S&W - Are You Listening?

[Kernel Crittenden]

I have seen you hint at the idea that current production K and L frame revolvers actually use the same frame.

I don't know, but I wonder. Doesn't it seem the K-frame has grown a little larger in recent years? Checking hammers is a good idea. The frame window and cylinder widths could also be measured.

The older K & L-frames had obvious differences. It was blatant. Newer one, say in the last five years or so, the differences are more subtle. From a manufacturing stand point, I imagine there would be significant savings by standardizing on one common frame size.

 

[Outlaw2013]

They still have some of the baddest *** guns available though. The scandium Magnums are ridiculous and the 629 PC snub and 460 PC snub are just so sexy.

 

[jtcarm]

I don't get it, either.


They're obviously tuned in to the carry market with all the J-frames, snub L and N frames

I don't care if it's stainless or blue, fixed or adjustable sights, just make em!

Since they're comfy deleting the lock from guns wo exposed hammers, why not a 3" K frame the same way? I think buyers would be fighting over them.

 

[K-framer]

Hmmm. Interesting. The popularity of 3" K-frames gives me an idea.....

I recently converted a 4" SB model 64-3 to a 3" RB. Turned out rather well, I think (see photo). Perhaps I should buy up all of the 4" HB K-frames I can find.....and start mass production of 3" K-frames ! If I get them cheaply enough, I could turn a good profit on each one, given the premium the 3" ones bring !

 

[kbm6893]

Hmmm. Interesting. The popularity of 3" K-frames gives me an idea.....

I recently converted a 4" SB model 64-3 to a 3" RB. Turned out rather well, I think (see photo). Perhaps I should buy up all of the 4" HB K-frames I can find.....and start mass production of 3" K-frames ! If I get them cheaply enough, I could turn a good profit on each one, given the premium the 3" ones bring !

S&w fans are purists. I know I wouldn't want a converted gun. I had a 3" 65 I should never have sold, and a 3" 10 that Buds was selling a few years ago. Sold that too. Dope that I am. I'd love to have them both back. The 10'had a square butt though. Just looks wrong on a 3 inch. Like a round butt looks wrong on a 4"

 

[HarrishMasher]

Hmmm. Interesting. The popularity of 3" K-frames gives me an idea.....

I recently converted a 4" SB model 64-3 to a 3" RB. Turned out rather well, I think (see photo). Perhaps I should buy up all of the 4" HB K-frames I can find.....and start mass production of 3" K-frames ! If I get them cheaply enough, I could turn a good profit on each one, given the premium the 3" ones bring !

Really nice piece you have there! Good idea too!

 

[Outlaw2013]

The workers and the PC shop guys are probably listening, but the suits are out at the golf course. They don't have time for your petty complaints and wishes for new exciting "old man" wheel guns. The special edition SHOT show debuts of the coolest stuff they have were all probably fought over by bean counters. Someone in there is approving some wicked gear but probably can only sneak out 2 new ones a year. Sort of like factory GM (especially Chevy) muscle after the corporate "racing ban" of the 60s.

 

[629shooter]

Interesting you mention the Night Guard Line. In my opinion that was the last big revolver push/innovation S&W made. They went all out with the NG line...K,L, and N frame versions in 38, 357, 44sp, 44mag, 41mag, 10mm, and 45acp. They were expensive and did not catch on. Amazing guns in my opinion. I love my 386NG and carry it often.

Unfortunately, I think the Night Guard series was the last big push/innovation we will see for revolvers from S&W.

I agree. The Night Guard revolvers are awesome. I wish I'd have came to my senses sooner. But, the ILS "stopped me." I think the higher capacity, thinner, lighter options are what most people think they need. I'm afraid that is never gonna change.

Are short-barreled wheel guns always going to have a following? Sure. But, if they are bigger than a "pocketable" J-frame, and/or are twice the price of the "bottom-feeding competition," the majority of newer shooters are going to ignore them. Especially since the majority seems obsessed about the width of their carry gun.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

If the Internet is true I read that S&W dropped Lew Horton as a distributor (not sure about Talo). It is likely the beginning of the end for S&W making revolvers, save for the J frame and the X frame.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

How about a 3" J-frame Model 650 or 651 with 7 shot cylinder?

 

[Hillbilly77]

Whatever they do with revolvers, they should stop putting the logo on the left side of the gun, which is the wrong side, and put it back on the right side, which is the right side.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

And if not a 3 inch, I'll take a 2.5. Why on earth did they stop making snub K frames? Do they think people don't carry them?

Same here! And yes I do carry a 2" 64 a good bit in warm weather.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I don't know, but I wonder. Doesn't it seem the K-frame has grown a little larger in recent years? Checking hammers is a good idea. The frame window and cylinder widths could also be measured.

The older K & L-frames had obvious differences. It was blatant. Newer one, say in the last five years or so, the differences are more subtle. From a manufacturing stand point, I imagine there would be significant savings by standardizing on one common frame size.

In about 1981, give or take, right after the L frame was introduced (recall that we were just a few years past the issues with K frame gas rings causing cylinders to bind, and the discovery that light bullet, high velocity magnum ammo was damaging barrel shanks in K frames), I recall suggesting to an S&W guy at the SHOT Show that S&W should add another L frame to the line - a 686 with a barrel profile like the 66, so that you could have a traditional appearance barrel profile AND the strength benefits of the L frame.

Sadly, the S&W official looked at me like I was from Mars. . . .

 

[Kifaru]

And if not a 3 inch, I'll take a 2.5. Why on earth did they stop making snub K frames? Do they think people don't carry them?

Yes! For the price a 3" 66 commands these days, you would think S&W would take the hint. Also, with the elimination of the forward locking bolt on the new 66, it looks like they could fit a full-length extractor rod on a 2.5" gun. That would be very diggable in my book.

 

[wrangler5]

Aren't they selling all they can produce of their current product line? Why would they change their product mix if that's the case?

As for wishing for a return of Bright Blue guns, from what people have said about the labor to do that you might as well just go get a LNIB old one and pay a collector's price, as that's what a new one would cost if they tried to do it at the factory. (And as Mod 19 Guy noted, you'd get MIM parts and an IL on new ones.)

 

[DFrame]

Ruger may be listening but I don't care , still holding out for Smith to come to their senses.

I'm with you on that. I also keep hoping Colt will hire some intelligent management. I also believe in unicorns and the tooth fairy

 

[HarrishMasher]

Aren't they selling all they can produce of their current product line? Why would they change their product mix if that's the case?

Change? Not change, but ADD to the product line. Why? Satisfy customers and make money. I'm pretty sure every gun manufacturer ADDs guns to their product line, including S&W.

They already make the Models 10, 64, 66, 67, 69 with 4" barrels. How hard would it be to make some with 3" barrels? Pretty much effortless. This way they can ADD to their product line. Like they do with every other gun they make...offer it in different sizes and variations.

Ever see all the different sized M&P 9mm pistols they make, and the countless variations...threaded barrel, FDE finish, OD finish, Compact, Mid-size, Full-size, Optic ready and so on. They are constantly ADDING to that line. Just asking them to put some 3" barrels on revolvers they already make in 4".

 

[wheelyfun66]

When the new model 66 came out; I thought great if only in a three inch model.

S&W will get my money as soon as this model comes out!
Make it lock-less and I'll pay HUGE bucks for one!

 

[wkwhittenberg]

I just picked up a 586 L-comp 3" and the only thing I would change about it is to take out the infernal internal lock. In fact, S&W should do away with installing internal locks on all their firearms. If I'm going to put a lock on the firearm, there's usually one that comes in the case making the internal lock redundant.

 

[Tommy Tunes]

I like the 3" revolvers, but matte stainless seems like such a waste of a beautiful metal. Yes, to each his own.