Current production Classics blueing and grip quality?

[6pack]

How have you found the fit / finish/ and overall quality of the current production "Classics" line?


I haven't really taken time to peruse many of these yet...no real reason...just had other guns I was after.

Not much of a supply to look at around here, though. Internet is main source of info short of a road trip to larger gun shops.

Wondering how you've found the blueing and grip quality.

The main gun I'm considering is the current model 29 6.5". I'm not a collector...just looking for one to enjoy at the range and hunting. Guess I've always wanted one since the Dirty Harry era.

 

[BUFF]

I haven't bought one, but I have eyeballed more than a few Classics in the local gunshops.

Generally, the finishes have looked pretty good. Not the same shade of blue as way back when but not a lot different from the 1990's blue.

The nickel guns have been particularly nice. Nickel seems to highlight any flaws in the metal polishing underneath, and it looks like S&W has taken extra care with these.

The grips are something else. While they look better than some of the wood grips on S&W's from the last few years, they still are pretty poor work compared to the stocks S&W used to make in their own 'carpentry shop' in the factory back before the 1990's. (S&W buys their stocks and grips now.)

Folks tell me that they are generally good shooters.

 

[srgvaz]

I got an older LNIB 29-10 a few month ago. An old friend went and got himself a NIB 29-(new) last week and from what I can tell you they are worth the money. The bluing is top notch although not the same as the old stuff but still top notch. The grips are too small for my hands but nice either way, the old wood off of my 28-2 give it a better grip and feel. But believe me if you're going to the range to shoot a few cylinder throw some Pachmayers on it unless you want to throw on a sports coat and make your day @ the range.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I have the classic's in the model 25, 24 and 40, and the model's 21, 22 and a 586 plus. The blued one's all look pretty good and the nickeled 24 finish was a bit spotty here and there (looked good under floresent light). The grip's on all of these except for the M-40 are trash. They all are terrific shooter's. Smith and Wesson really need's to reopen it's woodshop!

 

[los]

I have a Classic Model 40 (40-1, actually) in nickle. The mirrored nickle finish is beautifully done and the grips are checkered and fitted to perfection.

 

[Butchbird]

I have a 58, 29, and two 21's -- two nickle and two blue -- They are good looking and all of them shoot well -- I hate the lock -- Grips change easily to suit you -- I have 15 S&W's -- truth is they all work just fine -- go ahead and buy one if it suits you

 

[Sixgun Southpaw]

My only complaint with mine was the grips stuck out from the frame where the web of your hand is. One cylinder of magnums and you had some skin missing. Replaced them and the problem was solved.

 

[bk43]

I have three classics and the finish on the frames and stocks is outstanding. I don't think there's any better on another production gun today. True, not the old dry carbona and high polish of the 50's or wood as turned out by the factory stock department of old but still darn nice stuff IMHO.

Sometimes you have to just suck it up and accept "progress" or the hand you are dealt. Guess it's part of that gettin' old deal.

Bob

 

[Pook]

My Two Cents

I have had a few of the Classics. The best one, which I still have, is a nickel M21; it is beautifully made, fit, and finished. If it were not for the IL and MIM, it could easily take its place next to its historical predecessor. I put on a set of fake pearls that I had, and it now fits my hand just right. Smith really did get this M21 right in every way.

The worst Classic I had was a M22. The only good things about it were that the cylinder rotated and the trigger released the hammer; everything else was a POS. Someone got too ambitious with the polishing wheel and ground a big dip in the barrel, which didn't matter because the bluing was spotted and dull; the forcing cone was burred and cut crooked; the grips didn't fit; the bore was dull and fouled, and nothing would brighten it up; and the cylinder release button had so much slop that it could almost be turned 90 degrees. (I bought this thing on special order and did not have an opportunity to inspect.)

I guess the classics are like any other production item: quality is the luck of the draw, which is really unacceptable for something that is supposed to, with a few modern manufacturing exceptions, mirror the glory guns of Smith's past. This is especially so when one considers that in many instances the Classics' prices are equal to or greater than the originals.

Just my two cents

 

[kennethg]

I got a 40-1 in blue when they first came out. It is a beauty and it doesn't have the IL.

 

[6pack]

Please feel free to post up pics of your new model Classics.

My desire for a Model 29 is huge. I want a shooter, though. It will get range time and hunting use.


Kennethg, I've looked at those nickel model 40 .38s. Very attractive gun. I would love to get one as a gift for my wife. The current rebate makes the deal even more attractive, too.


As always, thanks for all your advice, insight and opininions. This is one outstanding forum.

 

[campfire]

I am the proud owner of the model 27-9 with the nickel coating.
The fit and finish of the gun and grips is excellent and after shooting a couple of thousand range loads I have no complaints.
In the next week or so it will be going to the local gunsmith for a bit of a trigger job but I could certainly live with it just the way it is.
If you like the look of the model 29 I say go ahead and get one, you won't be sorry.
Campfire

 

[stantheman86]

IMO just get an older "original". The Classics are just modern produced, CNC manufactured repros of guns that used to be hand fitted.I have a 1950's vintage K-22, and was looking for a new S&W .22 LR revolver to take over as my plinker, since I didn't want to put any more handling wear on my gorgeous K-22........in short, a nice condition, vintage K-22 or M17 will run you $4-700 depending on condition, where S&W asks $800 or more for the so-called "Classic Model 17" and it is nowhere near in the same league for action, looks, anything. Why buy a NIB Classic when you can get the genuine article for less? You can find Model 28's in great shape for $500, but S&W charges almost $1,000 for the repro of the M27, which is also nowhere in the same class as the original Registered Magnum.

I settled on a 617 and couldn't be happier with it, but I have no use for these "Classics". S&W has some great guns in the regular "modern" catalog, IMO the Classics are just modern S&W's that just cosmetically look like the older guns. They are kind of making reproductions of their own guns.

The grips are made by the commercial grip and stock maker Altamont. S&W just buys them from this company and slaps 'em on the guns. The grips are just cheap pressed laminate, they look OK but it seems S&W just wanted to put some cheap wood on the "Classic" guns because they couldn't put rubber Hogues on them, and leave it to the owner to switch them out.

 

[6pack]

I am the proud owner of the model 27-9 with the nickel coating.
The fit and finish of the gun and grips is excellent and after shooting a couple of thousand range loads I have no complaints.
In the next week or so it will be going to the local gunsmith for a bit of a trigger job but I could certainly live with it just the way it is.
If you like the look of the model 29 I say go ahead and get one, you won't be sorry.
Campfire

Very nice looking gun. That nickel is brilliant. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Dave T]

If you want a 29 take a look at the various auction sites. There are dozens of real 29s and 629s for sale on all of them. No locks, no MIM parts and in many cases priced lower than the current offerings from the factory.

Dave

 

[Hammerdown77]

Don't the older (pre-endurance) Model 29s have the "fragility" issues with shooting full bore .44 magnum loads? I'd like an older Model 29, but I don't want to have to worry about it shooting loose with full powered ammo and having it rebuilt. To me, that would be the one advantage of getting the modern version.

 

[6pack]

Don't the older (pre-endurance) Model 29s have the "fragility" issues with shooting full bore .44 magnum loads? I'd like an older Model 29, but I don't want to have to worry about it shooting loose with full powered ammo and having it rebuilt. To me, that would be the one advantage of getting the modern version.

Glad you brought this point up. I'm interested in this as well.

 

[kennethg]

6pack,

I think your wife would be very pleased with a nickel model 40-1 as a gift.

 

[rere]

Are the new stocks actually made of wood? I thought I read that they're made of some kind of composite.

 

[los]

...6pack, I think your wife would be very pleased with a nickel model 40-1 as a gift.

Great idea..!

6pack, here's a few photos of my Model 40 that you can show her. One with factory stocks and one with Sambar Stags...