Davidson’s New Exclusive Texas Rangers Commemorative S&W Model 20 in .357 Magnum

The Texas Rangers are the nation’s premier law enforcement agency with a heritage that stretches before the state of Texas and the nation of Texas. To mark the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Rangers, Smith & Wesson has produced a limited run of the obscure yet influential Model 20 revolver as an exclusive offering for Davidson’s.

In 1957, Smith & Wesson revolvers got numeric designations. The M&P became the Model 10, the Chief’s Special became the Model 36, and the .38/44 became the Model 20. In the 1920s, the .38 Special revolver was the go-to handgun for law enforcement, including the Texas Rangers, who were tasked along the US/Mexico border. But in the era of flathead V8s and all-steel automobiles with plenty of criminals willing to use them, the .38 had trouble punching through.

In 1930, Smith & Wesson introduced a new .38 Special revolver built on its .44 caliber frame. It could handle modern, high-speed ammunition for the .38. That frame would eventually become the N-Frame, and that round would morph into the .357 Magnum in 1935. But the .38/44 remained a popular item until it was discontinued in 1960 in favor of revolvers built around the Magnum round.

Now, the heavy-duty Model 20 is back in its own way. Smith & Wesson has introduced a 250-unit run of their four-inch barreled N-frame .357 with the fixed sights that came on the original Model 20.

These Model 20s are chambered for .357 Magnum but will shoot .38 Special ammo just as well. The revolver has a six-shot capacity, a blued steel frame, and a fluted cylinder. It wears a pair of Goncalo Alves grips and is set in a wooden presentation case and a certificate of authenticity. Units in this limited run have an MSRP of $2,950.