Chrysler K cars were hand fitted.
New vs. old S&Ws
- Thread starter Telecaster
- Start date
Me...I've not got a problem with MIM parts, but I cannot tolerate the unnecessary lock on the S&W's. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist and IMO it's a political move that S&W made that is no longer relevant. I don't own and will not own a S&W with the current lock system.
Don
Don
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
After watching all 50 minutes I find it hard to argue with this guy-I really do. As far as comparing a Parker to a Red Label, I've shot both and quite frankly would take the Red Label over the Parker purely for durability concerns.
I will probably take a second look a the new 66 over the new Kimber as a result of this video. May even rethink the 69 , Just because something can now be built faster, easier and better over a craftsman working by candlelight with a couple of files doesn't mean it is bad. Hell remember the reason why guns were blued in the first place because it was the only way to prevent rust at the time. Today we can bypass that step by using stainless. It ain't your darry's han dgun but then again would you rather use your daddy's slide rule or the new calculator app on your I phone
Hell even though I still like using a sextant, I'm not going back to the printed tables but use a navigation calculator to plug in the figures. ANd GPS is STILL more accurate.
Ackley1952
Member
When tomorrow gets here it'll be today. The new guns must be affordable and durable. If this younger crowd doesn't fire the guns then our future as collectors will be in question. You can continue to question management's decisions over the last 30 years but remember the company sold many times and you could have bought it . Step up a new owner could drop mim parts and key locks .
This makes me laugh for two reasons. First, because my fellow counselor is right; just ask him the difference between wading through a massive law library versus modern computerized searching for legal references and precedents.
Second, keep your maps handy. If we ever have a real war the first thing the enemy will do is go after the GPS satellites - that's why they formed a Space Command! It's not a Star Wars problem, it's a right here in River City problem.
That amusement behind me, I still have my precious, 40 year old, clean as a whistle 2" Model 10:
And it has friends equally aged and even worn they are top notch revolvers.
M10 .357 Magnum
M649
I just dropped those in here because they're old and there are not enough pictures in this thread. I have several much more recent S&W revolvers that I am very fond of and I have no issues with their ILs or anything else.
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bmcgilvray
Member
The difference in new versus old is that I am willing to own and use the old ones.
The new ones are for someone else who believes in them.
The new ones are for someone else who believes in them.
UncleEd
Member
It must be remembered that those
who out of hand reject the newer
S&W revolvers have delicate hammer
noses which can easily be bent out
of shape. Or broken off!
who out of hand reject the newer
S&W revolvers have delicate hammer
noses which can easily be bent out
of shape. Or broken off!
I just got back from a LGS where I had to use for FFL for a present to daughter. While there, I saw a hand cannon S&W 629, .44 Magnum. It had the lock, in the used gun cabinet. It just got there yesterday they said. I got to play with it. One of the employees wanted it bad, but that's not their policy. It was marked $750. The action was better than any revolver I ever held. Double action was comparable to any of my revolvers' single action. I was really tempted to put 25% down with 90 days to pay it off. I just can't believe I walked away! Three of the employees were going over it, as the shop was pretty empty by this time. The one guy said there were no "bad" marks in the usual places. I just don't NEED the gun at this time. I am really thinking about taking my GP100s (.327 FedMagnums), just bought new within this past 10 months and see if they want to make a trade for one. It will be gone soon, I'm sure. There was a .357 magnum S&W beside it, a 7-shot I believe, maybe 8; can't remember, but its action didn't compare to the 629. It's probably the most popular shop in Pittsburgh, known for the gunsmith that owns the store. Beretta guys know this man. I'm going down to the South Hills again tomorrow to see my daughter, but I think there will be 2 GP100s in my car, just in case!
Ho-hum. Pass the popcorn. Yada yada yada. If you like new S&W revolers with locks and MIM parts, more power to you. The old geezer in the video is probably more right than wrong, and probably made some valid points, but I have never had a hammer nose break, nor have I ever replaced anything more than old springs for preventive maintenance. Many of my guns are post-war, pre-1957 and made REALLY well. I love having to look hard for the sideplate seam or where the yoke meets the frame. I like the smooth actions that are not duplicated in the new ones, IMO. And yes, I shoot them all. Almost all of the problematic guns I (we) read about are new ones. Shoot what you like and like what you shoot. By the way, I like old DA Colts, too. Everyone be safe and well.
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I like older guns of any type but will buy and did buy a new S&W as well. I recently bought a new 625 JM because I wanted a 45 acp revolver and I got it for a lot less than any of the older models I found. I was buying it to shoot not to collect and the lock does not bother me.
Rpg
Member
You're right! And the P&R guns are still more desirable than their replacements: compare prices on comparable used examples (eg a m29-2 vs a m29-3).
To whom would you be addressing that remark? Oh, I see. Smith & Wesson collectors. Got it. WE KNOW. Do you think it's common knowledge in the gun buying public of 2020?
The sellers know it, too.
But Joe Dokes, average gun buyer, just wants a gun. He ain't fussy about pinned, recessed, MIM, IL, whatever. "Does it shoot? Will it save my life? Here's my credit card."
Some of us are almost that casual about it as well but that's a horse of a different color because we KNOW the difference. Just don't care.
UncleEd
Member
Yes, much anguish and lamentations.
And before that a hot debate raged over
long actions vs. short actions.
So, now I'm at a point after watching the 50 min. video, I just may go down to that gun shop and hope that revolver is still there in the AM. Looking at the NEW prices on the 629, I need to really check that gun out. I think I need it. I don't need two Ruger GP100s. Lifetime warranty on the S&Ws? $750 may be high, but...somebody talk me out of it. Please! I don't want to be a collector, just a shooter. I don't have a .44 Mag. Yet.
.38SuperMan
Member
I used to play Sax and bought a couple of Selmer Mark VI horns in 1966. These were hand made in a small factory in Paris. They were and still are considered some of the best saxes ever produced. The downside was the inconsistency from one instrument to the other. When you bought one you found a dealer that had a good stock of them and played each one until you find the one you liked. They are truly beautiful instruments in appearance, tonality and craftsmanship. The downside was inconsistency and when you needed a repair you had to find a technician that could hand fit parts. Parts weren't interchangeable in many cases from horn to horn. Cost of the instrument was high and repairs high.
Today instruments manufacturing is much more automated using modern production methods. The result has been much more consistent instruments and lower production cost. Repairs are easier and parts more interchangeable.
I think the same is true about firearms. Although I love the romance of vintage instruments and guns, new automated and mass produced products won't keep me from buying them.
Today instruments manufacturing is much more automated using modern production methods. The result has been much more consistent instruments and lower production cost. Repairs are easier and parts more interchangeable.
I think the same is true about firearms. Although I love the romance of vintage instruments and guns, new automated and mass produced products won't keep me from buying them.
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message_board_expert
Member
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If Smith built revolvers the way they used to and charged for it, the "new" Smiths might look a lot better to prospective buyers.
I carry a 340SC daily. I do so because it weighs less than 12 ounces. It serves a purpose but it has no soul. It's the only handgun I own that was made after 1970. My prewar guns move me, make my heart beat a bit faster. Later guns are merely tools.
The new guns are better overall, and more consistent. My only problem with S&W as it operates today is that they no longer do QC. Every revolver should be checked for timing and B/C gap before it leaves the factory. Any idiot can be trained to do those checks.
Oh hummmm..well ive seen that in the Aviation Industry, Beat it to fit paint it to match... the Mantra of the Major Airline I use to work for.
Oh hummmm..well ive seen that in the Aviation Industry, Beat it to fit paint it to match... the Mantra of the Major Airline I use to work for.
A bunch of you guys must have been really upset when cranks were no longer standard equipment and they put those unreliable electric self starters on cars.
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