I was thinking about this a bit today. Ten years ago I would have given it to the Model 28. They were going for half the value of 27's and other N Frames at the time, and could be had with diamond target stocks...though not made in the 80's. Today I think my vote goes to the 620. I read on this forum that it had issues with the two-piece barrel breaking at the flange. In fact, there is a member here who suffered that failure and posted pics. S&W replaced the gun with 4" 686 since the 620 was out of production at the time of the failure.

Nevertheless, the 620 is an ejector shroud L frame (kind of rear), had flash chromed hammer and trigger, and a 7-shot cylinder. It balances much more nicely than the full lug 686, in my opinion. It is easily the most accurate revolver in my stable of at least 50 S&W revolvers, or at least I shoot best with it. I actually use it as a tool for developing .357 handloads. The lock work on the gun is at least as smooth as any of my old pre locks pieces, and smoother than most. I would grab this one in an emergency over the rest. I actually bought a new old stock 620 in case anything happens to the primary 620 I regularly use. It was easy to do since they would close at auction under $500 in the past few years.

I was led to the to 620 because I wanted a 686 MG, but could never justify the collector price tag for a shooter. I wanted a 4" 7 shooter that balanced better than the 686. I ended up with the 620. Actually two 620's and I'm still not at the price of the 686 MG. Still wouldn't mind the 686 MG though. The L-Frame 520 and 619 probably deserve a similar nod, but I don't own them.

Here's the 620 if you're not familiar with the model.






At any rate, I don't intend for this thread to be about 620's. Let me know what you think is the most underrated / underappreciated S&W model from the last 40 years. I'd be interested to see the forum's opinions.

I actually agree that the 620 should have been a hit with revolver shooters. By this point in time Smith & Wesson must have a few million revolvers out there using multi-piece barrels all running just fine.

I have half a dozen of those types of Smith & Wesson revolvers myself




I happen to think that the SIGMA is very under appreciated. So many complain about it's trigger. It was not designed as a target gun, it was an entry level priced duty gun.

And most of all, the 357SIGMA

Thanks to it's bottle neck design, the 357 SIG cartridge feeds very reliably. It also delivers great ballistics


Now one of the silliest things that Smith & Wesson did, was make a 40 caliber SIGMA out of Titanium. True the stainless counterpart weighs almost 50% more . . . . . I just do not think the MSRP would be in the reach of most potential SIGMA buyers

Fortunately, they only made one

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"Acta non verba"

There are corners of this forum that would advance virtually every model produced in the last 40 years as being the best and least appreciated. My thoughts first fell to the 586/686 but those don't fall into the underappreciated column. I then thought of the many j-frames, but those have their aficionados. The big guns, N frames, also are worthy in the "best of" category, but only that. How many threads can you find on the virtues of the incomparable model 10? So, I go back to the model 14 in the pedestrian .38 special. I think the value of these guns in terms of aesthetics, function, and accuracy is often overlooked by those searching for sexier, a bigger bang, high capacity, conceal-ability, tactical-ability, stainless steel invulnerability, or ... something, are missing the essence of the target sighted, six inch barreled, blue steel, easy to shoot six shooter. I'll go back in my corner now.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1590888096

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Model 65, especially 65-2.....other than a 3". they're reasonably priced,all work no frills. accurate, magnum capable and handle great with target grips...and I like adj. sights.......

I’d have to agree that it’s the model 14


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My vote is for the 646. It has the size (L frame), balance, 6 shots, moon clips for fast reloads, enough bullet weight to take down steel plates (180 - 200 gr.) short case length (40 S&W) for fast reloads, low recoil. It's like a 3/4 size 45 ACP 625. They didn't make nearly enough of them.

I couldn't find one that wasn't in the stratosphere pricewise, so I built 2 of them out of 686s, one 4" and one 6". Still less money than buying a 646 off GB. I have shot the 4" one for IDPA for a few years now, and really like it.

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protocalldesign.com

I'm going to offer up the Governor as the most unappreciated S&W; at least by S&W fans who don't own one. I use to be at the front of that line thinking the Governor to be the dumbest, most unbalanced, essentially useless revolver that S&W ever built.

However, now that I own one I find it to be just the ticket for carrying around the ranch. The 410 #8s/#9s are vastly superior to 38/44/45 shot capsules carrying twice the number of pellets for snakes and other vermin. The 45ACP/45 Colt option is fine for finishing off a wounded larger animal and would be ok for defensive purposes too although not my first choice.

Jeff
SWCA

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S&W 544 in 44-40. It should have been made in 4, 5, and 6 inch without the sesquicentennial markings as a regular offering.

Not a bad idea at all!

The 544 was such a HUGE failure that it probably scared Smiht & Wesson away from that chambering

7800 revolvers were ordered by the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission. It sold very, Very poorly and the order stopped after only 4782 of the revolvers had been made

Funny thing is I then that the 544 Deluxe version is one of the nicest commemoratives to come out of the factory

Many of the standard models had 44 special/magnum cylinders fitted by their owners

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"Acta non verba"

I’m gonna say their 3rd Gen pistol offerings. Especially the 3913/3914/3953. They are svelte little pistols with a decent capacity and really flat. I still have the 3913 but wish I had kept the DAO version. It was reliable and the trigger was not bad at all.


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The K and J-frame 9mm revolvers!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Through the last four decades, the Model 16-4 was the most under appreciated in its day (as were all of its K-32 predecessors in previous decades) as evidenced by their current demand. I’ve seen where they had to be marked way down when their production run ended, but try to buy one now!

Froggie

I have to agree with what Froggie said about the model 16. But I have to give a close second place to its J frame companion, the model 631 in 32 magnum.

2" Model 34. Not useful for much but it gives the feeling like a basket of kittens. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I was lucky enough to get a 4" 16-4 AND a 631 4" when they were trying to unload them, long before I ever thought about collecting. They were purchased to teach my sons both how to shoot and reload (figured it would be tough for them to overload a 32 S&W or 32 S&W long in a 32 Mag gun.

Do you need another son? I’m semi-independent and housebroken (well, almost.) I still haven’t been able to snag a 631.

"Last 40 years"......... the 3" 66.

Yes hard to believe but in the mid to late 80s when the 5500 three inch 66-2s through -4s were built..... Smith dealers couldn't give them away.

Mine -3s bought in 1988/89 had set on a distributors shelf for over a year (the original 5000 -2's (1985) were a special run for a single Distributor; Ashland ) .... even the gun shops didn't want them.
If it didn't have 15 rounds up its butt it was worthless. I ended up buying two for the princely sum of $270 each out the door with the actions polished by a master gunsmith.

Lethal Weapon and Die Hard........ the "Wonder Nine" ruled!!!!!!

I fell off the wagon myself later that year buying a Beretta 92F Compact (13+1) with 4.2 inch slide and walnut grips....... COOOooolest guy at the range!!!!

I vote for the Model 12! Plenty appreciate the Model 10 (I certainly do), but what’s not to like about the same gun that weighs less? It would be especially great with a 2 inch barrel!

I agree completely. They have a bad reputation for cracking, but mine has held up fine and is wonderful to carry.

Of the current offerings, I really like the 327 and 627. While 8 rounds isn't going to impress anyone carrying a hi-cap auto, for a revolver guy like me they are the ultimate defensive tools.

Model 21-4 and model 22-4
22-4 45 ACP

21-4 44 special

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

I’d say the .327 magnums. Although that could be classified as an under appreciated cartridge as opposed to an under appreciated revolver, since they’re highly appreciated in other calibers.

4" Model 69. It's the real "mountain gun".

Too bad Smith wasted a good name on just another 629.

I'm in agreement with SLT 223. When the two were announced I had to have one of each. Don't remember how I got them or what I paid. They came from the same source. I actually shot them quite a bit and my 619 was the more accurate of the pair. I got spooked when I read about the barrel breakage and put them away.

I'm going to dig them out and shoot them a lot.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

So far Smith hasn’t wasted the number 616, so perhaps they will eventually make a stainless K-frame in 327 FM. Let me start a rumor right now, they’re planning to reintroduce no-lock revolvers and are saving that number for the grand re-entry of real S&W revolvers...



Delivered by the Easter Bunny on the 31st of February in the year 2369!

Froggie

My vote is for Smith & Wesson M 696----44 special. Very under rated.

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Sal,
SWCA #2768

I agree with you Papa. 696 = 5 rounds of .44 special in a medium (L) frame. Relatively compact, quick-handling, 3” revolver. Load it as cool or hot as necessary. Big, wide, heavy, slow bullets work. Fantastic and under-appreciated revolver. Hickock45 did a nice video on it.

Elmer would approve...

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Regards,
-MrMoose

My vote would have to be the
Model 14 as some others have
Said it is as close to perfection
As it gets.
If you can not do it with a model
14 you probably can not do it.

From the current catalog of S&W offerings, a stainless model 67 looks to have closest spec to the 14 — or a 10 Classic if one can make do with fixed sights. I’ve often thought a 67 with a red dot would be a ton of fun on the range...

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Regards,
-MrMoose

Does anybody have a model 520? A fixed sight N frame .357 Magnum.

Any Smith that is a revolver is under-appreciated today.

I think we're confusing rarity for being under appreciated.

If not many were made but they now command big $$$, that's not under appreciated!

Based on what I see in pawn shops and such, it's the last of the Model 10s that worked for a living, the 1980s guns that are plentiful but can hardly be given away to most buyers. Not when Joe Blow can get a doublestack 9mm for $350 or less.

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Psalm 27:2

Have to disagree. As I stated the 3" 66s weren't produced in larger numbers because they didn't sell. After the 5000 Ashland order (pre-paid I presume) only another 500 or so were built over the next 5 or 6 years..... probably because S&W had the barrels and they are known for not wasting anything.

As a product in the 1980s the 3" 66 "was a dud".

Very under appreciated at the time. They are commanding big $$$ today because of their rarity.

Any gun that was/is popular and selling is going to be produced until the market's appetite is satisfied.

By the way S&W needs a Killer model 666! Bet it would sell like ice cubes in Hell The 66-6 was only produced for 3 years and marked the end of the 66 as we knew it

I have to agree with model 14. I have a -3. Picked it up online for $410 shipped and insured. It looks good, and shoots quite well! Bob

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Groo here
The 3in guns [when they were produced] and the fixed sight guns
after the adj sight ones caught on..[ something about simple was best,,,
I was guilty of it to!!!]

Another vote for the Model 14.

Let me put on my hard hat. Here goes: the 637-2 "Wyatt Deep Cover" DAO variant issued by the Performance Center. Nearly universally hated by many for its connection to a TV show and individual and for the logos etched into the frame.

I know nothing about the show or person: I do know that the Wyatt 637PCs put later PC J-frames to shame in terms of fit, finish, and DA smoothness. As I have written in the past, they are slick carry pieces and deserve a more appreciative audience.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I would have to go with 422 pistol. The last decent 22 pistol before the Hi tech junk. Adj sights, walnut grips 4”& 6” and nice little plinking pistol.