S&W revolvers of today vs. yesteryear-which are better?
- Thread starter Whitens Moss
- Start date
I have absolutely no desire to own any of the older revolvers (<90's), while I'm sure they're fine guns, to me they're quite ugly compared to the newer models (90's-present). I love the scandium frames, the slabside barrels and especially the titanium cylinder versions. I'd never go into the sub-forums for the older species and tell people what I think of their pride and joys though and I'm glad that the forum finally put a stop to the older gents coming in to this sub-forum and moaning about all the new features and designs that they don't like. Collect what you like, they're all good guns.
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I'm pretty sure the new guns are more accurate and will work longer than older guns but I'm old and set in my ways and not going to buy one. My wife bought a front wheel drive car in 1984 and I raved and ranted but when it was said and done it was a good car and all our cars since then have front wheel drive. I can remember changing points and plugs at 5000 miles. The car my wife has now tripped 198,000 miles last week and got its first set of plugs. I expect new guns are just as well made as new cars but some of us old people just want to complain. Larry
The new ones Ive owned have been well built,accurate tools.I prefer the looks of the old guns and they are better investments.
Nframecollector
Member
Yesteryear..............without a doubt! And I'm not bashing the new things with the lock! I'll just never own one.
slickracer
Member
I have both and my favorite is the one I'm shooting at the moment. Old or new I'm happy to have them.
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jrs70
US Veteran
I carry a new 642 and like it. I also have a 625JM and I love it. I guess it all boiled down to what your likes are. I have more older ones. But I like old cop guns. Will I buy new Smith and Wesson's yes.
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This is pretty much piling on now, but the gunsmiths I talk to tell me the NIM parts and lack of quality workmanship in the current production Smiths leaves room for improvement. The internal lock turns people off. What happens if you lock your gun and then lose your keys. Bummer.
These changes have been brought about by corporate leaders trying to appease the stock holders. It is the same with any large company. Companies used to make products to help improve our daily lives, now they have to cowtow to their share holders. I give S&W credit for trying to maintain the products people want. It seems odd to me that you can find a nice Model 29 for under 1k, but the current guns sometime go for more than that. For me it is a no brainer. I take the P/R models every time.
These changes have been brought about by corporate leaders trying to appease the stock holders. It is the same with any large company. Companies used to make products to help improve our daily lives, now they have to cowtow to their share holders. I give S&W credit for trying to maintain the products people want. It seems odd to me that you can find a nice Model 29 for under 1k, but the current guns sometime go for more than that. For me it is a no brainer. I take the P/R models every time.
pumpgun
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2011
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i like both. i don't like the looks of the lock but i can live with it. my newer gun is finished quite nicely and shoots like a dream. of course my -2's and pre-models are sweet as well. if i was in the market for a 586, i'd probably look for a nice older used one. the price difference isn't much if anything. same with k22.
markyboy57
Member
I like them all, just send me any you don't like 
I have two new revolvers, both with IL; 686+ 6" & 642.
I briefly paused about the IL, mainly because of this forum, but after research and thought I dropped my worry over it and purchased brand new.
I don't plan to use the IL, nor do I expect to have any problem with it being there.
In general I will take brand new as opposed to older/used largely because I don't really know the history of the used firearm I'd be acquiring plus I get the warranty.
I hope to acquire a used s&w pistol some day, but I don't expect the reason to be for reliability.
I briefly paused about the IL, mainly because of this forum, but after research and thought I dropped my worry over it and purchased brand new.
I don't plan to use the IL, nor do I expect to have any problem with it being there.
In general I will take brand new as opposed to older/used largely because I don't really know the history of the used firearm I'd be acquiring plus I get the warranty.
I hope to acquire a used s&w pistol some day, but I don't expect the reason to be for reliability.
I have found that S&W revolvers must be judged as individual examples. They've never been consistant. (At least since WWII.) Timing, finish, fitting, etc. The PC guns are generally better but even those can have dramas.
That said, you will generally get a usable, if not ideal, revolver no matter what. The outright lemons aren't so common. The interwebs, like the news, tends to highlight the negatives.
I've purchased "several" new and older Smiths recently and have been satisfied, if not downright tickled with them. But have passed up scads of new and used/old ones in the process. Hands-on inspection before buying makes for a happier post-purchase experience!
Rebel Soul
Member
Friend - evryone is going to have an opinion on this - and they are all valid.
However, I think you can see it has mostly to do with the lock.
IMO, S&W is currently making the finest production revolvers on the planet - ergo - the universe. So if you want the best new revolver in the universe, get a Smith.
The lock doesn't bother me - I get why some folks don't like it, but in my opinion, it's overblown. I put lock failure stories right next to Elvis and Bigfoot sightings. Just my opinion folks.
I have a new 4inch 586 and a new 2.5inch 686+...they look great, they run great, they are bullseye accurate, and they have a lifetime warranty.
When I decide on a gun, I want it right now. Personally, I don't buy used guns online. If I can't handle it - I'm not buying it - that's just how I roll.
That makes finding older pre lock smiths problematic - you literally have to stumble across them these days. Even gun shows are hit or miss with pricing and availabilty. Of course, it never hurts to be prepared to snatch up a great deal on a pre-lock if you see one. Just sayin...
A lot of guys buy up older models to collect - which is fine - but if you want a shooter, a new gun with a lifetime warranty is hard to beat.
So if you want a 586 today, go buy one. MSRP is $839 - I got mine for $725 - real life pricing is always a little lower than the listed MSRP.
Ultimately, go with your heart - everyone here will congratulate you either way!
However, I think you can see it has mostly to do with the lock.
IMO, S&W is currently making the finest production revolvers on the planet - ergo - the universe. So if you want the best new revolver in the universe, get a Smith.
The lock doesn't bother me - I get why some folks don't like it, but in my opinion, it's overblown. I put lock failure stories right next to Elvis and Bigfoot sightings. Just my opinion folks.
I have a new 4inch 586 and a new 2.5inch 686+...they look great, they run great, they are bullseye accurate, and they have a lifetime warranty.
When I decide on a gun, I want it right now. Personally, I don't buy used guns online. If I can't handle it - I'm not buying it - that's just how I roll.
That makes finding older pre lock smiths problematic - you literally have to stumble across them these days. Even gun shows are hit or miss with pricing and availabilty. Of course, it never hurts to be prepared to snatch up a great deal on a pre-lock if you see one. Just sayin...
A lot of guys buy up older models to collect - which is fine - but if you want a shooter, a new gun with a lifetime warranty is hard to beat.
So if you want a 586 today, go buy one. MSRP is $839 - I got mine for $725 - real life pricing is always a little lower than the listed MSRP.
Ultimately, go with your heart - everyone here will congratulate you either way!
bmcgilvray
Member
After observing both, I'm willing to own and use the old ones.
I wonder... if the technology and forums like this existed way back when the pre-model revolvers made the switch from the long to short throw actions... would the reactions being posted then be the same as now, with the "don't make 'em like they used to" sentiments?
The same guns that we place a premium on now for their "don't make 'em like they used to" virtues, may have been as objectionable back then when the change was made for the actions, as the changes now for the new generation of S&W revolvers.
The smoothness of the actions on my long throw M&P's are unreal... I can imagine for people used to that, the adjustment to the new style action must of been as difficult as people accepting the new style S&W's of today.
I mean, who's to say that sometime way in the future when the next iteration of S&W revolvers comes around, the stuff today that people are having trouble accepting, will now be the "don't make 'em like they used to" guns held in favor over the new guys on the block?
Like I said at the start of my post, just wondering out loud...
The same guns that we place a premium on now for their "don't make 'em like they used to" virtues, may have been as objectionable back then when the change was made for the actions, as the changes now for the new generation of S&W revolvers.
The smoothness of the actions on my long throw M&P's are unreal... I can imagine for people used to that, the adjustment to the new style action must of been as difficult as people accepting the new style S&W's of today.
I mean, who's to say that sometime way in the future when the next iteration of S&W revolvers comes around, the stuff today that people are having trouble accepting, will now be the "don't make 'em like they used to" guns held in favor over the new guys on the block?
Like I said at the start of my post, just wondering out loud...
Cal44
Member
I bet these sentiments go back further than that.
There were probably old Roman soldiers complaining each time the Roman Legions switched to a new type of spear or shield.
"They just don't make pikes like they used to"
