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Old 04-12-2018, 10:04 PM
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Default In general, do you like the firearms of today?

Now I am not bashing any one company or type of firearm, but in general, I am not especially pleased with the appeal of many of today's firearms. Sure I realize the benefits of stainless, and the advantage of a composite stock under adverse weather conditions, but I miss the quality wood, and deep bluing I associate with a fine firearm. Just my personal opinion, but without getting real expensive, I would opt for an older Sako, Browning Safari, Winchester 70 and the likes before I would purchase todays options. I also think there has been an overall reduction in quality. What do you think?

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Old 04-12-2018, 10:11 PM
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I prefer the older guns. I bought a 1976 Star BM 9MM just yesterday. Because it's made of steel.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:12 PM
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I'm with you. Not too long ago a guy I worked with invited me over to look at his gun collection. When he opened the vault all I saw was stainless steel and plastic. They all looked the same. Naturally I didn't say that to him.
The quality of the guns and their finish, (finish-what finish?) well polishing anyway, has gone down hill since the late 1970's.

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Old 04-12-2018, 10:22 PM
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In terms of durability, reliability and longevity (most of) the guns being made today are the best in history.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:25 PM
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I try to keep an open mind.

I see pistols that have capacity that in my wildest dreams I never though could happen. I see shotguns with short barrels and pistol grips being sold openly....legally. Guns like Mare's Legs which are pretty cool, but my memory goes back far enough to remember when......uh.

So while I believe that all of this is "positive" I don't believe that it gets to the heart of your question. Still, I believe that you really have to look at it through that type of lens.

Would I want to fly from LA to New York in 1st class or on a 6 day trip in a bi-plane? I don't think they used CNC machining on a bi-plane motor...I might be wrong.

I'm not in a hurry so I would probably chose a 1973 flight on a Southwest Airlines flight so I could smoke cigarettes and look at Stewardesses in hot pants.....the good old days.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:27 PM
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I'm a fan of stainless, 1911 and .357. Plastic? Not so much, but they are affordable.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:30 PM
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No, I like wood and steel.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:35 PM
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I agree completely.

There aren't too many new firearms that I'd choose over an older one. Just look at what some companies are trying to pass off as "bluing". Yep, overall, quality has taken a nosedive.

There are a few I do like, though.

I like the Henry Big Boy with the brass frame. They're beautiful and well made and I want one!

I also like the CZ line of bolt actions, and the Winchester copies made by Miroku.

I'm sure there are a couple other new guns that I like, but for the most part, I'll stick with the older ones.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:45 PM
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It depends what you are looking for. If you want art then you want the old classics. The blue fit and finish can't be beat except by very expensive gun smiths. For duty and carry guns to go into harms way today's guns are better. Reliability and durability far exceeds the guns of yesteryear.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by David.Hylton View Post
It depends what you are looking for. If you want art then you want the old classics. The blue fit and finish can't be beat except by very expensive gun smiths. For duty and carry guns to go into harms way today's guns are better. Reliability and durability far exceeds the guns of yesteryear.
This right here^^^^^^
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:01 PM
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For sheer beauty and pride of ownership I love the deep polished blue and walnut. The guns being made today are more utilitarian, reliable and durable tools and have their place. Part of the reason for the shift IMO is that the majority of people are unwilling to pay the price that an "old school" gun will cost. Some are still available but at a price point out of the reach of some folks. I'm old enough to remember that people were unhappy with S&W under lear seigler and Colt 1911's needing work to be reliable with JHP rounds back in the 70's. The past wasn't always as we remember it.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hoc9sw View Post
I'm a fan of stainless, 1911 and .357. Plastic? Not so much, but they are affordable.
I do not want to be misleading here, but I do own a couple stainless pistols. I am not against the use of stainless, but prefer a rich polished bluing, and a quality piece of walnut. I just do not think the appeal is there. Now a couple answers said todays firearms are the best for reliability. That may be so, and maybe relates more to pistols. Tough to beat a Mauser or Sako action in a rifle for reliability
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Narragansett View Post
I do not want to be misleading here, but I do own a couple stainless pistols. I am not against the use of stainless, but prefer a rich polished bluing, and a quality piece of walnut. I just do not think the appeal is there. Now a couple answers said todays firearms are the best for reliability. That may be so, and maybe relates more to pistols. Tough to beat a Mauser or Sako action in a rifle for reliability
I recently got a model 60, which I have wanted since they first came out. It was a question of availability and then cost for a long time but when I got serious about getting one....I bought the oldest one I could find.

I wanted a late 60's or early 70's with a pinned barrel and a real low R serial number or maybe even without the letter prefix.

Stainless is just a logical choice for me in this hot and humid climate because I pocket carry.

I've read a lot about whether this gun can fire +P ammo and for what the old model 60 cost me, I could have very easily bought a modern J frame with .357 capacity....so why the old gun?

The best reason I can come up with is that it is the gun that I wanted.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:19 PM
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I'm very happy with the new guns I have purchased. But I still prefer the older guns; 60's and earlier.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:19 PM
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My cheap Ruger American out shoots every pre and post 64 Model 70, Sako and Remington I’ve ever owned. It’s also the ugliest. Every Colt 1911 I’ve owned pinched the web of my palm and other than the two Gold Cups, none shot to their potential. The Springfield, Kimber, Les Baers and most recently Nighthawk 1911 I have all shoot better than the Colts and don’t bite my hand. My 69 Smith is more accurate than my 73 era 29, my 627 is more accurate than my pre-27. Nothing from the past compares to the Freedom Arms big bore revolvers for fit and quality.

The older guns are prettier, the new guns seem to be more accurate. I started buying guns in the early 70’s, during the great gun drought. There wasn’t a lot available models to choose from. I think we’re better off now than 40 years ago.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:26 PM
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Like many things, cars, motorcycles, architecture for example, I appreciate both the old and new.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:27 PM
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From a practical standpoint and shooter's perspective, I do like the immensely large choice of firearms that we have today. Go back to a 1960 Shooter's Bible and particularly the choice of handguns was very limited.

While I enjoy my Sako L461 Vixen, a Tikka T3 has the at least same utilitarian value at a fraction of the cost and my Glock 17 with a few hunded Dollars in improvements shoots comparable to my SIG P210.

When you appreciate and are willing to pay for real high end guns, you always needed to get a custom gun, from the S&W registered Magnums, 1911, to the Korth revolvers.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldstar225 View Post
For sheer beauty and pride of ownership I love the deep polished blue and walnut. The guns being made today are more utilitarian, reliable and durable tools and have their place. Part of the reason for the shift IMO is that the majority of people are unwilling to pay the price that an "old school" gun will cost. Some are still available but at a price point out of the reach of some folks. I'm old enough to remember that people were unhappy with S&W under lear seigler and Colt 1911's needing work to be reliable with JHP rounds back in the 70's. The past wasn't always as we remember it.
I really don't expect the values on older blued steel and walnut guns holding up much longer. 20 years from now a Glock or Springfield Armory will be easier to sell than a Colt Custom 1911, even if they are priced the same.
Same will be true for my semi-custom flintlock rifles and smoothbores, and lever action 1866 and 1873 replica and original Winchesters.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:47 PM
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Modern designs are superior in nearly every practical way. They're lighter, more durable and generally more reliable. The only negative is the spotty QC that seems to infect modern manufacturing.

I'm happy to be issued modern, polymer based weapons. They're the Bic Lighters of the gun world. Use it, wear it out and give me another one. However, they have no soul or aesthetic merit. I acknowledge their practical attributes, but they're nothing I'll spend my own money on.

In less than a year I'll be retiring from law enforcement. After that, I'll probably never carry a polymer, striker fired pistol again.
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smoothshooter View Post
I really don't expect the values on older blued steel and walnut guns holding up much longer. 20 years from now a Glock or Springfield Armory will be easier to sell than a Colt Custom 1911, even if they are priced the same.
Same will be true for my semi-custom flintlock rifles and smoothbores, and lever action 1866 and 1873 replica and original Winchesters.
I'm going to disagree, and part of the reason I do is because my college-aged son has begun to catch the collecting bug from me.

If I NEED a handgun for use, sure, it might make sense to get a NEW gun (and by saying this, I mean that it will exclude older Glocks etc).

If I want to COLLECT some guns, as I have done a bit, then I want something aesthetically pleasing.

I do shoot all my guns, and enjoy doing so. But that's an example of function meeting form. I don't want to obtain a polymer pistol "just because"; I do want to obtain yet another steel gun that has been made with skill and craft.

My son is, interestingly enough, the same way. I got him a couple surplus rifles, and he's added to that. He occasionally takes one and oils it down, works the action, examines the details. Just to handle it. He doesn't do that with a modern AR.
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:09 AM
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I don't like the firearms of today. There's little in manufacturers' catalogs to tempt me. I don't want to use 'em. I don't want to own 'em. I'm not through playing with the kinds of guns I grew up with. I'm not so sure the "new crop" guns are more reliable. I'm still experiencing perfect satisfaction out of guns I've heavily used for over 40 years now.
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:16 AM
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Except for a recently acquired and promptly sold Ruger LCP (long story), my 1990-built all-stainless-steel EDC J-frame is the newest gun I've owned for years. Except for the LCP, for twenty years I've owned only revolvers. Nearly all were blue steel.

But I liked the Glocks I owned years ago, and trusted them. If I had the money, and the hand strength to rack a slide, I'd be glad to have another G19.

I'm not that much of a traditionalist, though I love revolvers, lever-action rifles and side-by-side, double trigger shotguns.
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:17 AM
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Blued steel and walnut just say "quality" to me. Stainless and plastic just say "blah".
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:55 AM
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My last hunting rifle is a Sako 75 Hunter in 30-06. Loves my handloads and has a love affair with the last of my 1967 vintage Lake City M72 Match ammo. All blued steel and wood. My Savage 110FP in 308 has a craplastic stock. Had to be the front receiver ring as the action was moving in the stock. My rem 700 Sendero with the composite stock gets outshot by the Savage. I accumulate old military surplus rifles all steel,blued and wood. So I guess that is where I got the bug for blued steel and wood stocks. Only own two stainless handguns all the rest are again blued steel and wood except for my Sig P6 and Sig P239 won't count the Beretta 92 FS as I haven't shot it in years. I like old single shot rifles. Swedish rolling block 8x58r, Peabody single shot in 56-50 rimfire, couple BSA martinis in 22rf, just off the top of my head. Wouldn't turn down a Ruger American bolt gun in 7.62x39 or 223/5.56. Last rifle I bought was a used Pedersoli 1874 Sharps infantry rifle in 45/70. Have yet to shoot my FN Browning Israeli 9mm High Power. Don't hunt anymore so just a paper puncher now. Frank
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Old 04-13-2018, 01:05 AM
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There still are today a nice selection of all steel quality pistols. The kahr K9/K40, MK series are among the best conceal carry out there. S&W still produces IMHO the best all steel revolvers. I can care less about the internal lock. My 617 & 686 are of exceptional quality and worth every penny. It is ridiculous how much fun a full grown man can have with a 6" 617 and a bucket of 22lr's.

Bersa Thunder 380's have been a long time favorite among the conceal carry crowd. I can go on but in short, handgun designs today are much better than they were 30+ years ago. Much better quality components. MIM parts do not need to be hand fitted as the tolerances are so precise, minimal breakin is necessary.With the choices available today with handgun's, it's impossible not to find a pistol that will best fit one's needs, hand size/strength, shooting ability etc... Those kind of choices back then, were much more limited than today...
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Old 04-13-2018, 01:31 AM
Scott in NCal Scott in NCal is offline
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the new stuff is ok, but what I like is the rather odd stuff I couldn't afford when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s. From that era Just about anything H&R. A favorite is a Ultra Wildcat 222 with the tiny Sako action so is the copy of a Springfield 45 70 trapdoor, Anything High Standard, a commercial Husquverna 6.5 x55 I like alot, Ithacia center fire Bolt rifles, Marlin levermatic, Remington 788, 600-660, Nylon 66. I will take a Winchester 670 over a 70 anyday, Ruger 44mag carbine, Marlin 25-20 and 120 shotgun. No type of collectable really, just odds and ends I like, weird things that usually didn't sell to well, some have come relatively some kinda pricy.
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Old 04-13-2018, 02:06 AM
Bat Guano Bat Guano is offline
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"Go back to a 1960 Shooter's Bible and particularly the choice of handguns was very limited."

Yeah, I still have my copy--cost me a whole $2. And I memorized everything between the covers. Now I can't remotely keep up with the current offerings of any ONE company.

On the plus side, my original bucket list was made up in those days, and I was lucky enough to own most of them eventually.
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Old 04-13-2018, 08:53 AM
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My interests run dry with firearms made after the mid 60's or so.
There are exceptions, but few.
Most all my focus is on pre-WW2 and earlier.
I just have always enjoyed the fit, finish and quality that went into most any of them. Even the low end of the retail market guns of those times.
Labor was the cheap commodity of most of those times and it showed in a lot of mfg'd goods.

I got in to gunsmithing in the late 60's and working for a couple of the firearms companys in the early 70's. It was there I got the firm opinion that the guns that were currently being made (early 70's) were not of the same quality as the older stuff I had already been playing around with on my own.
Now those 70's mfgr guns are considered classic quality compared to early 2000's made pieces.
It's all in what we expect of 'quality'.
If a plastic or aluminum part is acceptible where a steel stamping or before that a steel forging & milled part was used,,then the plastic part wins out.
Part of it is what the customers are willing to accept and still buy the product. The other is the bean counters trying to save pennys on every single part and mfg process for the shareholders.

The gun may function the same, may give just as long a life,,maybe more, but for me personally,,I'll take the older guns with blued steel and walnut as they say.

That's just me of course, and in no way diminishes anyone elses opinion of what may be the better choice for a certain job, or personal likes & dislikes.

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Old 04-13-2018, 08:56 AM
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In general, do you like the firearms of today? In general, do you like the firearms of today? In general, do you like the firearms of today? In general, do you like the firearms of today? In general, do you like the firearms of today?  
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For me, guns are tools nothing more - so I’ll take a modern firearm every time.
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:47 AM
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Enjoyed the posts on this thread for sure. Things sure have changed these days. Seems the guns like the Remington 700 and 1100 I bought back in 1980 are more like "custom" models today with the walnut and high gloss bluing but costs of walnut and more custom touches have forced makers to cut back. Only synthetic stocked one I bought was my Ruger Compact in 22 mag. which I am very satisfied with for woods varmint hunting. Often see my old standbys selling for reasonable money on the used gun racks these days.
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:53 AM
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I like Stainless!
Dont really like to carry those Blue Beauties out in the wild world!
Especially when I have a Stainless Stand in ready to go.
Same feelings on the grips.
Hate to expose an older, expensive and beautiful set to the wilds.
So my Go To Guns all have after market usually rubber grips.
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:57 AM
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Today's firearms, from NAA to Phalanx, are the absolute best ever and getting better.
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:06 AM
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All the firearms I own, were new when I bought them in the last five years. Only have two that are plastic, Shield 9 and Ruger American Rimfire. They both do what they're supposed to do, but it's hard to like feel the same pride in them.
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:23 AM
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Over all the new guns are more of machines to discharge ammo.
The stainless & plastic is better than wood and blued steel if you
are looking at it in military type terms. They are assembly line
mass produced . The quality is not there on a lot of them. There
are very few new guns that I would be interested in.
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldstar225 View Post
For sheer beauty and pride of ownership I love the deep polished blue and walnut. The guns being made today are more utilitarian, reliable and durable tools and have their place. Part of the reason for the shift IMO is that the majority of people are unwilling to pay the price that an "old school" gun will cost. Some are still available but at a price point out of the reach of some folks. I'm old enough to remember that people were unhappy with S&W under lear seigler and Colt 1911's needing work to be reliable with JHP rounds back in the 70's. The past wasn't always as we remember it.
I have a mix of old and new, but mostly old or older designs. I like the wood/blue aesthetically over the newer poly stocked matte finished guns. But I recently bought a SD9VE for its utilitarian nature. Frankly, it’s incredibly reliable and sights that are easier for my older eyes to pick up than my older Model 36 with the 1/10 front sight. That said, I’m not getting rid of my 14-4 anytime soon.

On the long gun side, CZ still makes a bolt action with a great Turkish walnut stock and actually blues the steel. A great looker that’s very accurate. And Remington always seems to come up with nicely figured wood for its moderately priced shotguns like the 1100 Sporting series and the Wingmaster special run models like the Claro. These aren’t much more than the standard models.

Yes, most new guns today are built to price points and have shorter life expectancy. But there are still some nice ones being produced that take advantage of modern production methods. Because there are many more choices out there today you have to look harder for the nice ones

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Old 04-13-2018, 10:32 AM
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Metallurgy and machining have technological advances on a continuing basis, it would be foolish to think that Firearms Companies do not take advantage of those advancements.

So in regards to Today's firearms, on the average, they are better manufactured, better designed, more accurate and more reliable. Today we can stuff more power than we ever dreamed into something that drops right into the pocket






The old guns are prettier and most of the defects that they left the factory with have been worked by the time we purchase them on the used market. The have beautiful bluing and wonderful nickel. Not to mention wood, bone or Ivory grips






Fortunately we have some companies that still produce the old guns but with Modern manufacturing techniques and better metallurgy.

While about 15 years old now, the Smith and Wesson Heritage series produced some very fine examples. These have about the best nickel finish I have ever seen on a Smith and Wesson










At least Smith and Wesson tries to keep offering things to us in their "Classic" series. I am not one of those that thinks the tag "Classic" means without any changes whatsoever from the way they made it the first time.

Smith and Wesson takes what they have learned over the last 150+ years and incorporates it into the designs, profiles and patterns of yesteryear to bring us a reliable modern firearm




The GREAT thing is that no matter what side of this discussion you are sitting on, there are hundreds of thousands of examples for you and your heirs to enjoy for many decades to come
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:43 AM
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I have both eras, like both. The fit & finish on my old, blue Models 19 and 29 are first rate. My Colt 1911 Series 70 Mk.IV is as dependable and probably more accurate, (way more trigger time), than any of the newer occupants of my safe. All that said, I carry either an M&P Shield or Compact 9. Uniform sights, higher capacity and simpler manual of arms if I need to put it into action quickly. That, and should the worst ever happen, (God forbid), one of my classics won't spend what would likely be the rest of my life in a police evidence locker.
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:50 AM
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Yes, but I PREFER older weapons generally speaking. I find them to be more interesting.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:15 AM
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Again, it all depends on what you want from a gun. If it's just a tool, then you likely don't have many- 2 or so SD handguns, a couple hunting rifles. I just can't imagine anyone wanting a safe full of Glocks and Shields. Makes little sense to split up your practice, when you can focus on just a couple and become very good at those.

If you have, say, 10 or so, you're then most likely 'collecting', and the odds are that a lot have unique things about them.
My group could be something from a museum or a book, not so much a current Cabela's sales page.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:25 AM
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The current AR platform is the most modular, reliable SA or FA long gun in history. It performs reliably in conditions that incapacitated firearms of many years ago. It is lighter, able to change caliber in the field and is specific to accepting accessories without a fuss.
The long range and ELR shooting community has seen more development in hardware and cartridges in the past 10-15 years than the past 100
Long range shooting has seen the modular chassis rifle and the loads to maximize them allow the average joe to get behind an affordable rifle and make hits out to 1 mile plus under decent conditions with a spotter.
Consider the advances in optics, night vision, thermal imaging and trigger systems.
The sub gun offerings have also improved. The 9mm guns like the Kriss Vector, Sig MPX and the 300 blk Sig Rattler, updates to the proven HK SP5K, Tavor and the AUG and short barrel AR's are game changers in close quarters.
Handguns seem to be the most gradual to change, perhaps because most operate consistently as designed.
Seems like many reasons to keep up with what is new, and appreciate what is old.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:39 AM
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I like a mix of current & yesteryear firearms. I lean heavily towards classic revolvers, but still appreciate a few recent models. Love old shotguns, but tend to actually do more shooting with modern ones. Old rifles are extremely beautiful & well made, but some of the newer models are quite accurate.
I can appreciate the labor & effort that many of the old processes required that will not be available in recent firearms unless you spend exorbitant amounts.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:48 AM
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Funny how I've grown more resistant to change as I've aged. When younger, I jumped at the idea of transitioning from a six-shot DA revolver to a 12+ round semiautomatic for duty carry. In my 60s, nostalgia set in. My recent firearms purchases have been pre-lock S&W revolvers, lever action rifles, and pump action or side by side shotguns.

Having said that, whenever I head to town or hit the road traveling nowadays, I prefer to carry a battle tested, higher round count Sig or Glock. I love my "old school" revolvers, but modern semiautomatics have a clear defensive edge IMO.
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Old 04-13-2018, 02:25 PM
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I like the 'classics'. My handguns are 1911's (Colts), older S&W auto (blued model 539), revolvers, and Beretta 92 FS variants.

My only plastic gun is a Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact in .40. It's a super compact, high capacity, large(ish) bore pistol that fits in a pocket. Can't beat that, and can't get that in a 'classic' design.
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Old 04-13-2018, 02:47 PM
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My modest “collection” of S&W handguns dates from 1968 to 2015.

I find that my 60-15 (DOB 2015) is the most “utilitarian” gun in this collection and, therefore, the most carried.

My older J’s and K’s - 1968 to 1994 - all get shot but are rarely carried with one exception, a slicked-up 60ND.

My only non-S&W is a 1999 Ultra Carry Series I that I tend to carry in cooler weather.

None of the current offerings from any manufacturer hold any appeal for me except, maybe, the Kimber K6S.

I continue to be on the prowl for older S&W’s with particular attention to snubbies.
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Old 04-13-2018, 03:26 PM
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I "like" the older guns ............ for their classic looks, style and yes reliability.

I like the "practicality" of some of the newer models..... stainless steel and G-10 especially....... as grips can be thinner.

I have an M&P-9 with a weapons light. Also have two M&P .22 Compacts and 15-22..... a fun guns for the whole family.

I've got a couple of Rugers...... a 77/357 Carbine in .357magnum and a Compact RAR in .22magnum........two guns that have great utility in Penn's Woods...... there is nothing similar in older guns.

I don't like the lock and internal firing pin in the newer Smith revolvers...... as both IMHO impact/alter the classic looks and lines of the Smith revolver.

Now for the best of both worlds ..... check out CZ's line of centerfire and rim-fire rifles!!!!! Especially their FS model with mannlicher stocks.

Last edited by BAM-BAM; 04-13-2018 at 03:32 PM.
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Old 04-13-2018, 03:40 PM
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As a Life member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-it's steel and walnut for me. OK, my nickel M27-2 has Pachmayrs on it. No polymers, aluminum, exotic metals, no key locks, etc.
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Old 04-13-2018, 08:52 PM
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A Ruger LCP is hands down the best pocket pistol I've found, and the price is right.

Short of that, I like old high polish blueing and checkered walnut.
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:07 PM
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Most of my S&W revolvers come from the late 80s to late 90s. They're not collectors pieces to most and they definitely don't have the fit and finish that command top prices. They are however at the peak of metallurgy and with that comes strength and durability. Aesthetics aside that is the most desirable feature to me.

Now I don't have a problem with MIM but I do have a problem with another unnecessary feature the new guns have. Lets just say there's a nice used 60-15 at a local LGS and if it was a 60-10 it would have been gone the second I saw it.
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Old 04-13-2018, 10:30 PM
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I carry a M&P 45 ACP as my duty sidearm. My off duty sidearms are Glock model 32, S&W model 5903, and S&W model 642 as a second gun. All modern handguns, but when I go to the range it will be my older sidearms. Lately my purchases have been several older revolvers and self loading handguns.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:04 PM
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No, I don’t much like the new guns out there, at least in my area of interest, which is handguns. And I’m kind of the gun version of the guy who camps out at the Apple store to get the newest iCrap. Except... we’ll, lately I’m kind of over it.

I like that Ruger, Colt, and Kimber renewed their interest in the revolver game with the LCR, Cobra, and K6s series, respectively in relatively recent years... I like that Springfield came out with a new hammer-fired XD pistol, even though I didn’t like the pistol itself for my wants or needs. But just about any other release on the handgun market from any major manufacturer is a clone of something else that’s a clone of something else that was a copy of a copy of the idea behind the Glock.

“Manufacturer A would like to announce a big surprise this year at SHOT Show! This one will change the game FOREVER.”

“Lemme guess, a striker-fired polymer pistol with a trigger that finds a perfect balance between gritty and squishy, and that has a proprietary grip design? One that they can do torture tests on for YouTube and that’ll be recalled for a massive safety problem in 3 months, so the repaired pistols can be torture tested again? And in another 6 months you’ll release it in Flat Dark Earth?”

“Um... yes. Yes, that’s what we have. BUT you can get ours in FDE right now if you want!”

No thanks. There hasn’t been much of any interest to me in the new gun cases for the last few years. We need new blood in the hammer-fired pistol gene pool, not just one entry from one company. We need some divergence away from “Glock killers” and pocket pistols. No judgment against anyone who likes them, it’s just to me they’re old news. End of grumpy rant.
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