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Old September 18, 2018, 02:57 PM   #51
DPris
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I've carried a four-inch barrel concealed comfortably & I'd confidently match my 4-inch Ruger against a 6-inch Ruger for "precision shooting".
Or a 4-inch Smith 686 vs a 6-inch Smith 686.
My opinion.
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Old September 23, 2018, 07:57 PM   #52
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I could never fathom buying one of those "Classic Series" revolvers, when there are plenty of actual classic Smiths to be had.

Build quality that hasn't been seen since...












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Old September 24, 2018, 05:53 AM   #53
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I could never fathom buying one of those "Classic Series" revolvers, when there are plenty of actual classic Smiths to be had.

Build quality that hasn't been seen since...
Exactly.

Don
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Old September 24, 2018, 11:30 AM   #54
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As I'm sure you're aware, bac1023, you are fortunate enough to have what looks to be one of the finest revolvers ever made, not excepting Colt's almost as nice Python. I can't imagine how much it would cost for any factory in America to make a revolver as superbly finished as the Smith & Wesson "Registered Magnum" was; a couple of grand for sure and likely much more.
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Old September 24, 2018, 01:23 PM   #55
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I have a '51 pre-27 re-finished by S&W and just acquired a 90% '61 Model 27.
You may have to look, or pin your hopes on your lucky star, but fine examples of older originals are still out there.

And current production does not compare favorably.
Progress, however, marches on.
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Old September 24, 2018, 05:38 PM   #56
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As I'm sure you're aware, bac1023, you are fortunate enough to have what looks to be one of the finest revolvers ever made, not excepting Colt's almost as nice Python. I can't imagine how much it would cost for any factory in America to make a revolver as superbly finished as the Smith & Wesson "Registered Magnum" was; a couple of grand for sure and likely much more.
Yes I’m aware. I’ve got a couple RM’s. I’d like to have a couple more, but selling prices are insane these days. While they are certainly a cut above, I’ve got a lot of “lesser” classic S&W’s and they are very well built. You don’t need an RM to experience a high quality S&W revolver.

Last edited by bac1023; September 24, 2018 at 06:03 PM.
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Old September 24, 2018, 06:05 PM   #57
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You don’t need an RM to experience a high quality S&W revolver.
You're right about that. I've got a few Smith revolvers that, sans the checkering of the RMs, look pretty darn nice; including a fifties-era .38 Masterpiece and a 1955 Target.
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Old September 24, 2018, 06:44 PM   #58
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That is a very nice gun. I'm jealous.
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Old September 24, 2018, 06:54 PM   #59
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Originally Posted by flashhole View Post
What's your opinion of them?



I'm an undesirable who accepted governor Cuomo's invitation to leave NY and moved to TX.



No stupid restrictions on gun purchases and would like to add a few handguns to the arsenal.



Been eyeing some revolvers.



Any advice?


If it weren’t for the stupid frame locks, I’d buy modern modern Smith revolvers. The rest of the changes I can handle, but the lock on a revolver is just stupid, ugly, and a constant reminder of a company that tried to satisfy the gun control tide.
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Old September 24, 2018, 07:56 PM   #60
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You're right about that. I've got a few Smith revolvers that, sans the checkering of the RMs, look pretty darn nice; including a fifties-era .38 Masterpiece and a 1955 Target.
No doubt. The RM had a lot of extra hand honing and attention to detail that Smith didn’t do before or since. To me, it’s definitely the finest handgun they ever created by a good margin.

I have quite a few 50’s era Smith revolvers, to include a couple N Frames in a Pre-27 and Pre-29. I also own several early 20th century Smiths. While none of them are as smooth or as fine as an RM, they are extremely well made wheelguns, with beautiful bluing and a ton of detail work.
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Old October 2, 2018, 11:02 PM   #61
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I have a 629 Classic DX model
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Old October 5, 2018, 08:29 AM   #62
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I own both, new and pre 1982 S&W's, no issues. 29's, 19's, 642, 638, 10, etc. Yes, the new ones have a lock, which I both despise and try to ignore, but... it hasn't caused any issues either, with lots of hot loads. New ones are stronger, more durable and "almost" as pretty as the older ones. S&W backs their products, so buy and shoot hard without hesitation.
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Old October 5, 2018, 10:41 AM   #63
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Don't use Hoppes 9 on those so called "classics". It will remove the " blue".

Not having purchased anything from the company posing as S&W in almost 19 years now, do the new guns come with a return shipping label?

And of course s&w has good customer service. They should! Look at how much practice they get. Regards 18DAI
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Old October 5, 2018, 01:10 PM   #64
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Lots more to think about than I originally thought.
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Old October 5, 2018, 02:03 PM   #65
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Regardless of issue, there's ALWAYS lots more to think about than originally thought.

I do seriously doubt that the newer ones are stronger or more durable, though, as a broadly inclusive declaration.
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Old October 6, 2018, 03:14 AM   #66
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This is the twin to my revolver: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...15002426_1.jpg

Mine is a 1982/stainless/.357mag Security Six with 6" barrel!
Getting harder find and some of the prices are way outta wack at up to $600 bucks.
Should be able to get one in the $400-450 or less if you look really hard.
*like all Ruger's their built like tanks!
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Old October 6, 2018, 09:48 PM   #67
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Don't use Hoppes 9 on those so called "classics". It will remove the " blue".
OMG. How long dose it take? I’ve been using it on mine for ten years is it about to happen? OMG

Last edited by rep1954; October 6, 2018 at 10:01 PM.
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Old October 7, 2018, 06:53 AM   #68
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Comparing the currently produced "Classic Line" (I hate that name) to the hand finished revolvers of the past is futile. I think everybody knows they are not classic like a registered magnum.

A fairer comparison is to currently produced, similar priced models from other manufacturers. When you do this you will find they are as good as anything out there.

I wish they still made them like they used to, but those days are gone and never will return. If they did they would be priced out of my reach. I enjoy older revolvers and buy them when I get a chance.I also enjoy owning and shooting new ones.
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Old October 7, 2018, 07:58 AM   #69
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"I do seriously doubt that the newer ones are stronger or more durable, though, as a broadly inclusive declaration.
Denis" (DPris).
You can doubt all you want. It's not a "broadly inclusive declaration", it's a matter of fact. Check with Smith and Wesson engineers. Although there are exceptions (I also dislike the sleeved barrels), "most" design enhancements and improvements make for a stronger and more durable weapon. My 4" bbl 29-10, is better built pertaining to strength and durability (not appearance; I prefer the old style blue, and the damn lock, which I hate!!!), than the original 29's and most subsequent models. As issues arose with the original models (well known to skip a chamber during heavy recoil and wear out with heavy use of magnum ammunition) S&W modified the design to build stronger and longer lasting guns. It's been an ongoing process. They try to improve the models over time, most often resulting in stronger, more durable weapons. Hence the model designation noting different variations and improvements... 29-2 through 29-10. My new 29-10 may not be as pretty as a 29-2, but she is built like an anchor, deadly accurate, and despite the lock, she is still a very attractive gun and I love her! And durability wise, I would put her up against a vintage S&W and she will outlast the older model in an endurance / magnum load contest, hands down. The fact is, the 29-10 is a better built weapon. Another example; The original model 39 9mm (built for US Military consideration back in the 50's) had ejection issues... S&W fixed the design issue by the early 70's and designated it as the model 39-2. Additional changes resulted in newer models being developed, like the 3913. I own numerous vintage S&W's, and cherish them. They are beautiful and superb weapons. But it would be naive to subject them to the same hot loads and extensive shooting as my modern S&W's and expect them to hold up as well. If you owned a vintage 1962 Cadillac with 100,000 miles on it, would you drive it as fast and hard as you could cross Country and expect it to last as long as a brand new 2019 Cadillac driven similarly? One could... but I wouldn't advise it if you cherish the classic car. Same goes for vintage S&W's.

Last edited by shurshot; October 7, 2018 at 02:07 PM.
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Old October 7, 2018, 12:33 PM   #70
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Should be able to get one in the $400-450 or less if you look really hard.
I'm starting the paper work on a Ruger Police Service Six snubnose tomorrow that I got for 450.00! Blue and in good condition. Had been looking for snubbie Ruger Six for quite some time, and they don't come around too often.
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Old October 7, 2018, 03:07 PM   #71
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Post 2001 s&w revolvers are what led me to discover Ruger revolvers. And they are fine guns. Everything you need in a revolver and nothing you dont. With one piece barrels too!

Thanks Safety Wesson!
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Old October 7, 2018, 04:26 PM   #72
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Smith & Wesson’s current engineers are not the people to ask which guns are stronger. Sure, metallurgy has improved over the years, but S&W also uses MIM parts these days. I had a 29-10 years ago and I hated it.

I don’t find anything they build today even remotely interesting.

Last edited by bac1023; October 7, 2018 at 07:04 PM.
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Old October 7, 2018, 06:31 PM   #73
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Could not agree more with Bac, regarding Smith revolvers.

I said I doubt S&W revolvers today are stronger or more durable as A BROAD STATEMENT.

The 29 did get some improvements, but that does not mean the entire lineup is stronger or more durable.

I'd pit my older 29-5 against a current 29-whichever for strength & longevity.
I would expect both to be about equally strong, but I'd also expect my 29-5 to be more durable.

As far as claiming ALL current Smith revolvers are "stronger and more durable" goes- no.
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Old October 7, 2018, 08:48 PM   #74
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S&W Classic Revolvers

I respect all of the opinions here as many are longtime contributors who know a very great deal about revolvers and have taught me a lot. DPris has written some very interesting publications and is very informed. Model12Win knows the topic well too, as does Mr. Borland, USSR, High Valley Ranch and others. So recognize that each of them comes to the table with a wealth of knowledge and experience and their opinions deserve your respect and consideration.

I have many revolvers and i shoot one weekly. I am a competitive revolver shooter and i have shot S&W, Rugers and even Dan Wessons in competition. I have one revolver that i personally have put about 17,000 rounds through since January of 2016 when i bought it new.
I can and do completely pull apart all my revolvers (of all brands) and do trigger work and other minor upgrades on them.
I also own several older pinned and recessed S&Ws and a new Classic line 586 4 inch. I have a couple new 627s that i use in ICORE.

With all that said the answer to your question, in my opinion, really depends on your intended use.
Do you want a jewel that you may admire the rest of your life and which you may shoot every couple of months at the range for the sheer enjoyment of it? Then by all means get an older pristine S&W.
Will you be carrying this in the field and need something rough and tumble? Consider a Ruger or a new S&W.
Planning on handloading some super extra powerhouse loads for some evening fireballs? Ruger.
Doing some long distance shooting or handgun hunting? Dan Wesson or Ruger.
Planning on shooting the living crap out of it doing speed shooting and competition? A brand new S&W for sure. (It’s true imho that a Ruger is tougher and will last longer but the DA pull of a Smith is really the best for rapid fire.)

So, given that you are weighing either a new classic or an older pinned and recessed, that suggests that you are looking for a jewel to some extent. If so, get the older Smith. If you are looking for a gun that you can tote around, wear out and beat on a little bit, but you still want that classic look on your hip, then get a new S&W from their classic series. That’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Last edited by Radny97; October 7, 2018 at 09:05 PM.
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Old October 9, 2018, 05:54 PM   #75
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How can they call it a classic when it has the infamous Hillary hole?
Was looking for a pre-lock 686, couldn't find one. Glad I didn't, bought a Dan Wesson instead, interchangeable barrels, best DA trigger pull I've ever experienced and the single action is almost as good as my Colt Python. Plus it has no lock, what's not to like.
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