I have a model 57 and 58 in .41 Magnum and both have the locks. They shoot just as good as any of my other 57's and 58's. The bluing is not that same old beautiful deep color, but they look just fine and work just fine.
Surprised at the Quality of New Revolver
- Thread starter Vtgw938
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That's the most important point, function.
StrawHat
Member
I'm "old school" only when it comes to my strong like for revolvers; so, the locks don't bother me as long as my gun shoots. But I understand the purist's point of view as far as the hole on the side goes, along with the way the guns are made and how the parts are made. So, being an "outsider" to the handgun world I just want gun to go bang when I aim & pull the trigger. My 629-6 is a real nice shooter compared to my small assortment of handguns. It shoots pretty nice and where I aim it, so there's that. Only the old K22 shoots better (closer to the black round thing in the center of the target.) I sometimes compare guns & gun guys to cars & car guys. Heaven forbid there be an automatic tranny on the Mustang GT, but with an auto, you can grab a can of beer or pop and drink it while you fly down the track without worrying about having to shift. I think I lost my train of thought here...sorry.
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BTW, Herky Bird, that is a beautiful gun you have there!
Rammer Jammer
Member
The guys at Brownells have a good video about this subject. Boils down to older are more collectible, new ones are better shooters. Nobody likes the locks.
Smyth Busters: Are Old Smith & Wessons Better Than New Ones? - YouTube
Smyth Busters: Are Old Smith & Wessons Better Than New Ones? - YouTube
Darkenfast
Member
I must be an "appearance heretic". On L-frames, I prefer the curve of the post-lock frame below the hammer to the pre-lock frames.
I probably am missing some fine forearms, but....
I can't own a gun that says "Please read the instructions" on it or locks so that if I can't find the key it's useless.
It is esthetics, but mostly I'm bothered by the caving of companies that further the insanity of the litigious society we have become and do NOTHING to further firearms safety.
Where's my key?
I can't own a gun that says "Please read the instructions" on it or locks so that if I can't find the key it's useless.
It is esthetics, but mostly I'm bothered by the caving of companies that further the insanity of the litigious society we have become and do NOTHING to further firearms safety.
Where's my key?
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soonerbb
Member
My experience with my model 69 was very good, it has become my go to carry when hiking or hunting. Every aspect of mine is quality, trigger is as good as it gets....Maybe "expectations" is the key here....
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I currently have five modern (post lock) revolvers in my safe—a 986 PC, a 60 PC, 460 XVR, a 327 PC, and 617.
These are all superb firearms. The 986 had its out-of-the-box problems (gritty trigger and a loose front sight), but S&W was quick to deal with those problems and it performs wonderfully now.
I'd also add that not every old gun is good. I've had plenty of hand ejectors dating back to the 1920's that were absolutely forgettable to shoot.
I don't love the lock, but I'm not going to part with an otherwise good revolver because of it. And if someone wants to sell their post-lock gun to me at a loss, then I'll happily accommodate that wish.
Mike
These are all superb firearms. The 986 had its out-of-the-box problems (gritty trigger and a loose front sight), but S&W was quick to deal with those problems and it performs wonderfully now.
I'd also add that not every old gun is good. I've had plenty of hand ejectors dating back to the 1920's that were absolutely forgettable to shoot.
I don't love the lock, but I'm not going to part with an otherwise good revolver because of it. And if someone wants to sell their post-lock gun to me at a loss, then I'll happily accommodate that wish.
Mike
Invictus357
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I have a fairly new 629.
It's just as good by every measure of the Smiths I shot as a teenager 40 years ago.
It's just as good by every measure of the Smiths I shot as a teenager 40 years ago.
Good to hear some positives on the newer models. Only thing I really don't like is the look created on the newer models longer slanted underlugs. Maybe they had to do that because of weight balance for recoil ?(does anyone know?), but the older models shorter slanted underlugs sure looked wickedly S&W A+ better imo....
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Here are a few not so good pictures. I bought these all new when they were still on the CA gun roster when I lived there.
I didn't like the new style target grips on the model 57-6, so I installed some nice target grips from a 1980's model 57. I do like the looks of the 5 screws on the 57-6 and 58-1.
I forgot about my model 57-5 Mountain Gun having a lock also. These are all great shooting guns.
riverrat38
US Veteran
I recently bought a new M10-14 Classic. It appears to be perfect in all respects. Fit and finish. B-C gap is .005" and lockup is tight. DA trigger is heavy, but very smooth. Shoots as well as I can. If I could change anything, it would be a 3" barrel revolver, and I really don't have any use for the IL, so I don't use it.
73,
Rick
73,
Rick
Our generation is eventually going to die off (hopefully not too soon) and the next generation of shooters will grow up with locks on their S&Ws.
Im betting they won't give a damn.
Im betting they won't give a damn.
The lock, and opinions others have of it, doesn't really concern me. I don't particularly like it, especially in J-frames, but I can ignore it, easily. I'd guess the 69 was a "Friday afternoon" gun, or maybe you just spotted a 629 than was assembled by one of the company's better "gunsmiths." Who knows? The results could easily be reversed the next time you see two different guns. By far most of the comments I have seen on the Model 69s have been favorable.
StrawHat
Member
Thank you for posting that photo and updating me on the Models 57 and 58. I tend to follow the 45 ACP revolvers and was not aware those two Models had progressed beyond -1!
I come here to share knowledge and to learn. Today, I learned! Thank you again,
Kevin
My M69 had the absolute best out of the box trigger of any gun I have owned. All I did was pop off the side plate, flush out any grime and grit, re-lube and proceed to enjoy. Barrell has a few tooling marks but so far has shot well with anything I've tried in it.
Boxhead
Member
While I am not a fan and own none I have two sons that own them and have had zero issues and just me fiddling with them clearly shows Smith quality. They are accurate. That said, I have been able to find non-lock pieces at, and often well below, locked pieces so that's where I will continue to roll.
This conversation has helped me conclude, I will buy the the gun I'm looking for with or without a lock. I have a model I'm looking for in a particular caliber, if the condition is good, and the caliber what I want then it will come home with me . LoL.
Forty or Fifty years from now...
I prefer vintage S&W revolvers (particularly P&R N-frames), and they make up the majority of my modest collection. I do have a couple of Internal Lock models (642-2 and 627-5), and although I don't particularly like the aesthetics of the IL, they are excellent and dependable shooters. I wonder if all the newer models, including the new Classics, will hold their value or appreciate over the next 40 or 50 years like the vintage Smiths have appreciated. We are all only temporary caretakers for those revolvers and they will eventually be recirculated, so all those vintage revolvers should still be around in future years along with all the new models. Many of us won't be around to see what happens, but it would be interesting to observe.
I prefer vintage S&W revolvers (particularly P&R N-frames), and they make up the majority of my modest collection. I do have a couple of Internal Lock models (642-2 and 627-5), and although I don't particularly like the aesthetics of the IL, they are excellent and dependable shooters. I wonder if all the newer models, including the new Classics, will hold their value or appreciate over the next 40 or 50 years like the vintage Smiths have appreciated. We are all only temporary caretakers for those revolvers and they will eventually be recirculated, so all those vintage revolvers should still be around in future years along with all the new models. Many of us won't be around to see what happens, but it would be interesting to observe.
Every firearm is a rule unto itself. Some will be stellar, some will be good, some should have never left the factory. That's the way it was and is.
I do think the most recently produced firearms from most manufacturers should be given close scrutiny before purchasing. As a result of the panic that has persisted for two years now, so many firearms and ammo manufacturers have been trying to make as many things as possible, usually with reduced staffing, in order to meet demand. This is a recipe for poorly made firearms and ammo to leave the factory. In other words, the buyer needs to exercise due diligence when considering a purchase.
Good point. Periods like the last two years could be problematic. Luckily my current hunt item is not in production. I have not been able to figure exactly when it stopped, but I suspect it was pre-pandemic. Always check quality if one can when buying. That's not always possible when buying used and used is what it is. It may take some time to see if this past two years produced good or bad products
Ackley1952
Member
We start to talk about the finish called blue but looks more like a krylon paint on. If the current blueing was that deep deep job the lock might not show up. I'm already allergic to polymer and starting to feel queezy being subjected to steady diet of stainless. Am I the only one that remembers that deep blue ?
If you are speaking of the blued finish on S&W revolvers, it is not sprayed on, it is a type of blueing.
Pre-1980 S&W's had the famous Carbonia blue, which produced that classic, deep, brilliant blued finish. In 1980, S&W switched to black oxide bluing, which is what a great many firearms manufacturers used. It produced a darker blue. Around year 2000, S&W switched to an EPA friendly black oxide process. This new process produces a very black finish, but it lacks the appearance of depth and exposure to ammonia or ammoniated compounds found in so many solvents will turn it a plum color.
I currently have 12 S&W revolvers including 3 with the lock. My experience with the lock is limited to those three but they have never caused me any problems. The keys are still in the boxes and the locks have never (and probably never will be) engaged.
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27-9, 360J, 342-1
Top to bottom
27-9, 360J, 342-1
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daveyc
Member
I have a few current "lock" revolvers and they all function just fine. from an aesthetics standpoint, the loss of the hammer-mounted firing pin offends me more than the lock.
