The Very Best Revolvers in 2023

Today we examine some of the literal best revolvers available this year as well as new revolvers arriving to the American scene. Familiar models were present at IWA Outdoor Classics 2023 this year as well as exciting new quality brands. Included below our top picks for revolvers for competitive shooting, hunting, and even self-defense. Keep in mind, this list is not for the faint of heart. Your wallet will probably hurt. 

What revolver should you buy?

The typical answer is to find what's most comfortable for you to shoot. After all, we're talking about some serious wrist cannons that may or may not give you early onset osteoarthritis. It's still a good point to consider but ultimately your intended use is most important. As we explore the following revolvers you'll find that they fall into one of the following categories:

• For Concealed Carrying
• For Competition
• For Collecting

Smith & Wesson Model 686

Photo Credit: Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson has been around for over 150 years as a firearms manufacturer so they have a lot of experience and know what they're doing. If Glock set the standard for handguns, the Model 686 set the standard for all revolvers. The Model 686 is your classic do-it-all revolver as and it's very nice for what it is at the price point of around $800 MSRP - it's also the most budget friendly model on this blog's list.

You might be wondering, wait is this model nice enough to make it on this list? Realistically, revolver shooters don't shoot many rounds in the first place so statistically speaking, the 686 will last well past most shooters' life times. 

Not everyone is able to have the luxury of shooting past 90,000+ rounds and in some cases, only at that point would we even start to see cylinder gaps, binding troubles, or timing problems in our revolvers. If durability isn’t as much of a concern as price and availability is to you, then you should definitely consider the more familiar and domestic revolver, the Smith & Wesson Model 686.

In its standard flavor, the Model 686 is a 6-shot L-frame revolver that eats .357 Magnum and .38 Special caliber rounds. The Model 686 Plus comes with a 7-shot cylinder. Its heavy underlug barrel helps to mitigate the .357 recoil and serves to remind you that this isn’t a slide-operated handgun to be mag-dumped.

Please note that the Model 686 family is nearly identical to the Model 586 but features satin finished stainless steel rather than blued carbon steel. Smith & Wesson’s Model 686 stands behind over decades of firm reputation as a reliable wheel-gun with plenty of time for Smith & Wesson to have worked out any design shortcomings. Lastly, to address any concerns of functional defects - any S&W firearms purchased after February 1, 1989 are covered under their Lifetime Service Policy.

Colt Python

Photo Credit: Colt

In case you may fancy another American classic, we present to you the Colt Python. Immediately, you may recognize this revolver from Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, or the trusty sidearm of Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead. The current production of the Colt Python is available in 6”, 4.25”(for Canadians), 4”, and the rarer 3” and 2.5” for .357 Magnum only.

Colt had actually stopped making the revolver for a while but made a return to the regular production of Python revolvers in 2020. The new version of the Python came with a redesigned layout featuring less moving parts for greater reliability and accuracy. Its double action trigger and hammer has had minor changes done to the surface texture, opting for rowed serrations rather than checkering, but the new Python has a crisp and consistent pull just as its production predecessors did.

No trigger stacking or hesitation can be felt. Unlike Springfield, Colt opted to power the trigger using a V spring, a dual action leaf spring that runs between the grips. To allow proper cycling, the trigger fully resets before the next follow-up shot.

While a coiled spring design (such as those found on Springfield revolvers) would improve durability and the trigger reset, Colt engineers saw this as a step too far from the Python’s original design. The newer snakes, despite having a reinforced frame, will still fit into holsters designed for older Pythons. Fun fact - its top strap features 30% more stainless steel, a much stronger alloy than the original blued steel mix. 

Depending on the Python model you come across you can expect to be spending anywhere between $1k to $2k for this piece of American memorabilia and history. 

Kimber K6s DCR .357 Magnum

Photo Credit: Kimber

Alright, let's talk concealed carry. For the extremely classy gentlemen, consider the Kimber K6s DCR chambered in .357 Magnum. The price on one of these bad boys is about $1.3k, at least that's what the MSRP is. 

Kimber’s Deluxe Carry Revolver (DCR) K6 is a 6-shot compact carry revolver refined with smoothed edges and brushed satin finish to prevent any snags or bites when pressed up against your clothes and body. The cylinder and frame are entirely stainless steel, but its small size and two inch barrel means the entire revolver weighs in only at 23 oz. The short barrel sets the overall total length just 6.62 inches.

Designed to be a carry gun in mind, the Kimber K6s DCR has no exposed hammer (it's internal). This is a revolver that you can comfortably carry all day long in many different positions.

It’s equipped with one of the smallest diameter 6 shot .357 Magnum cylinders currently on the market. The sides of each cylinder chamber are milled flat to help reduce its profile and improve heat dissipation properties. Disengaging the cylinder is done with a checkered button on the left side of the K6s.

While the Kimber K6s DCR is meant for .357 Magnum, it can support .38 special rounds as well. This is less potent, but can definitely help shooter fatigue if you’re just trying to take this revolver out for some fun at the range. Unlike the typical rudimentary snub nose revolver sight, the K6s rear sight is dovetail mounted and can be adjusted if need be. It’s complemented with a frontal red optic sight.

The K6s curved aluminum trigger has a hefty double action pull of 9.5 lbs to 11.5 lbs with variations of around 8 oz between trigger pulls. It’s consistent, smooth, and breaks cleanly with only a slight bit of take up.

Overall, the Kimber K6s DCR 357 Magnum is a fantastic choice for shooters looking for a compact and comfortable revolver for personal protection. Its sleek design, high-quality construction, and impressive trigger performance make it one of the best concealed carry revolver options available today.

Manurhin MR73 Gendarmerie

Photo Credit: Buds Gun Shop

At a glance, it might be easy to pass over this model but there's more than meets the eye with this revolver. The Manurhin MR73 Gendarmerie is a French manufactured, high end, double action and single action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with an option for .38 Special as well. It's iconic status comes from its service as a police handgun, specifically for the French's Special Weapons and Tactics units, including the legendary GIGN.

Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) is the counterterrorism and surveillance branch of the National Gendarmerie (French national police under the Ministry of Interior). Concerns of over penetration during operations in hostage crises, such as the hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, led to the development of a close quarters weapon that could lay down potent yet precise fire rather than overwhelm opponents with a high volume of fire.

So if you want a battle-proven match revolver, this is where we say, "look no further." The Manurhin MR73 is a deep-blue finished proprietary carbon steel frame revolver outfitted with Taursch grips, adjustable sights (or fixed depending on model), and a 6-shot cylinder bigger than a K frame but smaller than an L frame. GIGN’s iconic revolver has been built with milled and hand fitted to withstand intensive daily training with high pressure .357 loads for years and continue to make clean, reliable hits within short to mid distances.

The Manurhin MR73 entered service in 1973 as GIGN’s standard issue sidearm with various barrel length configurations, typically in “3, 4, and 5.25”. The cylinders are treated to withstand the French bubba’s hottest loads and are factory tested with 30% PSI more than standard full powered .357 ammunition. International GIGN press reports no dimensional change in their issued MR73 even after 90,000 standard .357 Magnum rounds. Estimates suggest that the bore should not expect to see wear until after 300,000 rounds.

The most striking variant (and recognizable) to most people is the 8” barrel Manurhin MR73 paired with a bipod and a low-powered pistol scope. For a unit that had extensive autonomy over personal equipment during missions, GIGN personnel could opt for a more compact, discrete setup for a sniper position. Manurhin MR73 cold hammer forged barrels are match accurate and could even fulfill the mission of a marksman for the French presidential security detail under 100 meters.

Manurhin MR73’s double action/single action trigger is weight adjustable and has an adjustable trigger stop. Neither of these adjustments impact the main spring, ensuring that changing the trigger pull weight does not lead to soft primer strikes. Chapuis-Armes has been the distributor and manufacturer of MR73 under the Manurhin parent company since 1998.

In collaboration with Beretta, the Manurhin MR73 Sport and the Manurhin MR73 Gendarmerie will be the first of the MR73 family imported by Beretta for sale to the US market. If this sounds at all enticing to you, expect to fork over about $4k. 

Korth NXS .357 Magnum

Photo Credit: Nighthawk Custom

The TL;DR summary? These Korth pistols are all made in Germany - then sent off to Nighthawk Custom, where they can be sold and bought here in the states. Their price point? $5300. It looks like the stuff of anime dreams with a gold front sight post, (seems to be a German trend) and its sexy barrel with a top picatinny rail. Every part is milled and then hand-fitted. What makes this revolver special is that it's tolerances are extremely tight. No parts are made from injection molding. Whether you want this for competitions, as just a collector's piece or to hunt with - it will serve you well in all of those functions for sure.

How did this revolver come about? Basically it's a story of how German revolver craftsman meets Aerospace engineers (or more fittingly lover of 1911s); the relationship between Korth Arms and Nighthawk Custom developed from their mutual endeavor for perfection. Both Korth and Nighthawk Custom uphold the tradition of designating one handgun to one gunsmith during the hand fitting of milled parts to ensure the utmost uniformity and quality control.

In collaboration with Nighthawk Custom, the Korth gunsmiths manufacture their revolvers entirely in Germany to strict specified standards and have their craft inspected and tested by Nighthawk Custom stateside before receiving approval for leaving their Arkansas facility.

The Korth NXS .357 Magnum is a high-end 8-shot revolver that is designed to deliver nothing less than top of the line performance and reliability. Its main construction is entirely machined with quality German tolerances from 4140 carbon steel finished with Diamond-Like-Coating. The first distinctive feature that stands out is the picatinny rails and ventilation ribs machined into the frame surrounding the barrel.

As the picatinny panels are machined into the frame, there should never be any concerns about them coming off. Right below the crown protecting the muzzle rifling is a small series of picatinny real estate to accommodate a weapon mounted light for low-light shooting.

Notable Features:

• Korth barrels undergo cold hammer forging to ensure the 416 stainless steel grains are molded to the rifled shape rather than cut to shape, ensuring a longer bore lifespan. 
• Available in 4” barrel length or 6” barrel length.
• With unparalleled tolerance, the gap between the cylinder and barrel may as well as be nonexistent. 
• Cylinder release button is seated right above the trigger guard on the right side.
• Additional cylinder release latch rests beside the NXS hammer on the left side.
• Can do a quick change of an included additional 9mm cylinder that has been tuned and fitted for the NXS.
• 14k gold bead serves as the frontal sight’s dot.
• Frontal sight’s protective panels are removable should you prefer to mount a red dot sight.
• 3 lb weight of the Korth NXS 357 is balanced well and fits perfectly in its Jim Wilson styled grips in Turkish walnut. 
• 8.5 lb double action trigger pull is consistent and crisp as can be.
• Frontal sight’s protective panels are removable should you prefer to mount a red dot sight.
• 3 lb weight of the Korth NXS 357 is balanced well and fits perfectly in its Jim Wilson styled grips in Turkish walnut. 
• 8.5 lb double action trigger pull is consistent and crisp as can be.

Mongoose 2.75” Carry Special

Photo Credit: Nighthawk Custom

Although this is another German pistol, anything shorter than 3" of barrel is typically made for the American market. The Mongoose 2.75" is a beautiful carry gun that can shoot multiple calibers with the price point of $3700.

For a more austere flavor of Korth Arms, specifically for concealed carry, the Mongoose 2.75” Carry Special is a compact .357 Magnum revolver made to the stringent standards of all revolvers made by Korth GmbH. Machined from 416 stainless steel and finished in satin black Diamond-Like-Coating, the overall length of the Mongoose 2.75” measures at just 7.5”. The fixed front sight comes with the stylized Korth 14k gold bead and behind it is a fully adjustable rear sight.

The polygonal rifling of the Mongoose 2.75” ensures that it’ll eat 9mm just as well as standard .357 Magnum or .38 Special. The Mongoose 2.75” features a 6-shot cylinder that can be swapped with a 9mm cylinder just like the Korth NXS. No moon clips are needed to operate the 9mm Mongoose cylinder. The cylinder release of the Mongoose 2.75” is comparable to that of a S&W release layout.

The Mongoose’s trigger is obsidian glass smooth and weight adjustable. It’s consistent with no trigger stacking until the day it breaks.

Spohr Club Edition

Photo Credit: TFB TV

The best 3" revolver may be coming to the US soon and it's called the Spohr Club Edition. At the IWA 2023 show last month, Spohr CEO revealed that this German gun was made specifically for the US market.

Thomas Spohr is the founder of Spohr GmbH and began his revolver craft working on Smith and Wesson firearms and parts. It was while tuning Smith and Wesson revolvers that Spohr was confronted with the limitations of big brand production. There are a few different Sphor models being offered at different price points to try and accommodate those with limited budgets, but we're most interested in what the Club Edition can do.

Unlike the properties of wire cut parts, the tolerance to reach a near perfect trigger was just not possible with metal-injected components. Spohr sought to start his own production of revolvers with all components made to high precision in-house using wire cut parts, polygonal cold hammer forged barrels, and physical vapor deposition coating. Essentially, quality material with exceptional tolerances and no metal injected molded parts.

There are a lot of skeletonized parts on this pistol, its trigger is even adjustable. Fast cylinder changes are possible and we safely assume that compatible calibers include .357 Magnum, .38 Special and 9mm. The rear sight is integrated with the frame and the front sight also has a couple of picatinny slots should the user want to install a small reflex sight. Of course, in current German fashion, the front sight will have a gold dot as well.

Price is expected to be around $3.5k. 

Spohr GmbH revolvers are available in limited quantities from MMB Imports but will be more readily available with distributers after ATF certification this year. If you can't wait for this model, Spohr currently offers their 3” barreled version of the Spohr Club30 that Americans can buy already.

What's your favorite revolver?

Which revolver stood out to you the most? Will you be considering any of these? Let us know in the comments section below!