Seven Well-Known Revolvers Line45 Says Modern Carry Guns Have Outpaced

In this video, the Line45 host names seven well-known revolvers that still have strong reputations but that, in his view, modern carry guns have overtaken. His argument is not that they stopped working, but that controls, sights, triggers and capacity that were acceptable decades ago now look like real compromises next to what is available in 2026.

Snapshot

The Line45 host goes through seven respected revolvers, including the Airweight, SP101, Bulldog, Governor and original Bodyguard, pointing to heavy triggers, basic sights, five-round cylinders, slow reloads and dated ergonomics. His conclusion is that these guns still work and are not bad, but their old trade-offs look much harder to accept beside the sights, triggers and capacity of current carry pistols.

Key points

• Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight: Praised for its 14-ounce enclosed-hammer design, but Line45 says the 12-pound trigger, sharp recoil and five-round capacity feel dated beside today's compact semi-autos.
• Smith & Wesson Model 60 and Ruger SP101: Both add steel for better control, but the host argues the extra weight still buys only five rounds and the same slow reload.
• Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special: Described as accurate but held back by a heavy trigger, fixed sights and less common, more expensive ammunition.
• Smith & Wesson Governor and Model 36: The Governor's three-caliber flexibility comes with bulk and uneven .410 performance, while the Model 36 gets credit as the J-Frame blueprint even as its ergonomics show their age.
• Original Bodyguard .38: Line45 points to Smith & Wesson's own redesigned Bodyguard 3820 as evidence that the original's sights, grip and controls needed fixing.

Quick take

Line45 does not call these revolvers bad. The host's case is that their quirks, once seen as acceptable trade-offs, stand out more clearly against current sights, triggers and capacity.

Watch the full video: Line45