See that Smith has been putting out new classic models like the 21 and such.
Leaning toward the new blue 29.
Are those faithful to the originals, like recessed cylinders and pinned barrels, or just a variation on the new models?

They "resemble" the originals. They are not made like them. They are nice guns but they are, for all intents and purposes, just variations of the current models.
regards,
Ralph

Mike56, the Classics are as suggested as close as you can get with the current manufacturing equipment and specs. The Classic M29 for example does not have recessed chambers or a pinned barrel as those went away in the very early eighties. It does have the 6.5" or 4" barrel of the original, nice bright blue, and the dreaded lock, but it shoots quite well as do the other Classics. For me, where the Classics really shine, are in the M22, M21, and the just released M25 .45 Colt. The originals were never made in any great number and are collectors items. The Classics allow one to shoot a nice gun without worrying about the collector value. My M25 6.5" 45 Colt is such a gun, only a handful of the slender barrel M25's were made in 45 Colt, never cataloged. No, the Classics are not dead ringers for the originals, but they're nice shooters. Bob

Then all the "classics" come with the lock?
Really never minded it, but I did have occassion to qualify with off-duty guns for the HR218 bill.
One guy had a Tuarus snubbie that locked up soild. After looking at it, they decided the lock on that must have broke and jambed it.
Have a 642 with it and no problems, but will the .44 rattle it loose some?

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
Then all the "classics" come with the lock?

The only one of the "Classics" that I know of that comes without lock is the Model 40.

Paul

The S&W Classics are an attempt to combine modern technology with some of the desireable features that were found on older guns. No more and no less. I, and some others, think they did a nice job while others don't. The folks that don't like them complain that the Classics aren't exact copies of the old guns. To me that seems a little unfair as they were never intended to be exactly like the old guns.

YMMV, Bob

Here is the two classics I have. I have been satisfied with them. They are not like the originals I guess but it is all some of us can get. Model 22-4 45 ACP and 21-4 44 special.

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
See that Smith has been putting out new classic models like the 21 and such.
Leaning toward the new blue 29.
Are those faithful to the originals, like recessed cylinders and pinned barrels, or just a variation on the new models?

Modern engineering with looks similar to the originals. It is what they would have built then if they had the machines, the updated engineering, etc. (except for the lock). The guns are not P & R. It is a 4 screw, square butt with wooden stocks, however. In all respects, well done (except the lock).

25 Classic in 45 Colt. Ahrends grips and SDM front sight are the only changes I made.



Does have the lock. No P&R like the originals. The factory grips I didn't like. They were too thin for me and didn't feel right.

I like it.

quote:

the Classics are as suggested as close as you can get with the current manufacturing equipment and specs.

Sorry, but I reject that statement! It's like you are saying that modern materials and machinery somehow can't be expected to be "as good" as what we could do in the 1930's. We have much better steels today. We have much better equipment. We can produce mass parts with far tighter tolerances.

And that applies to guns as well as everything else. US Firearms has proven beyond any doubt that you can make modern copies of an old design and make it even better than it used to be. It just takes the will to do it. If US Firearms would make a S&W pre-29 five screw, I would line up and pay whatever they asked for it!

Gregg

I picked up a blue 40 a couple months ago and I like it a lot (it was an anniversary present from my wife - so I like it a whole lot). It's got MIM innards, but, as mentioned above, no lock. The finish is good but not great, and I don't think I'd really ever carry it because I'm not comfortable with the grip safety, but it shoots good and looks nice. I'm not into nickel, but if you are, the nickel finished 40's I saw were really well done.