Buy new N frame or used?

[Frank46]

"N" frames??. OK look for one of the lew horton 24-3 with 3" bbl, or even a 24-4 with 4" bbl these are blued finish. 624 44 special I believe that these came with 3"4" and 6.5" all in stainless steel. Factory winchester 44 specials fired in these revolvers is almost like firing a 22 as far as recoil goes. First time I shot my 624 with the 6.5" bbl I had a big smile on my face. If you don't reload and you should, you'll find a wealth of information here and in loading books that goes from mild to wild. Both cast bullets and jacketed bullets as well. Frank

 

[leadlobber]

From the standpoint of the feeling and appearance of quality, I personally feel like the older pre- numbers guns up to the last of the pinned and recessed are overall much better fitted than many of the brand new, CNC'd N-frames.

Work the hammer and trigger and feel the cylinder lockup on an old N frame that is in good shape, now pickup a new one and cock the hammer and feel the cylinder.....

I love my x-frame 500, but I would pay $150 more to have an action like my 28-2. My x-frame goes clunk when I cock it. My 28-2 goes click, snick like a fine watch.

Smith and Wesson, just like all other firearm manufacturers went to cnc and less hand fitting of parts. When You consider that the older employees were master gunsmiths compared to today's robot-watching assemblers, You might imagine the difference.

My vote, hands down, old N frame over new.

 

[chief38]

Being that you owned one of the "good ones" (older model) and you know what it SHOULD BE, I would definitely get a used one. Not to beat a dead horse over it again, but I for one just will NEVER accept the internal lock. Not withstanding the lock, the new Smiths are nothing like the old ones in terms of quality. I just had the opportunity to handle and shoot a new M617 & M686 and IMHO they were pathetic (fit & finish, trigger pulls, smoothness, & looks) in comparison to the older versions.

Chief38

 

[steamloco76]

I still wholeheartedly disagree with everyone who patently disregard every Smith & Wesson manufactured since the "MIM/IL" era. Some of the newer guns are superb examples of the gun making art. Certainly the older guns are finished to a cosmetic level unobtainable today. Time and technology have marched on. I own a few beautiful 1960's and 70's examples of the N frame art. Also in the safe are several 1990's- 2000's N frames with the MIM/IL. In accuracy, mechanical fit and trigger precision, the newer guns hold their own and have become constant range toys!

The 21-4 and 22-4 Thunder Ranch Revolvers shown here both have factory single action triggers which break at 3.2 lbs and have DA pulls of 10lbs. The only factory triggers better than those two are my 1975 27-2 @ 2.75 lbs SA and my 1989 617 @ 2.85 lbs SA.

I purchased both used for way, way less than new!

 

[Jack Flash]

If S&W ever produces the M21 in .45 Colt with a 5" barrel, I may just have to order one. MIM, IL, and all.

 

[Joe in SC]

That's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. S&W is a mere shadow of what it once was. Quality control is non-existant and your chances of getting a gun that has to be returned for re-build are very good.

Go for the older gun and pay a little more if you have to, to get the condition you want. You'll be miles ahead.