If you're a beginner shooter, struggling to get a bullseye, this wheel gun will help you shoot like a pro. How? The gun comes with front and adjustable rear sights, which help pin your target, especially if it's a moving target. It's the perfect hunting revolver.
The barrel lengths of a gun are vital when it comes to accuracy. The 6" S&W 686 is perfect for keeping the bullet on your target even in long-range shots.
What about safety? The S&W 686 has three inbuilt safety features:
- The bound slid blocker prevents the hammer and trigger from moving while in rest position (prevents the gun from firing if dropped)
- The hammer blocker. It separates the hammer from the frame. It also prevents firing if dropped
- The hummer stopper. It prevents cocking the hammer if the gun is opened
The performance and durability of this long range revolver are so impressive that it has found its way in France, Norway, and the US security departments as a police revolver.
Are revolvers more accurate if they have less recoil? Well, this revolver is quite heavy (3.5 lbs) and long, therefore, it's not the best-concealed carry revolver but it does promise better accuracy as it's on the heavy side and, therefore, has less recoil.
2. Ruger SP101 4"
The interesting part about the Ruger SP101 is, aside from its accuracy, it's a small revolver-best for self-defense and concealed carrying. It's 1.9 pounds and 9.12" long.
Key features
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Barrel measurement: 4.2"
- Overall measurement: 9.12"
- Cylinder capacity: 5 rounds
- Action: DA/SA revolver
- Caliber: 357 Magnum, 38 special, 327 Federal Mag
- Target sights: bright fiber optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight
- Frame, cylinder, and barrel material: stainless steel
- Grip: Synthetic with curved wooden plates
It’s a powerful handgun, accurate, and the fiber optic front sight makes your aiming easy, even under a bright sun. The wood and rubber handle gives the gun a good grip, plus it's gloves-friendly.
It has perfect timing (the cylinder rotates and aligns with the barrel before the hammer falls).
The gun has a lighter trigger pulled under single action mode, about 3.5 pounds. However, you might struggle with the long double-action pull, especially on your first rounds (a little training and your fingers will adjust).
The best thing about the long double-action pull with this handgun is there are no hang-ups, and the pull is smooth.
The Ruger SP101 4-inch barrel is an excellent revolver for sports, hunting, and defense against two or four-legged creatures.
3. Colt Python
Commonly known as python, this heavy-duty revolver has both history and standards. It was among the best revolvers in the 1955s, competing with the S&W handguns.
Back then, it was known for accuracy and durability, even though it was handmade. Now, with advanced technology, Colt Python ranks at the top as one of the most accurate revolvers.
Key Features
- Weight: 2.4-3.0 pounds
- Barrel measurement: 4.2"-6"
- Overall measurement: 6.4"-8"
- Cylinder capacity: 6 rounds
- Action: DA/SA revolvers
- Caliber: 357 and 38 special Magnum
- Frame, cylinder, and barrel Material: stainless steel
- Grip: Curved wood
- Heavy lag weight under the barrel
The modern revolvers like Colt King Cobra and the new Colt Python are improvement on the first handgun, the old Colt Python. Some of the notable changes include:
- There is a less cylinder-barrel gap, which gives the gun more power and a longer shooting range (200+ yards). Only a few revolvers have such ranges.
- A simpler trigger mechanism
- A stronger metal used to boost durability
For accuracy, the Colt Python has more weight beneath the barrel to keep the muzzle down while firing. It cuts the recoil force, making the gun more stable and accurate.
The choked barrel also helps project the bullet with little wall collision, making the Colt Python a very accurate revolver.
The gun has a lighter trigger pull, and the weight is well-balanced with no sharp edges. It's the kind of gun you need.
4. Dan Wesson 715
The Dan Wesson double-action revolver stands out due to its unique design. It comes with adjustable barrels, 4", 6", and 8". The Dan Wesson wheel guns are built for three things:
- Accuracy
- Durability, and
- Adaptability (can be used as a shooting, hunting, or a home defense gun)
The 6" long barrel revolver has a heavy vent shroud which helps to counter the recoil from 357 Magnum. You'll note the difference between the double action and the single action pull of the Dan Wesson 715 with other revolvers, the pulls are short and relatively light.
The clockwise rotation of the cylinder makes the DW 715 unique from most modern revolvers. The rotation is foundational in reducing friction on the crane, which adds to the gun's lifespan.
The removable barrels are well-designed to fit the gun frame and ensure proper timing. It also has a wide range of accessories compared to colt python. The revolver works properly with barrels and grips from most revolvers, such as the 15-2 or newer models.
Key features
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
- Barrel measurement: 4", 6", and 8"
- Caliber:357 Magnum / .38 Special
- Cylinder capacity: 6 Rounds
- Action: DA / SA revolver
- Frame, cylinder, and barrel Material: Stainless steel
- Grip: Synthetic
- adjustable front and rear sights target
5. Ruger Blackhawk 41 Mag
Ruger Blackhawk 41 Mag is the first single-action revolver on our list. The shooting speed is a bit slow, particularly because the hammer is manually cocked. However, the firearm is very accurate in close targets and ranks with some of the powerful freedom arms revolvers.
Some find Ruger Blackhawk revolvers best to use for learning accurate shooting. They are easy to control, and they're safe.
Key features
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- barrel measurement: 6.50"
- Caliber: 41 Magnum
- Action: Single action
- A swing-out cylinder with six chambers
- Grip: Synthetic/wood
- Frame: stainless steel
- Front and adjustable rear sights
The Taurus Tracker 692 6.5-inch long barrel revolver is one of the unique revolvers that comes with an extra 9 mm cylinder, which you can easily swap. The gun is designed to reduce the recoil force by adding more weight to the barrel, which makes it easy to make accurate shots even on long ranges.
This long range revolver has a double action mechanism, therefore, you don’t need to move your thumb to cock the hammer for sequent shots. Your work is only to aim and shoot.
Key features
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
- Cylinder capacity: 7 rounds
- Caliber: 357 Magnum / 38 special +P / 9 mm
- Barrel measurement: 6.50"
- Frame, cylinder, and barrel material: Stainless steel
- Frame finish: Matte black or silver
- The revolver has well-spaced sights for accurate shooting
What Is the Most Accurate Revolver?
The Smith & Wesson (S&W) 686 is widely regarded as one of the most accurate revolvers available, owing to its exceptional design features and precision engineering. The 686 is renowned for its superior accuracy due to several key factors.
First and foremost, its solid construction and robust build quality contribute to enhanced stability and reduced recoil. The revolver's barrel, typically 4 to 6 inches in length, is precisely rifled to ensure minimal bullet deviation, resulting in consistently precise shot placement.
Additionally, the 686 employs a smooth and reliable double-action trigger mechanism, allowing for a consistent and controlled trigger pull that minimizes the risk of jerking and ensures optimal shot accuracy. The adjustable rear sight, accompanied by a highly visible front sight, offers you the ability to fine-tune your aiming for maximum precision.
Furthermore, the 686's ergonomic grip design provides a comfortable and secure hold, facilitating better control and stability during firing. This design consideration is crucial for maintaining consistent shooting accuracy, particularly during rapid-fire scenarios.
FAQs
Which is the best-concealed carry revolver?
One of the best-concealed carry revolvers is the Smith & Wesson 642 Handgun .38 Special revolver. The S&W most accurate 38 special revolver weighs 0.9 pounds, and it's 1.87" wide. The revolver can hold 5 bullets.
Are revolvers more accurate than other guns?
Compared to some semi-automatics, revolvers tend to be more accurate. Revolvers have fixed barrels that don't move while firing, which makes them more stable and accurate.
What is the most reliable revolver?
The most reliable revolver is the new colt python revolver. It's well-balanced to reduce recoil forces. The revolver has a smooth light trigger pull and a good barrel design for accuracy.
What is the easiest revolver to shoot?
The easiest revolver to shoot is the Ruger SP101 4". It's lightweight and easy to hold, aim and pull the trigger.
Even though the accurate shooting largely depends on the gun holding, the revolver type also counts. The most accurate revolvers are those that are most easy to use.
5. What are some of the best modern revolvers?
Some of the best modern revolvers are:
- Smith & Wesson Model 19
- Freedom Arms Model 83
- Ruger Super Blackhawk
- Colt’s Big Snake Guns
- Ruger GP100
- Colt Python 3-inch
6. What are the most reliable revolvers?
The most reliable revolvers are:
- Colt Python revolver
- Ruger Blackhawk
- Smith & Wesson Model 19
- Colt 1860 Army
- Colt Single Action Army (SAA)
- Smith & Wesson Model 29
- Ruger Super Redhawk
- Freedom Arms Model 83
- Colt Detective Special
- Smith & Wesson J-Frame