Which New "N" frame next??

[BigBill]

I'm saving my dollars as we speak and so far it looks ok for a buy in a few weeks for another new S&W "N" Frame but i'm stuck on which one to get? I think my dealer has a new model 24 in 44 special with a 6 1/2" in nickel, but he also has a new S&W M29-10 in 44mag 6 1/2" in nickel too for $999. Plus he also has the S&W N frame Model 57 with a 4" barrel in 41mag in nickel for $699.

My question is are the S&W model 24's becomming more rare?

With the list above my other gotta have's list is;

S&W M27 357mag 6 1/2" barrel in blue or nickel
S&W M657 41mag 2 5/8" barrel in stainless
S&W M29 44 mag 4" barrel in nickel

My "gotta have" list means i'm going to buy them each month. I'm just not sure which one to start off with. Bill

 

[scooter123]

Everyone looks for something different in a revolver but I tend to consider "saleability" as one factor in deciding what to purchase. In terms of "saleability" here are the features that I am inclined to avoid.

First is barrel lengths over 5 inches. In watching what sells quickly and what seems to hang around forever in the show case the long barreled revolvers are real dust magnets. On the other hand the 3 inch models barely make it into a showcase and they are gone. The 4 inchers don't hang around long either.

Second no go is the exotic calibers. Because of this I wouldn't touch a 41 Magnum at any price. Ammo is nearly impossible to find so your market is limited to those who reload. That means that you've eliminated about 90% of the gun buying public with a simple caliber choice. I'll also point out that 10mm and 357 Sig are also limiting calibers, however they are not nearly as bad as the 41 Magnum. If you want a bigger bore than the 357 Magnum IMO you should go straight to the 44 Magnum or 45 ACP.

I'm also not a fan of Nickle revolvers. While they are very pretty when new I believe that finish is only suitable for guns that won't wee much use. And, even if you make a nickle plated gun a Safe Queen I'm still not convinced it's a finish that will look good in another 50 years. I'd rether limit my choices to blued steel or stainless steel.

 

[Invictus357]

As scooter says, nickel finish guns should be shot little. Although I am sure there's a fella in here who has shot his nickel Smith for 50 years and stores it in a vat of ammonia and it still looks likes new.

Apart from the 642, my forthcoming new Smiths will be safe queens.

So from your list I would get the nickel M29. My LGS had one for sale and it was supreme.

The second one would be the M27.

All of your choices are excellent.

 

[Xfuzz]

S&W 25-5 4"

 

[GF]

"Although I am sure there's a fella in here who has shot his nickel Smith for 50 years and stores it in a vat of ammonia and it still looks likes new."

That fella just showed up!

57 years old, shot & carried most of that time....

M&P

... fear not a nickel revolvers finish for durability, it'll outlast you.

GF

 

[Invictus357]

"Although I am sure there's a fella in here who has shot his nickel Smith for 50 years and stores it in a vat of ammonia and it still looks likes new."

That fella just showed up!

57 years old, shot & carried most of that time....
]

... fear not a nickel revolvers finish for durability, it'll outlast you.

GF

hehehe I knew it!!

I guess nickel isn't too fragile after all. That guns looks awesome.

 

[Dave in Edmonds]

Just curious why one would think that a plated finish wouldn't be durable? If the plating is done well, and I think S&W probably knows what it's doing, it should be darned near impervious to anything but scratching. Think about it: Car manufacturers were plating steel for decades. The paint might fade, but the bumpers still looked great after 40 or 50 years of exposure to the elements.

 

[BigBill]

Out of all the big gun manufacturers S&W is the last one to offer nickel plated handguns. Once they stop its all over. Colt and S&W offered the best quality in nickel finishes. I recently purchased a very dull nickel finish on an older H&R 22cal revolver. After using simichrome polish on it lightly she looks like new now.

If you don't own or never shot a 41mag you should its a very good caliber. Its easier to get the 41mag ammo than some of my military calibers are. I don't mind paying a tad more. I do reload too.

Nice m58 in nickel here's mine;

 

[Agent Smith]

I'll throw my two cents in and say get a 627, 8 shots of .357 magnum.

 

[youngda9]

As scooter says, nickel finish guns should be shot little. Although I am sure there's a fella in here who has shot his nickel Smith for 50 years and stores it in a vat of ammonia and it still looks likes new.

Is that slang for saying he carries IWB ?

LOL

 

[CWH44300]

Get the 29, smiths in 44 are like apple pie and ice cream

 

[BigBill]

Our body sweat does affect the finish in hot weather with a IWB holster. I've had seen it affect the nickel and stainless finishes in the summertime with the holsters in the waistbands.

My problem is i want them all. I just noticed the S&W M357 snubbie in 41mag. I'm in heaven with this one. I think another model 29 in nickel to go with my m29-10 6 1/2" in blue.

Is the m627 an N frame with 8 shots? If so my list will run way into next year. I guess it will be all S&W since colt is offering nothing and ruger is busy discontinuing all the time.