Bring Back the Nickel Finish
- Thread starter BigBill
- Start date
Sorry but I really don't see S&W offering anything like the old high quality classics again. It's just the wave of the future, and S&W and other companies won't be worried about pandering to the traditional revolver shooters who are going to be getting up there in years. Instead, they will want to make guns for the ever exploding "tactical" crowd, the "mall ninjas" and "arm chair commandos" need new products each year and won't stop buying because it doesn't matter what it is... make it NEW and in FLAT BLACK (um excuse me I mean "covert tactical matte finish") and you can bet they will be lining up around the block to buy it. The more gadgets you throw on it or the more video games it appears in the better.
If anything, in 10 years S&W will have a bunch of polymer or carbon fiber framed revolvers stamped out on 3D printers with "pic" rails and "tac lights" etc. attached everywhere that hold 12 rounds of .600 magnum and only weigh 5 oz. They will also probably be made in China or otherwise overseas, to maximize profit.
My advice for anyone wanting an old style S&W, get one NOW.
They will never be made again.
If anything, in 10 years S&W will have a bunch of polymer or carbon fiber framed revolvers stamped out on 3D printers with "pic" rails and "tac lights" etc. attached everywhere that hold 12 rounds of .600 magnum and only weigh 5 oz. They will also probably be made in China or otherwise overseas, to maximize profit.
My advice for anyone wanting an old style S&W, get one NOW.
They will never be made again.
Last edited:
BigChief52
Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 155
- Reaction score
- 163
Up there in years? Wait a minute. I'm already three steps ahead of the engineers at S&W. If you are going to start incorporating external accessories directly into the design, why stop at trigger locks? You are correct, the prehistoric forged steel frame should be dumped. Instead, a modern polymer frame could be incorporated directly into the carrying case. A touch screen fingerprint sensor would control the opening of access ports. An internal processor could count the number of rounds fired and initiate an automated cleaning process without any consumer input. Much like an inkjet printer. An important safety feature!
There you go. Firearm, case, locks and cleaning kit all in one integrated unit. Who's old fashioned?
There you go. Firearm, case, locks and cleaning kit all in one integrated unit. Who's old fashioned?
Harrydale
Member
I would guess that the reason nickel finish is no longer prevalent is the cost of labor but even more so the environmental cost. Nickel requires very caustic chemicals to create which are not only hazardous to employees during the process but the by product of a nickel finish must be dealt with on an environmental basis at well. You just can't flush that stuff down the drain anymore. It has to processed and disposed of under some very stringent and costly rules. Not only that, as a company, you have the constant threat of costly lawsuits if an employee injured working with chemicals or you somehow knowingly or unknowingly break an environmental law.
That being said I agree completely with most of you on here, nickel is the absolute most beautiful finish on a gun followed very closely by a quality mirror like blue. I can live with polished stainless steel and SS is probably relatively cheap to manufacture compared to a finish of nickel or blue. Me personally I don't like the flat stainless that they have now at all. I don't care if I ever own one of those guns.
That being said I agree completely with most of you on here, nickel is the absolute most beautiful finish on a gun followed very closely by a quality mirror like blue. I can live with polished stainless steel and SS is probably relatively cheap to manufacture compared to a finish of nickel or blue. Me personally I don't like the flat stainless that they have now at all. I don't care if I ever own one of those guns.
Simmer down
Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2010
- Messages
- 358
- Reaction score
- 140
When I scan the gun show tables I can only see the nickel. Nickel and stag. Sometimes stag and nickel. I'm not a showy person but I like me some nickel.
Nickel finish is freaking awesome all the way back to the 1800's it's well rooted in the history of S&W. Discontinuing the nickel finish is ending part of there history. It's like removing the s&w logo on the side of there revolvers you just don't do that.
It's like taking Santa's sled away and making him walk. Just an example it ain't gonna happen.
It's like taking Santa's sled away and making him walk. Just an example it ain't gonna happen.
Last edited:
BigChief52
Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 155
- Reaction score
- 163
We can still use nickel plating and meet modern American workplace and environment standards. I don't think anybody here objects to paying the costs associated with American wages and standards. The problem here is the disconnect between the corporate bureaucracy and the loyal customer base. The customers for these DA revolvers value tradition and classic designs. You can see this by the prices in the used market. Modern semi autos are the place for innovation. Messing with the classic S&W revolvers is like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.
My 1st pistol was a Model 27 5" Nickel. Also carried by NC Highway Patrol
Similar threads
