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Old June 19, 2018, 01:54 AM   #1
mellow_c
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what type of older (Last century) S&W revolvers do you collect or enjoy most?

I have spent some time looking at S&W revolvers lately... Mostly on Gun Broker.

Model 29, 19, 17, etc...

Just curious what you all like shooting or collecting the most? How many rounds have you fired through any particular gun? Do you have a favorite caliber?

Lots of nice old revolvers out there and prices on them are always going up,but there are still decent used ones out there if your willing to pay for them, or really nice like new ones if you don't mind spending a fair bit more than most newly manufactured revolvers.
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Old June 19, 2018, 06:01 AM   #2
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Started out collecting Model 19's, particularly the 2.5 inchers. Then, expanded to include the Model 25's (25-5 and 25-2). Lately it has been the Model 14's. All pre-82 with pinned barrels. It's a sickness I tell ya.

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Old June 19, 2018, 07:03 AM   #3
lamarw
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I have sprinklings of various pre-numbered models on up from about the turn of the 20th Century. I have a small collection of post model numberings to include Models 10, 19, 25, 27, 28, 36, 42, 66, & 686. A well used Pre-Victory and Victory models are also in the mix.

Maybe the closest in my assortment to a rare one is a Model of 1950 .45 Target Model (Light Barrel) Pre-Model 26. S&W only manufactured 2,768 of these with a majority in .45 ACP and a few in .45 Colt. This one was special ordered with the optional bright blue finish.

Last edited by lamarw; June 20, 2018 at 08:06 AM.
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Old June 19, 2018, 08:52 AM   #4
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I've owned and collected many S&W revolvers over the years. My favorites have been the model 19, 24, 28, and 29. Also like the model 27 but have only owned one.

Also like the stainless models 66, 624 and 629.

I've owned model 25s in .45 Colt and sold them after learning that the .44 is a better choice. Would like to own a 25 in .45 acp.
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Old June 19, 2018, 10:52 AM   #5
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My favorite revolver caliber is .45 Auto, though any cartridge allowing the use of moon clips could be my favorite.

I have owned a Model 29, and a Model 544, and sold them for various reasons, but I still have a Hand Ejector Mk. II sort-of converted to .45 ACP, and a modern Model 22 in .45.
Neither gets shot a lot, but I've put 100 rounds through the HE2 over the last month, and the same number of rounds through the 22, recently.

I've campaigned the 22 in IDPA competition a bit, but doubt I have more than 1000 rounds through it.
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Old June 19, 2018, 11:31 AM   #6
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A gun from "the last century" may only be nine-teen years old.
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Old June 19, 2018, 12:19 PM   #7
T. O'Heir
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"...Model 29, 19, 17, etc..." Very few of those are collector pieces. Neither are most of the nice old revolvers out there.
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Old June 19, 2018, 01:17 PM   #8
Dave T
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Quote:
what type of older (Last century) S&W revolvers do you collect or enjoy most?
When I first read it I was thinking of the S&W No 2, the Schofield, the No 3 in 44 Russian.

Then I read:

Quote:
Model 29, 19, 17, etc...
Good grief that made me feel old. I just had to laugh because all the S&W revolvers I currently own are "from the last century".

Dave
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Old June 19, 2018, 02:01 PM   #9
Bob Wright
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I've had two Model 29 with full lug barrels. One was 6" the other 5".

The 6" was originalyl 8 3/8" and shot like a rifle out to 100 yards or so, but was ungainly to carry. I had Bob Mason cut the barrel back to 6" for more manageable carrying.

Here in 8 3/8" length:




Here, after cutting back to 6", along with the 5" gun:



Both guns were superbly accuract and a sheer pleasure to shoot. I believe I put over 15,000 rounds through the 6" gun, just over 10,000 through the 5" gun.

The full lug barrels hang steadily on target and dampen recoil to a pleasant level.

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Old June 19, 2018, 03:40 PM   #10
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Pretty much any Flat-Latch.
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Old June 19, 2018, 05:41 PM   #11
4V50 Gary
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I'd carry a Model 29 because I'm in bear and cat country.
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Old June 19, 2018, 06:24 PM   #12
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My favorite is the Model 27 .357 mag. I have managed to collect a 3-1/2", 4", 5" 6", 6-1/2" and 8-3/8". The 5" version is likely my favorite.
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Old June 19, 2018, 06:57 PM   #13
DukeConnor
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A collection isn't complete without a m29.
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Old June 19, 2018, 07:49 PM   #14
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S&W

Target Masterpeice model 14 from 1952.

Still sweet as ever.

They don't em like they use to.
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Old June 19, 2018, 07:51 PM   #15
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K frames are my thing, the snubbies in particular.
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Old June 19, 2018, 08:11 PM   #16
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3 1/2 inch Model 27, but really any N frame Smith, but no full lug guns, I like odd barrel lengths too, 3.5 or 5 inch. Model 1917's also.
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Old June 19, 2018, 08:27 PM   #17
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I just snagged these. The 29-2 came in a mint original box, both liners fully intact and of course all papers. The M14 is even cleaner. No powder residue on either gun but the cylinders are marked up from being cocked. I doubt either has has a box of shells through them.

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Old June 19, 2018, 08:43 PM   #18
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I like most of them but I have a fondness for N frames in the 1950s - 1970s era.







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Old June 19, 2018, 09:33 PM   #19
Driftwood Johnson
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Howdy

Let's see, two Schofields, two New Model #3s, one Russian, a bunch of 38 and 32 pocket pistols, a few No 1 Tip Ups, a couple of No.2 Tip Ups....................................................................

Oh, you meant the 20th Century!

K22s or Model 17s. You can never have too many.






Model 14-3.






K-38s. You can never have too many of these.






Triple Locks. Can't have too many of these either.






Model 28.






Model 27. I need at least one more.

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Old June 19, 2018, 09:50 PM   #20
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I have to laugh as well. I agree with most of you that "older" and "last century" would make it sound like I'm asking about guns older than the typical 29-? 19-?, 17-?, etc... But since i didn't really care to hear about all the new stainless and more modern Smiths, and i also didn't want people to think i only meant "old" and "rare" ones, I decided to ask about "older" Smiths, anything "last century". I would hate to leave out all the wonderful stuff from the 70's, and 80's. Of course anything from the 1800's would be great to hear about too!!!!

Over all Im just thinking about what models might interest me the most, what they might cost, and to hear about peoples preferences and experiences with them.

The models i mentioned above were just a few of the ones I've been eyeballing. I like the nice target grips that many of them come with. I also like the thinner grips found on something like most of the k22's. And I really like the grips that have the normal thin grips with the addition of an extra metal front part of the grip with a finger grove, not sure what that style is called, but I've held one like that before and it felt great.

I'm enjoying reading all the model numbers... I'm no expert on S&W's so having more models to look up will be nice.

Last edited by mellow_c; June 20, 2018 at 01:43 AM.
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Old June 20, 2018, 01:25 AM   #21
mellow_c
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Beautiful, Driftwood Johnson. Thank you for sharing.

In fact, thank you all for sharing your stories and pictures

They are all such great looking revolvers. I only wish it were possible for me to shoot or at least handle more of these revolvers so i could get a feel for them before making an online purchase.

Though, I don't think i would be disappointed in any case.

I might have to make it a new rule that any time i see an "older" smith in a store's gun case, that i ask to take a look even if I'm not planning to buy.

Last edited by mellow_c; June 20, 2018 at 01:45 AM.
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Old June 20, 2018, 06:08 AM   #22
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Quote:
And I really like the grips that have the normal thin grips with the addition of an extra metal front part of the grip with a finger grove, not sure what that style is called, but I've held one like that before and it felt great.
That would be the Tyler T-Grip. Have them on several of my revolvers and like them as well.

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Old June 20, 2018, 06:59 AM   #23
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I have sold my k22 masterpiece,k38 masterpiece,model19’s,model 66’s and will keep my Smith Wesson N frames. The only k frame’s I will keep are a k.38 combat masterpiece and a k.32 masterpiece that were my Uncles.
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Old June 20, 2018, 07:15 AM   #24
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Nice guns pictured.

Last edited by FoghornLeghorn; June 20, 2018 at 09:05 PM.
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Old June 20, 2018, 09:00 AM   #25
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My two favorites are my K22 Masterpiece 22lr (6") and my 625-2 45acp (5").


I am not a great shooter, but those two make me look good.
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