What I don't like about the new revolvers .

[colt_saa]

But the cylinder stop just looks out of place to me.Does anyone know why this change was made?

As already mentioned, this occurred many, many years ago when S&W switched to CNC mills.

What you might not realize is that the old style you are used to, is a hole cut through the revolvers frame and them a plug pressed into it.

CNC machining allowed the stop to be machined directly above the steel that was now no longer being cut away. It is now one piece instead of two.

As mentioned this change is one of the reasons why we have smaller and lighter frames capable of handling more and more powerful cartridges.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It is striking on how all of the gun forums, there is a nostalgia for the "old" guns and the way they were built. Personally I like the new S&Ws just the way they are. Couldn't care less about the lock; I simply ignore it.

Ditto!

Well said.