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BKDinTexas
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Wow, Bill those are beautiful. You are sick indeed! :>)
When, if ever, did you specialize?
- Thread starter BKDinTexas
- Start date
Dave T
Member
I call myself a collector of shooters. The only "new in the box" S&W I ever owned was the Model 28-2 I bought when I was in the academy and carried until I got of probation. Naturally by then it was no longer "nitb" so I've never had much attraction for them. As someone said earlier, why let someone else enjoy them. If they belong to me I will shoot them. Being willing to buy re-blued, re-barreled, cut down or other wise less than perfect Smiths makes them easier to find and somewhat cheeper.
As example:
I never thought I would own a Triple Lock until I found this refinished one. And you bet I've shot it. (smile)
Dave
As example:
I never thought I would own a Triple Lock until I found this refinished one. And you bet I've shot it. (smile)
Dave
S&Ws are like golf - you can't play with one club, nor do it all with one S&W ( although imo you may with a M29-629 if you reload ).
I don't specialize - I have a J, K, and N frame.
There are several Smiths that have come and gone like 4" and 6" nickle 19s and a 6" nickle M27 and 83/8" blue M27. Also a 4" M15 with tt and th and a 4" M29 nickle which I carried a lot. Also a 4" 5 screw and 6" M28.
Now I wish I had kept them and not passed on some others like M1955 in presentation case for $185.00, 31/2", 5" and 6" M27s blue, and some others.
I don't specialize - I have a J, K, and N frame.
There are several Smiths that have come and gone like 4" and 6" nickle 19s and a 6" nickle M27 and 83/8" blue M27. Also a 4" M15 with tt and th and a 4" M29 nickle which I carried a lot. Also a 4" 5 screw and 6" M28.
Now I wish I had kept them and not passed on some others like M1955 in presentation case for $185.00, 31/2", 5" and 6" M27s blue, and some others.
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flagman1776
Member
Yup, I specialize in guns I like... OMG!
Russ
Russ
Brian41
Member
I started out buying all sorts of guns, whatever caught my eye and seemed reasonable price wise. After I bought a LNIB unfired Model 57 I shoot it, liked it and started buying other N frames in other calibers and other maker's .41s.
Once it got harder to find those I started in with K frames and bought a couple snubbies so switched to buying snubs, mainly S&W.
Now I mainly look for older nice S&Ws in different frame sizes and caliber.
I'm now trading some other brand guns for nice S&Ws. Earlier in the year I traded some for a really nice Model 25 in .45LC and money in my pocket.
I've jumped around in my interests but they've been mainly older guns and mostly S&W.
Once it got harder to find those I started in with K frames and bought a couple snubbies so switched to buying snubs, mainly S&W.
Now I mainly look for older nice S&Ws in different frame sizes and caliber.
I'm now trading some other brand guns for nice S&Ws. Earlier in the year I traded some for a really nice Model 25 in .45LC and money in my pocket.
I've jumped around in my interests but they've been mainly older guns and mostly S&W.
always have been 90% shooter and 10% collector. that said, i would rather have a nice older smith than any of the new ones. the only real speciality would be jets. just can't get enough. oh yeah, almost forgot, pythons too.
sub-moa
US Veteran
My accumulating started with duty/BUG/off-duty/SWAT "needs". After too many years of trading off various carry guns I never should have traded, I got all nostalgic and started re-accumulating their closest relatives. That gradually turned into accumulation "themes", like 4" and 6" barrels of favorite models since I never really liked the 8 3/8ths. That gradually turned into all barrels lengths of some favorites, like blued M27s in 3.5, 4, 5, 6 and yes even 8 3/8th.
The themes even go in phases; S&W revolvers, P35s, Walthers, 1911s, OMG even Glocks
...
I'm sure there is a word that ends in...mania for it.
How about "hoplomania" ?
The themes even go in phases; S&W revolvers, P35s, Walthers, 1911s, OMG even Glocks
...I'm sure there is a word that ends in...mania for it.
How about "hoplomania" ?
ia1727
US Veteran
If S&W Revolvers were mosquitos we woud all have died from malaria by now--- OR----I've caught the S&W Flu and man am I SICK.
That's my story and i'm stickin' to it---
Steve
That's my story and i'm stickin' to it---
Steve
flash60601
US Veteran
Vote me in as an "accumulator", also.
After a 1911 and a Colt Official Police and a Couple of High Standard 22', I got serious, although I didn't know it at the time.
I bought my first S&W, a Model 36, because where I lived at the time, to NOT have something like that around was to neglect the safety of wife and family.
Liking that 36 for various reasons, and getting into bullseye competition, I sprung when my friend suggested a 6" Model 19. What a difference it made in the centerfire matches.
If one is good, more is better. so there quickly followed a 4" and 8" and the fever really caught. Then a Model 28 in 357 which almost got converted to 44-357 Bain&Davis Magnum in 1974 (Good it didn't, because it is now my favorite revolver to test new 357 loads).
Trigger jobs on all of these by Lou Ciamillo made shooting a real pleasure, something to look forward to and enjoy, because I could now hit just about where I tried.
They are beautiful, as well as functional, and now there is a 66 to keep them company, along with a foursome of Sigmas (function trumps appearance, here).
S&W's just kind of grew into my life here. After having the first one though, it has become more of a love affair than an obsession - - but I can see how it gets there for others.
Flash
After a 1911 and a Colt Official Police and a Couple of High Standard 22', I got serious, although I didn't know it at the time.
I bought my first S&W, a Model 36, because where I lived at the time, to NOT have something like that around was to neglect the safety of wife and family.
Liking that 36 for various reasons, and getting into bullseye competition, I sprung when my friend suggested a 6" Model 19. What a difference it made in the centerfire matches.
If one is good, more is better. so there quickly followed a 4" and 8" and the fever really caught. Then a Model 28 in 357 which almost got converted to 44-357 Bain&Davis Magnum in 1974 (Good it didn't, because it is now my favorite revolver to test new 357 loads).
Trigger jobs on all of these by Lou Ciamillo made shooting a real pleasure, something to look forward to and enjoy, because I could now hit just about where I tried.
They are beautiful, as well as functional, and now there is a 66 to keep them company, along with a foursome of Sigmas (function trumps appearance, here).
S&W's just kind of grew into my life here. After having the first one though, it has become more of a love affair than an obsession - - but I can see how it gets there for others.
Flash
Accumulation or collection?
Another accumulator here, but by proper arrangement also a collector. A couple of years ago Mike Venturino wrote an article for Handloader or Rifle about collections, and how you can wind up with one without realizing it, or with only a little effort. As examples, he included pictures of groups of guns that he owned that could be considered collections - the one that I remember was a sample of each numbered N frame model, 20 through 29.
He even noted that when he was thinking about putting this together, he mentioned to somone that he didn't know of a Model 26. His friend pointed out (to Mike's embarrassment) that was what the .45 ACP Model of 1950 became.
Remember the comic books of the 1950s, with the lurid crime and horror stories? (Stick with me here.) They were corrupting our youth and contributing to the moral decay and downfall of our nation, much like [pick your favorite poison] is doing today. They even went so far as to have Congressional hearings on the subject, which as we all know will solve any problem.
Anyway, one of the driving forces of this witch hunt was a psychiatrist named Fredric Wertham. He wrote a book warning of the dangers of comic books, and that book title is "Seduction of the Innocent." (Seduction of the Innocent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)
That's what Venturino's article was to me - seduction of the innocent. There I was, happily and blindly accumulating. Now the last 18 guns I've bought (except one) have all been Smith & Wessons. And I did Venturino one better - I now have representative samples of (either actually numbered or pre-number) Model 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. Please - don't make me go into the 30s....
Another accumulator here, but by proper arrangement also a collector. A couple of years ago Mike Venturino wrote an article for Handloader or Rifle about collections, and how you can wind up with one without realizing it, or with only a little effort. As examples, he included pictures of groups of guns that he owned that could be considered collections - the one that I remember was a sample of each numbered N frame model, 20 through 29.
He even noted that when he was thinking about putting this together, he mentioned to somone that he didn't know of a Model 26. His friend pointed out (to Mike's embarrassment) that was what the .45 ACP Model of 1950 became.
Remember the comic books of the 1950s, with the lurid crime and horror stories? (Stick with me here.) They were corrupting our youth and contributing to the moral decay and downfall of our nation, much like [pick your favorite poison] is doing today. They even went so far as to have Congressional hearings on the subject, which as we all know will solve any problem.
Anyway, one of the driving forces of this witch hunt was a psychiatrist named Fredric Wertham. He wrote a book warning of the dangers of comic books, and that book title is "Seduction of the Innocent." (Seduction of the Innocent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)
That's what Venturino's article was to me - seduction of the innocent. There I was, happily and blindly accumulating. Now the last 18 guns I've bought (except one) have all been Smith & Wessons. And I did Venturino one better - I now have representative samples of (either actually numbered or pre-number) Model 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. Please - don't make me go into the 30s....
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I havent bought any guns in a long time. I aint hurting though as I have a fine collection mostly gathered up through the 80s and back. I just bought what turned me on, not to fill models etc. Most my stuff is S&W, colts and winchesters. Every one of them could be considered "classic" (to me). I also had a good mentor that taught me a lot, I read a lot, and had researched the guns prior. By not just staying with a "nitch", I was able to run across a lot of neat guns and tradeing. I almost never, really never, got hurt financialy buying or tradeing a gun, I always came out well. I have a pretty good collection built up, dont need more, and frankly I think every gun in it would probley be worth 2 to 5 times or more what they cost me. However that might mean nothing if I expire and my widow is faced with selling them!
v8svo
Member
My path on pistol purchases has changed over the years. First I bought just shooters, then I tried buying a few safe queens. Sold off the safe queens they drove me nuts, not being able to shoot them and now I tend to have modified guns. I have a couple of 5" N frames (cut down from 8 3/8" barrels) modified by Jim Stroh at Alpha Precision. One is a 44 mag 629-3 and the other is a 629-3 that he made into a 45 Colt. The idea here was to have one optimized to shoot jacketed bullets and the other to shoot cast lead bullets. Then I had him make a 3" 681 into a 44 Special with a five shot titanium cylinder and a round butt. I commissioned Roy Fishpaw to make a set of French walnut grips for it. This is my carry around the estate pistol. My 66 4" and 686 6" have action jobs and forcing cones recut, I want to get these to Jim to be Taylor throated and new crowns cut.
In a similar vein my autoloaders are tweeked as well. I have a 945 that Irv Stone (BarSto) fitted with a 400 Corbon barrel, a Shorty Forty that he fitted a 357 Sig barrel. Both have had trigger work done as well. My model 41 auto has two barrels and a weight set again trigger work by Jim. My only un-modified S&W is a 9mm PPC because I have not figured out anything that needs to be changed.
I also have some Springfield XD's and a XDm all with Springfield Custom Shop combat trigger jobs and the XD's have night sights.
So I guess I am neither a collector or an accumulator, I must be a hot rodder or customizer. I have been careful not to start with an "collector" guns when starting the modifications.
These all suit me but may not be appreciated by the mainstream folks. Approach this option with care, it too can be expensive.
In a similar vein my autoloaders are tweeked as well. I have a 945 that Irv Stone (BarSto) fitted with a 400 Corbon barrel, a Shorty Forty that he fitted a 357 Sig barrel. Both have had trigger work done as well. My model 41 auto has two barrels and a weight set again trigger work by Jim. My only un-modified S&W is a 9mm PPC because I have not figured out anything that needs to be changed.
I also have some Springfield XD's and a XDm all with Springfield Custom Shop combat trigger jobs and the XD's have night sights.
So I guess I am neither a collector or an accumulator, I must be a hot rodder or customizer. I have been careful not to start with an "collector" guns when starting the modifications.
These all suit me but may not be appreciated by the mainstream folks. Approach this option with care, it too can be expensive.
cflier
Member
Put me down as a collector. I used to be an accumulator but discovered the error of my ways. I have owned almost everything mentioned here so far, but I have deployed them to other people. About 20 years ago I started picking up old S&W top breaks and tip ups. At that point I was accumulating the old antiques and Curio and Relics and shooting modern guns. After absolutely filling two safes jam packed with the old ones I had a light bulb go off. I decided that when I opened a safe the guns I really enjoyed picking up were the engraved or scarce or special order old ones. At that point I made a conscious decision to thin the herd. I decided to focus on the 32 & 38 Safety Hammerless guns because there are a lot of them still out there and not many people at that time were paying much attention to them. I started selling off all of my common guns and reinvesting the money in scarce, engraved and special order Safety Hammerless revolvers. That decision changed my shooting habits also. I won't shoot a scarce or one of a kind old gun, so I started thinking about what I like to shoot rather than what looks good or what everyone else likes. I settled on premodel and no dash S&Ws as my favorite shooters. I have one snub pre model 42 for carry, one model 19 because every one should have a 4 inch gun. I shoot both regularly, but the guns I shoot the most are my 6 inch pre model 27 and my favorite, a first year of manufacture 6 inch Highway Patrolman. I really don't understand the stampede to accumulate 3 1/2 & 4 inch guns. For me the 5 and 6 inch guns are so much more comfortable and accurate to shoot. I suspect all of you who have more than two of the 3.5 inchers are now collectors without realizing it. It is easy to get caught up in it when the perception is that everyone else wants them. Hey, no disrepect meant, it's just my opinion, and everyone knows what that's worth. Keep your eyes peeled and your iron near and everything will work out.
cflier
cflier
Sportsterguy
Member
I love three and four inch S&W's in .357 and .41 mag.
Perfect barrel lenght for me, w/exc of my first S&W. A six inch model 57 that NOW has 38 deer to it's name.
Also live my 17-3 and .............................................................
Heck, I love em all as long as their pre lock revolvers!
Perfect barrel lenght for me, w/exc of my first S&W. A six inch model 57 that NOW has 38 deer to it's name.
Also live my 17-3 and .............................................................
Heck, I love em all as long as their pre lock revolvers!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
If I was collecting with a purpose, I would collect old western guns. In fact, looking at a album of what I had and what I have that is just what I done years ago. However I lost many of them years ago for various bad reasons. At one time or another I have owned most popular western guns. Many models of the old colts, winchesters, sharps etc.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Here is some of the stuff I had mixed with some I still have, its what interests me the most besides my shooting guns.
500 Magnum Nut
Member
A collection matters only to you.
Do you see any pattern with my collection? I don't either.
Some carry guns, a few blue 29s and the rest stainless N frames.
Do you see any pattern with my collection? I don't either.
Some carry guns, a few blue 29s and the rest stainless N frames.
au2183
Member
I have concentrated on J & K frame 22's so far, with one exception, a K38. I would also like to have a K 32 if I ever lucked onto one at a reasonable price. Currently I have several 6" K22's, and I will eventually reduce that number a little, but I want to add a 8 3/8 in the process. I also want to find a 22 mag in 4", 6", and 8 3/8 eventually.
That's my S&W concentration anyway. In addition, I have a collection of rimfire lever guns, and some other rimfires that interest me due to age or unique styling, or quality. I'm sure you can see, that rimfires are the focus of my collection overall. I'm approaching 50 in total, and expect it may exceed 100 by the time I'm done and ready to pass them on.
That's my S&W concentration anyway. In addition, I have a collection of rimfire lever guns, and some other rimfires that interest me due to age or unique styling, or quality. I'm sure you can see, that rimfires are the focus of my collection overall. I'm approaching 50 in total, and expect it may exceed 100 by the time I'm done and ready to pass them on.
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