DrFlintlock, I bet you'll be getting lots of opinions soon, and I'd like to know also what people think were the "best" years. My particular favorites are K frames from the 50's but the real jewels seem to be the Registered Magnums, guns with the single line "Made in U.S.A" and really anything that comes from the time when hand fitting was done.

Good luck and good hunting. If you don't already have a copy of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition" I suggest you get one asap.
T