OLD or NEW?

[Deceasedeye]

I confess to having been a S&W gun snob until recently. I watched a YouTube video by GunBlue490 who is an old school S&W schooled gunsmith. After seeing him take down the new model 19 Classic and explain all the parts and the changes made and why, I was convinced that the new S&W Classics are a superior product to the old (hand finished) models. I still appreciate my 19-4 because it is a classic and that says a lot, kinda like that 65 Mustang. I do however believe (now) that modern technology and intelligent design has produced a better M19. What say ye?

 

[NY-1]

For those that missed it, here's the video in question. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9l2ipiKf4[/ame]




The new Model 19s are great pieces by all appearances. The forcing cone issue appears to have been mitigated with the new lockup detent and they seem to be fairly well finished. The sleeved barrel should make it harder or impossible to end up with a canted barrel. I don't care for the look or thinness of the Altamont stocks as compared to the original S&W wood, but they'll suffice. If it weren't for the internal lock (and the re-contoured frame that goes with it) I'd buy one in a heartbeat, along with a number of other new S&Ws. If the latter gripe doesn't bother you, then it doesn't seem like you can go wrong with the new 19.

CNC machining and MIM parts have most definitely come a long way, and the uniformity they guarantee can be impressive to say the least.

 

[Darkenfast]

The Model 19 Classic example reviewed in American Rifleman a while back showed very good accuracy.

 

[CLASSIC12]

But that lock ... I can’t

And to be fair I can buy the old ones for half the price of the new ones here in Switzerland

 

[UncleEd]

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.

 

[Breakaway500]

The only "modern" revolvers I own are all scandium models as the light weigh makes even an N frame tolerable for CC. I see no reason to own the newer steel models unless it's one of those or nuffin.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Everyone has a preference and an opinion. I love my all steel, "new", S&W revolvers just as much as my old ones. The IL doesn't bother me one iota and I wouldn't own a Scandium model if it was free.

 

[slabside2]

The new S+W.... Piecework assemblers.
The old S+W...... Experienced gunsmiths who took pride in the work.

 

[Deceasedeye]

The new S+W.... Piecework assemblers.
The old S+W...... Experienced gunsmiths who took pride in the work.

That's the point, modern parts are manufactured to such tolerances and with such precision that the human element is not that critical any longer. Add that to the fact that previously flawed parts have been re-engineered and work better all add up to the superior end product. Take a few minutes and watch the video I think you will agree.

 

[Deceasedeye]

Make no mistake I'm not getting a divorce just because I like the (NEW MODEL). This baby is still HOT!

 

[slabside2]

That's the point, modern parts are manufactured to such tolerances and with such precision that the human element is not that critical any longer. Add that to the fact that previously flawed parts have been re-engineered and work better all add up to the superior end product. Take a few minutes and watch the video I think you will agree.

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. Now I’m not bashing the new Smiths I own several and they’re great guns I carry one every day this is just one man’s opinion.

 

[slabside2]

Make no mistake I'm not getting a divorce just because I like the (NEW MODEL). This baby is still HOT!

Nice! Very Hot!

 

[DonD]

The new S+W.... Piecework assemblers.
The old S+W...... Experienced gunsmiths who took pride in the work.

Edited to add that I posted this before I read that two other members said some of the same things.

The reason that is true is because gunsmiths were necessary due to the inconsistent dimensions of the parts that they had to assemble.

MIM and massive amounts of CNC machining greatly eliminated the need for any significant hand fitting.

Old isn't necessarily good. In this case, newer guns are made of higher quality materials held to tighter tolerances.

A poster above mentioned the 1965 Mustang. It's a piece of trash compared to today's Mustang remembered soley because of nostalgia. Wimp, gas sucking engine, massive emissions, poor brakes and handling and lousy tires. What a deal. Don

 

[Old cop]

The video in post #2 has me rethinking my opinion about S&W new classic series.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

But that lock ... I can’t

And to be fair I can buy the old ones for half the price of the new ones here in Switzerland

I forget the lock is even there.

 

[mikerjf]

Just for another viewpoint (and this is old stuff in general)

Old thing: always cool

New thing: Cool until next years model comes out

 

[Deceasedeye]

The video in post #2 has me rethinking my opinion about S&W new classic series.

Now that's what I'm talking about...got an old LEO taking a different look!

 

[slabside2]

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

 

[Deceasedeye]

I'm thinking about how special a display would be featuring the old original and the new classic model together noting the years separating them, 50 or 60 in most cases. COOL!

 

[Babysitr]

Well, I've never owned a Colt's Python...soo, I've ordered a new 4.25", why? because I'm trying to believe they're as good as the old ones, and I believe the Classic Smith's are likely as good as the old ones....That said, I own quite a few old Colts and Smiths 1907-1993, and love them till the end.