Love my SW22 Victory

My son introduced me to handgun shooting earlier this Spring, taking me to the range in Florida with his Sigs. While I am of an age and generation where I don't necessarily relate to a modern semi auto, I really loved shooting and decided it was something I wanted to pursue. On my next trip down to visit we picked up a 6 inch Model 617 as a range toy. We've experienced no problems with that tack driver what so ever other than a little lead build up after running 4 or 5 boxes of Federal Whitebox bulk .22lr and few hundred rounds of Aguila thru (I don't think it was the Aguila, that ran thru first, I really think it was the Federal). Last trip to the range we ran 500 hundred rounds of CCI Standard Velocity LRN thru and the gun was noticeably cleaner. Right now we have a 1000 rounds of Armscor .22lr CPHP waiting to run thru and we'll see if the copper plate helps reduce the lead build up. Quality of ammo seems to be the only concern, and those concerns are mostly routine maintenance and not performance related, the 617 accurately and reliably ate everything we fed it. In what must be slightly over 2000 rounds thru the gun, by 3 different manufacturers, in 3 different levels of quality, only 2 rounds failed to fire. I'll continue to explore different .22lr ammo and see what the 617 likes best, right now it's clearly the CCI, but what we shoot also depends on what's available.

On the next trip down we picked up a 6 inch Model 686 to add to the collection of range toys. We've only put a few hundred rounds of .38 special and about 100 rounds of .357 thru it so far. Again this gun has performed flawlessly. The quality of centerfire ammo run thru the gun seems much cleaner than the usual .22lr rimfire run thru it's little cousin. So far all I have noticed is the .357 mag groups are much tighter than the .38 sp groups. Perhaps it's ammo related. I can't remember what manufacturers of .38 we were using, Aguila and something else (maybe Winchester?). The .357 was all Fiocchi. More range time is going to be required to figure it all out.

So, both the 617 and the 686 seem to be working flawlessly and the only variable seems to be in the choice of whatever ammo we have available to run thru them. All in all, I'm very happy...

Well, I see that a couple of the fellows have resurrected this old thread. It is timely that they do, given the fair amount of S&W-bashing that seems to keep occurring. Complaints seem to include:

1. People hate the lock on the revolvers.

2. Issues of canted barrels or other QC issues with revolvers.

3. A certain amount of negativity about "old versus new" in general, with the notion that the old hand-fitted guns were better than guns made with modern digital machinery which require less (or usually zero) hand fitting.

Well, I will put my $.02 in. Firstly, as far as the lock goes, I just don't care. If I had my druthers it would not be there, but I totally ignore the danged things and that's the end of it. And having shot thousands of rounds through my 6 S&W revolvers (all of recent make) I can say with assurance that the lock does not present any problems.

Our family owns 3 686s, a 617, a 625JM and a 627PC. All of these guns were perfect out of the box. Zero issues -- period. Very nice triggers, sights right on the money right out of the box at ten yards. Zero malfunctions of any kind excepting that the extractor on the 617 needed to be tightened up after about 100 rounds. This was easily done by me and it has not loosened since.

The triggers on all of these revolvers are excellent. The 617 in particular smoothed out amazingly after about 500 rounds or so. I can shoot this little sucker as accurately as I shoot my Ruger Mark IIIs, which is high praise indeed.

I also own a S&W Shield 9mm. This gun is an accurate shooter, is easy to maintain, and it is reliable as heck. Just this Friday night I took a required CCW refresher class in which I was required to do various drills with the gun. It shot accurately and 100% reliably. For a gun that costs only about $425 here in California, you can hardly ask for more. There is really nothing I do not like about the Shield. I want the manual safety (mine has it) and I am fine with the LCI, which is required in Democrat-occupied California.

So anyhow, my own experiences with S&W's latest products have all been positive. I know that some guns are shipped with QC issues -- I am happy not to have experienced this.

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

howdy mike,been awhile....I purchase the new 627udr 2-3 years ago and love it!Let me know what you think

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I added two new ones last month, a 686-6 and a 627 PC. Both were accurate out of the box and have excellent DA/SA action...smooth and crisp. The 627 has a slightly lighter pull (10lbs/4lbs vs 11lbs/4lbs) but I enjoy them both equally...in fact I enjoy all of my revolvers and will likely add more in the future.

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COL, USA, Retired ('88-'15)

Love my 442 but trigger broke. Right now I am without because it is at the factory. Stuff happens, I hope it comes home soon!

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My model 13

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Found this on line because another forum member mentioned it. I did hear from Roy and his guess is these were parts found in the factory and finished. The model 431PD was discontinued in 2006. I had wondered where it had been for 10 years. Roy did advise it shipped in April this year.



I am a fan of the 32 H&R Mag, and this one in particular. I have put several hundred rounds through it so far, and it has performed well.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

In the last 2-2 1/2 years, I've bought 2 new S&W revolvers. The first is a Model 60 3" barrel for my wife for self defense at the house. She's a small woman with small hands, so my N frames were way too big for her to handle competently. There were no problems with canted barrels or any other big defects with it and the lock hasn't given any problem (like I figured). My wife is very happy with that revolver and I keep it loaded with some +P 38 Special rounds so recoil is manageable for her.

The last new revolver I bought was in April and was a 627 Pro (4" barrel). Again, no bad QC problems with it and the only thing I really had against it's looks were the rubber grips it came with. That has since been rectified with a nice set of Ahrends conv tacticals in Cocobolo.

Both guns have had lighter rebound slide springs installed, and were thoroughly cleaned on the inside after I got them. And both have very nice triggers in both single and double action. I have no qualms about buying another new S&W revolver if it suits my needs (or wants).

I'd be proud to tell you of mine.

Purchased just over two weeks ago for my 60th birthday and actually picked it on my birthday, seriously. Just work out that way.
Anyway just got home from my second outing with it and I'm letting it soak before I put to spiff to it.



BIG Hoss we call it, the Governor coming out of the factory in July 2016.
It's everything I thought it might be and then some.

Today put 2 blisters on my trigger finger, nothing horrible but when I did my round count I was shocked at how much I ran today as it was not my intent but somehow I went hog wild.

Learn some things today as my first outing with a variety of ammo today was another variety and I'm here to tell ya all the .410 bore I put through it today as compared to the first time was kicking like mule. At one point the gun darn near flew out of my hand.

The .45 LC today had some umf and was finally able to fire of some A.C.P. as all I had the first time out was G.A.P.from my Glock days. It ran good, light as feather.

Well that's about all I got to say, I'm gonna order me a box of Scholfied a.k.a. S&W .45 and just shoot a box just to say I shot everything this beast can shoot. I'm not a great fan of cowboy loads/unjacketed lead. Plus at $30 + a box it's not cost reasonable as I'm not re-loader.

So, just over two weeks in with my new CCW, yes you heard right and it's exactly what I bought it for. Got rid of the auto-loaders and came back to my humble beginnings and never leaving it again. Anyway so far a happy camper.

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor

Mdl 686-8 Plus with 3" barrel a few weeks ago.

Well made, excellent trigger. Replaced the pinned front sight with a Trijicon .280 white outlined night sight. This is a wonderful revolver.

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S&W Rover

I bought a 625PC a few weeks ago and have been very happy with the gun's performance. The trigger is smooth and breaks crisply in DA and SA is just sweet. Shooting 45acp with moon clips is a simple way to reload. I popped in a FO sight, replaced the grips and removed/plugged the lock.

This is the first "new" S&W revolver I've bought, the other self-ejectors have been older prelock models.

I have bought a 29-10 and a 686 Talo square butt 3 inch barrel. I love the 686 she is a very accurate revolver but the 29 is a different matter as the barrel is clocked (canted) to the right and will be going back to S&W.But I love the way the 29 shoots.

My new R8 is a beautiful gun that puts eight 357 rounds in tight groups, with a nice trigger and grip, that is fun to shoot; but sadly it does not cook breakfast, mow the lawn, nor does it even clean itself, and it has designed gaps between the cylinder and frame, and the rounds only go where I aim, not always exactly where I want them to. Should I send it back to S&W?

I will play.... I bought 2 Smiths in the last 2 1/2 years.. the first a 642-1 NL NIB


and a 66-3 snub...



They are both outstanding revolvers. Sadly I lost my 642 to the wife as her new carry gun...

I have bought a new 396 and love it. I bought an almost new model 69 about a year ago and it has also been a fine gun. Only other fairly new gun I have is a low mileage 500 S&W and it has not had any problems.

I did have problems once with a brand new S&W. An 1980 model 18 that had a poor action and the barrel came lose. I fixed it and it has been fine since.

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Love the 66, that's next on my list, but will probably be a 2" due to the cost of the 3". I had a 4" back in the day but traded it off.

I bought a no dash 60 and 6906 this past June and a 629 on the 15th of this month.

Bought a M&P .40 ex cop gun with case and 3 mags for $309 shipped in near new condition. Excellent gun, great feel, nice handling and with a decent trigger pull, I could clear the plate rack pretty fast with that gun but I like steel and walnut better so I sold it.

I put the curse on by telling my cousin "my collection is done". Then I found "the perfect CCW revolver" a S&W 360J j frame revolver. 5 shooter Scandium aluminum frame +P38spl. Broke my piggy bank for $329+. Just the power I wanted, concealable and controlable for the 5 rounds rapid fire

I picked up a 360PD in January that I really liked. Barbara liked it more so I went for a 60 LS. Nice enough, but I thought I wanted something light and without an external hammer so I grabbed an M&P 340. Man, that was the ticket, but I still wasn't completely satisfied so I went back to 100% stainless steel with that Tritium front sight -- and a pair of them on the rear, too -- and bought a 640-1 Pro.

I love all these new J's, but the 640 came with baggage.

Its front sight was dead and the action felt like the gun had been assembled in a sand box. Upon its return to me the sight was bright and the action was ok. I shot the heck out of it -- the mildest .38s, some +P's, and lots of magnums. The action got better and better. Wow, I was in love. Then I cleaned it.

Two really disturbing milling flaws appeared beneath the grime. Back to its original home it went. I told the customer service supervisor I had been buying S&W revolvers for 40 years and had never seen such poor workmanship. He said "Things have changed," the chatter mark inside the ejector rod shroud and the ugly nick on the frame below the barrel are "within S&W's current specifications," and "you can't see them when the cylinder is closed." The factory sent it back a few days ago with no action taken.

Back to the theme of the thread. I carry the 640, I'll continue shooting the heck out of it, and I still love it. As an old Chief in the 'Force once told me, "Just because the baby's ugly doesn't mean we don't love the baby." Ok, fair enough.

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	M&P 340, Hogue Centennieal Tamer grips.jpg (134.7 KB, 53 views)
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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

It is good to see this threat of 3-2012 still has wings in 8-2016.

I have looked for years for a S&W 4 inch 686-4 7 shooter pre-lock 357 mag, but no luck. So I gave in and bought a S&W 4 inch 686-6 7 shooter with lock 357 mag back two months ago. It is a fine shooter with a new Wilson spring kit installed (#13 return spring & main leaf spring) Here it is:



Than a month later this shows up. S&W 4 inch 686-5 7 shooter pre-lock 357 mag... close enough, sold!




So now I have the whole family shown below. And that is my last gun to buy. Many have laughed, many said, 'yeah sure' but that is the last one.



This one I bought a few years ago, could not pass on it, it is a beauty. No more! I am in a Gun Buying Rehab 12 step-workshop.



I guess not, you'll never guess what happen this month. So I saw this 686-4 six shooter and walked away two times. On the third walk-by two days later, I said I'll take it. You're right... never say 'never'.

Yes I did, and yes I do.

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Likely the 'newest' Smith, 22-4, that I own, along with lock and MIM parts, but I enjoy it very much.

Black friday i bought my first s&w and my first revolver. 64-3 was a beautifull shooter and a bargain. Last month bought an m&p9 there again a bargain never fired.

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Hard to NOT like a Model 64 and their ilk. Nice revolver.

I have found a very similar model 59 on a swimming trip to a nearby State. We stopped at a local very country mom & pop sporting goods store.

They had a very nice condition 59 on consignment for $300. I bought that and a bag of ice. Being out of state it had to be shipped to my FFL so I got the ice but am waiting on the model 59. I did get to fire it though as they have a pistol range on premises. Put a clip of Critical Defense though it, he offered range ammo to test it but I declined and bought a box of my usual carry round to try it out with. It shot fine and even was point of aim at 10 yards.

As it happens I found and bought my S&W "Grail Gun" a Performance Center "Shorty Forty" and they both should arrive this week. It's like waiting for Santa.

Both the 59 and the .40 represent the start and the peak of my collection. The 59 gen one was the start of the shift to "super nines". The first double stack 9mm, it started a trend.

The Unicorn of my collection has to be the Shorty 40. It was the 36th one produced on the first run of 500. One of the first three dozen produced since Mr. Liebenburg placed the first one built on the conference table saying "here is the impossible".

Like the first double stack 59, the Shorty 40 is the first sub-compact .40 S&W capable weapon. Marking another Industry trend.

Since joining this forum I've become a 3rd gen S&W collector. Damn you guys for drawing me into this situation.

All within 2016:

I found a Cherry 1006 at a local gun show
Bought a 1076 from a member here.
Bought a nice 3913NL from a member.
Then found the 3914LS to have the set.
Another Gun Show find, a 411 w/ night sights.

But I have not left out S&W wheel guns:

Bought new: 360PD AirLite, it kicked so hard I then bought a 340 Pro in all stainless to shoot, but the AirLite is my constant carry gun.

I also bought a model 69, .44 Magnum L frame. Actually not bad to carry. I bought two Don Hulm front brake holsters (left and right).

So now my collection is complete, unless I find a 4040PD.

Digiroc

EDIT: I can't forget the CS9 "Chief's Special" I also picked up along the way. And I've owned a 5906 for over 25 years.

Within the past year, I have purchased a 686-Plus 4" and a 438. Neither has given me any trouble. I bought the 686 for fun and home defense; it's a beautifully balanced revolver and a .357Mag is probably the last round I would want to face.

I bought the 438 mostly to archive and occasionally CC because S&W has discontinued the 438 and it can be pocket carried. As Airweight owners often agree, it's not fun to shoot so I get in 2 or 3 cylinders to stay proficient then move on to something less brutal.

The bottom line is that both function as advertised and desired, and are as dependable as they can be.

I purchased my first S&W yesterday. It's the M&P 9L Performance Center model. I'm picking it up tomorrow or next Tuesday. Can't wait! I'll be sure to post some pictures.

Hello fellow Smith & Wessoners,
In the last year I've purchased a 637-2, 640-1, 442pc, and 340mp. Luv everyone of them. All shoot better than me, and believe it or not I luv shooting the 340 the best, full bore 357's included. Maybe it's the sights but I can hit the 75yd 12" plate 4 out of 5 times. Ya, I luv my older Smiths, but not anymore than my newer ones. Compared to the competition, I feel it's night and day, especially when it comes to looks and design. Rugers are absolutely hideous to me, maybe they are tough, but my 586 and 66 are capable of shooting more ammo than I can afford to shoot loose, and they look a million times better. I have other brands in semi autos, but when it comes to revolvers, unless Colt starts making revolvers again or Ruger redesigns theirs to look exactly like a Smith, I am and will continue to be a Smith snob. Ymmv

Bought a new .45 Shield today - love it!


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my M&P 340 no lock.

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I bought a new 627-5 pro that shoots so good it makes me look like a better shooter than any other gun I have does. I still haven't found the totally distracting IL hole some talk about and the IL hasn't caused me any problems. I really like the looks of the 8 hole cylinder and even though it came with moon clips I have yet seen the need for them. This 627-5 is a top quality revolver and anyone saying other wise hasn't shot one yet. I put this gun in the same class as my Python. I actually shoot it a bit more accurately than my Python. I have had and do have guns costing more but they sure didn't or don't impress me any more than this gun does.

M&P 45c, i've been searching for a 45 to rotate with my glock 19. Took a while and some $$, a Sig P220, P227. Glock 30sf and there was at least 1 more, after a while something about each caused buyers remorse. So i thought i'll give it one more try and M&P 45c caught my eye. Without reservation most comfortable in hand and softest shooter close to P227. Now need a quality holster, Wright Cobra i think, wear IWB or OWB.

After waaay too much time away from shooting, I recently got back into it and picked up two used (pre-lock) S&W revolvers, a 6" Model 686 and a nickel-finish Model 29-3 with the 8 3/8" barrel:





I absolutely love both of them, and sent the 29 back to S&W for a brand-new polished nickel finish. (Even if I can't look as good as I used too, my gun can! ) Now I'm on the lookout for some other classic oldies, especially a Model 25 .45LC, a Model 57, and a Model 650 or 651 .22LR/.22WRM kit gun. (Don't hold out much hope for the latter, though. )

But above all, it's great to be a gun owner again!

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Guns, roses, and fishing!

Actually purchased 3 S&W revolvers recently... and I love em!!

a 325NG, 629 V-comp and a 329PD.. haven't shot the 325NG yet, but can tell you the 629VC is amazing, the 329PD will never see 44mag again ... 44special, no problem...

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Jack C

My last Smith was a 629 3" Talo. I'm totally shocked at how accurate it is for a snub. I bought it to take my 24-3 3" off of my edc rotation when I found out it was a Lew Horton. The double action on the 629 is great. I put a set of Badger round butt black grips on it. Very good looking.

My last Smith was a 629 3" Talo. I'm totally shocked at how accurate it is for a snub. I bought it to take my 24-3 3" off of my edc rotation when I found out it was a Lew Horton. The double action on the 629 is great. I put a set of Badger round butt black grips on it. Very good looking.

Almost forgot.... here's a couple ****** cell phone pics... I'll have to get a pic of the 325NG...



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Jack C

I'm a shame to say I bought a S&W 686-6 .357 Magnum a month ago and haven't fired it yet.But I love looking at it right now. Got a lots of projects going on in the home ,painting and remodeling can't find time for going to the range now.PS I've had it more like three weeks.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I just bought a 67-6 that I haven't had a chance to shoot yet. But it seemed like the perfect companion to my 15-5, which I really love, so I expect I'll love this one too. FWIW, I probably shoot the 15-5 better than anything else I own. If the 67-7 is as good then what's not to love?

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That's a nice beautiful collection on S&W revolvers you have.

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Life is short,live it fully.

Got the 586 early January as a week late Christmas present, traded for the 4" 686 no dash a few weeks later, then bought the 3" 686+ 3-5-7 series a few weeks after that. Out of the three, that 586 is the best shooter with the better DA trigger (that old 686 takes the best SA trigger though). Everytime I go to the range, that 586 seems to be the most fired. Family members love it, and think I am crazy for using the 686+ as my truck gun. Only difference I have noticed between the two new guns and the 1984 made 686 is the tiny gap between the barrel and frame on the new guns that is not there on the older gun. Still trying to figure out how BOTH the new guns were EXACTLY the same price?

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Hello All. New guy here. I lurked for a while and joined a few months ago. I bought a brand new 617 in February. I've put over 1500 rounds through it without (knock on wood) any of the issues I've read about. I feel like I have a classic wheel gun that my unborn grandchildren will one day enjoy.

Bought myself a 642-1 back in December as a Xmas gift. It does not disappoint. Great little / reliable, go anywhere gun.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Although I swore I'd never buy a Smith with IL, I now have 3:

627 2 5/8 PC
329PD
500 4"

Of the 3, the 329PD is currently the only one I bought for its utility (backpacking), the other 2 were impulse buys; however, I often ccw the 627. The quality, fit and finish meet my expectations. The only issue I've had was with the 500, whose hammer broke in 3 pieces while dry firing.

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It was a March weekend in Ohio. There was a gun show. Had to go. Sold a couple of things, so some money was there. Saturday bought a 66-2, 2.5".Went back Sunday, and traded into another gun I was fondling Sat. It is a 686-6, 5" Pro-Series. Both have had their rubber grips removed. Shown in the pictures are current wood stocks. Both performed great at the range! Bob

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I'm new to handgunning, having purchased my first, A Springfield range officer in 45 ACP 2 1/2 years ago. I then inherited a Taurus model 66 in 357 magnum along with a high standard 22. Both of these guns are great shooters especially the Taurus in spite of its lack of pedigree. I've wanted a model 29 for the better part of 40 years. I finally got one three weeks ago. These are my first shots ever of a 44 magnum from 25 feet. The first one almost hit the bull's-eye. The next five were low. Number 18 went right through the black dot. I move the target out to 25 yards and the gun did it's job as long as I didn't flinch. I bought a 686–6 a little over a year ago and absolutely loved it as well. It is my favorite gun to run a lot of rounds through. I don't know why the guns need to have locks but if Smith & Wesson deems it necessary so that they can produce these fine weapons I am all for it. I love all my handguns as well as my rifles and shotguns but my Smiths are my favorites.

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Jan. & Feb. purchase: 686 SSR Pro Series / 640 Pro Series

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I have one. It's great but I can't get the moonclip issue resolved. I use PMC 357A mag ammo and I purchased a BMT N38-8 moonlip loader. It will not load the PMC ammo into the moonclips that came with my TRR8. The moonclips have a TK on them and I bought some more from S&W and got the same type moonclips that came with the gun from PC-S&W. Must be made by TK Custom. So, how do I get these moonclips loaded? Do I need to try other ammo until it works or is there a tool that the S&W provided moonclips will work loading PMC 357A ammo?