What parameters apply?

Noted some variants, how do we recognize them, as collectors?

Steve

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Doesn't matter to me. By the time MIM came in NONE were collectable after that as I see it.

Good talking to you again Giz.

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Dick

I wonder if a gun with forged hammer and trigger, in a mim frame... wouldn't' have to be hand fitted?

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By "MIM" frame I'm assuming you mean a frame set up for MIM parts, not the older type hammer & trigger, yes? I have a 657 with MIM hammer and trigger, no lock but a frame mounted firing pin - it's a 657-4. Paid $275.00 for it "like new" because as everyone knows, no one likes the 41 ... I'm expecting it's worth whatever a plain old 657 is worth, of course wouldn't mind being wrong on that count.

S&W started transitioning to MIM triggers and thumbpieces (which are direct replacements for the forged versions; no frame redesign necessary) in the late 90's, and the full-on MIM hammer/frame-mounted firing pin later (1998 for pretty much all models; required a redesign of the frame to accommodate the MIM hammer and FMFP and to eliminate the separate frame stud).

The way to recognize a transitional model is to look for:
a) a hammer-mounted firing pin (or "nose") - you can normally see the hammer-nose cross rivet when the hammer is de-cocked for centerfire guns; rimfire guns won't have a HMFP (except the Model 53)
b) "new-style" thumb-piece
c) pressed-in frame-stud
d) MIM-trigger (note that the back is 'hollow')

I'm not so sure there isn't some collector interest. I had a 625-7 3" 45Colt, and still own a 625-6 3" 45acp. These revolvers, MIM and frame-mounted pin but prelock, were very low production and are, as a bonus, the smoothest S&W's I've ever owned.

I have installed forged triggers in my late production pre-lock
N frames with mixed results.
For the most part the forged triggers fit right in and mate up with
the m.i.m. hammers no problem.

Now finding forged hammers to use with the frame mounted firing
pin is another matter.
As far as I know, only the Performance Center used forged hammers
in the later -7 series N frames with frame mounted firing pin.

Smithnut would be a good source of info here, but alas,
Rob has been a.w.o.l. from the Forum now for sometime......


Regards
Allen

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