Triple Lock.

[Plain Old Dave]

Really, enough said.

I keep seeing people lusting over Heavy Duties and just don't get it. All a HD is is a giant Model 10 that looks like a Triple Lock.

It's only a .38, people.

The Triple Lock, though, is more than just a revolver. It was a seminal event in gun manufacture, the first serious calibered full frame Smith and Wesson made; modern N-frames (including the HD/22/Outdoorsman/23) trace their lineage back to 1907's New Century. So here's MY Wish List:

A Classic Revolver to be called simply "The New Century".

Calibers: .44 Special and .45 LC

Finishes: Classic Blue and Polished Stainless Steel

Barrel: 5", 6 1/2" tapered "pencil" profile (sorry, IMHO 4" is just too short for practical shooting)

Sights: (Service Model) notch rear, half-moon front (Target Model) same as 25-12

Stocks: Checkered diamond walnut service with gold medallion for blued models, simulated ivory checkered diamond with gold medallion for stainless models

If you can tell me that a new Triple Lock wouldn't be like Corvettes used to be with every example sold long before it's made, I have beautiful beachfront property in Corbin, Kentucky for you, my friend.

 

[hastings]

I keep seeing people lusting over Heavy Duties and just don't get it. All a HD is is a giant Model 10 that looks like a Triple Lock.

It's only a .38, people.

I beg to differ with you on this perspective. The balance, feel, and appearance make an HD a very desireable gun even without the history they have. As far as only being a 38, I'll take a nice robust well balanced 38 over a poorly balanced ungainly larger caliber revolver any day. It's more about the overall package than any one point. I suppose HD's are an acquired tasted, though, with the advent of magnumitis. Each to his own.

As far as the triple lock goes, I couldn't agree with you more that they should come out with a new New Century. I would, however, like a 4" model. I find that barrel length to be just about right for shooting and carrying. If I can't carry a gun conveniently I don't keep it. I do love the look and feel of a 6" pencil barrel, but I don't like how they carry in a holster. I hope you will agree that more options for barrel length isn't a bad thing. A 6" for you and a 4" for me.

 

[n4zov]

I think you have a good idea, and the "The New Century" moniker sounds very appropriate. For sure it is better than Model 9618-14 or some such gibberish.

 

[Plain Old Dave]

All right, barrels to be available in 4, 5, or 6 1/2". Though I think a 4" barreled wheelgun is just a super-bulky snubnose and can't see how you could hit anything even at 25 yards with it...

 

[hastings]

I have to confess that with my poor eyesight the increase in sight radius from 4" to 5" or 6-1/2" doesn't help me much. I do okay at 25 yards, and managed to consistently keep 6 round groups from a 4" 41mag mountain gun inside a 10" paper plate at 100 yards fired offhand with the factory sights. I keep my revolver shooting to within 25 yards, generally, and most of it is within 15 yards, because at arms length the front sight gets blurry, let alone the target. I admire those of you who have keen eyesight and can produce tight groups out to 50 and 100 yards, but to be honest I do just as well with a 2-1/8" snubbie as I do with a 4" Mountain Gun or a 7-1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk (maybe I should have said just as poorly, not just as well).

I'm no shooting ace, but I can consistently hit center of mass quickly.
For me it has always been more about muscle memory at the short to medium range shooting. Once I get a feel for the gun I often rely less on the sight picture and more on the orientation of my body. Sounds scary inaccurate, but it pans out to fast shooting 3-4 inch groups at less than 12 yards and 5-7 inch groups out to 25 yards. I won't win any target matches, but I can take out aggressive coyotes and black bear quite effectively in the mountains behind my house.

To be fair, though, I'll buy a long barreled Triple Lock in addition to a 4"er, if they come out with them.

 

[Evil One]

All right, barrels to be available in 4, 5, or 6 1/2". Though I think a 4" barreled wheelgun is just a super-bulky snubnose and can't see how you could hit anything even at 25 yards with it...

I like the idea of a New Century... in a 4".
With my M21 TR I could hit softballs at 40 yards.


Jim

 

[dddddmorgan]

I love the name "New Century" it's perfect!

And I can't say whether 4" or 6" is better. I have a couple S&W that get carried and shot all the time and a couple that don't. Seems the carried ones are the shorter barrels and the others are longer.

However... that being said, if I have time at the range and want to really get serious about accuracy I take the longer barrel guns.

However (again)... I haven't found that I can do anything with a 6" bbl that I can't do with a 4" bbl.

I do like all the ideas about sights and options, and thanks for including the 45 Colt, IMHO one of the greatest of all.

 

[baldeagle8888]

New Century Triple lock

I would buy a 5" barreled, Stainless Steel Triple Lock in a heartbeat if S&W were to come out one. I would be willing to put money up front on ordering.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Until they do, here is the real deal for you to enjoy

 

[old bear]

Triple-Lock re visited

Hi Dave, yes, I wood love to see the triple-lock reintroduced simply because it’s the height of the metal workers art, sadly I’m not sure that in today’s cooperate climate S&W or any other manufacturer could justify the expense of reintroducing a hand made and hand finished revolver.

Sir, you do the 38/44 a disservice when you refer to it as an over sized M- 10, as good a revolver as the M-10 was. I believe that much of the mystique of the 38/44 H.D. is do to the fact that it’s the grandfather of the .357 Magnum cartage, IMHP, the finest pistol cartage and handgun package ever developed, and all of the fine revolvers that have spawned from it.

 

[HKSmith]

All right, barrels to be available in 4, 5, or 6 1/2". Though I think a 4" barreled wheelgun is just a super-bulky snubnose and can't see how you could hit anything even at 25 yards with it...

If Elmer Keith were still alive he might have an answer to that - I believe the 4 inch Model 29 was his favorite gun!