Most under appreciated Smith & Wesson model of the last 40 yrs?

[SLT223]

I was thinking about this a bit today. Ten years ago I would have given it to the Model 28. They were going for half the value of 27's and other N Frames at the time, and could be had with diamond target stocks...though not made in the 80's. Today I think my vote goes to the 620. I read on this forum that it had issues with the two-piece barrel breaking at the flange. In fact, there is a member here who suffered that failure and posted pics. S&W replaced the gun with 4" 686 since the 620 was out of production at the time of the failure.

Nevertheless, the 620 is an ejector shroud L frame (kind of rear), had flash chromed hammer and trigger, and a 7-shot cylinder. It balances much more nicely than the full lug 686, in my opinion. It is easily the most accurate revolver in my stable of at least 50 S&W revolvers, or at least I shoot best with it. I actually use it as a tool for developing .357 handloads. The lock work on the gun is at least as smooth as any of my old pre locks pieces, and smoother than most. I would grab this one in an emergency over the rest. I actually bought a new old stock 620 in case anything happens to the primary 620 I regularly use. It was easy to do since they would close at auction under $500 in the past few years.

I was led to the to 620 because I wanted a 686 MG, but could never justify the collector price tag for a shooter. I wanted a 4" 7 shooter that balanced better than the 686. I ended up with the 620. Actually two 620's and I'm still not at the price of the 686 MG. Still wouldn't mind the 686 MG though. The L-Frame 520 and 619 probably deserve a similar nod, but I don't own them.

Here's the 620 if you're not familiar with the model.






At any rate, I don't intend for this thread to be about 620's. Let me know what you think is the most underrated / underappreciated S&W model from the last 40 years. I'd be interested to see the forum's opinions.

 

[colt_saa]

I actually agree that the 620 should have been a hit with revolver shooters. By this point in time Smith & Wesson must have a few million revolvers out there using multi-piece barrels all running just fine.

I have half a dozen of those types of Smith & Wesson revolvers myself




I happen to think that the SIGMA is very under appreciated. So many complain about it's trigger. It was not designed as a target gun, it was an entry level priced duty gun.

And most of all, the 357SIGMA

Thanks to it's bottle neck design, the 357 SIG cartridge feeds very reliably. It also delivers great ballistics


Now one of the silliest things that Smith & Wesson did, was make a 40 caliber SIGMA out of Titanium. True the stainless counterpart weighs almost 50% more . . . . . I just do not think the MSRP would be in the reach of most potential SIGMA buyers

Fortunately, they only made one

 

[Peak53]

There are corners of this forum that would advance virtually every model produced in the last 40 years as being the best and least appreciated. My thoughts first fell to the 586/686 but those don't fall into the underappreciated column. I then thought of the many j-frames, but those have their aficionados. The big guns, N frames, also are worthy in the "best of" category, but only that. How many threads can you find on the virtues of the incomparable model 10? So, I go back to the model 14 in the pedestrian .38 special. I think the value of these guns in terms of aesthetics, function, and accuracy is often overlooked by those searching for sexier, a bigger bang, high capacity, conceal-ability, tactical-ability, stainless steel invulnerability, or ... something, are missing the essence of the target sighted, six inch barreled, blue steel, easy to shoot six shooter. I'll go back in my corner now.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=453152&stc=1&d=1590888096

 

[Babysitr]

Model 65, especially 65-2.....other than a 3". they're reasonably priced,all work no frills. accurate, magnum capable and handle great with target grips...and I like adj. sights.......

 

[Radny97]

I’d have to agree that it’s the model 14


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[Protocall_Design]

My vote is for the 646. It has the size (L frame), balance, 6 shots, moon clips for fast reloads, enough bullet weight to take down steel plates (180 - 200 gr.) short case length (40 S&W) for fast reloads, low recoil. It's like a 3/4 size 45 ACP 625. They didn't make nearly enough of them.

I couldn't find one that wasn't in the stratosphere pricewise, so I built 2 of them out of 686s, one 4" and one 6". Still less money than buying a 646 off GB. I have shot the 4" one for IDPA for a few years now, and really like it.

 

[22hipower]

I'm going to offer up the Governor as the most unappreciated S&W; at least by S&W fans who don't own one. I use to be at the front of that line thinking the Governor to be the dumbest, most unbalanced, essentially useless revolver that S&W ever built.

However, now that I own one I find it to be just the ticket for carrying around the ranch. The 410 #8s/#9s are vastly superior to 38/44/45 shot capsules carrying twice the number of pellets for snakes and other vermin. The 45ACP/45 Colt option is fine for finishing off a wounded larger animal and would be ok for defensive purposes too although not my first choice.

Jeff
SWCA

 

[biku324]

S&W 544 in 44-40. It should have been made in 4, 5, and 6 inch without the sesquicentennial markings as a regular offering.

 

[505Gibbs]

S&W 544 in 44-40. It should have been made in 4, 5, and 6 inch without the sesquicentennial markings as a regular offering.

Not a bad idea at all!

 

[colt_saa]

S&W 544 in 44-40. It should have been made in 4, 5, and 6 inch without the sesquicentennial markings as a regular offering.

The 544 was such a HUGE failure that it probably scared Smiht & Wesson away from that chambering

7800 revolvers were ordered by the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission. It sold very, Very poorly and the order stopped after only 4782 of the revolvers had been made

Funny thing is I then that the 544 Deluxe version is one of the nicest commemoratives to come out of the factory

Many of the standard models had 44 special/magnum cylinders fitted by their owners

 

[GaBoy45]

Most under appreciated Smith & Wesson model of the last 40 yrs?

I’m gonna say their 3rd Gen pistol offerings. Especially the 3913/3914/3953. They are svelte little pistols with a decent capacity and really flat. I still have the 3913 but wish I had kept the DAO version. It was reliable and the trigger was not bad at all.


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[two-bit cowboy]

The K and J-frame 9mm revolvers!

 

[Green Frog]

Through the last four decades, the Model 16-4 was the most under appreciated in its day (as were all of its K-32 predecessors in previous decades) as evidenced by their current demand. I’ve seen where they had to be marked way down when their production run ended, but try to buy one now!

Froggie

 

[Bastogne71]

Through the last four decades, the Model 16-4 was the most under appreciated in its day (as were all of its K-32 predecessors in previous decades) as evidenced by their current demand. I’ve seen where they had to be marked way down when their production run ended, but try to buy one now!

Froggie

I have to agree with what Froggie said about the model 16. But I have to give a close second place to its J frame companion, the model 631 in 32 magnum.

 

[pharmer]

2" Model 34. Not useful for much but it gives the feeling like a basket of kittens. Joe

 

[RWJ]

Through the last four decades, the Model 16-4 was the most under appreciated in its day (as were all of its K-32 predecessors in previous decades) as evidenced by their current demand. I’ve seen where they had to be marked way down when their production run ended, but try to buy one now!

Froggie

I was lucky enough to get a 4" 16-4 AND a 631 4" when they were trying to unload them, long before I ever thought about collecting. They were purchased to teach my sons both how to shoot and reload (figured it would be tough for them to overload a 32 S&W or 32 S&W long in a 32 Mag gun.

 

[Green Frog]

I was lucky enough to get a 4" 16-4 AND a 631 4" when they were trying to unload them, long before I ever thought about collecting. They were purchased to teach my sons both how to shoot and reload (figured it would be tough for them to overload a 32 S&W or 32 S&W long in a 32 Mag gun.

Do you need another son? I’m semi-independent and housebroken (well, almost.) I still haven’t been able to snag a 631.

 

[BAM-BAM]

"Last 40 years"......... the 3" 66.

Yes hard to believe but in the mid to late 80s when the 5500 three inch 66-2s through -4s were built..... Smith dealers couldn't give them away.

Mine -3s bought in 1988/89 had set on a distributors shelf for over a year (the original 5000 -2's (1985) were a special run for a single Distributor; Ashland ) .... even the gun shops didn't want them.
If it didn't have 15 rounds up its butt it was worthless. I ended up buying two for the princely sum of $270 each out the door with the actions polished by a master gunsmith.

Lethal Weapon and Die Hard........ the "Wonder Nine" ruled!!!!!!

I fell off the wagon myself later that year buying a Beretta 92F Compact (13+1) with 4.2 inch slide and walnut grips....... COOOooolest guy at the range!!!!

 

[GyMac]

I vote for the Model 12! Plenty appreciate the Model 10 (I certainly do), but what’s not to like about the same gun that weighs less? It would be especially great with a 2 inch barrel!

 

[wadcutter1]

I vote for the Model 12! Plenty appreciate the Model 10 (I certainly do), but what’s not to like about the same gun that weighs less? It would be especially great with a 2 inch barrel!

I agree completely. They have a bad reputation for cracking, but mine has held up fine and is wonderful to carry.

Of the current offerings, I really like the 327 and 627. While 8 rounds isn't going to impress anyone carrying a hi-cap auto, for a revolver guy like me they are the ultimate defensive tools.