Lew Horton going away at end of the year.

[H Richard]

The attraction with Lew Horton was they had S&W make up configurations that the factory didn't sell. Shorter or odd barrel lengths, round butt, different sights, different grips, something that made them more desirable, and they ordered a minimum amount so that S&W would build them. With them gone the "special orders" may dry up.

 

[75Vette]

Would you happen to know Earl's last name?

Earl Minot.

 

[gman51]

I think many people have had the conclusion that LH or Lipsey or others actually remachined/improved the guns they branded as theirs. The guns were simply made to order specification guns made by the manufacturers.
I don't believe LH has enough buyers for specialty guns these days. LH pretty much had to depend on gun collector enthusiasts to buy their guns. I think even gun collectors are more into collecting old guns rather than new special order guns.
I agree the newcomers buying guns these days for protection just want a gun that can go bang to defend themselves with. They couldn't care less for a gun that will just sit in a drawer so it doesn't get scratched up to protect its collector value. That's for gun collectors.

If S&W or Ruger could sell enough of those special order guns then they would continue making them but they don't even have the sales to back up making more of them. Profit is in numbers and if the numbers aren't there then it's done for. I think LH is just the first to go and several others will be following suit.

 

[Sevens]

I agree that the Lew Horton Distributing Company came up with some interesting variations of Smith & Wesson revolvers. I have a few myself.

However, these same exact guns were also available through other distributors because Lew Horton could not sell all that they ordered.

Thinking that a gun distributed through Lew Horton is somehow more valuable than the exact same gun distributed by another vendor is ludicrous. That's like saying a Ford Mustang sold by one dealer is more valuable than one sold by another.

Again, to re-iterate, No, you are wrong, at least in many (not all) cases. Simply put, that's it. The fans of these exclusives aren't talking about "the exact same gun distributed by another dealer" as you said. We are quite specifically talking about dealer exclusives and they are not the same.

Show me a first series PC 845 Limited that isn't a Lew Horton Exclusive? Show me a 3566 Limited that isn't a Lew Horton exclusive? Show me a 952 no-dash that isn't a Bangers exclusive? Show me a Ruger Blackhawk 10mm/.38-40 or .32-20/.32 H&R Mag convertible that isn't a Buckeye Sports Supply exclusive?

We are talking about guns that don't exist if not for the urging, money, and sales network of the distributor.

For you guys who don't get, that's fine. Maybe one day you will get it, maybe you will never get it, whatever. But plenty of other folks understand it. How this offends you....?!

Let's try a different angle. Ever heard of a Yenko Camaro or a Yenko Nova?

 

[rbmac52]

Sevens

I should have made specific mention of the Models 24-3 and 624 Lew Horton guns, which were identical whether distributed by LH or not. That was the comparison I was trying to make. In those cases, the guns were identical no matter who distributed them.

Sounds like you are offended by my opinion. That is OK. I take no offense.

Just a question for you, if you were to opine as to the value of identical NIB Model 624 3-inch .44 Combat revolvers, how much more would a Lew Horton distributed gun be worth, over one from another distributor?

 

[Sevens]

I'd happily pay $350 for a Mint NIB 3-inch Model 624. And if it were a Lew Horton, I'd pay $375. PM me when you wish to sell.

But again, if you actually understand my post, you probably wouldn't have replied. The larger picture here is that an icon in American firearms history is closing it's doors at the end of 2019 and that's a sad situation in my eyes. If a couple of folks don't get it... no worries, add them to the pile of folks that don't "get" a lot.

 

[mackafoose]

Try and find this piece from a different distributor. Many others like it. Great guns that could only come from them.
Missed for sure