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!