S&W - Are You Listening?

[rcsiv]

I don't post often, but for this one, in case S&W execs are watching I will jump in -- yes please!

 

[tygar]

3" S&Ws

I really like my 3" 629 & 2.5 325PD & had the 19 & 66 2.5s. Wish I still had them. Would like to see 3" in all the above plus 25/625 (especially the 45acps) I also think the 325PD & the other PDs would benefit from 3" brl.

S&W would make a butt load of $s by making 3" revolvers again.

 

[1TommyBoy]

I sure would be great to have and I would use for everyday carry.

 

[lebomm]

I would probably buy a 3" stainless K Centennial.

Larry

 

[DBJ]

1911-10mm,
Is that .357 pictured with the wood grips your revolver? I'm desperate for a set of wood grips like that. Can you tell me where you obtained those?
DBJ

 

[jjbrewst1]

1911-10mm,

Is that .357 pictured with the wood grips your revolver? I'm desperate for a set of wood grips like that. Can you tell me where you obtained those?

DBJ

Are you talking about this style?

They are Smith & Wesson Original Combat Stocks.

 

[beerbelly]

There is (or was?) a 3 inch 13 in ex shape at a LGS.
Been thinking about it for a few weeks. After reading this thread, I`m "re-psyched" about it. Maybe I`d better go see if it`s still there tomorrow....

 

[M3Stuart]

I'd like a 3" K too.

Right now they have the 3" 60, 3" 686 and 3" 586 L comp. Their catalog shows, or used to show, a 3" 629 but I've never actually seen one for sale.

The only thing I think we'd ever see - in real life - MIGHT be a 3" 66. But that would probably only happen after the demand for the 4" 66 dies down.

I wonder if they'd take advance orders for 3" 66's and when they got to some economic number, say...5,000, then they'd make 'em in a limited, special order run.

 

[ladder13]

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

I've got a stainless Colt S70 just about to be released from bail, and lay awayed a blue S70 Gold Cup just the other day.
Colt is making great guns nowadays.

 

[jjbrewst1]

I've got a stainless Colt S70 just about to be released from bail, and lay awayed a blue S70 Gold Cup just the other day.
Colt is making great guns nowadays.

Aren't they BANKRUPT? Or filed recently.

Until Colt starts making the Revolvers again I don't think they are a valid argument

 

[labworm]

I've got a stainless Colt S70 just about to be released from bail, and lay awayed a blue S70 Gold Cup just the other day.
Colt is making great guns nowadays.

As long as I have known you, I can honestly say, you buy all the cheap stuff.

 

[HaroldB]

Anyone else want a Model 69 in 3-inch ?

Methinks it would sell well.

YES!

I can't believe Wiley Clapp or Lipsey's hasn't ordered them made

 

[wacurry13]

Smith & Wesson left a BIG hole in the L frame line when they discontinued the model 696 44 special. It is the ideal back up weapon and definitely the BEST CCW weapon Smith & Wesson ever produced. If S&W would make the model 69 with a 3" underlug barrel and a round butt, I would buy 2 just to make sure I had backup.

 

[dlambert2466]

Model 629 Bounty Hunter 44 mag and Model 60 pro series 357/38

 

[chrisbroz]

IIRC in the 70s ABC TV series, The FBI, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr carried a 3 in Mod 27...I LOVED that gun!!!

 

[ontargetagain]

Maybe if S&W isn't listening conversion companies like Talo will
There is something very classy and proportionate about the 3in guns for me. I don't have one yet but sure am strongly considering one!

There surely isn't anything difficult about making a short barrel with a little extra put into a quality action. Could be a great 'base gun' with consumer adds for sights and grips etc, one that you could accessorize.

Great thread!
Karl

 

[Model 15-4ever]

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 think the black matte finish was a big turn-off for many potential buyers. For the outrageous $$$ that S&W was charging for the Nightguards, that finish was not cutting it. It didn't have the look people want in a revolver of that price range.

 

[jjbrewst1]

I'm wondering why they would make a 3" 66 Again when they have the 686 3". Prob don't want to cannibalize there own sales.

And yes I realize the 66 is a K Frame and the 686 is an L Frame. Not much difference here.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I agree with this. A 3 inch round butt version of the new 66 is a great idea. Please, no silliness, such as porting, slab-sided barrels, or barrels with silly looking front sights set back an inch to allow a huge unnecessary and unsightly hole in the top of the barrel. I can remove a lock if I wish, but I cannot replace the steel from unnecessary holes in the barrel.

Sadly, that's all that will come out of S&W in terms of new products. To the vast majority of new shooters, Old School is merely.... old. When you consider the price that they are charging for anything other than the ubiquitous 638 or 642, the modern buyer wants to have something other than... old.

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?

Basically, no they don't anymore. For concealed carry - and thats the major market - it's a pistol world, and the lighter and more boolits the better while you are at it. Yes it's a big internet and this thread will attract all the revolver aficionado's on here... but for the most part, people carry pistols or small revolvers. Pack some medium fame revolver iron every day - all day - for two weeks and you'll wonder how you did this years ago: for a whole 6 shots in the gun and a bulky slow reload.

Regular carry guns get roachly real quick - - dropping well over $750+ (and that's what it will cost given the production and expectations situation) for a 6-shot bulky and heavy concealed carry gun is not going to be a popular sell.

Back in the day.... I carried a 3" Model 13-3 and later a 3" Model 66-3 for work. I thought that 66-3 was the best thing since sliced white bread for a concealed carry gun. A couple months ago a good friend passed on. He left a 3" Model 66-3. Picking it up, I realized how much times have changed. Compared to just about any modern compact service pistol, the medium frame revolver is an also-ran for concealed carry.

I still have my Old School revolvers that I ran with "back in the day". But a few dozen internet posters does not make a viable new market, and the complaints that will be dumped on any new model (the lock, the MIM, the finish, the barrel is a little off, blah blah blah) will ensure that any new production will satisfy no one. Which is amusing because back in the day S&W revolvers were always not the picture of perfection - barrels were canted, actions could be rough and out of time, etc etc. Time and nostalgia often cause memories to ignore the failings of the past.

 

[Dpapa]

3" S&W

I agree! I got this Lew Horton Special about 20 years ago, and I absolutely love it. It is a rare 3" Model 66 with adjustable sights. Dead nuts accurate at 25 yards, reliable, and a pleasure to shoot. I own several additional S&Ws, but this is my only 3 incher, and it's my favorite of the bunch..... OK, except for my new 686 Plus - Pro Series. But that's just because I love the recessed cylinder which allows for full moon clips.... Whoa now wait a minute. Imagine a 3 inch S&W that takes full moon clips. Now we're talkin'!!!!!!