New from S&W: Model 57, 17, 18 "CLASSICS"

[SJshooter]

I think these guns will find buyers, too. $1,000 is high but:
a) dealers will charge closer to $850-900
b) $850-900 is a lot cheaper than most of the semi-autos in the same counter space
and
c) I just pulled out a 1964 S&W catalog in which the model 17 is listed at $115.50. That is $797 according to the inflation calculator at http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl so its not like these guns are priced dramatically higher than they have ever been historically. Yes you can get a used one for half price, but you can get a used anything for about half-price. It's called depreciation.

 

[northslope]

I like the .327! Rather spend my money on a S&W than a charter arms or a ruger...

--Neill

 

[CMcDermott]

WHY did S&W put a power port compensator on the 632? There is already low recoil due to the light weight of the 32 bullets. The 327 cartridge was already going to be loud due to the high pressure level it's loaded to, but with a power port on a 3" barrel it's going to be literally deafening in most self-defense situations that the gun is being marketed for.
Part of the reason the 30 Carbine Ruger (with a 7.5" barrel) never sold well was the noise of that small high pressure cartridge, the only difference with the 327 in the 632 is the barrel will be only a third of the length (much higher pressure to make noise with) to the power port opening. If you think a full power 357 magnum out of a snub-nose is bad, wait until these 632's hit the firing ranges.

 

[flat top]

BlindJustice; My Mod 18-3 has the glossy blue finish (original)...it was made 72-73, and also has the correct ramp front sight. The only thing it doesnt have is the lock, so, I guess I really missed out there...I mean, what is a revolver "without" a lock!!!!

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by SJshooter:
I think these guns will find buyers, too. $1,000 is high but:
a) dealers will charge closer to $850-900

I think your estimate of actual retail price is high by about 100 to 125 dollars. My local dealer is selling NIB Model 27s and 29s for about $750 to $790. I don't expect a new Model 18 or 17 to be any more.

 

[durco]

Originally posted by flat top:
Wow, I could have had a brand new Model 18, for only a grand!!! Unfortunately I just bought one for less than half of that, and it doesnt have the lock! Guess I was a day late, and a dollar short.

Beautifully written, Flat top. I love it! Mike

 

[durco]

Originally posted by duckloads:
What is the difference between M17's (Masterpiece) and M18's (Combat Masterpiece)?

Mankind has ever figured that out. I have seen 4" ones stamped both ways..... (Actually, it depends on when the gun was made.) Mike

 

[durco]

Originally posted by RonS:
That little .32 would be a great gun for my wife if I could trust it.

The gun or the wife?

 

[flat top]

Mike; Its amazing isnt it...you can buy a classic Smith in near perfect condition for half the price of a new Smith....and its the same gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............of course it doesnt have that cool lock!

 

[durco]

Originally posted by flat top:
Mike; Its amazing isnt it...you can buy a classic Smith in near perfect condition for half the price of a new Smith....and its the same gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............of course it doesnt have that cool lock!

Yes - no wonder the prices of older pieces are going up; they're being pulled up by the prices on the newer iron. Mike

 

[Frank237]

I'm happy to see Smith at least TRYING to make something appealing to the S&W fans who like the older models.

Wonder why they couldn't get the grips right?? Though I've been told they junked all the old grip making machinery years ago. You'd think they could reproduce the older style magnas and targets EXACTLY like the 50's and 60's???

But I will say...these are the first NEW Smiths that have even remotely appealed to me in ten or fifteen years. Maybe there still is a bit of hope?

FN in MT

 

[c good]

Originally posted by Sportsterguy:

Originally posted by BLK08ROCKERC:
They are nice but "Classic" and internal lock just do not go together in my book.

+2 I'll take my no dash 57 over all the others combined and that is a no s------!!!!
To heck with Ca. S&W need's to get rid of that hole! Holy crap, I'm getting old and grumpy!

I'm with you but California made no special requirements that forced S&W to add integral locks. You can blame us for a lot of Bullshiz, but you can't get us for this one. And yes, I'll say it. California gun laws SUCK! c good

 

[durco]

Originally posted by Frank237:
I'm happy to see Smith at least TRYING to make something appealing to the S&W fans who like the older models.
But I will say...these are the first NEW Smiths that have even remotely appealed to me in ten or fifteen years. Maybe there still is a bit of hope?

FN in MT

I agree with your comments, Frank. It is much better than the situation at Colt. Mike

 

[flat top]

Mike; I think you have that right!!! Like Frank says, at least they are trying. We have to give them credit for that! I have two "newer" Smiths, a 629 2 1/2" 44 Mag snubbie (with that super cool lock), and a 696 44 Special (w/o the lock), and I appreciate both guns for what they are worth, but, ("in my opinion")there is no new modern Smith that has the character or the mystique, of an older classic model. Maybe someday they will, but it will be long after us old guys depart this earth....One thing I do keep in mind at whatever Smith I may be looking at...it "is" a "Smith"!!!!

 

[Katy]

Locks and safeties I can see on semi-auto pistols, but on revolvers it's a no-no.
The new Classics that S&W put out with the IL so plainly visible that it says to me, "Hey dummy, we can't trust you to take care of your own self, so we'll do it for you." And it's so blatent when you see the 2 handcuff-like keys. I take that as a personal insult. I'll never buy the IL ones.

 

[ladder13]

Originally posted by Sportsterguy:

Thanks for posting pics of what the left side of a Smith should look like.

 

[hitecrednek]

Its fantastic that so many bitch about the new M17/18 because of the lock...the supply of NICE old k-22's isn't getting any bigger, and dealers like Fugaite are just pushing prices on old ones higher. I won't buy a new one at full retail price, but its nice to know that in a few years there will still be an ample supply of K-22s on the market. The lock might be an issue on a carry gun, but remember the K-22 is THE gun for teaching beginners how to shoot, and THE understudy gun for K and L frames and the lock makes no difference for those uses.

But hey, Fugaate will sell you a decent 18-3 for what...$7-800?

 

[Nicksterdemus]

I can see on semi-auto pistols

I can't see it on my M&P so I have to disagree.
I have the ultimate safety, my brain w/six grade edjekashun of skool kunnected to my highly trained, supple, itchy, trigger fanger.
Well, that w/one boolit in my shirt pocket...

 

[dsf]

Originally posted by c good:

Originally posted by Sportsterguy:

Originally posted by BLK08ROCKERC:
They are nice but "Classic" and internal lock just do not go together in my book.

+2 I'll take my no dash 57 over all the others combined and that is a no s------!!!!
To heck with Ca. S&W need's to get rid of that hole! Holy crap, I'm getting old and grumpy!

I'm with you but California made no special requirements that forced S&W to add integral locks. You can blame us for a lot of Bullshiz, but you can't get us for this one. And yes, I'll say it. California gun laws SUCK! c good

You beat me to it with the "CA no lock" post. Aside from general rep, I don't know how this specific foolishness (IL) got pinned on us. I do recall some Smith employee line about "Smith intends to sell in all 50 states ...." even though I'm not aware specifically of any state that requires some sort of internal lock on a revolver. I know CA does not.

Now back to the guns, how the hell can Smith put out all these 41 Magnum reproductions and NOT include the 58? Hope they're next, I actually would (well probably) buy one of those.

 

[greenberry]

I hate the looks of the safety lock on the Smith's. I would be even more broke if they did away with the locks because there are several models that I would like to have. Oh well, I guess it is all for the kids, CA, and Mass.