I guess I have been around long enough and seen enough Smith revolvers to expose my observations and bias in this discussion. From my observations, I agree mostly with Doc, except that I think the quality started down in around 1970. I am talking revolvers here as that is what I handle most. Almost all the guns I have or have handled built after WWll through the '50's have a good, solid, fast carry up, consistent throats and good finish. Guns built in the '70's sometimes had problems with carry up or other issues, such as a gritty action, right from the factory. Finish was still good and they looked good. Grips deteriorated after the diamond disappeared. The L frames were introduced around 1980, and these were well made as well, better than the N frames, it seems to me. Most of the guns in the early '90's were solid as well. While I do not like the lock, my brother in law just got a new 686 that has just a perfect action and feels very solid. Just my thoughts.