Best Revolvers: Tested & Rated [2026]

Do you know what type of firearm has enjoyed amazing staying power?

Revolvers!

You'd think after the 1911 came out, the revolver would have hit that dusty trail, only to be brought out for fun here and there.

Yet revolvers are still popular, and they are even seeing new development and growth.

But with so many options, where does one start? Don't worry, we combed through a ton of wheelguns and pared them down to a list of some of the best across a few different categories.

So keep reading to see our favorites!

Best Revolvers Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Magnum Revolvers

Input for this article came from various members of the PPT editorial team and our writers. We have over 40 years of combined experience with wheelguns specifically, including instruction, concealed carry, hunting, and competition.

Round Count & Reliability Testing

We have hands-on time with every revolver on this list. To test reliability, we have put a minimum of 500 rounds through each, except the MR73, Uberti 1858, and Super Redhawk, which have lower round counts.

Additionally, most of the revolvers on the list are personally owned by members of the Pew Pew Tactical staff and have been used for years, with many far exceeding our 500-round testing minimum.

Accuracy Testing

Standard accuracy is conducted by firing a full cylinder at 7 and 10 yards freehand. Further accuracy testing is conducted by shooting at 15 and 25 yards, sometimes beyond. Both FMJ and defensive/hunting ammunition are used during accuracy and reliability testing. 

Want to learn more about how we rate guns? We got in-depth on our process here!

Meet the Experts

Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike spearheaded this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. His experience as a machinegunner, recreational shooter, and hunter has given him unique insight into bipod usage. Additionally, Travis has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications and has tested countless pistols, revolvers, and other firearm accessories.

Editing and adding to this article is Pew Pew Tactical Editor, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He is a big wheelgun fan himself, owning over 20 different revolvers.

Best Revolvers

1. Smith & Wesson 686 Plus - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Smith & Wesson 686 Plus

$869at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$869at Brownells

GrabAGun (See Price)

Midway USA (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Action: DA/SA
• Capacity: 7
• Barrel Length: 2.5" - 7"
• Weight: 34.5 oz. - 48.2 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

No list would be complete without the ubiquitous and well-loved S&W 686.

The 686 is built on S&W's medium-large L-Frame, giving you a substantial-feeling gun without it being overly large. Even better, the "Plus" model offers shooters a 7-shot cylinder instead of the traditional 6.

You get an excellent trigger out of the box, a heavy barrel with full underlug, a fully adjustable rear sight, and that distinct, lithe, balanced feeling that S&W revolvers are known for

The 686 Plus is available in barrel lengths from 2.5 to 7 inches, with standard, deluxe, and performance center models available.

While there are a ton of neat options for these revolvers, it is hard to beat a good 6-inch model. The 686 Plus is a great shooter that few people regret buying.

You can read more in our full review of the S&W 686 Plus.

2. Ruger GP100 - Most Durable

Most Durable

Ruger GP100

$730at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$730at GrabAGun

Classic Firearms (See Price)

Midway USA (See Price)

Kygunco (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Action: DA/SA
• Capacity: 6, 7
• Barrel Length: 2.5" - 6"
• Weight: 36 oz. - 45 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

The questions "What first revolver should I get?" and "What is the best all-around revolver?" get thrown around quite a bit.

While these are tough questions to answer, one of the most common answers is the Ruger GP100.

Why is this, you ask? Well, in short, they have outstanding durability and shootability.

Ruger is known for their beefy frames that are built to handle steady loads of magnum ammo without failure. Another side-effect of these heavier frames is that they tame recoil more than a comparable S&W revolver.

The GP100 is available in various barrel lengths and trims, and can be had in both 6 or 7-shot versions. I find that S&W revolvers typically have better triggers, but the GP100 still has a nice, smooth trigger pull in both DA and SA.

Legendary durability, a good hand feel, and reasonable pricing make the GP100 a true "bread-and-butter" revolver that can handle anything you need it to do.

Be sure to check out our full review of the Ruger GP100 here!

3. Kimber K6s DASA - Best for Everyday Carry

Best for Everyday Carry

Kimber K6S DASA 3″

$1099at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1099at Guns.com

GrabAGun (See Price)

Kygunco (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Action: DA/SA or DAO
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 2.5" - 4"
• Weight: 23 oz. - 29 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

Although it may come as a surprise to some to see Kimber on a best-of revolver list, those who know, know.

What sets the K6s apart is its ability to hold 6 rounds of .357 magnum in a gun its size. Kimber claims it is the smallest cylinder capable of doing so.

Snag-free adjustable sights, an easy-to-reach push-button cylinder release, thin grips, and a flat-sided cylinder make the K6s one of the easiest-to-carry revolvers on the market.

To top everything off, you get a great trigger, a full underlug, and sleek lines that make for both a good-looking and quality-feeling revolver.

The standard K6s is available in both 2 and 3-inch barrel lengths, with options for hammered (DASA) or hammerless models. Kimber also offers a 4-inch target model.

However, the DASA 3-inch is our pick. It is just the right size for someone who wants to carry a revolver, but isn't necessarily looking for a pocket gun or a monster hand cannon. The exposed hammer and slightly longer sight radius make it very easy to shoot and keep things fun at the range.

Although Kimber is a relatively new player in the revolver market, they came in swinging with one of the best production revolvers we have seen in a long time.

Check out our full review of the Kimber K6s!

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4. Heritage Arms Rough Rider - Best Plinker

Best Plinker

Heritage Rough Rider Revolvers

$106at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$106at Midway USA

GrabAGun (See Price)

Firearms Depot (See Price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: Single-action
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 1" - 16"
• Weight: 25.5 oz. - 45.28 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

Plinking is the age-old art of just having fun with guns. It's informal, non-competitive, and can be a way to work on casual marksmanship skills.

Plinking can typically be done with any caliber, but the classic .22LR rimfire round is often the most affordable and fun way to get it done.

The Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider series of revolvers make for great plinkers. They are incredibly cheap and come in a multitude of sizes and shapes.

From the absurdly long 16-inch model all the way down to the 1-inch, no-sights Boot model, there is surely one to tickle your fancy. Some models also come with .22 Magnum conversion cylinders, and if the one you pick doesn't, Heritage also sells the cylinders separately for $30.

There is something for everyone, even for those who want to mount a red dot. The Rough Rider series are great guns that are perfect for the casual plink session.

They are plenty accurate and have that Colt Single Action Army design that's to die for. Heck, sometimes they can be had for less than $100 if you catch the right sale, but they rarely drift above $200.

If your collection is missing a revolver and you have a tight budget, Heritage Manufacturing guns are for you.

5. Ruger LCR - Best for Deep Concealment

Best for Deep Concealment

Ruger LCR

$419at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$419at GrabAGun

Kygunco (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR, .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum, 9mm, .32 H&R Magnum .327 Federal Magnum
• Action: Double-action only
• Capacity: 5 (.38/.357, 9mm), 6 (.327 Fed), 8 (.22LR)
• Barrel Length: 1.87"
• Weight: 13.5 oz. - 17.2 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

The Ruger LCR is the Glock of revolvers, and I mean that in more ways than one.

Obviously, the first comparison is the polymer frame and portions of the gun, but it runs deeper than that.

Ruger has made a simple, functional, and easy-to-use revolver. It is chambered in a multitude of calibers, including .38 Special, .357 Mag, 9mm, .22 LR, .32 H&R Mag, and .327 Federal Magnum.

Shooters can opt for a shrouded hammer or the LCRx model with an exposed hammer.

The gun also comes in at an affordable price point and can be commonly found for less than $500. Their popularity makes it easy to find good holsters, which goes a long way when it comes to concealed carry.

Did I mention it has the best stock double-action trigger I've ever used? Holy crap is Ruger's friction-reducing design effective! It's a great trigger that makes shooting the little gun a heckuva lot easier.

The small size and lightweight make it easy to tuck away and hide, and it's comfortable regardless of the carry method. The LCR might not be fancy with a classic design, but it's a workhorse of a revolver.

You can take a look at our full review of the 9mm Ruger LCR here!

6. Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 - Best Tactical Revolver

Best Tactical Revolver

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 327 TRR8

$1489at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1489at GrabAGun

Brownells (See Price)

Classic Firearms (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 8
• Barrel length: 5"
• Overall length: 10.5"
• Weight: 35.2 oz
• Country of Origin: USA

Tactical revolver, you say? That might sound odd, but that is precisely what the S&W Performance Center 327 TRR8 is.

The TRR8 is built on Smith & Wesson's larger “N-Frame," which was originally designed for .44 and .45-caliber rounds.

When you step down to the smaller-diameter .357 Magnum, you can fit more rounds into the cylinder; two more rounds, in fact. This nets you a whopping 8 rounds of capacity.

Despite being a larger N-frame gun, it isn't overly heavy thanks to its scandium-alloy frame and 5-inch half lug barrel.

I love the choice of a 5-inch barrel. It is long enough to get good velocity out of stout .357 loads, but still short enough to reasonably carry on your hip.

The Performance Center-tuned action and trigger alone are worth the price of admission. The double-action pull is super smooth, and the single-action is extremely light with zero creep.

You get a fully adjustable rear sight, a gold bead front sight, and a set of rubber finger groove grips that are great for absorbing recoil.

But the most striking feature is the optics and accessory rail. These allow you to easily mount red dots, lights, and any other accessories. You can also remove them if you aren't a big fan of the tactical vibe.

Whether you are looking for a home defense gun, woods carry, cool range toy, or even a competition revolver, the S&W Model 327 TRR8 has you covered.

What do you think of the S&W TRR8? Rate it below!

7. Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull - Best Hunting Revolver

Best Hunting Revolver

Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull

$1199at GrabAgun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1199at GrabAgun

Midway USA (See Price)

Guns.com (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .454 Casull
• Action: DA/SA
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 2.5" - 7.5"
• Weight: 44 oz. - 52 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA

There are a lot of good hunting revolvers out there, but the Super Redhawk in .454 Casull finds the right blend of power, smart design, and modernization to make it one of the best.

While people love .460 S&W and .500 S&W, they are kinda silly and not much better than .454 Casull for handgun hunting. Not to mention, the S&W X-Frame revolvers are massive, even compared to the Super Redhawk.

With the Super Redhawk, we get a variety of lengths, from the downright flashbang-worthy 2.5 inches to the nice 9.5-inch option. To me, the five or 7.5-inch is just perfect balance-wise.

The Super Redhawk is a traditional DA/SA revolver with Ruger's massive, beefy frame. Double action makes the gun easier to use with a single hand, and this is an important feature for things like unexpected bear defense.

It's a large, robust gun designed to absorb the recoil from big, heavy cartridges. It's not absurdly large like an X-frame .500 S&W, but it's no Airweight.

Integrated scope bases make adding optics easy. In my experience, these guns are very accurate and, for magnum caliber guns, fairly easy to shoot and handle.

Another bonus of .454 Casull is the ability to chamber the lighter .45 Colt loads. It also holds 6 rounds versus the 5 of some larger calibers. When you put it all together, the Super Redhawk is an excellent hunting revolver.

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8. Taurus Tracker 627 - Most Affordable

Most Affordable

Taurus Tracker 627

$438at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$438at BattleHawk Armory

GrabAGun (See Price)

Midway USA (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 7
• Barrel length: 4", 6.5"
• Overall length: 8.75 - 10.75"
• Weight: 35 oz - 40 oz
• Country of Origin: Brazil

Unfortunately, revolvers have only been getting more and more expensive over the last decade.

But that is where Taurus comes in. They are committed to keeping revolvers affordable for the general public. But just because they are cheaper doesn't mean you aren't getting some nice features.

The 627 Tracker is a 7-shot .357 Magnum revolver that comes with either a 4-inch or a 6.5-inch barrel. Both have factory-tuned porting that helps tame the harsh recoil of .357 Magnum.

Features include a fully adjustable rear sight, a raised ramped front sight, and soft rubber grips to further reduce recoil.

Our editor Wyatt purchased a 4-inch 627 Tracker years ago as a beater gun to carry in the woods when hunting. He quickly found out that the Tracker was a surprisingly accurate and reliable gun.

And what is even better? It's under $500 — well below the competition. If you want a nice .357 Magnum and don't want to put a huge dent in your wallet, the 627 Tracker is a real bargain.

9. Pietta 1858 Remington New Model Army - Best Black Powder Revolver

Best Black Powder Revolver

Pietta 1858 Remington New Model Army

$369at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$369at Midway USA

Global Ordnance (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .44
• Action: Single-action, Percussion
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 8"
• Weight: 42 oz.
• Country of Origin: Italy

You haven't lived until you've tried to master the black powder revolver. I once heard someone say it was a bit like alchemy to really figure one out.

Pietta is well known for their replicas and produces some of the finest cowboy guns out there.

If you want an easy-to-get-into black powder revolver, the Pietta 1858 New Model Army will be tough to beat. It's a .44 caliber gun that is easy to use and maintain.

In most cases, you don't need an FFL to transfer them since they are technically not firearms. Order one online and have it shipped to your house.

Pietta's New Model Army revolvers are good-looking guns that faithfully replicate the experience of shooting one of the most common guns of the Civil War.

The 1858 has the added benefit of a steel frame and a closed top strap, making it more durable in the long run than the similarly popular 1851 revolvers. Stick with the suggested load data from respected sources, and you can shoot these all day.

Trust me, while it seems intimidating to get into, the thrill of firing a black powder pistol, seeing the smoke, and smelling the burning powder is well worth it. Plus, it's living history in your hand!

10. Manurhin MR73 Sport - Best High-End Revolver

Best High-End Revolver

Manurhin MR73

$3707at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$3707at Midway USA

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Guns.com (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel length: 3" - 8"
• Overall length: 8.07" - 13.11"
• Weight: 32.1 oz - 41.9 oz
• Country of Origin: France

The Manurhin MR73 is a 6-shot .357 Magnum revolver made by Chapuis Armes in France and imported by Beretta.

Developed for use by French police and Special Weapons and Tactics units and fielded by the French GIGN, the accuracy and durability of this revolver are legendary. These guns are built to withstand 150,000-200,000 rounds of full-power .357 magnum.

These guns feature a fully adjustable rear sight, match trigger, and are completely hand-fitted to exacting tolerances. They are available in barrel lengths between 3 and 8 inches with a gorgeous deep blue finish.

Our editor, Wyatt, had the opportunity to shoot both the 4-inch and 6-inch versions at SHOT Show, and all he could say was...wow. Everything on those guns felt like a million bucks. The double-action was smooth as glass, the single-action was amazing, the cylinder lockup was bank-vault tight, and the accuracy was outstanding.

It is safe to say that the MR73 is regarded by many as the finest .357 Magnum revolver ever made. Unfortunately, that kind of performance comes with an eye-watering $4,000 plus price tag.

Final Thoughts

The revolver doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.

With companies like Kimber and Henry showing a willingness to enter the revolver market, it would seem that the genre is far from dead. More revolvers are always a good thing, and we are here for it.

Are there any revolvers you feel should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below! Just looking for the small stuff? We got you covered with our article on the 7 Best Concealed Carry Revolvers!

Latest Updates

July 2026: Added Taurus 627 Tracker, Manurhin MR73, Pietta 1858 Remington New Model Army. Removed Uberti 1851 Navy.

May 2025: Added specs for each revolver. Also added a complete comparison chart.

February 2024: Removed products - Taurus 856 Executive, Chiappa Rhino, Colt Python. Added products - S&W 686 Plus, Ruger GP100, Kimber K6s