"Classic" smiths
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Great guns. Ignore the lock and enjoy!
They're great guns.
Ignore the lock and don't listen to the MIM misinformation,
and you'll have a new modern classic just as good as the originals.
I have a M27, M25 and two M29's.
The M25 and one of the M29's had to go back because of canted barrels,
but now they shoot straight.
Other than that problem, they're just as reliable and dependable as the originals.
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They are very good revolvers and they are very good shooters but if by classic you mean like the original they are not. They are not P&R and they have little if any collector value and will gradually go down in price after the purchase where the ones they replaced continue to rise in value.
The IL is just a side issue that may or may not bother a buyer.
Winchester caused a huge flap in 1964 when they dropped the mauser claw extractor from the model 70 rifle and they lost a lot of sales over it but the Model 70 carried on and was still successful. So when they introduced the new classic Model 70 rifle it had the claw extactor like the original and they didn't just do a marketing ploy to imply they had brought back the original. IF S&W wanted to recreate the original it should have been P&R and the MIM parts would have been OK but no they just put grips that closely looked like the original and called it the Classic.
The IL is just a side issue that may or may not bother a buyer.
Winchester caused a huge flap in 1964 when they dropped the mauser claw extractor from the model 70 rifle and they lost a lot of sales over it but the Model 70 carried on and was still successful. So when they introduced the new classic Model 70 rifle it had the claw extactor like the original and they didn't just do a marketing ploy to imply they had brought back the original. IF S&W wanted to recreate the original it should have been P&R and the MIM parts would have been OK but no they just put grips that closely looked like the original and called it the Classic.
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chicagoslim
Member
I like the IL on my M637, that I use for EDC. If I have to take the gun off to go in a post office, bank, bar, etc, I lock the gun, when I lock it in the car.
But, I have always thought that the IL was wrong, on a Classic model.
But, I have always thought that the IL was wrong, on a Classic model.
mkk41
US Veteran
Aside from the features already mentioned , I don't recall any 'vintage' S&W 1917s having fully case-colored frames.
But the sales dept adds 'classic' to bump up sales.
If there were 2 guns on the shelf at equal money, say a Model 29, one in VG-EXC condition made in 1960 and one of the new 'classics' , which would you buy?
But the sales dept adds 'classic' to bump up sales.
If there were 2 guns on the shelf at equal money, say a Model 29, one in VG-EXC condition made in 1960 and one of the new 'classics' , which would you buy?
I've looked at a couple of the "Classic" models and my problem with them is, I see no sense in paying more for a "classic" when the original is available for less money.
ok, my first post. My wife wanted a Classic 4in 29 in blue and just kept talking about it. She had shot my 629 classic 6.5in and said it felt muzzle heavy to her. she isn't recoil shy as she carries a compact 45 and shoots 45acp in IDPA. Being the oportunistic husband that I am I got her one for Christmas last year. I had owned a few 29-2 models in the early years before we were together so she had no way to compare. She loves it, keeps it on the bedstand and takes it with her on trips to the country. To me it just doesn't have the feel of the old ones and the grips are not like the old Goncalo Alves grips of the older ones. Still a good shooter though, she loves it and that really is all that matters. I prefer my 629 3in DLX for the every day stuff.
Dave in Edmonds
Member
I just bought 4-inch nickel model 29 from a friend that couldn't handle the recoil. It's a great shooter and generated several compliments from other shooters at the range last weekend.
FWIW, all the anti-lock comments on this forum are wearing thin.
FWIW, all the anti-lock comments on this forum are wearing thin.
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Only classic I own, 629-3. Joe
I prefer the originals rather than the "classic" current models.
They usually cost less, too.
They usually cost less, too.
Dave T
Member
Well, FWIW the (expletive deleted) locks and the change in the frame contours (ugly) is wearing thin too!
There's nothing "classic" about the new guns except the name.
Dave
Dave in Edmonds
Member
Then don't buy one. Bitching about it every time someone on the board mentions a gun that has one does no good.
Someone asked for opinions about the Classic line of revolvers.
When that line of revolvers has what many find to be a major shortcoming, that's going to be reflected in the opinions given.
Besides, when a large segment of forum members here (pretty much a Smith & Wesson fan club) won't buy most of their current product line, that should be a clue to Smith & Wesson. There remains hope that Smith & Wesson may pay attention and expand their offering of lock-free revolvers.
It seems odd to me that you've only been here a few months and at least 2 of your handful of posts have been critiques of what others post. Welcome to the forum -- I hope you'll share some of you knowledge and experience.
Revolver-time
Member
I have posted similiar messages in the past but I will say it again. I own a bakers dozen N frame Smiths. In that number there are two "Classics", a model 1917 and a model 27. The fit and finish are as good as the rest of Smiths in my collection and the trigger pull is the same. The targets do not know if they were hit by my 27-2 or my 27 Classic. The IL means nothing to me. My newer Rugers have ILs in the grip frame, my Taurus models have ILs on the slide or the hammer, my Springfield Arms 1911s have ILs in the mainspring housing. They all do what I expect them to do and that is to shoot.
Maximumbob54
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My favorite is pulling the current Model 10, replace the rubber grips with Altamont laminate wood, and call it a Classic. It's a great gun and the Altamonts do look decent, but I find nothing about it to be a Classic.
Just curious here, and I'm not close to being an S&W revolver expert, but I do really like them regardless of when they were made. If the guns that currently make up the "classic" line had remained in continuous production all these years instead of being dropped and then reintroduced, would the current incarnation of these guns be the natural evolution of design changes through the years? I think that answer would be yes. Based on that rationale, what would be the line of debarkation between the true classics of yesterday and the current production? Would it be in keeping with the way the forum currently separates revolvers based on production periods. (Which I like by the way) or would it be something else, the lock perhaps, a round butt in lieu of the traditional square butt? Is it the new finishes that were not used on the older models? Is a 586 made in 1981 a true classic and a 586 made in 2012 a "reproduction" and not a true 586 even though if it had remained in continuous production the resulting product would be the same?
Like I said, I'm just curious.
Like I said, I'm just curious.
For me, the line of demarcation would be around 2000 or 2001. The majority of the "innovations" that many of us despise, took place around this time.
I don't own or have any interest in S&W revolvers made after the year 2000.
I would refer to a 586 made in 1981 as a "586" or "586- X".
I view the so called "classic" 586 as more of a cheapened knock off of a previous design, rather than a "reproduction". A true reproduction should have all the characteristics of the original it is attempting to reproduce.
The so called "classic 586" may bear a resemblance to a 586, but being it does not share the frame lines, forged parts, original grips, roll marks and handfitting work of the original 586, it is not a true "reproduction" of the 586. Regards 18DAI
I don't own or have any interest in S&W revolvers made after the year 2000.
I would refer to a 586 made in 1981 as a "586" or "586- X".
I view the so called "classic" 586 as more of a cheapened knock off of a previous design, rather than a "reproduction". A true reproduction should have all the characteristics of the original it is attempting to reproduce.
The so called "classic 586" may bear a resemblance to a 586, but being it does not share the frame lines, forged parts, original grips, roll marks and handfitting work of the original 586, it is not a true "reproduction" of the 586. Regards 18DAI
olds442guy
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I have one of the new 29s and it's awesome. Super accurate and lots of fun. It looks great too. I didn't like the grips that came on it but that's just me. Things like the lock, MIM, and not P&R make the new guns different from the old ones. Good thing I don't care, because if I did I'd miss out on a lot of great new guns
Engine49guy
Member
Comparable in looks, very different in fit and finish.
If you want a revolver made during the high point of S&W manufacturing buy one made between 1947 and 1967.
If you want one that looks similar but has an IL, MIM parts with a lifetime warranty buy the new "classic".
Kinda like comparing a 1970 Hemi Challenger to a new retro Hemi Challenger SRT,
They cost about the same and look about the same and the new one was modeled after the original,
Otherwise completely different,
The new one is available from the dealer now, has modern manufacturing techniques and a warranty,
The original is a true collectable classic, harder to find but will appreciate sooner in value .
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eazyrhino
Member
I love my new classic 36. That being said I wish I still had my mod.36 that I bought new in 1983. Who'd have thought Smith & Wesson would have dropped one of the most iconic revolvers of all time? MHO
No they're not, they're repros Just like in old tools and classic cars, if you want an original you prolly oughta go get an original.
My most used set of dykes, needle nose, and electrical pliers are AF issue Bokers from the early '60s. My irreplaceable M19 and early M60...still carried...are from the same era.
Ain't sayin' new guns/tools/cars are bad. Just different. And gov't mandated safer.
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From a collector's viewpoint, the "Classics" make my originals look even better. They fill a niche for those who like the older models, but aren't collectors and are uncomfortable buying a used gun. They may even like the lock. To each his own, but IMHO, older is better.
I have no problem with the "new technology" used in the production of S&W revolvers in the past twelve to fifteen years. I have a number of CNC frame, MIM internals revolvers and they are very well made. That said I have purchased all but a couple of these newer guns USED. They show up on store shelves for $100 to $300 less than original price. The N frame "Classics" that I've accumulated are some of the most accurate S&W's I own, so the Springfield crew can still turn out quality firearms.
I keep hoping a used 'Classic' model 48 will show up in one of my local dealers cases, as the original 48's are getting really pricey and I want a gun to shoot.
I keep hoping a used 'Classic' model 48 will show up in one of my local dealers cases, as the original 48's are getting really pricey and I want a gun to shoot.
M3Stuart
Member
Just buy want you want and be happy with it.
If you focus attention on the manufacturing details, you'll get bummed out.
Try to picture yourself riding the range, six-gun on your belt, hunting zombies...
If you focus attention on the manufacturing details, you'll get bummed out.
Try to picture yourself riding the range, six-gun on your belt, hunting zombies...
I wonder if my Schofield 2000's are considered classics 
I like guns.
I like guns.
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IMHO the REAL CLASSICS are on Gunbroker. The stuff they are calling "Classics" are classics in name only. I suppose for the younger shooters on this Forum, they might not understand what the difference is, but I do believe that most of the older fella's here are very aware.
Just my .02 cents of course...........
Just my .02 cents of course...........
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