S&W Collecting Question

[fyimo]

I've only been at this for a little over two years and I've had my interests and focus changed at least 5 times. So I was wondering if this is something that happens to all of us or just a few like me.

When I started I got the N frame bug and bought a bunch of 27-2's in all barrel lengths except the hard to find 27-2 in 6.5 inch, then it was on to 29-2's and the same thing happened with getting all the barrel lengths. I then shifted to K frames like the Model 14, Model 17, Model 18, and finally Model 15's.

The past 6 months has been totally consumed with S&W revolvers in 22LR as I now have 8 of them if the one on the way to my FFL ever arrives. Now I'm contemplating getting a 17-2 and a 17-3 so that my set would be a K22, 17-1. 17-2, 17-3, and a 17-4 for a complete set of P&R K22's with 6 inch barrels.

Anyway I just wondered what other peoples collecting trends were and if there is any other stories out there you would share with us.

I can say that collecting these is fun and a decent investment because at least for the time being it's not dropping in value like my 401K.

I also love shooting S&W revolvers so collecting them kind of go together as a related hobby.

 

[Bigbones]

I find that my gun collecting interests are always evolving. My focus has changed numerous times over the last 10 years and only recently has centered on S&W. I enjoy learning about the various models and variations within those models. I just wish I had more time and cash to pursue this passion.

 

[alaskavett]

Still trying to understand your question.... Yep, we :"evolve" What that means I don't know.. Sometimes I seem to find the antique Lemon Squeezers ,the pre 17's or the model 27's... Lately it is the M-57 that are finding me. Where is Ark are you? Kyle

 

[Hondo44]

I always just bought what I liked, S&W DA revolvers, Ruger SAs and Colt SAs and autos, Winchester and Mannlicher rifles, Brownng designs with a few other brands thrown in.

Sometimes selling an older model when a new one came out as in Stainless. But I'm an opportunist as well, when the 1st triple lock target came along I grabbed it. I have barrel length preferences so usually went with my preference rather than getting the same model with different lengths. I like target models.

But about 4 years ago I got hooked on the web auctions. Now I could actually search and find models I wanted. But living in CA if they weren't single actions, they had to be at least 50 years old. Since I always liked all the transitions of the 50s, I focused on 5 screw 44 and 45 N frames, and getting every variation of the 22 and 32 I frames. That turned into a lot more than I originally thought there were.

Occasionally I pick up pre war N and I frames. I'm more apt to buy another of a gun I like a lot and already have rather then something different.

 

[Camster]

Though I have a couple of J frame .22s and a couple of N frame 357s,nothing has changed with K frame .22s being my favorite,and doubt that I will now buy anything other.I like the flavors of lug/lugless,blue/stainless,barrel length,etc,but the notion of collecting dash variations,or a set,has never crossed my mind.

 

[redbos]

Yup, I have been all over the map and been really collecting S&W's for maybe 6 years, but use to buy them and still have others that I bought years back.
I started buying Model 28's, then I had a "thing" for pretty 586's, then got really into Model 29-2's, now it is all about .22's. I am doing good on the Model 17's but need to first learn alot and then start finding nice K22's and Kit guns, probably mostly Post War since I have a small son!. I have two K22's and just bought my first Kit Gun , but I think about them all the time. I guess as long as you never sell any, they will all be special.

 

[murphydog]

I think you will get as many different answers as there are members - action type, models, calibers, barrel lengths, finish, historical significance, rarity. Despite several attempts I have not been able to concentrate on any particular pattern of collecting, but it is nice to have an investment that isn't little ink dots on a piece of paper.

 

[JCS&W]

fyimo, my father had a couple of nickel Smiths, that as a kid, I thought were great. So, my focus is mainly on getting nickel Smiths, and in 4" barrel lengths or less. However, I cannot seem to pass up a poor ole downtrodden Smith when I see one, nickel or otherwise. So, with that said, I do "wobble" and get off track now and again. While acquiring nickel Smiths is still my main goal, the off center acquisitions make it fun for me.

 

[pennlineman]

I just go with the flow. I buy nice examples of pre lock revolvers as they show up. I'm also getting interested in 1st through third generation auto loaders. It makes it exciting as I never really know what my next gun will be, other than some sort of S&W.

 

[OLDSCHOOLGUNS]

It's a rare trip to a gun show indeed that I go looking for a particular gun, and actually find it! A couple of gun shows ago I went looking for a nice old M-36 and ended up coming home with a 1970's era Walther PP in 7.65. The last show I went looking to trade a old Ruger Blackhawk in hopes of finding perhaps a nice old Browning HP, and ended up with (and I'm happy I found it) a 10-6 in .357. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you'll find. I just know I like serious old well built guns.

 

[H Richard]

I have found that my interests have gone to the antique and C&R models. But the C&R's go all the way up to 1960 now. I seem to be attracted to I Frames and top breaks, but 4 screw K Frames usually jump out at me also. But then I do like 44 Specials and 45 ACP revolvers to. Well I guess anything that has S&W on it seems to call to me. It is a sickness. I was saving up for a new 20 ga. SXS, but then a 4 screw pre 10 in nice condition said hello, so I put a dent in that wallet again.

 

[Chop]

I guess like most folks here I have changed a bit over the years. I started with blue 4" N Frames, then went to nickel.
About twenty years ago, decided that I liked K-frames better, so went to 4" K frames, then 2 1/2" K's, now 3" k's.
Then came L frames......
I do have quite a collection, rarely ever sell one. Most I bought used, and 95% are used by me.
I enjoy shooting .38 and .44 Spec.
Chop

 

[LEO918]

Art: It seems that our interest are running somewhat similar. My second year as a S&W collector is coming up in October. Like you I started with an interest in N-Frame revolvers. When I felt content with a complete sets of M-27 and M-29 guns,I moved to the K frames, mostly four and five screws. Just completed the three gun masterpiece set K-14,K-16 and K-17, all early '50s. Not sure where I'm headed now, however it sure is fun to be on the bus.

 

[stmry]

My focus expands, but never strays too far from N-Frames.

 

[Engine49guy]

After reading the OP I realized it described my collecting history and thoughts almost to a T.

Prior to being "Bitten" by the Smith Bug I was into Military small arms, (Mostly German and American stuff) as well as semi autos.
I had originally purchased a Model 659 and a Model 66-1 waaay back in the 1980's to use in the police academy but ,
when I got hired by the Fire dept instead I was broke and they got sold off.
Luckily I kept my holsters and the guns were replaced just this year with a Model 59 and a 66 no dash .

I still do appreciate quality firearms like the .40 Browning Hi Power and 60's era Walther PPK I recently picked up,
My real enjoyment now comes from K22's and with the exception of the 2nd model (of course) and the dash 5 (for some strange reason) I have almost all the varients.

I seem to prefer tapered barrels and 4" models of all types especially 357 Magnums .

I do not own a 5" Smith or a .45 caliber yet but lately my interest has been Mountain guns,
Maybe a 5" 45 Mountain gun would recitfy that situation.

This website plays a big part in the enjoyment of this hobby,
The ability to share something that you find interesting with others makes it that much more enjoyable.

My friends think the collection all looks the same and the GF is convinced I am nuts to get excited over finding the same gun with a different dash number stamped in the crane or to pay double the price for the same gun because it has an extra 4th or 5th screw in the frame...Here I find encouragement and acceptance..

Since I have no heirs they will all eventually go back into the system but for now they are my babies.

 

[semperfi71]

I do not collect for profit but to shoot and pleasure of ownership.

I always had a desire to own a variety of "modern" (post 1920) S&W revolvers in both blue and nickel. I intially did not "trust" stainless S&Ws.

Until I began here on the Forum in about 2006 I was pretty ambivelant about my S&W collection except for the M29 series. I HAD to have the three main barrel lenghts of 4, 6 (or 6 1/2), and 8 3/8 inches. I did manage to purchase them long ago.

Then I bought a stainless S&W M640 and found out the many reports in the gun magazines by a number of writers were wrong. Stainless S&W do not have a WORSE action over the older Smiths. And they are virtually free from "wear-marks" that appear on blued and nickel guns. So I now collect stainless as well.

Since I joined this forum, and have seen and read about the many fine S&W revolvers here, I have gone crazy. I have probably increased my collection by five-fold.

I buy from the internet, gunshops, gunshows, and pawn shops.

About my only non-preference is any S&W with the lock. I do not eschew the lock but I do the price. I can usually buy older S&Ws that are cheaper than the newer ones and definitely finished better.

I do try to avoid the more finish challenged guns and try to get more pristine. But if the price is right and rarity is a factor I will go after an "Ugly Betty".

I had an opportunity at a local show about a year ago to buy a Registered Utah State Police .357 Magnum that was blue-worn for $1400.00. I also had to pass on a 6 inch Non-Registered .357 Magnum that was supposedly reblued by the factory sometime after WWII for $1100.00. I did not have the money. I will probably never see such a deal again.

 

[gunblade]

All my S&W revolvers are stainless pre locks and run in size from a 60 no dash to a 629-4, but I've got a couple gaps in there that I'm looking to fill. I've just stuck with the stainless models over the years because they spend a lot of time outdoors and I like being able to keep 'em cleaned up good without hurting the finish of a nice blued one. I will probably get some more blued guns down the road, but for now I'm just concentrating on stainless K frames.

 

[toroflow1]

I used to buy only Js and Ns, and a few choice Ls & Ks. I got bit by the I and J frame "bug" a few years ago and ended up with over 50 of them. Sold most of them off now, only have a dozen or so remaining. N frames are the hardest to acquire (most expensive) and the hardest to sell off!!

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Kinda strayed into this string by accident. Started with my first S&W 41 - then learned there were interchangable barrels - then about weight sets - and on to 46s - and then found out about 41-1s - and then to the various changes and finishes and boxes - and Mod 52s - and started noticing the special mods, the aftermarket stuff and the "government project stuff" - and then the REAL government stuff - and (re)imported. I continue to learn and discover new and different variations. But I'm still looking for that "S&W 46 in .22 short" that???may exist??? Probably the best lesson I have learned about S&W is that the most important rule is: There Ain't No Rules" with S&W.

 

[Avery11]

I'm a new collector too. Most of what I've searched for started with a thread I stumbled across here and there.

I like reading about why folks like their guns and especially like the ones that are unique and in my price range. I love a good deal but not really to turn a profit. It's easy to go out and hit the "buy it now". I get real satisfaction from getting a really good deal without rolling somebody to do it.

To me, unique has been a 52-2, 627-0, CS-1, and a 657 no dash 4". Of course, unique is a subjective term but I don't see as many of those models as I do the more common guns.

FYIMO, it seems that you collect for a certain symmetry, if you will.

I think we all have that in us and for the majority, it shows in our collections. My symmetry is to have examples from lots of families of S&W revolvers and some autos now and then.

I don't collect to complete a checklist but if you do then I respect you for it and can see why.

Lately I have caught a bug for Ruger SA's - especially the Birdshead Vaqueros. Why? They're unique; they stand out of the crowd a little.

I hope to be back to the S&W's very soon.

It's all about the chase!

 

[Hondo44]

This website plays a big part in the enjoyment of this hobby,
The ability to share something that you find interesting with others makes it that much more enjoyable.

My friends think the collection all looks the same and the GF is convinced I am nuts to get excited over finding the same gun with a different dash number stamped in the crane or to pay double the price for the same gun because it has an extra 4th or 5th screw in the frame...Here I find encouragement and acceptance..

Engine 49 guy, you said it all! The forum makes me better enjoy what I already have w/o even wanting to buy more....but I will.

 

[tall gunner]

About a year ago I began selling single actions and semi autos so I could concentrate on Smith revolvers. Most recently my arthrtic hands have found the most pleasure shooting .22 with the latest (picking up tomorrow) a 351c in 22 mag. Also my recently acquired C&R has opened up new avenues of interest.

 

[M3Stuart]

fyimo, are you asking is it an addiction? Weelllll, only the addict can say!

I started 7 months ago. Here's what I've got so far (see pic). There's a 6" 686, a 4" 64, a 3" 10 (cheapest AND my favorite to shoot - a 'Bud's Special') and a 2" 36. I had two snub revolvers decades ago but quickly sold them. So after shooting 22s, 12 gauges (all gone now) and a 9mm for some decades, you could say I caught the revolver bug. I'll add that, from a 'practical' perspective the beat up 36 is my carry rig. The rest are car or range guns.

But I have to say, right now, all I want is a solid 22 revolver with a 4" barrel. But what happens? I run across a pristine Colt Det Spec .38 with a 3" barrel for cheap. Turns out they're rare. So what is my plan? Tomorrow I'm going to go to the gun show and try to trade my Colt (the 'book' says the value is $630 95%-98%, no box, but, as we all know, the book is always low these days) and try to trade it for a 22 revolver...

I agree with everyone who said the new ones are outrageously priced. If you look long enough, you can find a good gun at the right price.

I also agree with everyone that said 'shoot it til it falls apart'. All of my guns, even the ones that came with serialized diamond wood grips, wear goodyears for shooting.

 

[M3Stuart]

Another thought (which almost died of loneliness); whenever one of my friends tells me they're going to buy a boat or a motorcycle I always tell them to just borrow mine for awhile. Free of course. Just take it home, let it sit in your garage for as long as you want, use it all you want. All they have to do is maintain it - tags, repairs, etc. I'd let them not do any of that stuff but then I would deprive them of the 'full experience'. So, I do the same thing with guns. If you think you might like whatever, just use mine for awhile. If the person is 'into' it, they'll buy their own. But most of the time they just need to get it out of their system for a few months. I mean really, what do I care? Like somebody else said, the thing is just sitting there waiting to be bequeathed to a kid who most likely has different interests.

 

[semperfi71]

M3, true comment.

I have collected all of the guns I own and rarely, even retired, have been able to shoot all of them in one years time or more.

I pull them out, fondle them, and put them away. That does give me pleasure BUT, they rarely get shot. So their ACTUAL purpose is left behind.

As such, I guess me/we are indeed saving such items for a time when someone else will want them, or they go to someone who could care less, or lastly an overbearing government just seizes them.

But...I like 'em so I keep buying them. I guess it is truly an addiction.

 

[Ashlander]

I started with buying a practical carry gun -- a Model 60 in .357 Magnum (2 inch plus a fraction barrel).

Then I saw a cop trade in Model 65-3 with a three inch barrel. That was the baddest looking gun I had ever seen -- just plain mean looking. Heavy barrel and no frills. Had to have it. The store had 2 of them. I bought one, then after I shot it -- I went back and bought the other. One for carry and the other in the glove compartment. My wife thought I had snapped.

I got a lefty holster for the Model 60. What the hey, I'd carry a 65 and the 60.

Then I saw a nice nickel 19-3. Recessed and pinned. Nice Target grips. Decent price. 4 inch barrel looked good with the adjustable sights. Can't carry it concealed but it's a good shooter at the range.

By then I was in love with K-frame magnums -- especially since S&W doesn't make them anymore. They just had a elegance to them that I don't quite see in the L-frames (though certainly great guns).

My latest is an aussie cop trade-in 66-7 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. While it has adjustible sights which probably are not necessary on a short barrel gun -- it is a totally bad looking handgun. Looks like my Model 60 on steroids. Mernickle is making me a holster as I write.

The wife is convinced I am nuts, but many of us probably have a similar problem -- but hopefully not all with my wife.

 

[mchom]

Just being honest...as far as my own interests are concerned I think there is a genuine desire to learn about and own firearms that have historical or other kinds of significance. Unfortunately I also have materialistic desire to own far more than I need. Several years ago I picked up an Outdoorsman. I was not really familiar with those nor the HD. It didn't take long before I had the longing to own a HD. I finally got one. A blue 4" post war. But I wont feel whole until I get another variation or two. Fortunately as someone just indicated, at least they have a value that will hold or appreciate.

 

[fyimo]

fyimo, are you asking is it an addiction? Weelllll, only the addict can say!

Well there's no doubt that I'm addicted and that I have spent a lot of money on my guns. The good news is that I enjoy them a lot more when I'm looking at them then I do when looking at my reports from my 401K. They are a decent investment not designed to make big money returns but they rarely ever go down in value if properly cared for.

I have way more guns then I could ever shoot so I must like maintaining them and shooting the ones that aren't safe queens.

My question was pretty much answered and that is that most of us have changed course many times while collecting guns but the one constant is that we kept collecting.

 

[DCWilson]

Well there's no doubt that I'm addicted and that I have spent a lot of money on my guns. The good news is that I enjoy them a lot more when I'm looking at them then I do when looking at my reports from my 401K. They are a decent investment not designed to make big money returns but they rarely ever go down in value if properly cared for.

I have way more guns then I could ever shoot so I must like maintaining them and shooting the ones that aren't safe queens.

My question was pretty much answered and that is that most of us have changed course many times while collecting guns but the one constant is that we kept collecting.

Yup, concur.

I have found that interests shift a bit with time, but that often reflects catch-up collecting that comes into play when I finally learn something about the models involved. I wasn't much interested in 1905s and Pre-10s until I learned a bit about them, and now I have a few nice long-action specimens (prewar, Victoriy models, early postwar) that i once would have walked right past.

Seems like I will always turn my attention to prewar .22/32 Kit guns and .32 target revolvers on any frame, but I'm not averse to novelty. A lot of guns in my collection are there because I made a "seems like I ought to have one of those" decision on the spur of the moment.

But a couple of encompassing general principles remain: I like revolvers a whole lot better than I like semi-autos (though I have a couple of old semi-autos), and I like guns without model numbers a lot better than I like post-1957 production (though again, I have a few more recent ones).

And to go to an earlier point, discussing anybody's new acquisitions here on this forum is a great pleasure and a major part of the collecting experience.

 

[Shooting4life]

I started with the gun a month n frames of the 80's and early 90's. Nothing like thinking of a combination you want then looking on line finding thy actually made that exact combination. Then moved on to the slightly different guns like fixed sight n frames. Still in that faze and also starting my k22 collection.