Is a Pre Lock worth it?

Yet another one of "those" posts. But it's eating away at me so here goes.

I'm new to revolvers but scooping up quite a collection. 2 pre lock smiths included.

My question is... IS IT WORTH IT to spend 30-40-50-100% more for a pre lock than a new gun? I know there are several variables involved so let me be more specific.

I was looking for a pre lock 610 for months. I couldn't find one that was worth a **** so I just grabbed a new 4" from big daddy unlimited for less than $800 and I couldn't be more excited.

I've now focused my obsession on a 686. 2 Grand on gunbroker for a pre lock that you have no idea who owned and where it lived and how it was taken care of? I really can't understand how that's worth it. Spending 3 years scraping every pawn shop in a tri-state area? My time is far too valuable.

I'm not QUITE a millennial, but I am in my late 30s. I've got an impressive gun collection, nearly all of which was purchased on-line without looking at it, because that's what people my age do. I don't listen to voicemail, I don't answer calls from random numbers, and I buy everything on-line without seeing it in real life. Including the car I drive and several properties.

Here's the real question.... In 30 years when I'm too old for the internet, or whatever is next, will I be sitting around telling strangers that my guns purchased in 2019 are far superior to whatever you kids are doing these days?

I'd love to hear your reply and while I realize it may be far too much to ask, please include your age in the reply if you don't mind.

P.S. I DO like old guns. I've got a 1957 Win model 70 and a 1978 Marlin 336. Much easier to find good deals on those though lol.

Thanks!

I'm 39 and have preferred older firearms for most of my collecting. All of my Smith's are pre-lock currently, however I have owned lock models in the past. I don't consider them a hinderance or a performance negative. As many of those revolvers have performed as well or better in some cases. I just don't care for the aesthetics, much like I don't like a lot of Rugers for their stamped banners on slides and barrels. Just my preference. Just like Smith revolvers, I know Rugers run great and I've owned a few but appearance does impact my decision making when buying firearms.

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Metalfarm, I'm older than your Model 70 and watch for guns from the '50s and '60s (and earlier and later). Do they shoot any better than current production, probably not. Do I get a bit of a thrill from holding a pre-war S&W (or Colt), sure do. Do I get the same thrill from current production guns, sometimes. Do I buy current production, sure do and find them functional. In the case of the 610 or 686 I wouldn't hesitate to buy new models if my primary intent is to use them. I bought my first Winchester when I was 13, still have it. Bought my first S&W when I was 23, still have it. Bought a 629-6 and a 686-6 this past year, like them both. Took a pre-24, a 53, a pre-war K22, a 625-7, and a 396 to the range yesterday, enjoyed shooting all of them. My "old guy's" advice is buy what you like, don't spend a lot of time worrying about whether old or new is better. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

While I prefer the visual appearance of a no-lock revolver, I would never pay a premium to buy one

The 310/610 family of revolvers are great. I enjoy the ones that I own. I expect that you will enjoy yours as well
In 30 years, every firearm that you purchased can be sold for much more than you paid for it.

I'm not a fan of the lock but am less black and white on it than many folks. I did the collecting thing some 15 years back. Now I just buy what I like and am likely to actually shoot.
These days, the presence of a lock never prevents me from buying any revolver that I otherwise like. Neither does the absence of a lock ever entice me to pay a premium for a revolver . IMHO, they (locks) are easy enough to ignore.

You can find plenty of 686 to 686-5 revolvers for much less than retail/selling prices for current models with the lock. If you are seeing $2000 + 686s 'selling' you must be playing in the big leagues; even rarer ones (3" CS-1s, Mountain Guns, etc.) tend to sell in the +/- $1000 range or so.

I have a few guns with the lock so I have nothing against them, but they have tended to be ones that are unusual in some way or were not made before that feature became standard.

I’m quite willing to pay more for a vintage Smith than a contemporary Smith.

I simply find the lock, and the guns they’re in, aesthetically undesirable: I don’t imagine that the lock in any way impairs function.

I don’t like tacticool pistol grips on rifles or shotguns either.

My dislike of pistol grips on long guns is aesthetic as well as functional.

I shoot better with traditional stocks on long guns. It’s also hard to find a Parker with a tacticool pistol grip stock.

I won’t hunt with a gun that embarrasses the dogs.

I’ve had them with and without. It really doesn’t matter to me.

The lock is no hindrance to functioning and shooting, but as you have noted the pre-locks have a higher value, but that is potentially impacted by material shooting. I have three lock and to pre-lock revolvers, looking to get another pre-lock soon (yes, Caj) and I use them interchangeably. In short the lock is not an issue for most folks. This hobby is clearly about what we each like.

I have both and I buy both. I would not pay a premium for a prelock. (That I can think of)

Loc or no loc if it’s the finish, the caliber, the barrel length I’m buying it I own both it doesn’t matter to me. My LGS dropped the price to $699 on the new n frames count me in there awesome shooters. Almost a 2 for one sale over the old ones.

Metalfarm said:

Yet another one of "those" posts. But it's eating away at me so here goes.

I'm new to revolvers but scooping up quite a collection. 2 pre lock smiths included.

My question is... IS IT WORTH IT to spend 30-40-50-100% more for a pre lock than a new gun? I know there are several variables involved so let me be more specific.

I was looking for a pre lock 610 for months. I couldn't find one that was worth a **** so I just grabbed a new 4" from big daddy unlimited for less than $800 and I couldn't be more excited.

I've now focused my obsession on a 686. 2 Grand on gunbroker for a pre lock that you have no idea who owned and where it lived and how it was taken care of? I really can't understand how that's worth it. Spending 3 years scraping every pawn shop in a tri-state area? My time is far too valuable.

I'm not QUITE a millennial, but I am in my late 30s. I've got an impressive gun collection, nearly all of which was purchased on-line without looking at it, because that's what people my age do. I don't listen to voicemail, I don't answer calls from random numbers, and I buy everything on-line without seeing it in real life. Including the car I drive and several properties.

Here's the real question.... In 30 years when I'm too old for the internet, or whatever is next, will I be sitting around telling strangers that my guns purchased in 2019 are far superior to whatever you kids are doing these days?

I'd love to hear your reply and while I realize it may be far too much to ask, please include your age in the reply if you don't mind.

P.S. I DO like old guns. I've got a 1957 Win model 70 and a 1978 Marlin 336. Much easier to find good deals on those though lol.

Thanks!

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To me it is! That was a triple S answer; Short Sweet and Simple!

"I've now focused my obsession on a 686."

Full disclosure: I own one "lock" revolver, a 329 Night Guard.

The 686 is a wonderful obsession, myself having bought and sold a slug of them ranging from 2.5" to 6" over the years, mostly the dash 3 variety. But I was a dedicated N frame man. It wasn't until last spring that the capability of the L-frame was revealed during a friendly steel match and I was hooked, again. So I tracked down a sweet 686-4 6". Just a couple months ago a friend located a 686-4 Plus 4" 7-shot for me. Also sweet.

From a collecting standpoint I'd stick with pre-lock, S&W Performance Center, and limited production guns, specifically dash 3 and 4 686's. For value and general shooting I would not pass up a good price on a dash 5 or later. Always look for original condition with box, docs, and tools. You want the complete package. Have fun!

Lou_the_welder said:

I would not pay a premium for a prelock. (That I can think of)

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There is certainly a premium on pre-lock and I have an always paid it, even if little. Locksmith guns, no thank you. Rather than a locksmith I go for the new Korth Mongoose 5 1/4'' or even the new production Dan Wesson 715. I saw a 2 tone version in black/stainless and that was a pretty sexy revolver.

I have everything for a tip up to top breaks, pre and post of the WWs up to some scandium guns. If they have a lock they get a plug and the lock goes in a bag. MIM doesn't bother me one bit. I would pay a bit more for a non lock because then I don't have to buy a plug and take 20 minutes to install it.

But, the never will own a lock guns are missing out on some interesting guns. Most of the big bore scandiums, plus, the 460 and 500 etc.

My daily carry gun is a 325 NG and it had a plug. The 325 I am going to convert to a 45 colt has a plug and my 396 had a plug. My 500 had a plug.

oysterer said:

There is certainly a premium on pre-lock and I have an always paid it, even if little. Locksmith guns, no thank you. Rather than a locksmith I go for the new Korth Mongoose 5 1/4'' or even the new production Dan Wesson 715. I saw a 2 tone version in black/stainless and that was a pretty sexy revolver.

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As an example. I paid $700 for a 29-2 6". I didnt have. It looked nice in blue. Has the original stocks. So, my idea of thinking is , a new one is actually more. So, I bought it. I've bought a few like that.
I'm no collector. And I'm not looking for a set. If the opportunity falls on my laps, I cant say no. Especially if its a good shooter!
That's how I found my 25-2 ! Its a great gun! And I actually paid cheaper than a current smith production model 25.
So, for me, I wouldn't pay a premium for a prelock. If the price is right. I'll get it. If not. I'm not obsessed with them.

Most of the guns I take to the range have the hole on the side and WARRANTY! I would not subject my ole ' blued to the torture I give to a dedicated range or practice gun. That's just wrong. And I'll break a gun. Send it in. Get it fixed. And lifes good! [emoji1783]

Buy what you like!
Guns are not investments.
You want to discuss ETFs? Exchange Traded Funds?
Those are investments.

Lou_the_welder said:

If the price is right. I'll get it. If not. I'm not obsessed with them.

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I do the same, but when I see a nice LNIB or even unfired set with box and tools etc, I would say then there will be a premium, sometimes a huge one. If too much so and then I walk.

muddocktor said:

So the lifetime service policy thing is only as good as what S&W will say it is at the time your gun actually needs service.

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I've had to use their warranty 9 times. From everything, from me breaking the guns. Cracking force cones, to fixing canted barrels.
Smith and Wesson customer service and the performance center service department have been exemplary IMO.
In full transparency, I have never had to warranty a J frame, but I do own them. I still feel that the product is covered by them. And have full consumer confidence.
I admit that I do quickly discount forum members allegations of their servicing problems or issues. But Ofcourse! I have to. I'm not them. And I have to go by my "personal " experiences with them and not theirs.
I would not dissuade a potential buyer from buying a new gun , from those service experiences that I have had. For they have been positive and the outcomes were in my favor.

Given my personal experiences with Smith and Wesson. I still have confidence enough to buy a new gun.

*****YUP******