The 2025 NRA Annual Meeting was held in Atlanta on April 24-27, and there were a number of new revolver product announcements from fan favorites Colt and Smith & Wesson that caught our attention.
These weren’t new guns, per se, but rather extensions of existing product lines. Even so, there’s lots to be excited about in this batch!
COLT
The big news at Colt’s Mfg. was the NRA Golden Bullseye that was awarded to the blued Python, earning it the title of NRA’s Handgun of the Year. RevolverGuy readers will certainly remember Kevin’s excellent article about the blued Python in our pages, but hopefully you also caught his cover article for American Rifleman magazine as well, where he did an excellent job of reviewing the most handsome (2020) Python to date. The NRA staff was equally impressed with the gun, and gave it their premiere award, which was well earned, indeed. Congratulations, Colt!

Colt added several barrel lengths to the blued Python at the NRA show, including options with 2.5″, 3″ , 5″ and 8″ tubes. I’m having a hard time picking a favorite, because they all have great utility and appeal, but the 2.5″ gun with the service-style stocks seems to scream for the most attention.





Colt also added a .45 Colt chambering in the large frame Anaconda, which is going to make lots of RevolverGuys happy. The .45 Colt Snake Gun will be offered in 4.25″ (can we ditch the metric barrels yet, guys?), 6″ and 8″ varieties, and each of them is a real chunk of steel.




The last addition to the new Colts is a 6″ version of their Kodiak revolver in .44 Magnum. The 6″ Kodiak has an unfluted cylinder and a ported barrel to help tame the barn-burners that big game hunters will want to send though the gun.

Standby for a review of the 4.25″ version of this gun, as soon as the Advil kicks in, and our man can work a keyboard again. ; ^ )
Smith & Wesson
Our friends at Smith & Wesson had a strong show, as well. We previously announced the arrival of the No-Lock Classics (Models 10, 19, and 36) at the 2025 SHOT Show, but the good news from the NRA show was these guns are now in production and shipping to FFLs across the country. We’ll be getting some of these to exercise when they make the CA Roster, and will have a report on them for you ASAP.



The biggest news from S&W wasn’t about the No-Lock Classics, though. Instead, the buzz around the S&W booth was the addition of a trio of Performance Center guns that sported upgraded features, including some new paint jobs.
The N-frame Model 327 TRR8 Moss kicks off the list, with its 5″ stainless barrel that wears equipment rails on top and bottom. This new version has a Moss-colored Cerakote finish on the Scandium alloy frame and railed barrel that contrasts nicely with the blackened cylinder.

Importantly, the Elite Series Cerakote product (E-210 Moss) used on the TRR8 Moss is a thinner, but more robust material that will give better wear characteristics than the more commonly used Cerakote H-Series material.

This same Moss Cerakote treatment has been applied to the K-frame Model 19 Carry Comp Moss, which sports a 2.5″ Power-Ported barrel topped with a Tritium-powered night sight. As with the TRR8 Moss, the hammer, trigger, cylinder, thumb piece and sights on the Carry Comp Moss are black, offering a nice contrast to the Moss green.

Most importantly, there is no internal lock to defile the sideplate on this gun–a wonderful byproduct of the previous No-Lock Classic effort!

The last of the Smith & Wesson’s to get a paint job is the Performance Center Model 640 Black, which follows the familiar Pro Series formula with a matte black Cerakote finish. The 2.125″ fluted barrel is topped with a dovetailed Tritium front sight, which mates with a dovetailed Tritium rear sight on the frame. The gun’s cylinder is cut for full moon clips, and there’s no lock in the sideplate!

No lock in the sideplate. I just wanted to say that again, because it makes me smile.
Taurus, Rossi, Heritage
Our pals at Taurus, Rossi, and Heritage didn’t have any new products to announce, but they do have a rebate program that’s in effect through the end of the month (31 May 25).

Shooters who purchase a qualifying Taurus or Rossi revolver in .38 Special or .357 Magnum between 15 Apr 25 and 31 May 25 are eligible to receive two, 25-round boxes of .38 Special Hornady Critical Defense ammunition, or a Hornady TrekLite Lock Box (XXL), depending on their state of residence.

On the Heritage side, shooters who purchase a .22 LR Rough Rider revolver, Rough Rider Rancher carbine, or Barkeep revolver are eligible to receive a .22 WMR cylinder through the rebate. Once again, the offer is good for guns purchased between 15 Apr 25 and 31 May 25.

anything else?
We checked with the usual suspects and didn’t see anything else that warranted a mention, but if you attended the Annual Meeting and saw something good, please make sure to let us know in the comments, below.
Very glad to see no lock on the new Model 19. It begs the question, though: why they couldn’t give the Model 327 the same treatment, using the frame from the new 629 Mountain Gun?
Larry, the reason is the frame material. The 629 is stainless, as you know, and the 327 TRR8 is Scandium. They don’t have a no-lock Scandium N-frame engineered/ready yet, but I expect we’ll see one before too long.
Thanks, Mike.
Sadly, still no M12 2.0, or LW Cobra.
RE: Taurus, be nice if they addressed the lack of availability of certain catalogued models, including the 2″ 942 UL.
I’m waiting on those too, buddy. Be patient though, there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes, and new products will be forthcoming.
RE: Taurus, I’ll see what I can find out.
Lobo, here’s the story on the 2″ 942 UL, straight from Taurus:
“It’s a combination of factors. One, they’re a bit more difficult to manufacture than the standard weight guns, so they don’t get produced as often as the steel frames.
Secondly, they’re incredibly popular, so when we do get a batch into the states, they sell out almost immediately.”
Thank you, sir.
My message to Taurus: “Make more. Make enough. Make ’em now.”
Same here. Waiting on a S&W 12UC or whatever such a thing may end up being called.
For my money, there’s no modern double-action revolver that’s as attractive as a Colt Python with a 2 1/2- to 3-inch barrel, blued or stainless. But Smith’s Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp Moss comes mighty darn close.
Agreed, Spencer. My 3″ Python Combat is probably my favorite wheelgun I own. I’m always a sucker for 3″ barrels + unfluted cylinders on muscular magnum.
Will you guys here at RevolverGuy be doing an article on the Diamondback SDR? I have to say, the more I look at it and hear about it, the more intrigued I am by it.
Also, despite my current feelings toward S&W, I am glad they continue to produce the Model 10; whether it’s the “Classic” or the new No-Lock. I’ve tried various medium/large frame revolvers in .357, .44 and 10mm and always come back to the Model 10. A plain medium-frame .38 Special with fixed sights is really all I could want in a revolver that’s not a pocket gun. .38 is very easy to shoot in a wheelgun of that size and weight, and I personally don’t like dealing with adjustable sights.
Maybe if S&W wants my money again someday, they can bring back the Model 12. What is essentially a lightweight snubnosed Model 10 is actually a very nice package; the only reason mine isn’t part of my carry rotation is on account of its age.
Axel, I consulted with Diamondback during the development of that gun and have been watching it closely. It’s still not certified for sale in California, so I haven’t been able to put one through its paces yet. As soon as I can get one here, we’ll work up a piece on it. They’ll be at RevolverFest in October, and I look forward to putting some rounds through a production sample.
We’ve been lobbying for an Airweight K-frame. All I can say is, stay tuned.
Ah, you consulted on the SDR? Well, it clearly shows. I’m very impressed with the look of it. I particularly like the fiber optic sights and the textured Ruger-style cylinder release, which I’ve come to like best. The push button to detach the cylinder for cleaning is also a very nice touch. I would’ve preferred the SDR didn’t have a hammer spur, but that is personal preference and not a slight on the SDR.
And here’s hoping on an airweight K-Frame. The Taurus 856 UL Defender comes close, but even with a 3″ barrel the 856 is still a small-frame. It will be nice to have a proper K-Frame lightweight snub again someday.
To be clear, I had nothing to do with the overall design, which was already established before I got in contact with them, but I did get to discuss things like B/C gap, headspace, sight regulation, barrel twist rate, trigger specs and other mechanical details with their engineering team. I found them to be very receptive to feedback and genuinely interested in making an excellent product, right out of the chute.
I’ve encouraged them to pursue making hammerless and Airweight versions, and to chamber some other calibers. They’re busy at work and I expect the family to grow, as the brand gains more acceptance in the revolver space.
Strongly agree about the Airweight K. The 856 is a great idea, but is closer to D-frame than K. We feally need an aluminum K-frame, and S&W knows it.
I don’t have a model 12 in my rotation either. I have one on permanent carry status.
Age? That only makes it better.
For me, it’s simply a matter of, “S&W stopped making the Model 12 in the 1980’s, and if anything happens to mine I’d have to find another one and it won’t be cheap”. My particular 12 is not pristine by any means; one of the reasons I got it for the price I did. However, I’m not sure I’d want to risk it ending up in an evidence locker.
I bought my Model 12 pre-COVID, and the prices of pre-lock S&W wheelguns has only gone up. Maybe you have the money to replace yours if something happened to it, but I don’t.
Those Taurus 856 ULs are really the closest thing to a Model 12 that we could afford to replace. Closer to D-frame than K-frame, but good guns for the job.
I completely agree. One of the reasons I have a Taurus 856 UL is to have a lightweight 6-shot .38 snub that wasn’t a vintage piece like my Model 12. Mine doesn’t have a bobbed hammer from the factory, but once I have a gunsmith take of that it will be good to go.
And if something ever happens to it, it’s easy (and affordable) to get another one.
Not to appear impatient or anything, but has S&W submitted its new Mountain Guns yet for CA DOJ approval?
My understanding is not yet. It’s about a $30,000 investment per gun, so most companies will wait to see how a new model sells before they pursue the Roster.
I second the call that the industry really needs to ditch the 4.2-4.25″ barrel length metric measurements. There is no reason to do this anymore after the Canadian government froze all importation of handguns. And I’m sure the bean counters will love to see the savings pile up by salami slicing those extra few centimeters of metal off the manufacturing process.
If fondling guns was a crime, I’d get life without parole. The NRA Meeting in Atlanta was excellent – the venue itself, well, that’s another matter. I had my target list marked on the floorshow map, and once inside, I decided to chuck it and go aisle to aisle. Sticking to revolvers, it goes something like this:
Heritage’s Roscoe was interesting. It’s essentially the Taurus 85 done differently. The finish was reminiscent of S&W’s old style hot blueing. Very nicely done. Its bull type barrel gives it a bit of a muzzle heavy feel, in contrast to the S&W M36. The barrel projection does a nice job of providing blocking for the ejector rod. The front lockup is in the crane which gives it less wobble room. For someone on a budget, who wants a gun that they won’t cry if it gets a ding or two, the Roscoe seems to have a lot going for it. The Taurus revolvers sport a much better QC in fit and finish as well as better actions than those of a few decades ago. The 856 is reminiscent of the old Colt Defective Special. If foresight were as good as hindsight, I suspect Taurus would have made their J-frame grip take the same stocks as S&W. That would have opened a vast world of options.
Tons of ink have been spilled on Colt and S&W, so I won’t go into too much about those two. I did have a chance to handle the latest crop of Colt wheelguns, and bemoaned the Colt Trooper Mk III which I still believe was Colt’s best duty revolver. The D frame magnum guns are lighter than the S&W K frames, but they are still far from pocket carry items. I have trouble getting past the decades where Colt treated the consumer market as second class steerage.
At S&W, I did have a great chat with Andrew Gore and Bryan Eastridge about the Ultimate Carry guns while my better half went oogling the revolvers, big and small. Nothing special in the casual conversation except for me to drop less than subtle hints that the Hillary Hole is a pariah to Revolverguys. I think both Andrew and Bryan are more than aware of that, but it’s an uphill battle with S&W lawyers obstinately keeping the lock in place. Reminded me of the phrase is Shakespeare’s Play, Henry VI, in Part 2 where he suggests that we get rid of the lawyers. My wife and I also had the privilege of having lunch with Bryan where we discussed all things with rotating chambers around a yoke. Later on, with me being distracted at Langdon Tactical (they did my Beretta 92X-G), I found my wife wandered over to Mossberg and commenced chatting with Jerry and Lena Miculek – when I grow up I want to shoot like Jerry does !
Ruger keeps on being Ruger with items galore. I did bring up the concept of a .357 Magnum KP-100, being a GP-100 action shrunk down into the Security-Six size frame. The logic being that the full size GP is a tank, and feels like you’re carrying one. The Security-Six was within an ounce of the S&W K-frame magnums, and carried very well. My meager pitch was it would be a good in between a 5-shot ‘J’ type SP101 and an ‘L’ frame GP100 . . . make it the ‘K’. Right now Ruger seems focused on their partnership with Magpul on yet another polymer miracle gun that will displace Glock (how many R’s are in Fat Chance) . . . Well, it was worth a shot.
I also spent time talking with the folks at Charter Arms, particularly Christopher Andrade (plant manager). As a baby cop in the early 1970s, and being mostly broke, my first backup and off duty gun was a Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special. That gun rode lots of miles and digested vast quantities of .38 Special rounds without a glitch. I later got a Bulldog 3″ .44 Special, and it was a delight to carry and a pain to shoot. It didn’t last long. Charter went through a period where quality control was in the tank. The Ecker family (original partners with Doug McClennehan) retook control of the company and Nick Ecker seems to have turned it around and then some. Mr Andrade had not been around in the early years, so I related to him how the fit and finish of the current guns was far nicer than my original gun, as was the action. He was pleased to hear that and advised that they are striving to maintain absolute quality control. A 16 ounce steel frame gun that is .38 +P rated has a lot to offer, and I would not hesitate to have that ride in my pocket if it wouldn’t fight with my S&W 37-2 for space. I also had to point out that Charter Arms’ website sucks canal water, and that is up for the I.T. types to deal with.
For what my opinion might (not) be worth, I’d rank S&W #1, Charter #2, and Taurus #3 in order of preference.
Morphy Auctions had one very rare item that I’d read about, seen photos of, but had never before seen up close: A WW-2 Japanese Type-4, their very late war copy of the M1 Garand in 7.7x58m/m.
Thanks for the great report! The Charter guns have been MIA in these parts, so I’m not sure what to think of them. I’m happy to get your positive report, and hope I’ll get a chance to handle and shoot some samples at RevolverFest in October.
I also liked what I saw with the Heritage Roscoe. I think it’s a great value and look forward to shooting one of those, too.
I’ve been pestering friends at Ruger to add a true medium frame gun for many years. It’s a glaring hole in the catalog, and I hope they’ll fill it someday. The old Six tooling is all gone, but they could easily build a SP/GP-based “new Six”–a “6.1?”
It would be fantastic if S&W released the 586 and 686 in the No-Lock category, that and offer the Mountain Gun in 45 Colt.
Well, now that they have a no-lock L-frame with the intro of the new Mountain Gun, you’ll see the remainder of the L-frame SKUs transition to the no-lock pattern. It will just take a little time to march through the catalog and correct them.
A Mountain Gun in .45 Colt has been requested already! I won’t be surprised to see more calibers coming out in that family, since the reintroduction has been so successful. Standby . . .
While we’re on the subject of .45 revolvers (we are, aren’t we?), does S&W have any plans to reenter the .45 ACP revolver business? I always wanted a 625, never found one when I had the dough to buy one, and then they went and discontinued them. (I think they did it just to spite me.) Is there a market for .45 ACP revolvers (big bore, moon clips, what’s not to like?), or am I alone in the woods again?
I’ve been lobbying hard for a .45 ACP revolver. Standby.
I think sales of those probably dropped off because the gun games started to make the clipped 9mms more competitive.
Just before reading this article I saw the TFBTV channel on Youtube uploaded a video discussing a “Germany’s Club 30” revolver, i’d like to suggest you at Revolverguy cover this unique entry into the wheelgun world.
Thanks Jeb, but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that one. We like writing about guns we’ve actually seen.
Did any wheelgunner types stop by the CZ booth and urge them to produce Dan Wesson revolvers again?
Funny you mention that. Their new Media Relations Manager just sent an introductory mass email, and I was an addressee. I replied and asked about the revolvers, but have received no answer yet. The last SHOT Show where they displayed one was circa-2019.
Excellent report, despite lack of news regarding a much anticipated Smith & Wesson 12UC (or 415NG?).
I really ought to get a 19 Carry Comp, if only to retire my M19 2-1/2 inch while it’s still pretty, but I’m hanging fire waiting on an alloy K.
I appreciate the features of my 640-1 Pro Series (purchase inspired by you, of course), but wish the rear sight had a wider notch like the UC. Other than testing some magnums once I run it as a 38 though. I’m past the point where alloy 38 Js are any fun, so a 432UC is my choice for EDC. This leads me to my one suggestion – a Performance Center Model 640 Black chambered as a six-shot 327 would make a lot of people happy. The masochists could run it at full-power. The rest of us could feed it 32 Longs and H&R for a soft-shooting yet reasonable self-protection solution.
A 640 in .327 FM is an excellent suggestion, Michael, and a topic we’ve been discussing behind the scenes. There are so many projects “in the works” these days, and I’m eager to see what will come next. If the current trend continues, the S&W revolver catalog will look completely different in just a handful of years.
Sadly, I still don’t think I’ll see my .38 Spl steel frame Centennial in this lifetime. Everything is centered on the Magnum J-frame these days, which is a real pity as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think there’s ever been a finer J than the original, no-dash 640, but I’m that weird guy who doesn’t mind carrying a steel gun. I much prefer them to the Airweights.
Mike, How much lighter is a no dash 640 than a 640-1 Pro Series? I don’t mind an extra ounce or two, but a plain Centennial is certainly more compact. Cheers, Michael
Michael, I think it’s just a few ounces. If I’m not mistaken, the 640 is around 22 oz (depending on grips, of course) and the 640-1 is around 25 oz. The big thing for me is the shorter frame and snout on the .38 Spl 640 makes it a better fit for pockets than the Magnum J-Frame.
Now that a ‘no lock’ version of the Model 19 is in production, I might consider a purchase. S&W was off my list in favor of Colt for that reason alone.