new verses old

[Jk4jmk]

wonder in 15 years if the new smiths like 637 638 442 will be as valuable and say 36's or 60's,seems like the classics just keep getting more expensive.around here you cant touch a 36 for less than 500 to 550 unless its someone who dont know what they have.Just a thought

 

[colt_saa]

Old is always worth more in most people's mind.

20 years from now, when all guns are plastic, they will still be saying they don't make them like they used to

 

[OKFC05]

My 646 is relatively new, but sells used for twice what I paid for it. Never know what's going to happen. Look at the 610: drag on the market until it was discontinued. If I could predict prices on any kind of collectibles, I'd be rich.

 

[BigBill]

I don't think we will see that many offerings in New revolvers in the near future let alone in 15 years. The new offerings now are getting less and less. The prices will continue to rise on the new and old revolvers.
I suggest hoarding revolvers now while we still can find some.
Since the musical chairs is over somewhat online now the s&w revolvers have changed hands from the older guys to the younger guys we won't see them for sale again for a few decades. The future for revolvers looks grim.
The future for plastic pistols looks good.

My LGS had brand new s&w n frame revolvers almost 3 years ago on clearance for $599/$699. In most calibers, finishes and barrel lengths. Looks like it's the end of a 200+ year of the revolvers reign is almost over. Too bad I like wheel guns better over pistols.

 

[Watchdog]

I personally don't see the "newer" revolvers increasing in value all that much. Mostly because I don't believe there is the same amount of care and individual craftsmanship involved in their manufacture. This doesn't apply just to Smiths, either, although I don't think I've seen a more stupid looking revolver than the S&W Model 460VXR. Maybe the Ruger Super Redhawk is running a close second, I don't know.

Another personal opinion is that revolvers have pretty much maxed out in design innovation, and frankly, all of that innovation has not been for the better. Sights may evolve a bit further. But I think anything else will be mostly cosmetic...more funny-shaped barrels and EJRs, more horribly-shaped rubber and composition grips with weird looking stippling patterns. Probably more non-traditional finishes. Conventional bluing may become a thing of the past on later model revolvers.

 

[NYlakesider]

Like said what is new today as time goes on, it will be more appreciated by the people interested in them. Most of all the many gun dealers I hit on a regular basis have a huge bunch of bottom feeders compared to revolvers of any era. One thing IMHO that is going to attain higher classic status is the revs without the locks.

The pin vs non pin and the counter bored cylinder debate does not seem near as intense/passionate as the lock. That seems to hit on two fronts the changing of the shape/obvious hole and the people that just plain do not like the lock for other reasons.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I suspect there is some truth in BigBill's post above.

It seems every attempt S&W makes to introduce cool new revolvers flops. Even awesome defensive revolvers like the Night Guard series and the ton of lightweight scandium and titanium offerings of the past didn't go anywhere. S&W used to have a ton of cool scandium and titanium options in all calibers and sizes. Not anymore. I think the NG series and all the PD guns S&W offered from the late 90s to 2012 was their last big push to grow the revolver market. It didn't work out.

S&W will continue to muddle along with their staple revolver offerings, but it is unlikely we will see too many cool new offerings from them. Which is unfortunate.

The only thing that really seems to sell well in the revolver world these days is the plastic Ruger LCR revolver series and the staple S&W J Frame Airweight series.

 

[MajorD]

In my Area used revolvers still go fairly cheap. The. Shop a few miles from me has a couple shooter grade 28's under 500 and a ten four inch under three. Another shop has a rack full of used steel j frames for under 350. The market here is pretty soft for handguns due to our strict laws but revolvers are making a bit of a comeback in popularity since they mandated a ten round max magazine limit

 

[Watchdog]

The. Shop a few miles from me has a couple shooter grade 28's under 500...

Wish I were in your area...those 28s wouldn't be there much longer.

 

[shocker]

.around here you cant touch a 36 for less than 500 to 550 unless its someone who dont know what they have.Just a thought

The LGS has a nickle 36 for 350. Good condition and it has been in the cabinet for weeks.

 

[Modified]

Really depends on the gun with S&Ws I think.

I've seen some 1980s guns I would trade away posthaste if I owned them, and poorly modified pre-war guns that fell into the same class. I've seen brand new guns that were excellent, and others that were confusingly bad (I picked up a brand new J-Frame the other day and was baffled at how a trigger could take "gritty" to a level I can only describe as "crunchy").

With S&Ws old (pre 1960's) is usually preferable because of how much work and skill went into producing each gun.

That said, every time I pick up one of those excellent ladysmiths from the 1990s (I think?) I'm filled with a desire to buy it because it's so dang good. I've touched some old Performance Center guns that rival the golden era of S&Ws in fit and finish.

Personally, I just go for the old guns because my brain can only cram so much information into it. There are some Lew Hortons, PC, and exceptional "new" guns that I come across that sorely tempt me.

I feel like once you have had your mitts on enough S&Ws from over the years you realize what makes a good one a good one, and when it was made may make it more or less likely to be a truly great gun, but it's no guarantee.

I do hate the locks though, on a visceral level. Every time I see one all I can see is a company given into pressure from gun control groups. It's a little indignity that just bugs the heck out of me. In my brain it's on the same level as a poorly reblued gun that still functions perfectly. It just rankles.

 

[shocker]

not[/I] been for the better. Sights may evolve a bit further. But I think anything else will be mostly cosmetic...more funny-shaped barrels and EJRs, more horribly-shaped rubber and composition grips with weird looking stippling patterns. Probably more non-traditional finishes. Conventional bluing may become a thing of the past on later model revolvers.

No innovation? Like a robust L frame 44 magnum in stainless steel priced within 20% of a 4th generation Glock????

 

[TDC]

When predicting the demise of the revolver we all must keep one very important consideration in mind.... That primary consideration is the much more powerful calibers available in the revolvers not possible with the plastic guns...

When comparing the 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm and 45acp plastic gun calibers to the revolvers .357, 41mag, 45 Colt, 454 Casul, 475/480's, 500, etc, etc, the future should remain bright for the revolvers.

I own many of both type guns. In fifty years I expect current production revolvers to still be functioning and selling strong...and current production plastic guns to become .... well ... throw-away.

Just say'in.....

 

[Keith44]

The one thing I see that will keep the revolver market alive is the magazines required for the semi-autos. The lips and springs of a magazine wear out, and as production models evolve the magazines that plastic guns rely on to function fall out of production. So Revolvers will have a longer functional life, by design.

 

[HarrishMasher]

When predicting the demise of the revolver we all must keep one very important consideration in mind.... That primary consideration is the much more powerful calibers available in the revolvers not possible with the plastic guns...

When comparing the 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm and 45acp plastic gun calibers to the revolvers .357, 41mag, 45 Colt, 454 Casul, 475/480's, 500, etc, etc, the future should remain bright for the revolvers.

I own many of both type guns. In fifty years I expect current production revolvers to still be functioning and selling strong...and current production plastic guns to become .... well ... throw-away.

Just say'in.....

Excellent point on the power of the calibers. But somehow you forgot 44mag!

The magazine thing I'm not so sure about. For some odd guns, sure. But 1911 and Glock mags will be around for a few centuries. Even for the current generation ones. There are millions of them out there!

 

[at_liberty]

wonder in 15 years if the new smiths like 637 638 442 will be as valuable and say 36's or 60's,seems like the classics just keep getting more expensive.around here you cant touch a 36 for less than 500 to 550 unless its someone who dont know what they have.Just a thought

You enumerate pocket guns, for which there is high demand, I think because of minimal modes of dress, unable to conceal anything larger.

Much of the interest in older guns and classics will fade with the passing of the baby-boom generation. They were the first to watch westerns on the new gadget, the television, and form a bond with the guns. Younger people have little, if any, resistance to technology and change.

As far as cost of a REAL GUN, not that the little ones can't be effective...better than the big one left at home...costs are more like $750 and up and will only go higher. I do think sales of new guns will fade but only from some manufacturers who either cannot change or do not move to better labor markets and more gun-friendly States.

 

[AveragEd]

Much of the interest in older guns and classics will fade with the passing of the baby-boom generation. They were the first to watch westerns on the new gadget, the television, and form a bond with the guns. Younger people have little, if any, resistance to technology and change.

I think that is spot-on. Many of the younger crowd was not into Smith & Wessons very much - or perhaps even guns at all - when the MIM parts and locks came about so they don't know much about the older versions. They only know that the new guns deliver good quality (as a rule), offer the lifetime warranty they have been trained to demand and enjoy the S&W reputation.

Ed

 

[Rick_A]

Behold the future:

I'm not a polymer gun fan (really just a preference thing. I don't consider polymer guns as inferior to metal frames; I just don't like the feel, balance, or aesthetics), but I don't mind the new guns in traditional models. Aside from the occasional lemon they are quite consistent.

While not an "old" guy I appreciate the guns of old, though don't think the cult classics are worth what the market is asking these days. Some folks really get quite poetic about them, which is a little much. To those that occasionally "steal" such examples, I tip my hat off with some feeling of envy, though I know it's often a combination of good knowledge, hard looking, and dumb luck as well as a ready wad of cash.

In short, I don't think most new guns are garbage, as many do, and don't think most old guns deserve the fanaticism they often enjoy. I choose to judge such guns by individual examples, not lore, and certainly not internet opinions.

I've now had five new guns over the one old, and as far as I can tell they're all fine shooters with the old one getting the nod for also being a good investment.

 

[Watchdog]

No innovation? Like a robust L frame 44 magnum in stainless steel priced within 20% of a 4th generation Glock????

You'll note that I didn't say "no innovation". I said it's "pretty much" maxed out.

I'm sure there'll be some new design tweaks, but I don't think they'll come with any regularity, and I don't think they'll be of earth-shaking importance.

And an L-Frame .44 Magnum? Okay. Great. L-Frames have been around for over 30 years. Nothing really new going on there.

 

[MiGS]

Tastes change!

I'm not new or old.. I could legally buy my first handgun 14 years ago. Based on my love affair with the 92fs at the time that was one I bought. I have since gone through 4 different 92fs' and landed now on the one I'll keep. The early 90's all stainless (without warning label).

My first revolver and first used gun purchase was a Model 19-5. It is the gun that started my obsession with older Smith revolvers. Pre-83 with some post-83/pre-MIM are now becoming the largest segment of my entire collection. I just sold my only MIM/lock gun (442-2) after having found a no dash model 60.

I just like the old stuff better and I credit my first used purchase with the switch. If I ever look in the safe to determine if there is one I'd sell or trade it is new production only that is considered. And those options are becoming quite scarce.

Oh, the lock! Yes I can live with MIM, in some ways I'm sure MIM is superior. I'd pay the extra $15 dollars for non MIM parts though. The lock is different story entirely and I put ugly warning labels in the same category, they are just disappointing and a deal breaker.