The Smith & Wesson Model 10 Classic is a blued carbon steel single and double action .38 Special built for home defense and range work. It has an MSRP of $879. It is the service revolver layout kept in production, a 4-inch barrel on a six-shot K-frame with checkered wood grips, and at 34.6 oz it carries 10.6 oz more than the Taurus 856 Defender beside it.

The sights are a black blade front and a fixed rear notch cut into the top strap, so nothing adjusts and the front blade is pinned in place. The hammer is exposed and there is no manual safety. The frame, barrel and cylinder are carbon steel under a blued finish, which looks the part and needs wiping down after a wet day. The gun is 8.9 inches long, 5.85 inches tall and 1.45 inches across, and there is no optic cut or rail.

If you're cross-shopping, the Colt Cobra also holds six on a smaller stainless frame 4.9 inches tall, with a fiber optic front sight. The Taurus 856 Defender has an MSRP of $488, holds six at 24 oz behind a 3-inch barrel and bobs the hammer for carry. Both of those are built to be carried. The Model 10 has the longer barrel and the extra weight.