What I don't like about the new revolvers .

In some ways, the new S&W revolvers look a little sleeker than the old S&W revolvers. With a few exceptions, the frames and the sleeved barrels make them essentially a different gun than the guns of 30 years ago and before (and pinned barrels and locks don't have much to do with it.) So maybe people should start viewing them as an altogether new gun rather than an "inferior" version of those old guns.

I hear you , but it's hard to do when Smith list them as the same models.
 
Presume you mean the cylinder lug? I don't know why it changed, but would wager that with advances in the precision of CNC machining it became easier and more cost effective to include the lug as part of the machined frame itself rather than the press fit of the original lug style.

It's the cylinder stop . . .
 
It's the cylinder stop . . .
I believe Laketime is referring to the lug that keeps the cylinder from sliding off the yoke barrel when out of battery; he confirms this in his post above. The cylinder stop is the spring loaded part that drops into the cylinder notch when cycling.
 
When I was a young man, I used to wear out the "Shooters Bible" and "Gun Digest" dreaming about the ones I was going to buy "one of these days."

Those guns were what we call "old ones" now. I just haven't had time to develope an interest in the "new ones" yet.
 
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I really like the new classics...and many of the traditional J frame models are still available.

The new angular barrel profiles on some models don't appeal to me, but most folks don't like stuff that looks "old."

The new guns have straighter surfaces and have less tool and machining marks than the older guns...they just tend to be uglier on the outside.

Sure they put out a lemon now and then, but thats always been the case. Such reports tend to really get folks in a tizzy.

To each their own, but I don't mind.
 
I don't have an issue with slight changes, I know they are tougher and stronger than the old,my issue is with quality control, for upwards of 1k they should be almost flawless and 100% functional like the classics I own.
 
In my 68 years of life I have owned and shot LOTS of S&W revolvers. I still own several from "back in the day" that I dearly love and almost consider to be works of art.

For the longest time I had no regard at all for the "newer" revolvers until one day, I actually took out and shot a 686-6+.

I now own 2 of those plus a Model 69.

Bob
 
It might have helped if they didn't keep using the same model numbers . . .

Below are two Chevy Impala's...separated by about 50 years. Same model name, very different cars. Some will swear all day long the older one is better. They're wrong of course, but the old ones had a certain style.

http://www.motoringme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Chevrolet_Impala_old_new_3.jpg

That would of made more since then spoiling the classics.kind of like the model T now sold as the Focus Hatch

The Model T was made from 1909 to 1927, and changed dramatically during that time. Different cars, really.
 
Could someone please post a picture of what is being discussed in this thread? I have no idea what's supposed to be different...looking at old and new guns right now :confused:
 
The frame lug/cylinder stop was changed to a machined part of the frame to add more strength to the frame and solve the problems encountered with the old lugs that were a separate pressed in part. The old ones could loosen, break or become worn and fail allowing the cylinder to shift and get tied up when it was open. Whatever one thinks of how the new one looks, it is a better design feature...So far as the old vs new...I have been around a long time and had lots of S&Ws and had some of the older models that came from the factory with problems and customer service back then wasn't very good...I look on guns somewhat as I do with people. I judge them based on how well they work and less on appearance. I have two newer S&Ws and they work as well or better than any of the older, pre IL/MIM guns...My experiences with current customer sevice is MUCH improved over what it was back in the 70s and 80s.
 
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