Are we - dash snobs?

[Shooter 9]

It is my understanding that most of the engineering revisions were cost saving on the part of S&W and it did not necessarily mean these changes made the gun better. That said, I try to do my research on the revisions when buying. Of course condition of the gun is top priority. But I do like some no dash models as well as a -3 or -4 occasionally. I do my no means consider myself and expert on these guns. Just my opinion.

 

[Dstyles75]

I am. Dash 4s baby!

 

[klausinak]

For me it's mostly about aesthetics; to me a bolt rifle doesn't look right unless it has a Mauser-style claw extractor. In the same vein, Smith revolvers don't look "right" to me unless they have a hammer mounted firing pin. I like P&R, but it's not necessary .

This isn't to say that I don't own any push-feed bolt actions, or that all of my S&W's are pre-lock & hammer-nose, just that I prefer the looks of those two features.

-Klaus

 

[BigBill]

I'll take anything like no dash or dash 2, no IL or has the IL if it's in nickel I could care less about the dashes, no dashes or IL or no IL I could care less it's buy that nickel.

New or old any s&w gets my juices flowing.

Don't limit yourself to certain things like dashes or no dashes. There's a whole world of different guns to enjoy out there. Remove those blinders and get browsing. New, old, antique, surplus military it's all good. Dabble in a little bit of everything. It's fun, some are affordable.
There looking for a good home.

The dash numbers are the engineering changes that are made to each gun to upgrade it. To me for a shooter the higher the number the better. The new s&w m29-10 is suppose to be the best, in quality, the strongest, m29 that's been ever offered.
I don't play the dash game. I buy what I want to own.

 

[Modified]

Dashes? No, I'm a model snob. If it has that little MOD in there I just don't like it!

Seriously though, I find that the dash our model may or may not matter on the gun. S&W has made great guns throughout it's history and that dash may be a clue pointing to greatness, or just the opposite.

I will say that the N on an N-frame's serial number is usually an indication that I will dislike the gun. S range forever!

 

[robin990]

I had a Model 19-5.....some say they are lesser guns.....not even close , its finish was perfect and it was incredibly accurate.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I scarcely look at the dash numbers when I add a gun to my S&W collection. If it's a model I don't have and I want I'm done. If there is some reason it seems to be too expensive then I might investigate the dash but, otherwise, neither dashes, stocks, nor boxes matter all that much to me. I just collect the guns for the sake of the guns. Maybe I'm weird, I dunno, maybe I should modify my approach. We'll see.....

***GRJ***

 

[jtcarm]

I am not a P&R snob though...I don't see the utility in a recessed cylinder for other than a rimfire. But I shoot, I don't collect.

Kinda hard to be a P&R snob in this forum (post-1980.). Especially if you're a 686 fan

I couldn't care less about P&R, either.

Human nature being what it is, the negatives are what get the publicity. People don't remember and repeat changes that were improvements, e.g., were I to go shopping for a 629, I'd want a later dash, one that has the endurance package or whatever they call it.

Now I wouldn't call anyone a snob, it's just what they like.

 

[ibewbull]

I like them all dash or no dash.
I do prefer the firing pin on the hammer. Don't know where this change happened.
I like the old bluing too.
My other issue is the recent barrel shroud. If I want one with a shroud I will get a Dan Wesson and be able to swap barrels.
Just me I guess.

 

[at_liberty]

Now I wouldn't call anyone a snob, it's just what they like.

I would say it is more what they avoid...more negative than positive.

 

[DFrame]

When I once opined that dash numbers were of little importance to the general public, several people questioned my heritage, intelligence, and sanitary habits. Yeah there ARE some snobs here.

 

[rock doc]

I wasn't a -dash snob, until I found out my 28-3 is more rare than a 28-2. Doesn't make it any more collectable, though. But then, I'm not a collector, just a shooter.

 

[pharmer]

I am, to a point. I prefer the "no lock" revolvers.

I'm going with this. Joe

 

[k22fan]

When I once opined that dash numbers were of little importance to the general public, several people questioned my heritage, intelligence, and sanitary habits. Yeah there ARE some snobs here.

I know your class mates tease you, but ignore the diapers mama didn't change again, work hard and you'll graduate kindergarten this time. Where did your mama grow up ignorant of dash numbers anyway?

 

[bananaman]

I have more no dashes than anything, the rest are dash 3's. No planning to do this. It just worked out that way. Bob

 

[shouldazagged]

Nicest revolver I ever owned was a pinned 15-3. My present house gun is a 10-5. My every day carry gun for sixteen years has been a dashless J-frame of the Centennial persuasion. I really don't care about the dash numbers. I need a gun for a specific purpose. I find one I like, that fits me well, that appeals to me aesthetically, that is a well-thought-of model with a history of doing good work, and that is in good mechanical condition, and I buy and use it. I won't worry much about which iteration of the model it is, if it suits me.

That and very limited retirement income is why I own only two handguns today.

Clearly I wasn't raised right, but I come from a long line of hillbilly bachelors.

 

[rwsmith]

To some extent....

It is my understanding that most of the engineering revisions were cost saving on the part of S&W and it did not necessarily mean these changes made the gun better. That said, I try to do my research on the revisions when buying. Of course condition of the gun is top priority. But I do like some no dash models as well as a -3 or -4 occasionally. I do my no means consider myself and expert on these guns. Just my opinion.

To some extent dash numbers were improvements and bug fixes but we are seeing more changes just to cut the cost of production. Eliminating moon clip recesses? Cost saving. The elimination of the 'M' modification needed in the 586/686 line? Improvement. I'd venture to say that the older models had more chance of being improvements over cost saving, which is now a high priority.

 

[Bill Douglas]

Hello Rock Doc. I'm a member of the LOL exclusive club called 28-3 too. Yep, not many of us.

 

[Arik]

Nope! I like them all. I'm a price snob

 

[Engine49guy]

IMO placing a higher value on an older version that is more collectable and rare does not make one a S&W "Snob" any more than
placing a higher value on a 50's or 60's Corvette over an 80's version makes one a car "Snob" .
Newer versions share the same name but are made using very different manufacturing methods with almost no interchangeable parts.