Been Bitten By the Bug- Where Do I Start?

Ray1970

Ray1970

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Will try not to make this post too lengthy.... Long story short, I am approaching 40 years old and have been through my semi-auto firearms phase, my competitive shooting phase, my polymer phase, my black rifle phase, and about every other firearms phase there is to go through.... now, I am entering my "collecting phase".... I have developed a recent appreciation for finely crafted revolvers and think I would like to start amassing a collection of Smith & Wesson revolvers.... I don't necessarily want to jump right into the deep end though and shell out major money for a very rare piece (not just yet anyway)... I guess my question is which model/caliber/barrel length/finish etc. should I be looking for for my first nice piece?

Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions in advance!

Ray
 
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That depends on your interests and your wallet.
It is a very vast area of collecting. Some people only like classic N-frames. A good one to start on is the M27 or M28. Certain ones can be had for about $500, others, especially some M27s for multiple times that. J-frames are not too expensive usually. A good M36 can be found everywhere for around $350.
Then there's the K-frames. Almost every collector has a M10. There were millions made and you ought to be able to find them all day for under $400. K-22s are highly collectible, and readily available, although their prices are going up.
You need to find your area of interest, study, and then shop around. It is totally addictive, so just give in to it. Hang around here and you'll learn a lot.
 
Here's my recommendation. Get yourself a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, Third Edition (if you don't already have one). Kick back and peruse at length, look at all the great pics and see what ones get your interest up. Some folks specialize collecting a certain type... some of us just jump around and pick up what calls out to us at the time.
 
I agree with the previous post. Just look around, see what you want and why you want it. Each of the ones I have has a meaning, use/purpose or some sentimental value of some kind. I have 8 Smiths, all but 1 are shooters. They are all in good-excellent shape too. Some I bought new, some used. The one which isn't shot is a model 15 which is like brand spankin' new. Waiting for my boys to get older and we will break it in together.
 
I respectfully suggest you buy the Smith book first mentioned above.

Then spend a LOT of time surfing this forum and educating yourself on the various models, makes, variations, and types of true "collectible" Smith and Wessons. This forum has, literally, a vast library of pictures, discussions, and information on all Smith and Wesson revolvers.

If you want to start low on price I suggest learn the K-Frame .38 Special, .32/20, and .32 Long models. Especially those made from 1899 to about 1955. The era of 1915 to 1940 in these K-Frames can still be found in very good condition for prices under $500.00.

Good luck and welcome to the world of real handguns. Those semi-auto things are just a passing fad.
 
I completely agree with the other posts. Get the Standard Catalog and read every post on the forum and you will get educated really quickly. What I have done is made a mental list of a few of the top models that I would like to have and then I hit the pawn shops, gun shows and classified forums until one pops up at the right price. I rarely only have one certain model in mind. When I find a gun on my list, I replace it with another want. No one on the forum can tell you what gun you need to be looking for. Everyone finds their own little niche whether it be a certain frame size that you collect, a certain caliber, a certain barrel length, or a ceratin model in all variations.
 
My experience is very much like yours (semi-autos, black rifles) and i am a very recent (about 4 months) S&W revolver convert. I started with a Model 19-6, 2.5 inch combat magnum that I traded an ACOG for. I would say start with a Model 28. They are not that hard to find in excellent shape and price. Since starting I have added a Model 28-2 and a Model 29-2. This weekend I am picking up a Model 36. I am on the lookout for a Model 10 and 27. I have to tell you, these guns have a quality of years gone by, and this S&W bug bites hard! Welcome to the forum.
 
Sounds like you would be shooting and not just collecting. As much as I like and admire N frames, they're just too big for me. I've only got one, all the rest are K-frames. They fit me better. Be sure to take shooting into consideration.
 
I am a K Frame for .357 fan and I like the J Frame .38, I have a very small collection, but I started w/ a .32, .38, & .357. A Model 29 44 Mag is next on my to acquire list. It is easy to get caught up in the S&W craze, but hey they are works of art and shoot pretty good too!!!!!:rolleyes:RH
 
GyMac said:
Sounds like you would be shooting and not just collecting. As much as I like and admire N frames, they're just too big for me. I've only got one, all the rest are K-frames. They fit me better. Be sure to take shooting into consideration.
Click to expand...

You are correct... the likely-hood of me shooting my "collectors" pieces is pretty good.... after all, just about every firearm was designed, built, and sold to be shot...

Thank you to everyone who has given me their thoughts and opinions! I think I will obviously be doing quite a bit more research before I purchase. I think a couple of pieces on my short want list are a model 19 (my dad has one) and maybe a model 64. If S&W ever made something in 45 ACP with a three inch barrel that would end up on my short list of wanted items as well.

Once again.... thanks!

Ray
 
Ray1970 said:
You are correct... the likely-hood of me shooting my "collectors" pieces is pretty good.... after all, just about every firearm was designed, built, and sold to be shot...

Thank you to everyone who has given me their thoughts and opinions! I think I will obviously be doing quite a bit more research before I purchase. I think a couple of pieces on my short want list are a model 19 (my dad has one) and maybe a model 64. If S&W ever made something in 45 ACP with a three inch barrel that would end up on my short list of wanted items as well.

Once again.... thanks!

Ray
Click to expand...

Model 625 3inch. It is an 'N' frame, 45 acp, stainless matte finish and a great place to start. Not really a collector piece at this time, but a wonderful shooter, handler, and you obviously like them. They are around, but currently 3inch revolvers in all frame sizes are desireable, so you may have to pay a little more to acquire one. I have one as do others who will undoubtedly respond here.

The more you read, listen, view this forum, the more likely you are to find your nitch (like the short barrel N's you mentioned). Good luck.
 
I`m just glad to hear that you will be shooting them. Each gun that you collect is a choice that you might have to live with for sometime. They are like an investment of your hard earned money. So buy what you like to look at everyday.
 
The K frames are a good place to start. There are a lot of interesting K frames out there for reasonable prices and they are fun and economical to shoot.
 
Ask around at your local gunshop or shooting club. One of us is there, and willing to let you "try on" a couple of models. I am a K frame junkie because an Arkansas Sheriff gave me one when I was 14, shocked that the only pistol I could produce when asked was a Ruger 22. You start with what you like...then one day you look up to find a box of vintage S&W ammo and a pair of S&W handcuffs on your bench....
 
.22's ,22's and .22's Go for the models 17,18 K22 and the 48&51in .22 Mag and the 34's and 35's The few P&R .22's being offered are going away real fast to be kept for a REAL long time in collections. Reason? COST OF AMMO!!! and it's not going to get any better. Fun and cheap to shoot and by far the easiest cal. to sell or trade

Ischia
 
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