
The Charter Arms 9mm Pitbull is a versatile revolver because it fires 9mm ammo, which is one of the most common calibers in use today. Load up round-nose, hollow points or whatever type of 9mm ammunition is on hand and the Pitbull will fire the rounds. It is not fussy about ammo. The ejector incorporates a spring-loaded lip of steel that makes full contact with the rim of the rimless 9mm cartridge. Simple to use and lightweight, it carries well. The DA pull is smooth and the rubber grip helps absorb recoil. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: 9mm <br>Barrel: 2.2 inches <br>OA Length: 6.75 inches <br>Weight: 22 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Neoprene <br>Sights: Fixed <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 6 <br>MSRP: $469

The Bulldog is well known as a compact concealed carry snub-nose revolver, but the Target Bulldog has a longer, 4-inch barrel. Chambered in .44 Special and holding five rounds, this revolver makes an excellent trail gun at only 23 ounces unloaded. The rubber grip fits most hands, making the Target Bulldog a natural pointer. The .44 Special caliber is a potent round but has lighter recoil than the .44 Magnum. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .44 Special <br>Barrel: 4 inches <br>OA Length: 8.75 inches <br>Weight: 23 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Rubber <br>Sights: Adjustable rear/ramp front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 5 <br>MSRP: $470

The 4-inch-barreled Rossi revolver offers six shots of .357 Magnum firepower. It is a straightforward DA/SA revolver made to defend and, if needed, hunt game. The rear sight is adjustable and the rubber grips help users control the Rossi when using hot magnum loads. It is constructed of steel and has a blued finish. At only 8.5 inches long, there’s definitely space for it in your bug-out gear. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P <br>Barrel: 4 inches <br>OA Length: 8.5 inches <br>Weight: 32 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, front ramp <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Blued <br>Capacity: 6 <br>Grip: Rubber <br>MSRP: $454.89

The DAO LCR takes the old-school revolver design and flips it on its ear. The monolithic frame is made of aerospace-grade 7000 series aluminum in the .22 LR, .22 WMR and .38 Special models, and 400 series stainless steel in the .357 Magnum model. The fire control housing is made of polymer and the radically fluted five-shot (centerfire models) and eight-shot (rimfire models) cylinder is constructed of stainless steel. This is a pure defensive weapon that is lightweight, accurate and simple to operate. Ruger also has the LCRx, which has an exposed hammer that allows the revolver to be fired in SA. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P <br>Barrel: 1.87 inches <br>OA Length: 6.5 inches <br>Weight: 17.1 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: Fixed <br>Action: DAO <br>Finish: Ionbond <br>Capacity: 5 <br>Grip: Hogue Tamer Monogrip <br>MSRP: $599

SA guns are old school for sure, but the Blackhawk Convertible is a rugged and proven design. It will also fire .38 Special, .357 Magnum or 9mm ammo. Just swap out the .357 Magnum cylinder with the one chambered in 9mm and you are good to go. It is an SA revolver, so it is slower to shoot than a semi-automatic, but you have the versatility of using different calibers in the same gun. The adjustable sights are fast on target. The safety transfer bar also means that this SA revolver can be carried fully loaded with six rounds.<br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P, 9mm <br>Barrel: 6.5 inches <br>OA Length: 12.38 inches <br>Weight: 45 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, fixed front <br>Action: SA <br>Finish: Matte black <br>Capacity: 6 <br>Grip: Checkered polymer <br>MSRP: $679

Ruger retrofitted its small-frame SP101 revolver to fire .22 LR ammunition and created a ruggedly built rimfire. The SP101 has an eight-shot capacity and is well suited for anything it might encounter. The front sight employs a fiber-optic tube that glows bright in light, and the rear sight is adjustable. The rubber and wood grip fits small to large hands. This revolver will endure years of hard use in tough environments. The matte stainless finish is weather resistant and laughs at rain or snow. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .22 LR <br>Barrel: 4.2 inches <br>OA Length: 9.12 inches <br>Weight: 30 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Black rubber, engraved wood <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, fiber-optic front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Matte stainless <br>Capacity: 8 <br>MSRP: $699

The six-shot Governor is versatile thanks to its ability to fire 2½-inch .410 shotshells, .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt. Load whatever combination of those calibers in the Governor and you will be prepared for whatever situation arises. The large Z-Frame revolver is made of lightweight scandium, so, while it looks slightly bulky, it is light and fast to target. The grip is designed to reduce felt recoil and the front tritium sight glows in the dark for better target acquisition. It also uses two-round moon clips, which facilitate faster reloads. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .410 shotshells, .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt <br>Barrel Length: 2.75 inches <br>OA Length: 8.5 inches <br>Weight: 29.6 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: groove rear/ramp front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Matte black <br>Capacity: 6 <br>Grip: Textured rubber <br>MSRP: $869.00

The S&W M64’s heritage derives from the S&W Model 10, one of the longest continuously manufactured double-action/single-action (DA/SA) revolvers ever produced. It was used widely by law enforcement and the military. This is the 21st-century variant of the famous K-Frame revolver built of stainless steel and equipped with finger groove rubber grips. It is a no-frills, six-shot revolver with fixed sights that fires .38 Special and +P loads through the 4-inch barrel. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .38 Special +P <br>Barrel: 4 inches <br>OA Length: 8.8 inches <br>Weight: 35.5 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Textured rubber <br>Sights: Fixed <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Satin stainless <br>Capacity: 6 <br>MSRP: $689

The Model 317 Kit Gun is a small-frame .22 LR revolver with an eight-round capacity. Perfect for what you might encounter on the trail, the aluminum alloy frame and cylinder make the Model 317 light to tote at only 12.5 ounces. It features a soft rubber grip and a Hi-Viz fiber-optic front that eats up light so it stands out when getting on target. Use it to hunt small game or protect the food you have from looters. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .22 LR <br>Barrel: 3 inches <br>OA Length: 7.19 inches <br>Weight: 12.5 ounces (empty) <br>Grip: Synthetic <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, fiber-optic front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Matte stainless <br>Capacity: 8 <br>MSRP: $759

The S&W Model 500 chambered in .500 S&W is a formidable caliber not to be used by the untrained. It will kill bears with a well-placed shot using 2,600 foot-pounds of energy. Enough said. It’s not a common caliber, however, so plan accordingly and hoard ammo. The 4-inch-barreled model is best for carrying as a defense weapon. Built from stainless steel, it will resist the elements. Practice with this powerful revolver so you become acquainted with its power and when your plane goes down in Alaska you don’t become bear food. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .500 S&W Magnum <br>Barrel: 4 inches <br>OA Length: 10.25 inches <br>Weight: 56 ounces (empty) <br>Grip: Synthetic <br>Sights: Adjustable rear/red ramp front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 5 <br>MSRP: $1,369

While most centerfire revolvers have a five- or six-shot capacity, The S&W Model 627 holds eight rounds. This .357 Magnum revolver is built on S&W’s larger N Frame, which allows the extra chambers in the cylinder. The stainless steel frame and cylinder provide extra weight, so shooting full-bore .357 Magnum ammo has less felt recoil. It also fires .38 Special and +P loads. The .57 Magnum caliber is well suited for hunting up to deer size game and protecting the cabin. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .357 Magnum/.38 Special +P <br>Barrel: 2.6 inches <br>OA Length: 7.62 inches <br>Weight: 37.6 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Wood <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, fixed front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 8 <br>MSRP: $1,079

A snub-nosed revolver in the powerful .44 Magnum caliber is big medicine for anything on two or four legs. The Model 629 is made in S&W’s Performance Center and offers features like a dovetailed ramp front sight, ball detent lockup, a trigger stop, just to name a few. The cylinder is unfluted and it looks all business. This is a powerful revolver that holds six rounds and fires both .44 S&W Special and .44 Magnum ammunition. Practice with the .44 S&W Special and load up for bear with the .44 Magnum.<br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .44 Magnum/.44 S&W Special <br>Barrel: 2.6 inches <br>OA Length: 7.62 inches <br>Weight: 39.6 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, ramp front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 6 <br>Grip: Wood <br>MSRP: $1,079

The 44 Tracker is a five-shot revolver that carries light and has ample .44 Magnum power. At 34 ounces, it is easy on your hip. Ports are built into the barrel that help tame the .44 Magnum recoil and muzzle flip. Ribbed rubber grips are comfortable and also help reduce felt recoil. Constructed of stainless steel, it is solidly built, compact and wears a matte finish. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .44 Magnum/.44 Special <br>Barrel: 4 inches <br>OA Length: 9 inches <br>Weight: 34 ounces (empty) <br>Grip: Ribber <br>Sights: Adjustable rear/ramp front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Matte stainless <br>Capacity: 5 <br>MSRP: $693.01

The Judge 4510PLYS can fire .410 slugs and buckshot as well as .45 Long Colt cartridges, making it extremely versatile for close-range defense work. This five-shot revolver uses a high-tech polymer frame and stainless steel cylinder. At 23 ounces, it packs light, and at 7.6 inches long with a 2.5-inch barrel, it stows just about anywhere. A fiber-optic front sight attracts light, allowing for faster target acquisition. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber/Gauge: .45 Long Colt, .410 <br>Barrel: 2.5 inches <br>OA Length: 7.65 inches <br>Weight: 23 ounces (empty) <br>Sights: Fixed rear, fiber-optic front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless cylinder/matte frame <br>Capacity: 5 <br>Grip: Polymer <br>MSRP: $653.32

Your great grandfather probably had a small revolver in his outdoor gear that he called a kit gun, which is basically a small caliber—usually .22 LR—DA/SA revolver that was lightweight and could handle duties from dispatching snakes to hunting small game to protecting the camp from two-legged predators. At only 18 ounces, the Taurus Ultra-Lite Model 94 .22 LR with its 2-inch barrel is small enough and light enough to fit in your backpack or the pocket of your cargo shorts. Constructed of stainless steel, it is weather resistant and holds nine rounds. <br> <b>Specifications</b> <br>Caliber: .22 LR <br>Barrel: 2 inches <br>OA Length: 6.37 inches <br>Weight: 18 ounces (empty) <br>Grips: Textured rubber <br>Sights: Adjustable rear, fixed front <br>Action: DA/SA <br>Finish: Stainless <br>Capacity: 9 <br>MSRP: $513




















Revolvers are a good weapon option for a survival cache since, at their very core, they are simple and reliable. Manipulate a cylinder latch and load the chambers. There are no magazines to lose, slides to rack or other controls to operate. An untrained user can operate a revolver with minimal training, which is no excuse for not practicing and training, but a plus when you and your family may need to move fast or perform other tasks to which they are unaccustomed. Natural and man-made disasters tend to force us to learn new skill sets with no ramp-up time.
- RELATED STORY: Hunting For A Handgun
- RELATED STORY: Top 20 Home Defense Handguns
Some revolver calibers are cross compatible. For instance, a revolver chambered in .357 Magnum will also fire .38 Special rounds, and the .44 Special will fire in a .44 Magnum revolver. This adds a versatility to revolvers that can’t be matched. Common calibers like .22 LR, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and 9mm are adequate, but if you find yourself up against larger foes, then .44 Magnum and .500 S&W are better choices.
Revolvers are not fussy about bullet types, either. Where some semi-automatic pistols choke on hollow-point ammo, revolvers keep on shooting. With an automatic, a non-firing round requires a series of steps to get the pistol back on line. If you pull the trigger on a revolver and nothing happens, just pull the trigger again. Here are 15 go-to revolvers that can protect you and yours as well as hunt in the event of unfortunate natural or man-made disasters.
For More Information
Charter Arms
charterfirearms.com; 203-922-1652
Rossi
rossiusa.com; 305-474-0401
Ruger
ruger.com
Smith & Wesson
smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852
Taurus
taurususa.com; 800-327-3776
- RELATED STORY: Blackpowder Pistols & Revolvers
- RELATED STORY: Your Guide To Town And Country .357 Magnum Revolvers
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