It wasn't too long ago when almost all the talk about defensive firearms was centered around some form of revolvers. While the semi-automatic pistol might be the sidearm of choice for today's law enforcement, military and armed civilian applications, there is still a demand for defensive revolvers. 2023 was a banner year for revolvers, with new guns coming out from some of the biggest names in the business.
Colt | 4-Inch Anaconda
All the power of the vaunted.44 Mag. chambering is now available in a shorter, handier version of Colt’s largest Snake Series wheelgun. The 4-inch Anaconda is crafted from forged stainless steel, features a shorter barrel than the original reintroduction and a six-shot cylinder.
▶Adjustable target sights
▶Replaceable colored front-sight insert
▶Target crown
▶Hogue Overmolded grips
Specifications
Caliber: .44 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.3 inches
Overall Length: 11.3 inches
Weight: 42 ounces
MSRP: $1,499
(800) 962-2658 colt.com
Diamondback | Sidekick Birdshead
Available with both .22 LR and .22 Mag. cylinders, the Sidekick Birdshead might look like a traditional single-action pistol, but is actually DA/SA with a swing-out cylinder for faster reloading.
▶Nine-round capacity
▶.22 LR and .22 Mag. cylinders included
▶Birdshead grip frame
▶Fixed sights
Specifications
Caliber: .22 LR/.22 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 9 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7.8 inches
Weight: 24.5 ounces
MSRP: $327
(321) 305-5995 diamondbackfirearms.com
Korth | Silver Mongoose
The latest wheelgun from the renowned maker of ultra-premium revolvers is the Silver Mongoose. The .357 Mag./.38 Spl.-chambered double action is offered with an optional, interchangeable 9 mm cylinder. Barrel lengths of 4, 5.25 and 6 inches are available.
▶Silver DLC finish
▶Turkish walnut grips
▶14k-gold-bead front sight
▶Korth medallion logo
Specifications
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 8.9 inches
Weight: 33.6 ounces
MSRP: $4,999
(877) 268-4867 nighthawkcustom.com
Rossi | RM66
The Rossi RM66 brings magnum-revolver power back to the company’s lineup. This 6-inch-barreled revolver features adjustable sights, comfortable rubber grips and a smoothed double-action trigger pull. For enhanced accuracy, pull the hammer back into single-action mode for a sub-3-pound, crisp single-action pull.
▶Full-underlug barrel
▶Wrap-around rubber grip
▶Contoured to fit speedloaders
▶Adjustable sights
Specifications
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11.1 inches
Weight: 34.4 ounces
MSRP: $620
(229) 515-8707 rossiusa.com
Rossi | RP63
Many love a compact revolver for personal protection, and those same shooters love having more rounds on board. They can expect to be enamored of the RP63, which packs six rounds of .357 Mag. where similarly sized wheelguns would only fit five. The RP63 has snag-free fixed sights for a quick draw, and the same outstanding trigger as its bigger brother, the RM66.
▶Snag-free fixed sights
▶Full-underlug barrel
▶Optimized for concealed carry
▶Replaceable front sight
Specifications
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7.9 inches
Weight: 27.3 ounces
MSRP: $460
(229) 515-8707 rossiusa.com
SAR | .357 SR
SAR is shouldering its way into the renewed wheelgun market with a magnum-powered, double-action revolver. The sizeable shooter is available with either a 4- or 6-inch barrel and is double-action, allowing fast, double-action firing or the precision of a single-action shot.
▶Adjustable rear sight
▶Changeable, ramp-style front sight
▶Forged steel construction
▶Synthetic, finger-groove grips
Specifications
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 9.4 inches
Weight: 41.4 ounces
MSRP: $650
(833) 727-4867 sarusa.com
Taurus | 605 Defender T.O.R.O.
The 605 T.O.R.O. is a .357 Mag., optic-ready revolver. For people who demand magnum-level power, the 605 has five shots ready to go—and you’re more likely to get good hits on target thanks to the included mounting plate that supports optics that use the Holosun K-series footprint. Optic not included.
▶Stainless steel finish
▶Extended ejector rod
▶Target-style trigger
▶Compact grips
Specifications
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
MSRP: $450
(229) 515-8464 taurususa.com
Taurus | 856 Defender T.O.R.O.
This 6-shot .38 Spl. packs a ton of punch into a compact package, and for the first time ever, it’s optics ready. The mount is designed to be compatible with all optics that share the Holosun K-series footprint. Optic not included.
▶Removable front sight
▶Carbon steel cylinder
▶High-visibility night sights
▶Built-in optics mount
Specifications
Caliber: .38 Spl. +P
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 23.5 ounces
MSRP: $445
(229) 515-8464 taurususa.com
Taurus | Executive Grade Judge
The first expansion to the Executive Grade lineup is the fabled Judge. The popular self-defense revolver is available with a satin stainless steel finish, brass rod front sight and the same hand-tuned action as all Executive Grade pistols. Presentation-grade wood grips complete the revolver’s appearance, making it the first BBQ-gun-worthy Judge.
▶Smoother, lighter action
▶Fixed rear sight
▶Transfer-bar safety
▶Presentation-grade wood grips
Specifications
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410 shotshell
Cylinder Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 9.5 inches
Weight: 36 ounces
MSRP: $949
(229) 515-8464 taurususa.com
