S&W revolvers of today vs. yesteryear-which are better?

[Whitens Moss]

First off, I have been, am now and always will be a fan of S&W firearms, especially revolvers, which are some of the finest ever made. Perhaps this has been discussed before but I would like honest opinions of whether the Smith wheelguns of today are a) inferior b) as good as or c) superior than those made several decades ago.
For example, I had a 586 no dash many years ago, which I regret selling, that was the best revolver I ever shot, bar none. Now I see Smith has reintroduced the 586 but wonder whether it is as good as the original. MSRP: $839. Here is the link:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp...57779_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Smith also brought back the Model 10 as a "Classic" but it didn't sell well.
So, is it the internal lock? The manufacturing methods of today? The craftsmanship and attention to detail?

Any insights appreciated.

 

[Abbynormal]

If you gotta ask, you already know deep down.

PS: Why are -2's more valuable?

 

[Whitens Moss]

If you gotta ask, you already know deep down.

PS: Why are -2's more valuable?

I have to admit I like the oldies a bit more

 

[Comrad]

I like everything old. They don't make anything like they used to.

 

[steelslaver]

I think that the craftsmanship of the older guns was superior. Fit up and finish shows more care and pride. Seem to hear about more problems with new guns. I don't think that mim parts are necessarily inferior. While I do like the pinned and recessed guns I don't believe the recesses really did anything and a zillion rounds have gone through unpinned barrels.

I like well taken care of older guns, but, still believe that a new ones are worth the price. Don't care for the locks and won't buy one, but that's partially a position that has nothing to do with the mechanics of the lock. Sometimes you just have to say no.

 

[Wheeler57]

If the brought back model 10 did not sell I would venture to guess it is because it is not black plastic, i.e. tacticool. I prefer revolvers myself though I have "a couple" autos as well but I like the reliability and simplicity of a revolver and S&W is my favorite choice. Just sayin!
NOT LOOKING FOR ANOTHER AUTO VS WHEEL GUN THREAD

 

[BigBill]

I like the new and the old. I just compared the trigger on my m28 older and used to my new m58 and both felt really close. I don't care I like all the n frames New or old. S&w just keep them coming...

 

[series guy]

To my eyes there aren't many firearms that can match the visual high of say a registered magnum or an 8 3/8" Model 27 or 29. But when it comes to shooting 99% of the equation is the diameter of the cylinder throats. Other tolerances come into play also but that's the deal breaker on accuracy. That's where some of the newer stuff starts to look pretty damn good. Un fluted cylinders and slab sided barrels can be sexy too. I guess when it comes to S&Ws it just a hard product not to like.

 

[Cal44]

I like my old revolvers, but also there are newer ones that offer things you couldn't get 30 years ago.

I just got a 242Ti that gives me 7 rounds of 38sp+P in an 18 oz gun with a TI cylinder.

There are the Scandium big bores like 329PD and the new 9mm, Ti cylinder models. M340PD is another interesting gun unlike anything you could buy in the 80's or before.

Another gun I like is my M625 JM. It's a newer version of the 25-2 I bought recently.

And then there are the X-frames....

The present isn't so bad. These are the good old days.

Dave

 

[spad124]

I've shot a friend's new 625 with the lock and thought the action was just as good as my old 25-5 or 686-1. Plus his gun was very accurate. My opinion is that S&W still produces quality guns.

My revolvers are all shooters so I tend to buy older S&Ws simply because of price. I can find used but tight K and L frames for 2/3 the price of new revolvers. I just don't like to eat the new-to-used depreciation.

 

[Engine 21]

Depends on a lot of factors but for me it's the old timers I like the best. However, that said I would not turn my nose up at a well cared for newer revolver. There was more hand work from the old craftsmen as to fit and finish only because they did not have the technology back then. But they sure did a nice job with what they did have.

 

[DR505]

The modern ones seem to work just fine and are plenty accurate. Modern manufacturing methods aren't all about cutting cost.

 

[ma deuce]

I suspect one reason the reintroduced M10 didn't catch on is that there are so many old M10s in existance, given that it was the most widely-used police revolver for so many years, and still available for relatively reasonable prices.

 

[amazingflapjack]

yesteryear

 

[kennyb]

I lean towards the old for sure but....there are some new ones I really like .... I probably have a dozen or so made from 2000 to present...without new stuff we would have no performance center goodies,no 460 or 500 magnums and a host of others...its all good!

 

[CCantu357]

I think both new Smiths and old Smiths are great revolvers. That being said I prefer pre-lock revolvers. I can live with all the other aspects of the current production revolvers, though if they get rid of the lock I would buy a new revolver every year. Imagine the uproar if Glock put an IL on their guns. Just my two cents, I may be wrong.

 

[perfectcircle1]

WELL SAID! ^^^^^

 

[slabside2]

Not even close.

 

[TTSH]

I think both new Smiths and old Smiths are great revolvers. That being said I prefer pre-lock revolvers. I can live with all the other aspects of the current production revolvers, though if they get rid of the lock I would buy a new revolver every year. Imagine the uproar if Glock put an IL on their guns. Just my two cents, I may be wrong.

This is where I come down as well. For revolvers, I only own and am only interested in buying pre-locks. If that means buying "slightly used" and/or paying more, so be it. When S&W starts producing no-lock revolvers again, I'll start buying brand new again. Until then, I'm focused mostly on 3rd Gens and M&P semi-autos.

 

[ralph7]

I think both new Smiths and old Smiths are great revolvers. That being said I prefer pre-lock revolvers. I can live with all the other aspects of the current production revolvers, though if they get rid of the lock I would buy a new revolver every year. Imagine the uproar if Glock put an IL on their guns. Just my two cents, I may be wrong.

Then again, imagine if Glock made a gun that one could take out of the safe and actually admire.