Hello all:

I want to respectfully submit a question that has been on my small but "gotta know" mind if I might?

I have acquired two Smiths in the last year and a half. First was the pre-Model 10, 38 special, 6 shot, 5" barrel, c. 1925. I bought it at a pawn shop for $199.00. And it is a great shooter. I sent off and got the "paper work" certification letter on it.

Secondly, I bought a Model 360pd, Scandium, 357, snubbie, gently used, literally up the street in another pawn shop from the original shop where I bought the 38 special. I only paid $399 and some change "out the door."

Now some of you have read my threads and you know what my ethos is! I like both my Smiths. I shoot both my Smiths. One is in my carry rotation. They are both quality in feel, balance, fit, finish, et al.

But I have something that has been "a bur under my saddle" for some time. And here we go. Please do not flame me!!! Cut the old guy some slack!!! Be kind! And be patient!

Why, for the life of me, is there such a "following," "mystique," "love," even "cult" developed around this brand?

I know I am putting myself out there and in your hands. I also know full well that I may even be disciplined for asking such a question!! Although I would hope that there is room on this particular board for a good and honest question and dialogue like this.

I put myself in capable hands I know.

"That is all!"

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"That is all!"

Aside from the fact that S&W has been around for over 150+ years, in one form or another, and they are the ones who developed the DA revolver, and aside from the fact that their revolver, thru the 1970-80's were the smoothest DA on the market, and they are the only major DA handgun manufacturer today, I can't think of a reason.


Can anyone?

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Slim, U.S. Army, Ret.

Not to mention, it just sounds cool.

"Smith and Wesson"

I like to think part of it is that S&W's a name I've heard all my life, as far back in my 58 years as I can remember.

When I got into pistols and revolvers about three or four years ago, my first purchase was an S&W. I had gone into the gun shop to buy a Springfield. I've never looked back, and since then I haven't bought any other make of handgun. Don't plan to, either.

I guess it's part mystique, and part quality and reputation. Every one I have bought, I have felt good all over about. And whenever I've had to let one go, it's been hard.

There are other great ones out there too. Colt is one. Ruger is one. And some of the foreign makes, no question.

But I'm a Smith guy.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Plus..........They invented........The 38 spl..........The 357 mag......The 44 spl......The 44 mag........THE 22 RIMFIRE.......and the first stainless steel handgun(mdl.60).... first American made DA auto(mdl. 39).......What s not to love!!!!!!!!!!

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S&W Accumulator

I am a Smith and Wesson lover because they don't make a Smith, Wesson and Almighty

Simply said: They are the best! IMHO

Methinks thou art afflicted, and yet...blissfully unawares?

You bought a 90 year old revolver, and love it. AND another revolver made out of...SCANDIUM (?!?) and carry it...DAILY. Yet you're confused by the mystique. Think about it?

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But then, what do I know?

Simple,they build the nicest double action revolvers.Colt builds the nicest 1911A1s and Ruger builds some neat 22 plinkers.I collect them all

First of all most here will agree that the Smith & Wesson (pre 1994 anyway) was the finest quality, most reliable, most robust, accurate, smooth and best built Revolver that ever lived! Colt is second. Anybody who has spent a good amount of time shooting different brands and models fully understands this. One could easily pay a lot more money for a revolver (just look at what Colt Pythons are selling for these days) but that does not mean they are better or even as good as the Smiths are. Over the last 100+ years I doubt there has been any major law enforcement organization that has not adopted a S&W model as their official duty weapon. The US Military has also done the same as have many foreign Police departments and agencies.

S&W revolvers have proven to be a hell of an investment and have returned higher percentages of profits
than most Brokers have. While S&W Revolvers have not been immune to problems along the way, they have been minimal and have always been a mark of quality and reliability.

I could go on & on but suffice it to say they are (as a class) the best of the best!

What I currently fear is that the Company is living on their prior reputation and producing inferior guns. To me (personally) since the mid 90's the Company has made too many pencil pushing and Political decisions that have affected their overall quality and will eventually come back to haunt them.

As a youngster I always purchased Smith Brothers Cherry Cough Drops, sometimes the Licorice flavor.

I believe that is why I like the S&W brand.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

If you have to ask, you won't understand.

Sell those two S&Ws, then buy a Glock.

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I'm with the banned ...

Here is my 2 cents

My old grandfather carried an old regulation police everyday and everywhere- He has passed I have it now, what a great piece from him. It is my avatar - Originally he wanted to be buried with it.

My father always had an old M&P model 10 snubby within arms reach also. I have this also

They never bragged about carrying their 2 favorite pieces but always had them.

I asked dad why this S&W snubby. He always said it was newer than his fathers and would not want anything else. He always stood on his Soap box regarding S&W and said no other firearms maker could ever build ones like these.

Then I got the bug and OMG did I ever.

Enjoy them

Pete

Some of the reasons could be what people have had success with.

some buy Chevys because they had good luck with them and all the Dodges they had were pure junk.

Some buy HP computers because they had bad luck with Dell.

Etc, etc.

I love my M&P 40c because it shot better, fit my hand and was more accurate them the Springfield Armory and Glock

I look at it like the bickering over cars. Some like brand A, others Brand C and so one. It's not one is better than the other, but it comes down to the individual. Most on this forum will admit they do own other brands of firearms like I do. I own guns from Ruger, Taurus, Beretta and, of course, Smith and Wesson. Like and shoot all of them. I prefer my S&W model 626-2 over my Taurus 627 Tracker but they are both reliable and good shooting revolvers.
It all comes down to opinion and what any individual likes and is comfortable with. I am not a Glock fan simply because of how they feel in my hand but I will also never bad mouth them because they are good quality firearms.
I have found the members on this forum will never "flame" anyone for asking a question such as you did because we realize everyone is entitled to an opinion and not all of us are going to agree on those opinions all of the time. Lots of respect to be found here!

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NRA Life member

Because Dirty Harry did not shoot a (Colt, Ruger, or any of the others) He is the Man. He shot the best and I wanted one too. I guess because (IMHO) they are the best .

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Not so Free in the Free State

The only revolvers I trust to carry are S&W. My home defense gun is an old Model 19, 4 inch barrel. I trust them, period.

Dirty Harry and Elmer Keith brainwashed me.

Elmer and Skeeter cost me a lot of money

It makes more sense than being a Star Wars fanatic.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I didn't know there were other brand revolvers. If you find any don't waste your time with them.

Like mc5aw said, "If you have to ask...."

It's a combination of things. When you pick up your first Smith, you notice the craftsmanship, the feel, the action, the smoothness. Also, there's just something about the way they look that just says, "Class."

If one of the older, well-used and well-cared for Smiths doesn't turn you on, well Buddy, you ain't got no switches!

I'm sure there are many people who will never understand. To them, it's just an old gun. To others, it can almost be classified as a work of art.

There's a reason some of the old LEO's hung on to their Smiths. We've got quite a few of those good ol' boys here on this forum. I'm sure they can explain it a heckuva lot better than I can.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

If you read this, you will understand:

Amazon.com: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson eBook: Jim Supica, Richard Nahas: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JXjaAywdL.@@AMEPARAM@@51JXjaAywdL

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Lou

29-3
Nothing else like it!

My first and last revolver.

You forgot the S&W 460 & the badass of the badass, the 500S&W!

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I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

I and Travis Bickle recognize Quality and demand accuracy & dependability at all times......

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There's nowt so queer as folk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meP_Ufwj-FY

S&W is one of the 'best ones'. And that reputation has lasted. From my first S&W I was hooked. Now if they can just keep up that quality in their revolvers that they always had. They aren't Cadillacs, more like '57 Chevys.

Colts are good, but I don't care anything about 'Pythons'. Rugers are good but they don't have the history. They make good guns though. The guys with the ball-bearing works are like the Swiss watches that I can't afford.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

In the 70,s my dad carried a Master Combat 38spl that i only have shot it one time couple years ago. But from him i knew S W made a good firearm.
So when i had a chance to get one not sure at the time what it was i just knew it was a 915. Traded my Bul Cherokee for it, now Smith is all i look for. My wife traded her XDM (at my urging) for her 6906 and i have even picked one up for me. Quality and dependable.

From revolver to m&p pistols & rifles, their quality, attention to detail and value are unmatched. When your used to something that just works, anything less is hard to swallow. There's lots of good guns out there but my family carries S&W.

Why do I like Smith & Wesson? When I was a young fellow, still in my teens, I saw my very first copy of "Guns and Ammo" magazine. On the cover there was a handgun, turned at just the right angle, with a beam of firey light shooting out of the muzzle. Under that picture, in large letters were the words...

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 19 "COMBAT MAGNUM!"

I remember thinking to myself, "THAT is what a handgun is supposed to look like."

I still think so, 45+ years later.

I've owned others. Mostly Colt, and Ruger, with a Taurus or two, even a Glock thrown in. All good guns. But they don't look like a handgun is supposed to.

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John 3:16 .

Bad labworm, bad! Why, if I could find my newspaper I'd rap you on the snout for soiling the forum!

Line from an old 1950's TV show...
"I prefer a Smith & Wesson Magnum myself."

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Don't want no Glock! Looks like a brick to me with a hole drilled in it. Got what I wanted! Want what I got thank you very much!! LOL!

I was just wondering why the mystique. My first purchase was a Ruger LCR 357. SWEET, SWEET trigger!

When I got my Smith Model 360 snubbie I thought I was going to have the same experience. Boy was I ever wrong. Shooting +p in the little light 357 was like I had never shot a gun before and had to start learning all over. So I am glad for the hammer and single action.

I was just wondering. I have been told here on the board to have a "trigger job" done. Well I do not personally think that a gun that lists for over a thousand dollars right out of the box should have to have a trigger job. But then again that is just me. Probably spoiled because of my experience with the LCR.

If I had paid retail for either of these two I bought I probably would not be playing in y'all's ball park. But I am thankful for the purchase and do know the quality, feel, and heritage of the Smith moniker.

Just honest questions and honest opinions from someone who bought a Taurus 738 380 that thinks it is a remarkable little gun and next bought a Ruger LCR 357. And the thing that sold me on both as a new shooter was the butter smooth trigger pull and crisp release.

Just an old man's rant.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

rd

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"That is all!"

see byline
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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I have held & shot many handguns over the years. When I hold & shoot a S&W, it just feels right. Better. Smoother. Balanced. Like athletic brunettes..... Okay, I'm drifting now.

If it has to be explained, you probably will not understand. If S&W was perfect for everybody, then there would be no other brands. Variety is the spice of life. Find what you like, and enjoy it.

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-Roger

I told every beginning class of pistol shooters that I ever taught to "let the handgun select you." I recommended to them to go to rental ranges and shoot everything they had to offer. Shoot friends handguns at every chance. At some time or another you will pickup a handgun, shoot a couple of shots and will think, "Man, I can shoot this gun". Confidence in your handgun is at least 50% of attainable accuracy. I first felt that feeling with a M 19 in about 1964. It may have been a pre-M19. I regarded myself as a rifleman or a shotgunner, but the need for a self-defense pistol came up. I have strayed from Smith at times like when I was shooting USPSA with a Colt M 1911. And I was seduced into purchase of a Python. The Python proved to be a huge mistake. I still like M 1911's, but of the four or five handguns that I carry nowadays, all are a S&W model. There are one heck of a lot of other people that feel confident and secure with a S&W in their hands besides me. And I am referring to both revolvers and semi-autos. If I have to go to war (defend myself or my wife) with a Colt, a Tanfoglio, a Beretta, a High Standard, a High Point, I will. But if I am given any time whatsoever, I will grab any S&W that is near me first. Again, there is that feeling, "Man, I can shoot this handgun and I can shoot it well." ................. Big Cholla

I generally don't/won't buy anything used. The exceptions are old American guitars and old Smith and Wesson revolvers.

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paws for friendship

My newest S&W revolver was manufactured in 1990. I bought it gently used and have carried it every day for about sixteen years. My other remaining one is a 10-5 that shipped in 1967. It stays in the head of my bed in case of bumps in the night.

They feel good in my hand, look good to my eye, and are as nearly totally reliable as it's possible for a handgun to be.

I have no experience of the new ones; but every older Smith revolver I've ever handled, even if worn and battered, was a well built gun that felt good in my hand and operated smoothly.

I just like tried-and-true quality tools that work. Hence, Smith & Wesson.

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Oh well, what the hell.

The History.

The high quality, good balance, and smoothness (DA revolvers thru '90s).

Theesethically pleasing lines ( ditto).

In fairness , I have occasionally been accused of being a Ruger Fan. I also like and trust Speed and Security Sixes . S&W has no analogue to Blackhawks , so no conflict of intrest.

Nowdays S&W makes good striker fired bottomfeeders , but so do a lot of other mfg.

theres two (2) r's in the word "Burr"

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UNDER THE CONE OF SILENCE

It all started here for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0-oinyjsk0

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Keep on Chooglin'

When I was a kid, living in Michigan, I would get haircuts across the street. The barber there would give us kids choice of a candy when we were done. I often would grab a box of Smith Bros. cherry flavored cough drops. Loved them.

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Slim, U.S. Army, Ret.

...and Florence Henderson for Wesson oil...that just doubly seals the deal!

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Be Well

Thanks, I thought that did not look right. But the spell check did not pick it up.

I stand corrected.

rd

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"That is all!"

Other than a Colt Python,nothing has alluring lines like a Smith &Wesson revolver.Smith & Wesson developed the .357-.41.41 magnum as well as the .500.Why a feeble Colt can fetch more money than a Smith & Wesson is something I'll never understand.

I was raised under the Old Southern axiom...

"Dance with the one that brung ya"

I started out with Smiths and saw no need to change.

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NULLI SECUNDUS

By the time I came along, Colt's glory days were LONG over. Sounds cruel, but true.

To the OP:

It doesn't have to be magic, it just has to be the best revolver. Colts are pretty good, too, but Colt is just about out of the revolver business. Handle a Ruger and you will probably know why most folks like S&W better for most purposes. What else is there? Charter Arms is OK, but hardly in the same class. Chiappa? Korth? Astra? Not very common around here, and Astra is out of business, I believe.

If you like revolvers, S&W is far and away the winner, especially if you include used guns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61rEFiKDuBQ

My love affair with S&W revolvers began long before I was old enough to buy my first one. In the '50's I watched the cops in my town and loved those S&W revolvers they carried.

When I could finally afford my first one, it was a 3" barreled Model 65 around 1982 . . . a danged home run as I look back on it! I still have that wonderful and VERY accurate .357 too!!!

Why my love for 'em? One other reason. After years of competitions I clearly learned that my fastest times and best scores were when one of my S&W wheelguns was in my hand. They shoot as if they were an extension of my body. After all, if trouble comes suddenly, a man wants the absolute BEST tool in his hand . . . and for me, than means a S&W revolver.

Form and function . . . function and form. They are classics because they are like a fantastic woman . . . sleek, curvy, responsive and delicate LOOKING . . . but amazingly dependable and strong! Perfection in design!