Cautious_Mike
Member
Hello from the “Show Me State”
It appears that part of the initiation rite is to elaborate some what on the S&W’s one has. Wish I could say my first hand gun purchase was a Smith but at the time Smith’s did not have the appeal they do now. My first was a Ruger .357 Blackhawk (liked the cowboy look) bought it back in the late 60’s had the built a cowboy rig from a kit. Really enjoyed taking that piece to the range. Seems like having children changes priorities & cash flow, so I never expanded my collection (1Ruger, 1 model 742 Woodmaster & a Remington Nylon 66 from my youth) for quite awhile.
On day, shooting the breeze in the shop, I mentioned my Blackhawk & the rig, one thing lead to another and I brought it in the next day for a little show & tell. Well one of my buddies fell in love with it and would not leave me alone; he wanted it and wanted it bad. I did not relish giving up my only handgun and asked if he had anything to trade, just a Smith & Wesson .357. When I asked what Model, “don’t know all it says is Highway Patrol .357 on the barrel”. Still not really wanting to part with my Blackhawk (the new Models had been out for awhile and I thought it might be worth something) I said, that I would consider it but no way even up, he would have to sweeten up the pot a little. To make a long story even longer, after looking the S&W over we made the deal Swap + $150. Still not real happy with the deal I took it to the range, sweetest handgun I had ever fired. Did not like the grips (small for a heavy gun) but everything else about it was OUTSTANDING and to top that off it was extremely accurate, tight groups more so than the Blackhawk. Left the range that day felling like maybe I had taken advantage of my buddy, I quickly dismissed that notion after all he was happy. I also got a set of target grips with it, those felt too large and searched for something more comfortable, needed a model number to order grips & just saying it’s a .357 Highway Patrol was getting no results (before the Internet). Finally found it was a “N” Frame Square Butt and was able to get a set of Pachmayr’s for it, those folks were really helpful. Man what a difference, tighter groups, felt better, less hand fatigue after shooting. Well that started the ball rolling again and it hasn’t stopped yet. Few years later bought a Model 629 in Stainless. That was when I realized if I were to do any serious shooting I needed to start reloading, so I started saving my nickels’ & dimes (still had children) and bought a Dillion progressive 550 (why get something you know you’ll not be happy with). Finally the Kids left one got married and the other went into the Navy WOO HOO! Really started growing my collection, what better way to spend money.
My newest acquisition is a Model 4003TSW NIB, My honey bought it for me just because. Got it yesterday field stripped it changed oil, cleaned, lubed and ready to go as soon as I can find Ammo or primers (did not realize the gold rush that is going on until I used up the last of my primers and tried to order more).
Looks like a great forum, knowledgeable people I look forward to joining the fun. Hope this long winded post didnt' bore you.
Mike
It appears that part of the initiation rite is to elaborate some what on the S&W’s one has. Wish I could say my first hand gun purchase was a Smith but at the time Smith’s did not have the appeal they do now. My first was a Ruger .357 Blackhawk (liked the cowboy look) bought it back in the late 60’s had the built a cowboy rig from a kit. Really enjoyed taking that piece to the range. Seems like having children changes priorities & cash flow, so I never expanded my collection (1Ruger, 1 model 742 Woodmaster & a Remington Nylon 66 from my youth) for quite awhile.
On day, shooting the breeze in the shop, I mentioned my Blackhawk & the rig, one thing lead to another and I brought it in the next day for a little show & tell. Well one of my buddies fell in love with it and would not leave me alone; he wanted it and wanted it bad. I did not relish giving up my only handgun and asked if he had anything to trade, just a Smith & Wesson .357. When I asked what Model, “don’t know all it says is Highway Patrol .357 on the barrel”. Still not really wanting to part with my Blackhawk (the new Models had been out for awhile and I thought it might be worth something) I said, that I would consider it but no way even up, he would have to sweeten up the pot a little. To make a long story even longer, after looking the S&W over we made the deal Swap + $150. Still not real happy with the deal I took it to the range, sweetest handgun I had ever fired. Did not like the grips (small for a heavy gun) but everything else about it was OUTSTANDING and to top that off it was extremely accurate, tight groups more so than the Blackhawk. Left the range that day felling like maybe I had taken advantage of my buddy, I quickly dismissed that notion after all he was happy. I also got a set of target grips with it, those felt too large and searched for something more comfortable, needed a model number to order grips & just saying it’s a .357 Highway Patrol was getting no results (before the Internet). Finally found it was a “N” Frame Square Butt and was able to get a set of Pachmayr’s for it, those folks were really helpful. Man what a difference, tighter groups, felt better, less hand fatigue after shooting. Well that started the ball rolling again and it hasn’t stopped yet. Few years later bought a Model 629 in Stainless. That was when I realized if I were to do any serious shooting I needed to start reloading, so I started saving my nickels’ & dimes (still had children) and bought a Dillion progressive 550 (why get something you know you’ll not be happy with). Finally the Kids left one got married and the other went into the Navy WOO HOO! Really started growing my collection, what better way to spend money.
My newest acquisition is a Model 4003TSW NIB, My honey bought it for me just because. Got it yesterday field stripped it changed oil, cleaned, lubed and ready to go as soon as I can find Ammo or primers (did not realize the gold rush that is going on until I used up the last of my primers and tried to order more).
Looks like a great forum, knowledgeable people I look forward to joining the fun. Hope this long winded post didnt' bore you.
Mike
