Old vs new?

mg357 · Jan 18, 2015

Imho the new guns are better, the metallurgy is better,the machines that manufacture them is better.

they are stronger and can take a much better beating.

because the ammunition that is made today has more power.

BAM-BAM · Jan 18, 2015

mg357 said:
because the ammunition that is made today has more power.

Not hardly.......... most "commercial ammo" today in .357, and I believe .44mag; is a somewhat to a lot downloaded from the stuff sold in the 1930s to the 70s......... the original .357 158 grain ammo was in the (IIRC) +1500 FPS and the 125 SJHPs of the 70s was in the same league.

Both old and new are GTG it's often just a matter of personal taste........I prefer...... an early L-frame for a steady diet of .357s ...... or a 3" 66 (or 65) with +P for concealed carry

chief38 · Jan 19, 2015

I am old school and own no guns from S&W manufactured after 1994. I would never own an I/L gun, a gun with a barrel insert or MIM parts. Don't care for the new Grips they use, the new finishes they apply or the new stuff in general. I am a big S&W aficionado as long as they are at least 21 + years old.

Obviously there are plenty of Fellas here that disagree with me because they do buy the new S&W guns and say they like them. Some new guys wouldn't even know the difference.

If you have handled and shot the old vs the new I think you might understand the difference. If not, then buy what your heart tells you to.

Arik · Jan 19, 2015

mg357 said:
Imho the new guns are better, the metallurgy is better,the machines that manufacture them is better.

they are stronger and can take a much better beating.

because the ammunition that is made today has more power.

Ehhh.. that's half true. When talking about say modern 38spl ammo and a gun made in the same caliber prior to proper heat treating, then yes. When it comes to 40s and up its not much of a difference.

I'm fine with both. Old school guns with old school wear are cool but the new ones are just as good. I saw a newer m10 the other day and thought it was a beautiful looking gun. Didn't like the trigger though

Bill A · Jan 19, 2015

chief38 said:
I am old school and own no guns from S&W manufactured after 1994. I would never own an I/L gun, a gun with a barrel insert or MIM parts. Don't care for the new Grips they use, the new finishes they apply or the new stuff in general. I am a big S&W aficionado as long as they are at least 21 + years old.

Obviously there are plenty of Fellas here that disagree with me because they do buy the new S&W guns and say they like them. Some new guys wouldn't even know the difference.

If you have handled and shot the old vs the new I think you might understand the difference. If not, then buy what your heart tells you to.

I agree, but I don't own 'em after about 1980.

Bill

BigBill · Jan 19, 2015

First my new m29-10 44mag is the strongest m29 made to date. She is suppose to digest any Magnum loads out there. I've been told. Newer is stronger.
I like owning new and older revolvers. I don't care about the mim or loc I could care less. Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.
If it's in nickel new or old it's coming home with me. I'm no collector just an average owner/shooter.

If your going to shoot standard new ammo Magnum loads get the s&w n frame.

If your going to shoot stout Magnum reloads get a ruger.

The newer s&w revolvers will break in as we shoot them. The actions aren't hand fitted as the older ones were. I lube all my guns with moly it's like doing a trigger job it smooths out any rough action. Man made the gun moly makes the actions equal.

Rick_A · Jan 23, 2015

chief38 said:
If you have handled and shot the old vs the new I think you might understand the difference. If not, then buy what your heart tells you to.

20140707_133632 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

The difference to me is feeling a lot less guilty shooting and much less nervous carrying the new one.

John R · Jan 23, 2015

mg357 said:
Imho the new guns are better, the metallurgy is better,the machines that manufacture them is better.

they are stronger and can take a much better beating.

because the ammunition that is made today has more power.

Don't know where you came up with that, all the ammo today is watered down compared to 20-30 years ago

John R · Jan 23, 2015

regalsc said:
I like the old & the new ones. There can be issues with the old ones & the new ones. The new ones have a lifetime warranty.

Cause they need it, the older ones didn't.

Twiki357 · Jan 23, 2015

Arik: Also the only time you hear crying is when there is a problem. No one posts "today nothing broke"

Okay. I went to the range yesterday. I fired my recently purchased 10-5 (1977), and 28-2 (1973). Also two of my carries: Pre 37 (1957) and 637-2 (2012)….. Nothing broke.

And right now I’m trying to talk myself into dropping the cash on a NIB 686-6 in the case at my local gun shop even though I prefer those over 30 years of age.

Rick_A · Jan 23, 2015

John R said:
Cause they need it, the older ones didn't.

There is no shortage of stories of fine old guns with broken trigger/hammer pins, timing issues, excessive endshake, sprung cranes, bent ejector rods, and other maladies.

Gimme a break. Any mechanical device can and will require servicing with enough use.

fat tom · Jan 23, 2015

Rpg said:
Don't hunt with a gun that will embarrass your dog.

Consider that line stolen!

f.t.

fat tom · Jan 23, 2015

sailor723 said:
Thanks for the replies. I do prefer something that is more finely fitted and finished (or as an earlier poster said "more elegant").

All in all it sounds like maybe I should be on the lookout for an older 27 or a pre 27 N frame next.

That would fill the bill.
f.t.

Rick_A · Jan 23, 2015

I've been impressed with current nickel guns if you can find one. The bluing on the new classics look much like the Highway Patrolman finishes instead of the more lustrous finishes of old.

The old ones are certainly a better investment, but they're all shooters to me. I'm not one to pay a premium for an older gun...I was lucky enough to buy an old one at a used new gun price

UnderDawgAl · Jan 24, 2015

I too prefer the older ones. However, those folks are mistaken who believe that all of the older guns were lovingly crafted by gentle-hearted factory workers who caressed and cherished each part 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

MrG5122 · Jan 24, 2015

There's something about old diamond stocks that turns my crank. Can hardly leave them in a gun store. Luckily for my marriage they don't pop up around here too often.

DWalt · Jan 24, 2015

Which is better, a 1955 Chevy or a 2015 Chevy? No question the 2015 is vastly superior in almost every way. It just doesn't have the appeal of the earlier vehicle.

John R · Jan 24, 2015

Rick_A said:
There is no shortage of stories of fine old guns with broken trigger/hammer pins, timing issues, excessive endshake, sprung cranes, bent ejector rods, and other maladies.

Gimme a break. Any mechanical device can and will require servicing with enough use.

Guess I'm just lucky, I have a few Smith revolvers that are 30 to 40 years old, and I've never had any problems, except keeping them fed.

jrandyh · Jan 24, 2015

I love the older 19's, 66's, 586's and 686's. That being said I have an N frame 44 I bought several years ago. The crown was off and I had it fixed. They sent the gun back scratched up. Sent it back and after a second finish its beautiful. Shoots fine. I bought a 686 plus 2.5 PC that was a mess. Out of time. Buggered up front hole on the ejection Rod and terrible action.sent it back and it's fine now, I think the new 66 is a travesty. It's just ugly. The frame is different. The barrel 1/4 inch longer, the front sight not elevated the same etc. All these destroy the aesthetics of the original.
JR

Old vs new?

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