people like newer guns more than they let on

[jtcarm]

I was going to warn that this thread could get heated, but see I'm too late.

All personal preference. I wish the lock would go away, but don't let it stop me. My 66-7 (lock & tensioned barrel) is the most accurate S&W I've ever owned. The MIM parts are superior, IMO, if ugly.

I think you're exponentially more likely to get struck by lightening than have the lock accidentally engage. Or get killed because your autoloader malfunction. IDK if a failure rate has ever been determined but I'm certain it's one of those things that gets blown way out of proportion in the Internet.

From the reports of guns issued to LEOs the 60s & 70s, a spankin new revolver was at least as likely to experience an FTF, if not first inspected/tuned by an armorer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[classic bob]

ONE MORE TIME!

ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE FOR ALL THE "NAY-SAYERS" TO VOICE SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT MODERN SMITH & WESSON PRODUCTS!!

 

[blues7]

This ongoing "discussion" gives a whole new meaning to revolver...

 

[Krell1]

I'm old and I like old guns. They sure made em pretty way back when. The new plastic stuff just ain't right!

 

[Chubbo]

I guess I'll have to forgo the joys of owning and shooting one of the new superior, safer, prettier, and politically correct S&W revolvers. I guess I'll never know how it feels to find one locked when I need to defend myself, nor will I, on the other hand, get to take advantage of the truly good advantages that some of them have, because being of that old poop age, and having known the joys of workmanship, pride, skill, in other than manufacturing speed, I'll never own one of them, or one of the great plastic guns, that are the rage of this generation. It's a sign of the times, to do only what you have to do, to get by, and no more. I'm glad that we have a few workman/artist types like, Turnbull, Wilson, Tussy, and some others left with us, alto quality does come at a price today, if you want it.
'Nuf said.
Chubbo

 

[blues7]

I guess I'll have to forgo the joys of owning and shooting one of the new superior, safer, prettier, and politically correct S&W revolvers. I guess I'll never know how it feels to find one locked when I need to defend myself, nor will I, on the other hand, get to take advantage of the truly good advantages that some of them have, because being of that old poop age, and having known the joys of workmanship, pride, skill, in other than manufacturing speed, I'll never own one of them, or one of the great plastic guns, that are the rage of this generation. It's a sign of the times, to do only what you have to do, to get by, and no more. I'm glad that we have a few workman/artist types like, Turnbull, Wilson, Tussy, and some others left with us, alto quality does come at a price today, if you want it.
'Nuf said.
Chubbo

I'm not exactly a kid at 63 and I started my federal career in the middle to late 70's. That said, some of those plastic guns you deride have kept myself and my partners alive in days gone by. (And yes, I started with Model 15's, 36's and 19's.)

I'm glad when we were called out to do an entry on SRT that we weren't handed a saber and a musket like in the good old days. And guess what? I've seen some of those classic old firearms fail in the field.

Things change. We're all entitled to have favorites. Chocolate or vanilla. Your choice. No one can fault you for your decision.

I don't care for the lock and I'll never use it but folks have a choice whether to buy or not and there's no sense getting one's panties in a wad over it.

I'm a fierce defender of the Constitution, (not just the 2nd Amendment), and I've never been politically correct. But voting with your money is going to be a lot more effective than antagonizing and trying to shame your fellow firearms enthusiasts who find that they can abide the lock even if not proponents or apologists for its inclusion.

 

[coltle6920]

Don't see the big deal here...

A lot of my guns came with a lock.

I just don't use it!

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I don't mind the lock so much (have it on my new 617). What I really hate is the black rubber grips that came with it. My 686, I bought 20 years ago, came with "target" wood, and I just bought "target" wood for the 617. I guess the black rubber is supposed to be the new "bad ***" look. Do the finger indents actually fit anyone's hand? Not mine.

 

[Mr.Harry]

The full-wrap hogue grips on my new 629 fit my hand so well, I decided I shouldn't replace them. Even though I think they are ugly as sin and had started shopping for too-shelf wood grips before I ever fired the gun. After shooting my first ever targets at 25 yards one-handed while vidding myself with camera in free hand, I was amazed and decided I shouldn't mess in with it on account of 'aesthetic preference.'

 

[amazingflapjack]

I was looking at a custom shop revolver on GB recently, and the non-holer was 2K bucks more than the same CS model with the hole. Wow!

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I really LIKE my locked mim guns but LOVE the smooth actions of my old ones better. The revolver gunsmiths i know do carry 642's though. Whatever you have just shoot it. Who gives a hoot what I like

 

[ladder13]

ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE FOR ALL THE "NAY-SAYERS" TO VOICE SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT MODERN SMITH & WESSON PRODUCTS!!

Seems they never get tired.

Those pre-lock guns kill the bad guy quicker.

 

[coltle6920]

At least when buying a new(er) gun the prices are more stable across the country whereas the price of a particular older gun can fluctuate greatly depending on the area and what people are willing to spend.I just bought a new 686-6 3"barrel. I have older 357's but never saw one like this before.

I compare buying firearms similar to eating food...When you're really hungry everything tastes good!

 

[jtcarm]

I don't mind the lock so much (have it on my new 617). What I really hate is the black rubber grips that came with it. My 686, I bought 20 years ago, came with "target" wood, and I just bought "target" wood for the 617. I guess the black rubber is supposed to be the new "bad ***" look. Do the finger indents actually fit anyone's hand? Not mine.

Lest we forget, the first thing that was done with a LOT of the old wood & blue guns right after purchase was to ditch the factory grips and put on goodyears.

There's nothing "new" about them.

 

[K Frame Keith]

I agree with Dave, IMHO the lock ruined the graceful lines of the K frame guns. I would not hesitate to buy a lock gun (very interested in the Model 69) but the new guns lack the grace of the older weapons.

 

[StrawHat]

Sometimes the revolver is not available in the configuration I want. Other times, it is.

Here are three 45 ACP "N" frames. The top is a 1917 to which I installed a 4" barrel. Next is a Model 28-2 that I converted to 45 ACP and the bottom is the Model 22-4. Three variations on the same theme, but only one was available from the factory.

Kevin

 

[Wee Hooker]

Not sure what your implying? The only one I've hid my love of new guns from is my wife.

 

[blues7]

Not sure what your implying? The only one I've hid my love of new guns from is my wife.

With your chosen screen name I'd have thought she might be considerably more upset about other pastimes.


(Truly, no offense intended...the opportunity was just too great to resist.)

 

[TTSH]

Happened to be in a shop yesterday that had recently taken in two older blued S&W revolvers for consignment: A 2-1/2" Model 19-Something and a Model 36. Both pre-lock and incredibly nice. Everyone in the shop was ignoring the new guns and drooling over these two used (but not abused) S&W pre-IL revolvers. Prices were not cheap but fair. I may go back for one of them. The other, when you add the sales tax, is out of my "no wife approval needed" price range.

The funniest part is that as I was leaving, yet another customer walked in and without saying anything went straight to the Model 19... ... almost like magnet was drawing him in off the street. We all laughed out loud. He started drooling over it twice as bad as the rest of us! Such is the draw of the older guns in tip-top condition.

I'll bet you anything he bought it.

 

[BE Mike]

S&W was determined to produce their guns with internal locks, although the customer base didn't want them. Eventually, with the increased interest in firearms among the young, the IL was accepted, although I don't think there has been one documented case of a life saved by the IL. That being said, the pre-IL revolvers are still more popular and cherished by older folks and collectors. It is easier for young people to accept things that were in existence when they came along, than for older folks who knew what it was like before the changes. That is why we must always be vigilant of government encroachment upon our rights. Back to the original topic. Give me a gun without an integral lock every time.