This is the seventh Ballistic Best Roundup that I have had the privilege of writing. Let me say that it never gets old and the revolvers just keep getting better. To quote a friend, “we live in good times!” This year, we lined up six Ballistic’s Best revolvers candidates, and each has its own unique set of characteristics.

Ballistic’s Best Revolvers 2024: The Line-Up

The line-up for this year consisted of the Colt Viper, Heritage Roscoe, Rossi RM66, Ruger LCR 9mm, Smith & Wesson 632 Ultimate Carry, and Taurus 682 Executive Grade. There were several other models that we would have liked to include but circumstances prevented that from taking place.

Range Testing

As in previous years, the evaluators scored each revolver in nine different categories. The scoring range was from one to five with a total maximum score of 45 points. Prior to any range work, the revolvers were scored on aesthetics, ergonomics, sights, trigger control, and value. The scores were made blind, without any evaluator knowing what other scores had previously been assessed. After the range testing, evaluators were allowed to revise their scores, particularly for ergonomics, sights, and trigger control.

Accuracy testing was shot at 10 yards with each evaluator firing 10 rounds, double action, with no time limits. To test recoil control, two five shot strings, with a five-second par time, were shot from 5 yards. For both tests, scoring was done using the values on the B8 target, with the point score adjusted for the 1 to 5 rating scale. Each evaluator was allowed 10 warmup rounds with each revolver.

I would like to express my appreciation to the great folks at Hornady for providing the ammunition needed for this project. For the range work, we shot Hornady’s Critical Duty 135-grain .357 Magnum, .38 Special 110-grain Critical Defense in both standard and +P, and 9mm 124-grain +P Critical Duty. This year, we did not experience any reliability issues.

THE CONTENDERS

Colt Viper

The Viper is the latest medium frame revolver introduced by Colt. The Viper is basically a King Cobra with a redesigned barrel that features a half lug that encloses the ejection rod. Chambered in .357 Magnum, the Viper has a six shot capacity. Like all the new Colts, the fit and finish, of the Viper, are exceptional. The polished finish on, the all stainless revolver, is near perfect and could be mistaken for polished nickel.

The rear sight is a fixed square aperture and a black ramped front sight blade that is user replaceable. The stocks are the same design as on the second generation Cobras and Detective Specials. While attractive, the shape is not conducive to recoil control and the left panel blocked the extraction of empty cases. This resulted in the Viper receiving a score of 4 in reloading ease. Here is a snapshot of the Viper’s score card. (colt.com)

Colt Viper Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 40.10
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 37.20
Highest Average Category Score: Recoil Control, 4.86
Lowest Average Category Score: Sights, 3.45
Value/Price Point Average: 4.05
Total Score: 39.19

Heritage Roscoe

Heritage Manufacturing is a subsidiary of Taurus and features a line of historically significant firearms. The Roscoe pays tribute to lawmen of the past century. It is a small frame, five-shot .38 Special that is available in both a 2- and 3-inch barrel. Our 2-inch model features fixed sights, compact stocks, and a polished black finish. The frame is carbon steel while the cylinder and barrel are an alloy steel.

Other features include a combat style, smooth trigger, with radiused edges. The top strap and serrated front sight blade have a matte finish, to reduce glare. The small stocks obviously made recoil control more challenging. However, this is an easy fix and there are numerous aftermarket stocks available for the pistol. Even with a stiff trigger, and marginal sights, the evaluators were able to shoot some impressive scores. The evaluators were impressed with the quality and price point of the Roscoe. (heritagemfg.com)

Heritage Roscoe Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 35.45
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 31.80
Highest Average Category Score: Accuracy, 4.13
Lowest Average Category Score: Trigger Control, 1.90
Value/Price Point Average: 4.00
Total Score: 33.50

Rossi RM66

For those who are not familiar with the Rossi line, Rossi is owned by Taurus and they are considered a “step up” from the base line of Taurus revolvers. The RM66 is a six-shot, all stainless revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. The frame size is closest to a Colt D frame, being smaller than a S&W K frame and larger than a J frame. Our test gun had a 6-inch barrel with a full under lug, with a full length ejector rod.

The finish, on the RM66, is a matte stainless and comes with rubber over mold stocks that enclose the backstrap. A fully adjustable, white outline rear sight is paired with a pinned front sight ramp. The RM66 handled full .357 Magnum loads reasonably well. However, the stiff action and sharp edges, on the trigger, were a challenge. Still, the barrel length, and good sights, allowed the evaluators to shoot respectable scores with the RM66. (rossiusa.com)

Rossi RM66 Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 37.00
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 32.30
Highest Average Category Score: Accuracy, 4.64
Lowest Average Category Score: Trigger Control, 1.95
Value/Price Point Average: 3.20
Total Score: 34.44

Ruger LCR 9mm

When Ruger introduced the LCR, they changed the rules for modern revolvers. The combination of a monolithic steel frame and a polymer fire control housing allowed the LCR to be both strong and light. The trigger system, that features a cam design, gives the LCR one of the best double-action triggers on the market today. Our test pistol was chambered in 9mm. As expected, action was superb. The Hogue Tamer stocks allow for a positive two finger grip. The pinned front sight blade features a white accent line that can be easily replaced by the user. The LCR comes with three moon clips that have split fingers, making them easier to use than traditional designs. Shooters liked the LCR, but felt the MSRP was too high. (ruger.com)

Ruger LCR Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 39.80
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 36.05
Highest Average Category Score: Accuracy, 4.47
Lowest Average Category Score: Value/Price Point, 3.25
Value/Price Point Average: 3.25
Total Score: 37.56

Smith & Wesson 632 UC

In 2024, Lipsey’s partnered with Smith & Wesson to produce the next generation J-frame. They also reintroduced the .32 H&R Magnum. The 632 UC is an allow frame Centennial with a number of significant improvements. The most notable upgrade is the dovetail rear sight and the XS front sight. The two-piece barrel design allows for a more precise and consistent cylinder gap, while internal improvements give the new UC series a better trigger and enhanced durability.

The UC is equipped with a set of VZ G10 stocks specifically designed for the project. The UC also brought back the .32 H&R Magnum cartridge. This offers near .38 Special ballistics with significantly less recoil, and gives the 632 UC a six shot capacity. Several evaluators felt the $759 MSRP was a great buy while others felt downgraded it in this value category. Overall, the evaluators were impressed with both the gun and the cartridge. (smith-wesson.com)

Smith & Wesson 632 UC Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 43.20
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 38.85
Highest Average Category Score: Sights, 4.79
Lowest Average Category Score: Value/Price Point, 3.90
Value/Price Point Average: 3.90
Total Score: 41.04

Taurus 692 Executive Grade

Taurus continues to innovate and improve their line of revolvers. The Executive Grade revolvers are their premier line that and built on a separate assembly line, with great attention to fit and finish. The 692 Executive is one of the nicest, and innovative, Taurus revolvers I have shot. It is based on a frame, similar in size to a Smith L frame. The 692 features swappable cylinders and is shipped with both a.357 Magnum and 9mm cylinder. Both have a seven-shot capacity.

Our test pistol featured a 3-inch ported barrel with a full underlug. A pinned fiber-optic front sight and fully adjustable rear sight, allows a precise zero for a variety of loads. We shot the 135-grain Hornady Critical Duty loads when testing accuracy and recoil control. The evaluators liked the 692 but were critical of the stocks. They also felt that, for an MSRP of over $1,000, the trigger could have been better. (taurususa.com)

Taurus 693 Executive Grade Scoring

Highest Evaluator’s Score: 41.45
Lowest Evaluator’s Score: 36.80
Highest Average Category Score: Accuracy, 4.64
Lowest Average Category Score: Ergonomics, 3.20
Value/Price Point Average: 4.10
Total Score: 38.60

THE WINNER!

While there has to be a winner, there were no losers. Even the pistols with issues had strong points that made them worthy of consideration. But in the end, there can only be one winner for this year’s roundup. From the beginning, it was obvious that it was going to be neck and neck between the 632 UC and the Viper. The Viper actually edged out the 632 UC in five of the nine categories. However, in the end, the difference was the 632 UC’s exceptional sights, a slightly better trigger, and stocks! With that said, the pistol that the evaluators felt has the greatest potential was the Taurus 692. There was a great deal to like and, with better stocks and a little trigger work, we all felt the 692 could be a home run!

THE EVALUATORS

I would like to thank my friends for their support and diligence in giving each gun a fair assessment. Leave no doubt, this was work! But, it was fun work!

John Harrison: John is a world class 1911 gunsmith and a true wheelgun aficionado. John brought a manufacturing view to the process as well as being an excellent shooter who has an appreciation for round guns.

Josh Chandler: Josh is a longtime friend of my son and grew up shooting with us. He has a true appreciation for revolvers and “lives” with a Smith J-frame but recently bought a Colt Python. Josh brings a very critical eye, with an objective viewpoint, to the process.

Aaron Long: Aaron is an accomplished chef and normally shoots “bottom feeders.” He is what Darryl Bolke calls “revolver curious.” While he has limited experience, his perspective, from a non-revolver shooter, was enlightening. He also shot very well.

Bobby Surratt: I met Bobby at this year’s American Fighting Revolver Snub Roundup in South Carolina. Bobby is a career law enforcement officer, knows wheelguns, and is a very competent shooter. I was thrilled that he was able to make the trip to Georgia, to help in the project.

CONCLUSION

In the end, we shot in close to 1,200 rounds of 9mm, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum. The labor and logistics needed to have five shooters fairly evaluate six revolvers is not easy. I would like to each of them for their time and effort.

Finally, I’d like to thank Scott Frankland and the great folks at Strong Point Shooting Range and Shooting complex in Waverly Hall, Georgia, for their facility and hospitality.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

For our 2024 Ballistic’s Best, our experts evaluated over 90 firearms, firing literally thousands of rounds downrange. They used our scoring system, drilling down on features such as accuracy, reliability, and more. Then the experts picked the very best performer from each and every group.
Our readers, that’s you, get to vote on the very same groups our pros tested out on the range.

Check out our poll and CLICK HERE to cast your vote.