new verses old

[at_liberty]

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.

Nothing going on there except help in making the gun (69) one that some might chose to carry, cutting the frame size from N and the round count from 6 to 5. The bull barrel appears to help with the strength of the mating to the frame.

The concept doesn't make as much sense in the 66, because there are far better 38s, and downsizing a 357 ensures more use of 38 Special ammo to overcome the mismatch of gun and caliber.

 

[shocker]

The concept doesn't make as much sense in the 66, because there are far better 38s, and downsizing a 357 ensures more use of 38 Special ammo to overcome the mismatch of gun and caliber.

The 66 is 35 oz. empty. Sounds to me like a good weight to make a comfortable shooting 357, no?

 

[Modified]

Tastes change!

But good taste does not.

I was 30 when I bought a pre model 10 snubby for $230, and it showed me what a good gun actually is. 3 years later I have so many fine smiths I lose track. My aks went, most of my autos went, most of my milsurp went, most anything "modern" is gone. It all made space for the good stuff, which I stumbled on.

Young gun people just don't know what great guns are because they have never been introduced.

I've influenced so many young guys to buy fine old smiths that I have lost track. All of them get some form of the Smith bug after a proper introduction.

But, they have to be guys who love guns, not just shooting guns.

 

[at_liberty]

The 66 is 35 oz. empty. Sounds to me like a good weight to make a comfortable shooting 357, no?

Not bad, but I know the 40+ oz GP100 5" as what I would consider "comfortable" for the caliber. The slightly lighter Security Six is pretty rough as it is, but it is a compromise for a carry gun...and open carry at that.

 

[Keith44]

While I have never fired a GP100, I do have experience with a 4 inch Colt Python, and a Blackhawk. The Python is very comfortable to shoot, neither is comfortable for carry. The hot loads I ran through the Blackhawk were using 180 grain semi-wadcutters. That load caused quite a bit of muzzle flip, but wasn't what I'd call uncomfortable.
IMO grip design, combined with some weight makes one gun comfortable, and another unbearable.

 

[dr. K]

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

and my aluminum 442 will still be putting lead downrange and riding in my pocket.