What's the general consensus on the "Classics" models?

Register to hide this ad
There's no reason to think that they aren't good shooters: they work fine in most instances.

Those I've seen have comparable fit and finish to other contemporary Smiths, but aren't equivalent to the older guns.

They aren't the same as the older revolvers.

Rifling is produced using different methods than the older guns. Blued finishes are not created with the same process as the older guns. The IL frame isn't the same as the older guns.

Ultimately, it's a matter of personal taste.
 
Last edited:
This model 22-4 of 1917 is a good shooter.



attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0043.jpg
    DSC_0043.jpg
    94.4 KB · Views: 1,562
The newest I have is a 29-8 MG. I wouldn't part with it willingly. The way things are made has changed. I don't care about the lock or MIM parts on the newer guns. What I care about is how the look, handle and shoot.

Never had a problem with the newer guns.
 
I'm seriously considering buying a Classic series.

I've examined two in person: a model 57 classic, and a model 586 classic, both have 6 inch barrels.

I was very surprised at how tight lockup is on these two examples. Bank vault lockup. I've owned pinned barrel Smiths, and none of them locked up this tightly.

In my opinion, they are very good.
 
I like mine, a lot. 629 Classic in 6 1/2. Bought it a couple years ago now. Might actually be going on 3 years in a couple months. Could have been 'lucky' or could be that the frequency of manufacturer defects are exaggerated. Don't know. Mines awesome. I'd certainly recommend making any purchase 'hands-on' inspection first. I like buying off the shelf and would recommend same. Outside of that, do you like full-lug or not? I do, but it's not for everyone.
 
I snarfed up the 21-4 and then the 22-4 when they came out then added a nickeled 24 and blue 25 both in six inch, finished up with the new 40. All I can say they all are very serviceable and accurate revolvers. Although the nickel on the 24 was a bit "milky" it polished up nicely with Flitz.
 
Dr.Lou said:
They're pretty, but to my mind it's like buying a '63 Vette with '01 smog equipment.
Click to expand...
I like this analogy, because in spirit, I can respect it. But in fact, the '01 emissions restrictions would INHIBIT the natural performance of the '63 engine. There is no such performance loss in the new vs. old 'classic' revolver. You might not WANT the IL or the MIM etc, but the fact is, the package PERFORMS as good or better and I would argue with tighter tolerances in machining.
 
M-25 Comparison

Mr.Harry said:
I like this analogy, because in spirit, I can respect it. But in fact, the '01 emissions restrictions would INHIBIT the natural performance of the '63 engine. There is no such performance loss in the new vs. old 'classic' revolver. You might not WANT the IL or the MIM etc, but the fact is, the package PERFORMS as good or better and I would argue with tighter tolerances in machining.
Click to expand...

I had a chance to shoot two .45 Colt M-25's side by side, my old one and a new classic model with all of the stuff purists hate. The new M-25 was better fitted, tighter, had a better trigger (amazing!), and generally shot better. All good. But the new M-25 had those Godawful laminated stocks, IL, and MIM parts. The performance of the new gun was surprising and pleasing, but I still prefer my old one.
 
Inspect, dry fire if allowed at the store, then buy with
confidence.

If something goes wrong, Smith will fix it.

My Classic 586 and 686 SSR are superb and I've owned/own
plenty of older Smiths to make a decent judgment.

As for the IL or MIM parts, I don't even give them a
thought. It's all in the shooting and that has been
excellent.

I do put on Hogue rubber grips but that's my
preference for the Smiths and the Ruger GP-100s.
 
ggibson511960 said:
I had a chance to shoot two .45 Colt M-25's side by side, my old one and a new classic model with all of the stuff purists hate. The new M-25 was better fitted, tighter, had a better trigger (amazing!), and generally shot better. All good. But the new M-25 had those Godawful laminated stocks, IL, and MIM parts. The performance of the new gun was surprising and pleasing, but I still prefer my old one.
Click to expand...

I've owned plenty of the older guns (several model 58's, a few model 10's, old model 36, a five screw M&P, and a Combat Masterpiece). I've also handled the new classic revolvers, and my experience mirrors yours.

Most of my pinned barrel guns had some degree of endshake, some degree of rotational play in lock up. The bluing was great. The two new classics I handled were SUPER TIGHT guns. reminded me of the Colt Python lockup, with zero endshake.

I think I'm going to eventually get a new Classic
 
My take on the "new" classics - The polish and blue is not as nice as the old P&R guns, but not bad. Never had or seen a problem with the lock, though I prefer not to have it. MIM parts are a non issue. Big plus with these guns is how tight and right they are. My 4 inch 629-6 locks up super tight, no play or end shake. .004 cylinder gap, and .4295 cylinder throats. It is one of the most accurate .44 mag revolvers I own, of any age or barrel length. Trigger pull is very good. Its a shooter.

Larry
 
Last edited:
I have bought model 22-4s and 21-4s and would rate them as excellent in finish and shooting. I wish I still had them but that old buy,sell, trade routine I used to have got the best of me.
 
deanodog said:
I have bought model 22-4s and 21-4s and would rate them as excellent in finish and shooting. I wish I still had them but that old buy,sell, trade routine I used to have got the best of me.
Click to expand...

The buy/sell/trade routine has gotten us all at one point.
 
Tastes & Preforences

This thread proves that you cannot account for some peoples tastes, and preferences. On this thread, I'v seen modern Custom shop S&W revolvers compared to same model classic revolvers, and the modern revolver deemed, just as good, or better. Well, shouldn't it be, after being factory customized? I've been amazed to see people that were completely satisfied with extremely ugly plastic firearms, that I would't own, if offered one, free of charge. Those folks deem them very effective, and efficient. In the same token, if pride of ownership wasn't a consideration, a ball bat, pick handle, or pitch fork would also be an effective weapon. I have nothing against the newer firearms, and even own a 1990 S&W Magna Clasic 629-3 1 of 3000. I think everyone has opinions, likes, and choices, of their firearms, where I do disagree, is when the Classics are unjustly declared inferior to what some people, consider "new & better" offerings. Some people even use Automobile comparisons to illustrate their point, and I disagree with that also. A point to consider, I had a "bare bones" 1964 GTO, bought new, and driven, over 250,000 miles, that would out do the 2013 Chyrsler 300, that I currently drive, in every respect, other than pure unadulterated aggravation, and has nothing at all to do with classic revolvers. Forgive me for the rant.
Chubbo
 
My classic 586 from maybe a dozen years ago may not have quite the finish that some of the older guns have, but it's still nice in it's own way. There's only one apparent gaff on the gun - a machining inconsistency on the barrel rib.

Beyond that, it is equal to - and , in some ways, superior to - my old S&W's in terms of quality, from what I can tell. I had an old L frame from the 1980's (a 681 no dash) and it didn't have the solid feel of fit and action that the new gun has. Definitely not as accurate as the new gun, either. though it's barrel was 2" shorter. I've had a pinned barrelled revolver with it's own machining gaff, too , so that stuff happened in the old days, as well.

To be fair, I also had a post lock model 64, and my perception is that it wasn't made as well as my Classic 586, so maybe the Classic series are made to a higher level. But the folks at Buffalo Bore swear that they often get higher velocities from newer S&W revolver barrels than old S&W revo barrels of the same length.

I think that the New Classics and the old guns should be viewed as somewhat different things, however. As with the any other antique, they aren't making the old school revolvers anymore, so they have their own appeal. I've never bought into the "anti-lock" mentality, though. IMHO.
 
Chubbo said:
A point to consider, I had a "bare bones" 1964 GTO, bought new, and driven, over 250,000 miles, that would out do the 2013 Chyrsler 300, that I currently drive, in every respect, other than pure unadulterated aggravation, and has nothing at all to do with classic revolvers.
Chubbo
Click to expand...

Run both of those vehicles head on into a tree at 35 mph and tell us which one is better. Just make sure to do the 300 first so you'll still be alive to do the Goat. And before you try either one, tell us how they compare on: fuel mileage, tire wear, braking and steering, and tune up intervals, (bet you didn't drive 100,000 miles on a set of spark plugs). For the record, I had a 1966 GTO, also new from the factory, so I already know the answers to these comparisons. ;)

I do agree that it has nothing to do with revolvers with one minor point: both the auto industry and the firearm industry had greatly benefited from modern machining processes.
 
Mr.Harry said:
I like this analogy, because in spirit, I can respect it. But in fact, the '01 emissions restrictions would INHIBIT the natural performance of the '63 engine. There is no such performance loss in the new vs. old 'classic' revolver. You might not WANT the IL or the MIM etc, but the fact is, the package PERFORMS as good or better and I would argue with tighter tolerances in machining.
Click to expand...

Be that as it may. But I have six S&W revolvers, five were bought new in the past year.

My 1978 Model 29 with 6 1/2" barrel outshoots all five of the new ones. :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: CH4
I consistently find the older Smiths for less than half the price of a Classics. . .all the J and K frames pre and post war. I can't figure out where the market is for the Classics line. Maybe the N frames, but I find older ones cheap too. Paying $250-$300 for really nice older Smiths. Why would I pay $700-$800 for a Classics? My Son says a newer gun is more dependable and less likely to break. If that is the case and a person is worried about dependability, just buy one of the newer Smith J frames for under $400. I bought my wife one. It's light and seems to be dependable. I have never seen the niche that the Classics fit into.
 
DocB said:
I consistently find the older Smiths for less than half the price of a Classics. . .all the J and K frames pre and post war. I can't figure out where the market is for the Classics line. Maybe the N frames, but I find older ones cheap too. Paying $250-$300 for really nice older Smiths. Why would I pay $700-$800 for a Classics? My Son says a newer gun is more dependable and less likely to break. If that is the case and a person is worried about dependability, just buy one of the newer Smith J frames for under $400. I bought my wife one. It's light and seems to be dependable. I have never seen the niche that the Classics fit into.
Click to expand...

If you look at the prices of the pinned barrel guns, they are steadily creeping up. A pinned and recessed model 57 now goes for at least a grand. Model 58's go for 900 plus. A great condition 586 (no lock) will go for 800-900 or more. A model 27 Pinned barrel...well, we all know what they are commanding, especially the 4 inch barrels.

The classics all go for 650-800, brand new. You know they are new guns, with modern metallurgy.

I believe for what you get with a new Classics gun, it's as good, if not a better, value than a Pinned barrel in like condition.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, but those aren't the prices I pay for older Smiths. The only Classics I "might" consider is the 22 Magnum. They do not turn up around here. . .ever!
 
I have one of the classics. Finish is great. I bought it because I just like the look of the old guns. Many of the old guns out there are worn out or have other issues. In 1960 everyone was probably saying that the new guns all suck and anything made after 1930 is junk.
 
Tom S. said:
Run both of those vehicles head on into a tree at 35 mph and tell us which one is better. Just make sure to do the 300 first so you'll still be alive to do the Goat. And before you try either one, tell us how they compare on: fuel mileage, tire wear, braking and steering, and tune up intervals, (bet you didn't drive 100,000 miles on a set of spark plugs). For the record, I had a 1966 GTO, also new from the factory, so I already know the answers to these comparisons. ;)

I do agree that it has nothing to do with revolvers with one minor point: both the auto industry and the firearm industry had greatly benefited from modern machining processes.
Click to expand...

Another previous Goat owner here.... I had a '69 GTO back in the day. Great car then; now they're just old cars with big engines. These days, I have a '17 GT350 in the garage. It will run circles around that old Goat. IMNHO, new technology is usually better than old, but it's not a guarantee. With that said, the new Smiths may shoot as good or better than the old ones. But, I prefer the old ones.
 
I have both old and new Smith & Wesson revolvers and I appreciate the fit , finish,pinned barrels,and no IL of the old but I am really impressed with my new 6" 586 Classic. It looks great , shoots great and I don't worry about beating it up I just enjoy shooting it. I bought the new 586 to retire my now to valuable Python that is no longer fun to shoot because I worry about breaking something or damage to finish of it . I still take the Colt out but not as often as I used to.
 

Attachments

  • FEE09F0D-FE1E-4903-AC28-C81F3A79B939.jpg
    FEE09F0D-FE1E-4903-AC28-C81F3A79B939.jpg
    63.4 KB · Views: 80
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
629 No Dash, Pinned And Recessed 6”
Replies
4
Views
373
The Gila Bender
The Gila Bender
S
29-5 Classic with unique serial number
Replies
4
Views
163
swampfox666
S
S
New to Forum
Replies
22
Views
1K
STORMRIDER302
S
B
S&W Model 19/66 Extractor Change
Replies
3
Views
645
steelslaver
steelslaver
W.E.G.
Model 29 "Classic" - sleeve or shroud barrel?
Replies
3
Views
445
stansdds
S

Latest posts

Back
Top