OLD or NEW?

[Deceasedeye]

OK you have a choice a brand new Smith & Wesson in the box with all the paperwork never fired model 27 357 magnum from years back you know the ones with the beautiful blueing or one of the brand new newer throwback classic 27’s ( with locked of corse) from a couple years ago which one would you pick? Both to be used as shooters not safe queen? No you can’t have both

(Used as a shooter) I would definitely go with the new and improved version.

 

[Deceasedeye]

I had a Master Watchmaker say to me once, "Don't ask me to talk watches, I don't know and I don't care, I just fix them when they break". S&W does not manufacture collectables they make and repair guns. We turn them into the stuff of dreams ourselves. I can't imagine a company staying around as long as S&W has by making an inferior product to what they did decades ago.

 

[Deceasedeye]

The new Smith & Wesson revolvers
are consistently excellent. That's
my experience.

I have less reason to "tinker" or
modify the new ones than I do
the ones I own from the 1950s
to the 1980s.

If naysayers to the new revolvers
would actually give them a good
workout compared to what they
have done to their older models,
they would change they minds.[/QUOTE<<<<<AMEN>>>>>

 

[rogerwnuss]

If I wanted a gun just because it worked well, I would get a Glock. There is a great difference between the old classy Smith revolvers and the new classic series, and they may work, and look nice ( I had a 586 a couple years ago), but I will never get past the lock...and a two piece bbl? Nyet......

 

[lawandorder]

In this case opinions are like backsides, everyone sits on theirs.

 

[LCC]

He makes some excellent points but ask yourself why the older smith’s sell for much more then the newer ones....Nostalgia maybe or people just people like owning a quality firearm..

no different than mid 60's muscle car's that sold for 4K new sell for 80K or more today...all about nostalgia = demand = inflated prices. Look at the buyers at Meechum's auctions, or Gun Broker for that matter, the vast majority of collector Smith's purchases older gents buying what they always coveted and have the $ to do so.

Convsersely does anyone really think that kids raised on video games and wonder 9's have the least bit of nostalgia for muscle cars and 50's Smiths? Nope, for most of them it's rice burners with bleating exhausts and 'never run empty' guns.

For those with the amazing Smith collections, you hopefully have some kids who were raised to appreciate them...otherwise you might seriously consider thinning the herd while there are still buyers around who covet them.

 

[diyj98]

Collecting versus using are different. There's no doubt that technology allows modern firearms to built superior to older ones. That is IF the manufacturer puts the effort and expense into it. Collectors love pre 64 Model 70's, but I feel there's no doubt that modern Model 70's are more accurate in general and probably all around better made.

 

[stansdds]

My spin:
Old, pre-Bangor Punta, S&W = masterpieces of art in metal and wood.
1970's to present = shooters of varying degrees of quality.
Current production with the crane lock = the mouse trap that S&W should have never abandoned.

 

[rockquarry]

Most of my S&W revolvers are about forty years old or older and many of them I bought new. I have several .38 snub nose J-frames that are old but all shoot reasonably well.

Despite having the lock that some like to bellyache about, a 638 that I got new about twelve ago is noticeably and consistently more accurate than the other J-frames. Granted, newer production S&W revolvers don't have the nice styling they once had, but they may shoot better.

 

[ivan_2001ve]

I'm mostly a new shooter. Im 38 years old and I always liked the elegance and simplicity of a good S&M revolver.

So far I own 4. All them have been bought brand new. 629-6 Classic Deluxe 6 1/2'', a model 29-10 also on 6 1/2'', a model 69 and 19. Off course all of them have the lock and the 69 and 19 have the new sleeve barrel design. I really dont mind the lock or the MIM parts. One thing is true. He is right when he points out on the video that current technology, advances on metallurgic, let along the upgrades to design will make all the new ones to be 100% better than the older ones

True, there are some lemons out there, and part of the reason why you hear now more about it is also because we live in a world more interconnected. Back in the 50s or 70s even the 80s we didn't have forums or internet groups. So I really don't believe that argument of the don't make them like the used too. You just didn't hear about it so easy.

 

[fortyshooter]

My only new Smith the M69 was a great idea but had to go back twice to get the cylinder gap correct and fix the action as it would hang up.
Even with CNC the first time quality still has issues.

Now it is a very smooth functioning and shooting revolver.

 

[SLT223]

There’s little doubt or variance in opinion that the older guns are more aesthetic, but I’ve found action quality of the new guns to be better out the box in most cases, and I much appreciate the ability to swap hammers and triggers without fitting. Maybe that something you are supposed to still do, but I have had no issues having done it a few times now. I suspect that speaks to the geometric consistency of the MIM parts? I don’t know, but it’s working well for me. The two best factory triggers in my safes of 50-something Smiths, mostly 1950 to 1995ish guns, are a 620 and 629-6.

 

[rogerwnuss]

One thing....I mentioned earlier that I acquired a new 586 a couple years ago.... couldn't get past
The lock, but when I took it to a gun show I couldn't give it away. Not one dealer out of eight that I approached wanted anything to do with it. Must correct myself: I did in fact about give it away........ didn't want to take it home...

 

[Echo40]

I think it depends...

Older Smith & Wessons have nicer fit/finish and most likely came from the factory with fewer mistakes like canted barrels due to all the hand-fitting involved.
However, newer Smith & Wessons tend to be more rugged not only thanks to improvements in metallurgy over the generations, but also because revisions were made to various models specifically for the purpose of strengthening them.

Folks can bellyache over the key lock forever, but as unnecessary as it is, it clearly isn't going anywhere, can easily be removed, and the hole can easily be plugged, so I wouldn't let that keep me away from buying a new Smith & Wesson.
Personally, I wish that at the very least, S&W would copy the "Taurus Security System™" lock located on the hammer itself, because it just plain looks nicer, and I've never heard of Taurus' locks engaging under recoil like S&W's locks.

 

[RWPBR]

I'll take the revolver created by the craftsman over the one assembled out of a parts bin.

 

[quikdraw67]

I think it depends...

Older Smith & Wessons have nicer fit/finish and most likely came from the factory with fewer mistakes like canted barrels due to all the hand-fitting involved.
However, newer Smith & Wessons tend to be more rugged not only thanks to improvements in metallurgy over the generations, but also because revisions were made to various models specifically for the purpose of strengthening them.

Folks can bellyache over the key lock forever, but as unnecessary as it is, it clearly isn't going anywhere, can easily be removed, and the hole can easily be plugged, so I wouldn't let that keep me away from buying a new Smith & Wesson.
Personally, I wish that at the very least, S&W would copy the "Taurus Security System™" lock located on the hammer itself, because it just plain looks nicer, and I've never heard of Taurus' locks engaging under recoil like S&W's locks.

Well stated.

The only S&W revolver I have with a lock is a current production 638.

Is it as pretty as the older guns? No.

Does it have a good trigger on it? Yes. Very good S/A and D/A

Is it accurate? Yep.

Would I bet my life on it? Yes. It has never FTF in over 250 rounds.

Yes, I like high polish blue and beautiful wood grips.

But mismatched satin finishes with rubber grips gets the job done.

And when it comes down to it , that's all that matters.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I suppose the newer (post 1982 and post-lock) S&W's are fine enough guns. Better, maybe, from a gunsmith's perspective because they require much less hand-fitting when repairing one than the older guns. There are a few models of the newer S&W I would buy, mainly because they truly are new models and didn't exist years ago.

I still prefer searching for and buying an older gun (anything pre-1982, pinned and recessed) because those are the ones I started on as a new shooter.

 

[357 shooter]

One thing....I mentioned earlier that I acquired a new 586 a couple years ago.... couldn't get past
The lock, but when I took it to a gun show I couldn't give it away. Not one dealer out of eight that I approached wanted anything to do with it. Must correct myself: I did in fact about give it away........ didn't want to take it home...

I'll probably be in the same boat. Ending up winning an auction on a new 586-8 last year. My first ever Smith gun with the lock. Regardless it still looks pretty nice compared to most guns manufactured today.

But it is the only Smith I ever owned that required the rear sight to be cranked way over to one side to center shots on target. A little gritty creep firing in SA , reminiscent of shooting a Ruger GP-100.

Was not very long afterwards won an auction on a 586-4 . First time out shooting it fired my best 50 yard target in 30+ years of handgun shooting. The "glass rod" SA trigger break I expect from Smith and Wesson. Made me really regret buying that new 586-8.

 

[BigBill]

After hearing gossip and rumors for five decades about the s&w M19 hammering itself apart with full house magmun loads I stayed away from them. I was loading my 357 very hot in the beginning, my colt python and ruger Police Service ate everything. I was a s&w snow since the mid 70’s until 15 years ago. After purchasing the grandson a k22 I always wanted a Redhawk in 41 mag and 357 mag. None to be found nor seen, my LGS had a sale on s&w revolvers for $699 I found a m57 & m58 in nickel for $699 nib. Loc mim parts don’t bother me the m58 in 41 mag handles like a dream. Now I find the k38’s are made by the old s&w gunmakers probably unmatched today till the newer revolvers break in. I found the new m57 and m58 had two different feeling triggers. A tad of moly made them pretty much equal on the let off and the rough feeling was gone.

My problem is I prefer the world famous s&w and colt nickel finish. It’s sprecial like the gooses golden egg.

As far as a nib M19/4” I may look at one.

 

[tdan]

I am so tired of these old vs new posts. I have revolvers from the 60’s to current production. In the mid 90’s S&W began to crank out their guns using CNC milling machines in order to get an international certification. Anyone that has checked out the machine work of these guns knows what I am talking about. I have one of the new model 66 snubbies( 2.75” barrel shroud and all) is the current best evolution of the k-frame 357 6 shot revolver. Mine is a dead nuts accurate gun!..........Get one!!