Heritage Series Smiths

[fleabus101]

I'd like to ask a few questions on the Heritage
Series.
Are the frames Ive seen actually new produced 5 screw frames N and K series types?
Are the parts the earlier case colored non-mim
parts?
Are they produced w/o the internal lock?
What are you that have them impressions on them
action wise and shooting wise?
Are the blued finishes and C/C Finishes ok durability
wise like previous blue finishes..
Sorry on questions ..just havent seen them up close
and no experiences with them yet..
Thanks for any input to help me get info on them..
Best Randy..

 

[colt_saa]

The Heritage series was produced in the 2001-2003(4) time frame. These were a Lew Horton exclusive offering

None of the Heritage series frames are 5 screw, The Heritage frames added a 4th screw at the top of the sideplate. This fourth screw has carried forward for more than a decade now on many revolvers that have been produced after the Heritage series completed production

All of the Heritage series are round butt. I would have liked to see some of the N-frames as a square butt however it was not to be. The nice thing is that now after Saf-T-Hammer purchased Smith & Wesson we have seen many square butt offerings return to the lineup

Heritage revolvers have no locks because they were conceived of, designed and production was begun before Smith & Wesson was purchased by Saf-T-Hammer in mid 2001.

The Heritage series are fantastic shooting revolvers. They incorporate modern metallurgical and manufacturing advancements with a nostalgic old world charm. All of the Heritage series were Performance Center offerings and shoot like Performance Center revolvers

The hammers and triggers on the Heritage series are forged. The triggers also have the usual Performance Center over travel stop

I tend to change the grips on any of the Heritage series that I shoot. The supplied grips are attractive but too small for my hands.

The finishes offered on the Heritage series were a medium/high luster blue, an extremely well done nickle and a spectacular looking color case hardening that was done by Doug Turnbull for Smith & Wesson

Only a few of the Heritage series were offered in nickel which is a shame since this is some of the nicest nickel I have seen from the Factory in a long time.

Fortunately many of the Classic series were originally offered in nickel as well. Today almost nothing is offered in nickel

The blue is not the blue of the olden days, we can thank the EPA for that. It is an attractive blue, but will develop a turn line quicker than a wheelgun 20 or 30 years older

I do like the Color Case Hardened frames that Turnbull produced. After the Heritage series other CCH frames were offered by hey were not done by Turnbull. All of the Turnbull frames are stamped with his logo on the grip frame

I recall seeing some Model 36s and Model 40s that were color case hardened by someone other than Doug Turnbull, I heard the finish was very thin on these and they did not stand up well

 

[StrawHat]

I'd like to ask a few questions on the Heritage…
Best Randy..

The Heritage series was produced in the 2001-2003(4) time frame

​

Randy,

Thank you for asking, this is a series of offerings about which I knew little.

colt_saa,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of these revolvers. I come here to learn. Today, I have learned.

Kevin​

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Thanks for the nice write up Colt SAA.

I picked up a Heritage Model 24 sometime back. I've never shot it and it resides as a safe queen along with a couple other unfired and collectable S&Ws.

 

[zeke]

Thanks for the nice write up Colt SAA.

I picked up a Heritage Model 24 sometime back. I've never shot it and it resides as a safe queen along with a couple other unfired and collectable S&Ws.

One the 24-5's owned is extremely accurate, while the other one is a safe queen. Can respect keeping it un-fired, but you may be missing out.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

One the 24-5's owned is extremely accurate, while the other one is a safe queen. Can respect keeping it un-fired, but you may be missing out.

Zeke,

I agree. As a result, I bought a used 624 to shoot. I've had to buy a second revolver a couple of times when I didn't want to shoot the unfired model. Something wrong there, but I'm OK with that. I often end up with a collectable and shooter of the same model.

 

[colt_saa]

I've had to buy a second revolver a couple of times when I didn't want to shoot the unfired model. Something wrong there, but I'm OK with that. I often end up with a collectable and shooter of the same model.

My Father used to call this one to show and one to go

I can not tell you how many times that philosophy has drained my bank account

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

OMG. LORD FORGIVE ME.
THOU SHALL NOT COVET. I AM A SINNER.

 

[SS336]

My,my those color case hardened models are beautiful. The front sights look a little dangerous.
Everyone I have seen is a little out of my price range, but it sure is hard not to not covet them. They are just beautiful.

 

[fleabus101]

Hello Colt SAA
Thank you very much for your well written answers on my questions !!
I'm late on my interest in this line of Smiths.
They appear ti be ..and from your experience..
nicely made Smiths..a welcome throwback to Smiths of yesteryears.
I'll have to contemplate these w my solid conservative mindset on new fangled (as in 2001-04)
buying Smiths ..as I can afford the occassional ones nowadays..
Thanks Again for your info and help !!
Best Randy..

 

[boykinlp]

I remember almost buying a color case hardened Model 17 variant. Wish I had now......it was beautiful! The only reason I didn't buy was because of the round butt.
Larry

 

[SmithNut]

I remember almost buying a color case hardened Model 17 variant. Wish I had now......it was beautiful! The only reason I didn't buy was because of the round butt.
Larry

Should have bought it.....

Not trying to rub it in, but just reminding what the M17 Case Hardened guns look like. I never shot mine, but I did shoot the blue version of the Heritage M17,
it was a fantastic shooter, as accurate (maybe more) than any other K22 I owned over the years.

Here's the blue one....

Enjoy

 

[boykinlp]

Should have bought it.....

Not trying to rub it in, but just reminding what the M17 Case Hardened guns look like. I never shot mine, but I did shoot the blue version of the Heritage M17,
it was a fantastic shooter, as accurate (maybe more) than any other K22 I owned over the years.

Enjoy

Oh my goodness, that case coloring is unbelievable! You are definitely right, I should have bought it back then! I remember looking at them again a few years later, and the price had skyrocketed.
Larry

 

[StrawHat]

For what cartridges were the two series chambered?

I see the 22 Long Rifle and a 38 S&W Special. We’re there others?

Kevin

 

[Ruger 13]

I picked one in 45 Colt ANIB, paperwork, fired cartridge. 1 of 300 produced in blue finish. Traded it for a Blued Colt Gold Cup and it’s brother in stainless! I’d have kept it if would have had a square grip frame. That small RB grip frame just doesn’t look good on an N frame!

 

[Doc in Pa]

I know they we chambered in 44 magnum. I have a blued Heritage.

 

[ThinManX]

I have a blue Model 29 Heritage. The action is excellent and the bluing very nice. It came with beautiful stocks as well.

Note that the Heritage series are not based off of any specific older gun but only incorporate some vintage elements.

Note also that none have a barrel rib and all are round butt and are therefore lighter than the comparable regular model numbered equivalent. Lighter can be better or worse depending on your perspective although the trend in S&W revolver development was to heavier barrels with ribs, which proved to be more popular.

 

[colt_saa]

For what cartridges were the two series chambered?

I see the 22 Long Rifle and a 38 S&W Special. We’re there others?

Kevin

The Heritage series were offered in
22 LR
38 Special
44 Special
44 Magnum
45 ACP
45 Long Colt

 

[Bullet Bob]

I'm surprised, and pleased, to see the interest in these. When they first came out I bought a model 24 at full retail, some of the best money I've ever spent on a firearm. Interest among folks here at the time was fairly low, with a lot of complaints about the frame being case hardened, among other things. Then they started popping up at sharply reduced prices over the next couple of years; I bought two of the model 15's new for less than the retail price of a used 'regular' model 15 at the time, and a 1917. By the way, the McGivern model 15 didn't have a rib, but the 4" non-McGivern (?) does. These have potential to be collectors' items in the future I think, given low production, no lock, etc. But I'm not smart or industrious enough to be a collector, I'm just a guy who likes guns. As you can tell from the picures, I'm no photographer either.

These all wear grips from the late Roy Fishpaw, and have holsters from El Paso Saddlery.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I always feel so inadequate whenever I post after colt saa, but here goes anyway...

The one in the foreground is a nickel 15-9 McGivern tribute Heritage series. The one on the right is a 24-5 color case hardened Heritage series. The early 24-5's were shipped in PC aluminum cases. The later ones in the gold Heritage Series boxes. This one is #25 of 150 produced. Which leaves us with the orphan on the left. Technically not a Heritage Series but made for Sports South it is a model 25-10 in .45C. The SCSW likens it to a modern triple-lock. They originally came in a PC aluminum case with a document signed by the head of the PC (missing that). They came with Altamont target stocks, which at this stage in it's life I upgraded (?) to Altamont Ropers - just thought it more appropriate. Since then I have upgraded the stocks yet again with a nice set of Curt Harlow's Roper pattern target stocks in Myrtlewood...

Adios,

Pizza Bob