*Sigh* Times Change

[Colt 45]

When I first got into shooting, which was a while ago, Smith & Wesson along with Colt, were the Cadillacs of wheelguns. I guess times change. I'm disappointed that there isn't more interest here.

My first Smith & Wesson revolver was a Model 19 (.357 magnum) with a 6-inch barrel. I quickly followed up with a Model 29 (.44 magnum). Then came a Model 17 (.22 LR). Many others have come and gone, but a few good ones remain.

Of course maybe the reason they aren't so popular now is because they don't seem to be as good as they used to be. I was looking at a few newer Smiths, and the fit and finish is noticeably poorer than it used to be. I really noticed it on the bluing.

I don't think Colt makes revolvers anymore, besides the venerable Single Action Army which is available through the custom shop.

Yes, times change.

Max

[Scooter]

I too am S&W fan. My first handgun was a model 686 in 357mag. Since then I have added a model 17 (22 lr) and an M&P in 45 ACP. They have always served me well and been extremely reliable. I had noticed that there wasn't much interest in the Smith forum, but didn't know how to get interest going. Hopefully this will get the conversation going.

[Colt 45]

Wow, that is quite a first handgun! I too, have a 686 and I love it! It has a short barrel, like 2 inches or so. I used to think that I couldn't hit anything with a short-barreled gun, but that simply is not true.

Tell me about your Model 17. Did you buy it new? I don't think they make them anymore, do they? Mine is a 6-shot, blue with a 8 3/8" barrel. It is an old style, with the counter bored cylinders.

Max

I too am S&W fan. My first handgun was a model 686 in 357mag. Since then I have added a model 17 (22 lr) and an M&P in 45 ACP. They have always served me well and been extremely reliable. I had noticed that there wasn't much interest in the Smith forum, but didn't know how to get interest going. Hopefully this will get the conversation going.

[Deacon Jim]

In 1966 I bought a S&W Model 19 .357 magnum 6" barrel for myself and a Model 17 .22 6" barrel for my wife in the BX at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. I carried the Model 19 for three years when I was a Auxiliary LEO in Massachusets in the late 70's and loved it. We still have those guns and fire them from time to time. We still like them as well today as when we got them over 40 years ago.

Since I received my CCW License in January and my wife took the class (still waiting for her license) in February we bought Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatics. Hers is a model 945 and mine is a 24/7 Pro. They are a little easier to conceal than those S&W "Hog Legs".

[Scooter]

Wow, that is quite a first handgun! I too, have a 686 and I love it! It has a short barrel, like 2 inches or so. I used to think that I couldn't hit anything with a short-barreled gun, but that simply is not true.

Tell me about your Model 17. Did you buy it new? I don't think they make them anymore, do they? Mine is a 6-shot, blue with a 8 3/8" barrel. It is an old style, with the counter bored cylinders.

Max

Mine is the same one. My wifes grandfather gave it to me. His son passed away from cancer and was a bit of a gun collector. After he passed, he offered me pick of some of the weapons he had, since my wifes grandfather doesn't shoot, and that was one of them. He asked me what I wanted to give him for them and when I told him I would see what they were worth and let him know he told me just to have them. I eneded up with the model 17, a snub nose Rossi 38 spl, and an Ithica Deerslayer. Damn good price if I had to guess what they were worth:D

[Colt 45]

Wow, that was nice of your wife's grandfather to do that for you. He must think a lot of you! You have some nice guns there...

Max

Mine is the same one. My wifes grandfather gave it to me. His son passed away from cancer and was a bit of a gun collector. After he passed, he offered me pick of some of the weapons he had, since my wifes grandfather doesn't shoot, and that was one of them. He asked me what I wanted to give him for them and when I told him I would see what they were worth and let him know he told me just to have them. I eneded up with the model 17, a snub nose Rossi 38 spl, and an Ithica Deerslayer. Damn good price if I had to guess what they were worth:D

[Scooter]

I think part of the reason he gave them to me is that I'm the only person he knows that actively shoots and would take care of the guns as well as his son did.

[Colt 45]

Yeah it sounds like they went to a good home!

Max

I think part of the reason he gave them to me is that I'm the only person he knows that actively shoots and would take care of the guns as well as his son did.

[Crazy K38]

Colt 45 you would be surprised with some of the new smiths, my carry guns are smiths and they are new, true they aren't as pretty but deadly accurate and 150% reliable, but I do miss the old blueing

[Colt 45]

Do your newer Smiths have the internal lock? What do you think about them? I have read on the Smith forum about problems with them. I have 2 newer Smiths that have the internal lock and have not had a problem myself, but because of what I have read would not bet my life on them. Maybe I'm wrong though. They are deadly accurate though and have been reliable thus far.

Max

Colt 45 you would be surprised with some of the new smiths, my carry guns are smiths and they are new, true they aren't as pretty but deadly accurate and 150% reliable, but I do miss the old blueing

[MasterBlaster]

That's why I like any pre-lock S&W and still drool for my first flat latch.

[Descreet38]

I have a 686 4" I obtained from an individual which was on consignment at a dealer here in the twin cities. They wanted $450 for it. I passed due to the price even though it looked pristeen with the box, papers and all.

While I was in the store the owner came in and caught my attention with his ticked off attitude he had with the person behind the counter. Seems he needed the money very quickly and was asking $200 for the gun and wanted to know why it had sat on the shelf for over a month. Well he now knew why with a price of $450.

I walked over and offered him $250. if he pulled it from consignment and we wrapped up the deal right then in front of the gun store owner.

I will never figure out why the store owner didn't just give him the $200. when he came in to sell it. Heck at that price he could have made a profit very quickly except for his greediness.

My newest S&W is a generation 1 Model 59 fired 5 rounds right after purchase and became a safe queen. I know the complete history since it at first belonged to my room mate back in 1981 and then my dad purchased it from him in a NIB never fired in 1982. My dad passed it on to me in late March of this year just before passing away.

It is a blued model and wow did S&W know how to do a blue job back in the day. It only came with one hi-cap mag (14 rd) but I will cure that in the next few weeks.

Wish I had picture capability cause it is one beautiful pistol.