Greetings Friends,

I was finishing up some chores today and had an interesting thought--it's funny how doing yard work and mowing the yard allows a person to do some good thinkin'.

When I first started into S&W's, I thought the 8 3/8" barrel Model 29s and 6.5" were as good as it got. Was not a big fan of nickel and over time my interests drifted into older guns (5 screws) and shorter barrels. I got 'bit' by the S&W autos for a while and really enjoyed them. Then I thought that the J frame was the perfect gun and started collecting them. From 1911's back to revolvers, WWI and WWII, to current military side arms and back.

Here's where I am at nowadays: Long-tube 8 3/8" S&W's, nickel or blued, few short barrels for CCL (I have a permit), and the plain ol' .22's both revolvers, semi, and rifles.

Sadly, about the time I want to try something else, I sell for a loss and pay top dollar for the next one. Just like stocks.

Your thoughts or experiences?

Best,

TH

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Rather be outdoors

I always have had an affinity for K-frame models
but like so many other revolver guys I guess I've
fallen in and out of love with the spectrum of Smith
offerings.

After a time, I finally decided that the N-frame wasn't
for me either in size or any calibers though I like
the .45 Colt offerings.

The L-frames I thought were ideal but now in the
grayer zone of life I lean back on the K-frames again
and particularly the Model 15 which was my first
Smith revolver.

Oh yes, there was a yen for a while for the
Smith Model 39s and some of the stainless offspring.

Long journey, perhaps, to get right back where I
started.

I had a pretty good collection of J-frames. Now I have none. I can't say I've lost interest in them I have just started reducing the amount of guns I own since I'm now over 70. And with a few of my latest health issues I realized that my wife wouldn't have a clue how to get rid of them without someone taking advantage of her.

Now, I'm down to my EDC a Shield 9mm, a Ruger LCP gen 2 that I carry when the Shield doesn't work. I also have a 380ez my wife uses for a house gun, and 2 M & P 22C's to take to the range for some cheap fun.

K-frames have always been my favorite. Have added a several N frames to get into 41mag & 45acp. Not a fan of J frames, do own 1, a 2" M36 that fits in a hidey hole in my Mini Cooper.

No love for any semi-autos except my 1911 and it isn't a Smith.

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Super Snooper

My interest in S&W firearms was changed over the years from occupational to recreational. My first S&W was a model 15 4". I then got a snubby m12. I didn't like the feel of the m12 and got a Colt Junior 25 ACP for a pocket gun, which I absolutely hated. Ten years on the job, I traded the m15 for a .357 model 19-4 in nickel, which I carried until retirement 23 years later. I picked up a Colt Detective Special which I gave to my son.

My S&W interests turned recreational when I moved back to the USA from Costa Rica (where I retired to for ten years). My first back-to-America Smith was a Governor for home defense. Later, I started buying semi-autos and filling my Fort Knox safe with a variety of 9mm and 40 S&W models.

I enjoyed learning the manual of arms to shoot the TDA with confidence, but my early revolver training has me buying more DAO semi-autos lately. I shoot for fun with an emphasis on accuracy.

Started out 357 First N frame then K frame. Now in retirement I still like K frames but prefer 38 special. My edc is a 38 M&P 2” 38 special shipped in 1954.


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Wheel guns are real guns too.

I have a couple J frames but my main interest has become N frames. I've acquired a couple of the Brazilian 1917s but now I really think the old P & R .357 magnum N frames are the ultimate.

Yes
It changed from interest in S&W Firearms as things that go bang when you pull the trigger -- to Des œuvres d'art

Two of the pieces from my "art collection"





(P.S., they still go bang when I pull the trigger)

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

Funny thing you asked. I was thinking the same. I started collecting Winchesters about 1955. The got so expensive I switched to Colts. They became also expensive. [125 bucks then was big money] So began collecting S&W's. Had a nice pair of Mod. 3's a 44 & a 38-44. A 2nd Mod tip up 32 rim fire, 44 DA break open 44 Russian plus several others I wish I still owned. The S&W craze hit me harder.38 M&P's, 357's ,44 mags were the passing fad. Now my old Win. 94 rests in the safe with memories of the first buck I got back in1953. But my old 44 Colt rests beside it.

Been accumulating military surplus rifles for over 40 years. No safe queens all are shooters. Some BSA 22rf target rifles, Sewdish rolling block dated 1875 the reconverted 1892, couple sporterized 1891 Argentine mausers, one Peabody in 50-56 rim fire, Couple match rifles and a smattering of pistols and revolvers.Frank

No.

They're inherent beauty, simplicity, and reliability have always made them attractive to this one. This one greatly enjoys the Smiths and the Wessons!!

Can't seem to make up my mind. Over many years, I've waffled First "N" frame models, then "K" frame K38/15, then model M&P/10, then short barreled "K", currently 4 and 5 screw pre36/36. But one constant; I've always owned a 642 and a 15 or 686 for carry, range, and home protection. The only other "constant" in my love of handguns is the Hi Power ( I've always owned a handful)

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John

The first revolver I ever shot was an uncles Highway Patrolman. At an early age I shot that gun greatly. It also must have has some spectacular Goncalo Alves target Stocks.
I've been an N frame grip junkie since....pitty me.

Attached Images

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I've never had a true direction. It was "spray and pray" purchasing. I have a 6" 28-2 in excellent condition, but I don't shoot it, and it doesn't really intrigue me. My favorite is probably a little 34-1 with a 4" barrel.
I had quite a few 3rd Gen autos at one point, but have whittled them down to a carry pair- 3914 and 915, And of course, a 39 and 59. Gotta have those!

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Because of the metric system?

To answer the question asked, my interest in S&W products stopped when the 3rd Gen. line came out. I've always like the early and 1st Gen. models and are still my greatest interest - they have a quality which not matched by anything today. The 2nd. Gen. was utilizing the "new" materials (Stainless steel) in firearms manufacture but the S&W finish wouldn't work with the new material. To me the 3rd. Gen. are just cut-up and down sized versions of previous produce items which have absolutely no interest to me.

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Bill

Interesting question... and yes, my interest in the mothership's products have changed considerably over the years.

In my youth, I shot dear old Dad's S&W 3rd Model Perfected, 10" Olympic-chambered single shot, his Model 41 and his Model 28 Highway Patrolman. In 1976, I obtained my LTC and started collecting Smith & Wessons with a primary focus on stainless steel revolvers, although certainly not exclusively.

In 1983, divorce and subsequent financial ruin was thrust upon me and I entered my 25-year long "deep sleep" shooting and collecting-wise. I was too busy just trying to survive to do much else.

25 long years later, in 2008, I awakened to the election of an anti-2A president and thought it was a good idea to "re-boot" my chosen hobby. But at first, my rekindled interest was exclusively in long guns (due to the discovery of long guns I could actually hold and shoot with my bum left arm). I didn't really rediscover the joy of handgun shooting and collecting until five years later in 2013. At first, I got mostly into plastic guns (an interesting novelty to me at the time). But in 2014, I rediscovered S&W's all-metal pistols and the rest is history. My main interest for the past four years has been S&W 3rd Gen semi-auto collecting.

But as my 3rd Gen collection has grown, approaching a practical stopping point, my latest interest is in S&W's older, blued, pre-IL/pre-MIM revolvers. Yes, in a way I've come full circle... all the way back to my (and S&W's) roots.

Yep..... several times........................

After 8 years on High School and College Rifle Teams....pretty well burnt out on .22rifles...... not that I could afford to buy the equivalent of the Team supplied guns.

After law school......."plinking" at the cabin with Dad about one weekend a month...... Ruger Single Six my Remington 511-X Scoremaster (gift from my Dad on my 10th Christmas)...... later added a 10/22

Got my concealed carry permit..... in 1978 so I could carry concealed while roaming Penn's Woods. Hunted deer with a 6" 686 for a few years.

Transitioned away from S&W revolvers (k and L frame .357/38s) to high cap 9mms in the late 80s with a Beretta 92F Compact..... later 3rd Gen Smiths ..... and a 3913 replaced both my PPK and 3" 66 as my primary carry guns.

Shot PPC IDPA and USPSA..... through the 80s and 90s. Shooting first a Smith 686 (PPC) and Colt 1911s later S&W Performance Center autos...... SD9, Shorty9 and a DPA5906

Boys were born in 1997 and 2000......in the words of Jack Bower on "24" "There's no time!!!"

Kept up with my concealed carry practice...... but that was about it for 10-12 years......

Got my first CZ .22 rifle a FS/mannlicher for it's stock and looks....... it got me back into shooting .22s at 100yds.

While I keep up with my concealed carry practice..... .22s are just a hoot to shoot....... from my 15/22 to my CZ bolt guns to S&W 17s , 18s, 63 and a M&P Compact....my latest is a CZ Katet

Boys and I are going to the Club this afternoon for some .22 fun..... then steaks on the grill......and a fire pit......... Happy Father's Day to me!!!!!

Yes.

I always thought S & Ws were THE revolver to own. Then through work I gradually became familiar with the 3rd generation autos. Then we switched to the M & P 45 full size. What a disaster. That entire painful 8 year experience has really soured me to S & W as a whole. Not really interested in their revolvers anymore and my interest in the 3rd generation is fading. I have no interest in a product the manufacturer will not fully support. I'm sure they have their reasons, but I find it unacceptable. I'm okay with that, it is their choice. I've just turned to other manufacturers for my serious use firearms.

The entire experience with the M & P has seriously made me reconsider S & W as a "serious use" manufacturer. I wouldn't even consider one of their AR rifles for duty use. While I think they are perfectly fine for 99% of AR owners, I don't find them capable of serious use. In fact, I have been offered one several times for duty use but turned it down. Now I know everyone will skewer me for having a different opinion, but I really can't take S & W seriously anymore.

Like most companies in today's world, they care little about the customer or apparently individual gun quality. As long as the acceptable number of guns are produced without issues, they are happy.

I am in no way saying folks should not do business or purchase S & W products. If you like them, that's awesome.......that's your opinion just as my opinion that they are garbage is mine.

To wrap it up, my opinion/interest in S & W has declined considerably. Some of it is my changing tastes but some of it has to do with S & W.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Outside of a Triple Lock I lucked into many years ago, I am fondest of a M18-2. Perhaps followed by a 60-4.

N frames are beyond cool, but everyone I have owned has been too BIG for my paws. I do seem to accumulate K frames, though. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Bottom line is that I'm about where I need to be.

I started out when I inherited some Smiths from my brother . I was into them hard for a while . Then I posted a question in the semi section . I got a reply from Sevens who sold me a m639 . Well that started my new obsession . My buying knows no bounds , if I like and the funds are there , it's mine . Heaven forbid , I just bought a PC1911 , product code 170344which I was hesitant to buy . You here people saying the pistols they make now are not up to snuff but I am here to tell you this one is awesome . Not quite as good as my m945 , but definitely not an example of S&W at it's worst . In closing not much has changed , except for my wallet !

No. As a Life Member of Sons of Neanderthal Man I am strictly a Steel and Walnut Man. And no guns with internal locks and "safe" action-my safety is behind the eyes and between the ears.

My "favorite" gun always seems to be the last one I bought. I do seem to have gravitated to SS and plastic though but I inevitably go back to my old Ruger Government Model 22 in blue with walnut thumb rest stocks. I carry semi autos when people are around and revolvers in the woods and waters. I guess I like them all from my 1853 Enfield to my P365.

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Foster Positivity.

I like their entire line, from about mid 80's on back. N Frames are still my favorite.