ADVICE/THOUGHTS

[Rudi]

The combined knowledge of this Forum is impressive. What all inputs can you provide about new S&W revolvers, quality, function, etc. They look to be a good value.

 

[Toolguy]

There are differing opinions on that.

Mine is that the engineering and machining is the best ever. The assembly and fitting leaves something to be desired on some individual guns. The lock is a non issue. Other views will be along shortly.

 

[Truckman]

I like older guns and younger women...You and Tom T. Hall can keep the faster horses, but I wouldn't mind having some more money......Ben

 

[M29since14]

I only have two “new” ones, and they aren’t all that new. They are a 340PD and a 329PD. (Yes, both have the lock.) Both have been fine, as far as fit, finish, and mechanics. The 329 has a pretty nasty looking barrel, but it seems to shoot OK. I’m not sure how! I have to admit, I wish it had a barrel that looked like it belonged on a fairly expensive revolver, which the 329 is, to me. If you’re concerned, take a look at the barrel before you buy. Styling is a little “modern,” for my taste, but, well, they are modern guns. I knew they wouldn’t look like ‘60s production when I ordered them. As to the lock, I have no idea whether it works as designed or not. Don’t recall ever putting a key in either one.

I’ve got my eyes on several other new models, and I will probably buy another couple before I give up buying entirely. D) I don’t care for the silly key-lock thing, but it’s not a total deal-breaker, if the aesthetics aren’t wrecked. J-frame hammer-models are wrecked. Off the ugly scale. Won’t be likely to buy one of those. The K-, L-, and N-frames haven’t suffered nearly as badly, so there are some possibilities, IMO.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I think it is a toss-up similar to Protocall. The metallurgy, design and individual metal parts are generally superior on the newer revolvers, but part of being competitive has, like their competitors, sometimes left the finishing less desirable than the older S&W revolvers. They are a good value, but some have a strong preference for the older Smiths. I own shoot and like both. Arguably, the best value revolver (at least back when I knew the pricing before Covid) is the old S&W Model 28. Good Luck!

 

[John Patrick]

The old revolvers have the sex appeal that comes with blending craftsmanship with utility.

The new revolvers are very nice tools. My newer revolvers have been just fine, but they are just tools.

 

[Hair Trigger]

There is a relatively narrow range of years of S&W revolvers that appeal to me, from the mid-1950's to 1982. I love the hand fitted look and feel and the features on these guns like the pinned barrels and recessed magnum cylinders, the "lazy" ampersand, the hammer nose, the stocks, and the profile of the frame and barrel. The guns before WWII look archaic and dated, the ones after 1982 look okay, but the fit and finish overall just isn't quite as nice as the guns got newer, the manufacturing process is more geared to turning out quantity at a competitive price, IMO.

It's all a matter of personal preference, though; metallurgy improves with advancing technology, but so has expense, and it seems the newer guns are more....manufactured, than crafted.

The revolvers of the late '60s into the '70s are the first ones I had exposure to, also, so I imagine part of what I like about that era is the nostalgia that goes with it.

 

[stansdds]

Inspect, inspect, and inspect. That's my advice on purchasing the current crop of S&W firearms. Some are perfect, others have glaring issues, and the blueing is not as nice as the pre-year 2000 black oxide and cannot hold a candle to the pre-1980 Carbonia oil blueing.

 

[bananaman]

I have less lock guns than non I.L. The ones that I have are KEEPERS. 25-15, 625 JM, and 686-6 Pro Series. Nothing about them I don't like. Bob

 

[robertrwalsh]

Personally I find older guns more interesting. Not necessarily better, just more interesting. The most recent brand new S&W I own is a 686 7-shot snubby. Bought maybe 3 years ago. I have bought several used handguns in that time. Plus other new guns of other brands.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I shoot mostly new Smiths with a warranty. Thats the truth.

They have all been accurate and I consider them a good value.

I have picked up old examples just to have and a few are exceptional.

I would advise anyone who wants to shoot alot, to buy new .

 

[Frailer]

I don’t currently own a S&W that was made in this century, but I have owned a couple—a 642 and a 63–that I’ve passed along as gifts to my daughters. Both were fine guns, even if they didn’t appeal to me nearly as much as “vintage” models.

 

[Harry Callihan]

I really like the Performance Center Revolvers.