Thumbpiece/Cylinder release, Old or new style, Preference?

[TheShootist1894]

I was wondering what the general consensus is on the two cylinder release thumb pieces. . .
I am partial to the old style myself, mostly because when growing up learning my guns apart, that was the easiest way for me to tell smiths, from colts, from rugers. . . Obviously now I understand the much more intricate differences, but nostalgia takes me back to the old style. . .

I assume they are interchangeable correct?

 

[bmcgilvray]

Years of familiarity with the traditional thumb piece makes the current one feel considerably less positive in function. To me it is like trying to foist "New Coke" onto my taste buds. Nope, ain't gonna happen.

 

[valkyriekl]

I happen to like the new one...on new guns. On my competition revolvers, for example, which all feature MIM hammers and triggers and the MIM thumbpiece (but no locks):

For those, I feel it's easier for me to flip my thumb down to hit the cylinder release latch and not have to worry as much about placement. If I'm using an old-style thumbpiece, if I use my usual technique, I end up pushing on the sharp edge of the thumbpiece.

Conversely, I can't imagine any of my older revolvers having a new-style thumbpiece:

I don't practice quick reloads with the old pieces, however.

 

[TheShootist1894]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/121285-fs-nickel-3-5-pre-27-blue-4-m19-dfw-area.html

Appears they are interchangeable . . .

 

[ab4ka]

does all of the above count? I voted for the new one but I like them both

 

[valkyriekl]

Appears they are interchangeable . . .

Yup, they are.

There are also a few aftermarket thumbpieces if neither one floats your boat:

SDM makes some in both shapes, blued and stainless.

Hogue makes one.

As does California Competition Works

 

[7shooter]

I voted for the new but wouldn't change any of my old revolvers.

 

[Rangerone]

I have the new style on a 629-4. The angle is fine, but I find that my thumb slips a bit. Has anyone used the SDM with its "tack sharp checkering"? Brownell's has them.

 

[perpster]

I voted Coke Classic. Same for the cylinder stop: give me the machined dowel to the MIM'd ugliness any day.

 

[Doogy]

new for me, I just prefer the "look" of it.

 

[scooter123]

I prefer the old style, If there is one thing on the new guns I do not like, it's the Buck Rodgers release. To me it neither looks right nor feels right.

However, it's not enough to stop me from purchasing a gun I want. I'll just wait until I need some parts and order some old style thumb releases for the new guns.

 

[PMRet]

I voted Coke Classic. Same for the cylinder stop.

+1. The new designs just don't "look right" to me.

 

[18DAI]

Actually I prefer the new thumbpiece to the original.

I have it on all my competition and carry revolvers. Feels better and operates easier, for me.

It's the only thing that S&W has done to its revolvers that I DO like. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Cool Hand Hodge]

count me in for...could care less...same as the lock. If i like it, ill buy it reguardless.

 

[dacoontz]

Just thought I would chime in on the topic with some recent experience. I prefer whatever is original to the model, so no real preference. But someone mentioned that they are interchangeable, this is not entirely true. Some of the older dish ones may look similar but those thumb latches from the 50's and up have a complete oval on the back with the hole for the latch nut, while older M&P's have what looks like a half round piece on one side of the hole and another on the other side. But they do not completely surround the hole fot the nut. I wish I had some pics to show what I am trying to describe. Anyway, I am not sure what the latest triangle latches look like on the back, but they may function but likely won't fit perfectly. Just my two cents.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I like the old style. But in shooting hard kicking handguns, it will remove skin from your knuckle so this is why (I believe) they redesigned it.

 

[ol timer]

I like the solid thumb piece with a solid trigger and a hollow thumb piece with a hollow trigger.

 

[jeffrey]

Gotta agree with 18DAI, it's the only change that S&W has made in the last few years that I really like. Having said that, I have not changed out the old style releases in my old guns. They just wouldn't look right to me if I did that.