Recent content by tom327

The reason for the crackdown on cyclists was that the woman who was hit (in the inset photo) got knocked over, hit her head on a rock, and died. It wasn't a trivial matter.

You all know that ammunition has been hard to come by lately, especially .357 magnum, but I was lucky enough to get a couple of boxes of 158 gr/sjhp rounds a couple of weeks ago after having them backordered for what seemed an eternity. I don't have time to get to the range often, but today I...

I use Hoppes for cleaning, and CLP for the L&P part.

Considering what I've seen Model 66s go for on Gunbroker, I was very pleased to find this 66-1 at a local shop for (slightly) l.t. $500. It is a retired police gun with holster wear but excellent action, marked "W.P.D. 42" The box (same vintage, but not SN match) is from a Manchester, CT...

If you imagine the 317/3" in stainless steel, you've got the model 63. I had a 317, sold it, and bought the 63--some more mass to steady the aim, and stainless steel which is easier to maintain. You'll have to use nylon brushes to clean the cylinder of the 317, and the clearcoat is prone to...

The only way to know for sure is to get a letter from Smith & Wesson. We can get a rough idea from Supica & Nahas "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", 3rd ed., c2006. Production range for the 67-2 was 1988-1993 as already stated. The BPT serial number would be approximately December 1993...

Well, on mine, the M is stamped above the model number (M686-1) just above the "1".

It looks like a great deal. As others have pointed out, it's not pinned, not recessed, and those are Pachmayr grips. Early 686 and 686-1s were subject to a recall. If yours was done, there would be an "M" stamped after the model number on the crane. Here's a thread on that...

317 vs. new 63 The differences are as previously noted. In addition, the new 63 has an enclosed extractor. As I said, I have one on order pending availability. I was quoted $750 (vs. $869 list).

New Model 63 3" That's good news, since November is next week. I've been following that model since early spring and have one on order. Can you elaborate on where you heard about the production date? Thanks, Tom

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm curious. I've found a model 29 serial number EMK06xx at a local store, but it looks like a regular model 29--none of the art work in these great pictures. Would this be the standard version? It does come with a presentation wooden case.

I've been fortunate to have found both of these revolvers--SP101 (.38 sp, 5 shot, 2.25" bbl., SS) ca. 1990 and Model 10-7 (.38 sp, 6 shot, 2" bbl., blue) ca. 1979 for $300 or less in the last couple of months. So, I decided to do a head to head comparison. The caveats? The limited skill of...

Waiting, waiting... I, too, have wanted one since I first heard about them--seems like a year ago. I had one of the 5" versions, and always felt it would be perfect in 3". I've got a deposit down for a special order at my local gun store. They keep checking, but so far the status...

Thanks for the replies--they confirm what I thought-- a .38/44. So, that 695 8 is a manufacturing number! It looks like the picture DCWilson posted, only not nearly in such good shape--the bluing is very worn. Yes, I'd like to buy it, but they also have a model 10-7 snubnose I've got my eye...

I'm wondering if the experts can help me puzzle out the identity of a revolver I've seen at a local gun shop. It appears to be an N frame .38 special, fixed sights, blued, with SN S654XX which puts it between 1946-47 according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. The puzzling thing is that...