[Master Blaster]

Yesterday I walked into my favorite purveyor of Smith and Wesson revolvers to buy some primers and trailboss powder.. So I went over to the used case to peruse the latest offerings and consigment pieces. No I don't plan on buying anything for a while.

So I see a 4" round tapered barrel N frame that says Model 1950 rollmarked on the barrel, beautiful bright hi polish bluing. I ask to see it, has a great trigger in DA or SA, .45 acp checkered diamond grips made out of highly figured KOA? Round half moon front sight, fixed rear, Square butt frame. The timing is perfect, no play in the cylinder at all, bankvault lockup. Large rollmark on the sideplate, 4 screws on the sideplate. Mirror polish blueing that is as nice as the bluing on the 1975 Python in the case next to it, as good as on my 1967 27-2.

Its a consignment gun price is $450.

Its got a very small thunder ranch insignia on the top of the grip panels its a model 22-4 with a 3 digit serial number.

http://nas4.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/064239000/64239558/pix335586315.jpg

Should I get it or what???

[Lone Star]

No. It has The Lock, if it is the gun that I think you mean. And I'm really put off by the ad for Clint Smith's shooting school.

But it is cheaper to buy than a REAL M-1950 .45...

Lone Star

[Deanimator]

Look for a used Model 25-2. Much better gun, and no lock.

[Sistema1927]

$450? :eek:

Buy it in a heartbeat.

I love mine, and I paid quite a bit more than that.

[Z_Infidel]

Sounds like a good price to me. I have one of those guns and couldn't be happier with it (after an action job by S&W).

I'd say if the lock isn't a show-stopper for you, go for it!

[Old Fuff]

On this model the lock is blued to match the gun, and mostly covered by the latch thumbpiece. I don't like locks either, but after it was deactivated I'd consider this revolver at the right price. It is a true N-frame with a square butt (all others are round). Very few older model 22's were made, and they are highly collectable and therefore expensive. Also they have 5 ½” barrels without the heavy underlug. One of the older model 25's with adjustable sights and a 4" barrel is an option, but in mint or better shape they don't come cheap either. Unless lightning struck you might have to pay $600 or so to get one. If a 4" .45 ACP, N-frame is your cup of tea I'd seriously consider it.

[Jim Watson]

There ain't many $450 FOUR INCH M25-2s out there. I have one, courtesy of a hacksaw, but I don't know that I'd sell it for $450 even so.

I think it a reasonable deal, IF you want a fixed sight .45 revolver. If you don't, remember the sage who said "A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist."

[SaxonPig]

Some people are so pissed off at having the internal lock that they refuse to buy any gun with one. That's their choice. If you don't share that opinion the 22-4 is a fun gun to have. I have an early one and I like it a lot... lock and all.

These sold new for around $650-$700 so $450 for a nice used one is a good price.

[Phil DeGraves]

This is a NEW gun. It might be previously owned, but it is of very recent manufacture and therefore not collectable. The price does seem reasonable, though.

[Master Blaster]

Well yesterday i pulled the trigger and it followed me home. I went to the range with it today at lunch and practiced drawing and firing at 4 different targets from a range of 25 yards down to 25 feet. I practiced my speed reloads, the charge holes on this gun are chamferred. The fixed sight is just right, the blade and the rear notch are wider than on my 1946 M&P which makes the sight picture more precise. The trigger feels very nice in double action. The fixed sights were right on the money for my 200 LSWC 5.2 gr of trailboss load, and my 185 Hornady XTP 5.8 grains of Titegroup load.

It looks great feels great in my hand and it shoots very accurately. The polishing on the bluing on this gun is very well done, its like a black mirror. They even polished the breech face/ recoil shield which make wiping off the powder and lube residue very easy.

The lock up is as tight as any S&W revolver I have ever handled, there is NO front to rear play and no side to side play

The case/ or should I say bag with the TR logo on it and all the paper work was with it. Including the receipt from the original owner, apparently it was purchased at the Valley Forge Gun show 12/16/2006 for $775.

I called S&W this gun was part of a special run of 1500 for Lew Horton, features included all rollmarks, no laser etching, Model 1950 on the left side of the barrel, the large S&W roll mark onthe right side plate, and a fifth screw, a factory action job and tuning.
The particular one I have was made in the first 500 guns, and was sold to Lew Horton January 2006.


In short I am very impressed with the quality and accuracy of this revolver.




http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/engraving/cus/SW161239_large.jpg


Here is a review of it done at Gunblast http://www.gunblast.com/WBell_SW-M22TR.htm

[Gator]

There is an identical one in my local shop for $600.

If you can deal with the lock it is a great price.

[SnWnMe]

Haha, it is cheaper to buy an older M22? Haha. S&W made less than 200 guns actually marked M22 and NONE with a 4 inch bbl. Try $2,000 for the vintage 5.5" version vice $450. I love some of the advice on this board. Tips are dispensed with emotion in the fore vice the facts.

Nice score MB.

[vanilla_gorilla]

Gator, if you're not going to get the 22-4 that's local to you, would you mind IMing me with the name and/or number to the store?

[Master Blaster]

There is an identical one in my local shop for $600.


It must also be used since the dealer price is $685 on one of these.

BTW I did a search on Gunbroker, Auction arms, GunsAmerica etc, there is currently a Like new in box original model of 1950 on one the of the auctions for $2500 5.5 inch with target sights, box and papers.

[wcwhitey]

Lock or no Lock. I am very happy that S&W are making these "retro" style revolvers. The deep blue and wood just appeal to me. Nice Find!

[SnWnMe]

BTW I did a search on Gunbroker, Auction arms, GunsAmerica etc, there is currently a Like new in box original model of 1950 on one the of the auctions for $2500 5.5 inch with target sights, box and papers.

Exactly.

[TonyT]

That sure looks like a good price to me! I for one have not had any problems shooting ca 5000 rounds per year through revolvers with locks. I think it would make an excellent shooter.

[Lone_Gunman]

Has anyone ever noticed that new Smith and Wessons, that have the lock, are almost always shown with the barrel pointing to the right, and the lock on the downside so it doesn't show?

There is a reason why they are typically photographed that way.

[treebeard]

Congrats. I picked my Model 22 Thunder Ranch a few days ago and I really like it's accuracy. I ordered some Ahrends grips for it so I can't wait to see how it feels with the new grips.

[SnWnMe]

Has anyone ever noticed that new Smith and Wessons, that have the lock, are almost always shown with the barrel pointing to the right, and the lock on the downside so it doesn't show?

There is a reason why they are typically photographed that way.

Because it's a conspiracy to hide the lock. S&W knows that most of us are not aware that it is there.

Sound the town bell, the sky is falling.

[Lone_Gunman]

Not a conspiracy, just embarassment I would say.

[Master Blaster]

The Lock thing is becoming really tiresome.

Really Really Really Tiresome.

[AJD]

The whole lock thing is way overblown. Smith&Wesson I believe just recently passed Ruger as #1 in the US for handgun sales despite Ruger's being much cheaper to buy. These "retro" revolvers are a big hit, it started with the M21 in .44 Special, then the 22 in .45 ACP then the 21 in nickel, now they are doing "Registered Magnum" .357's and "Classic Model 29's". Model 25's, etc.

http://www.gunblast.com/SHOT_2007_3.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/SHOT_2007_2.htm


They are selling a crapload of their X-frame revolvers for $900+ each.

"Don't know or don't care" probably sums up most people when it comes to the S&W internal lock.

[Lone_Gunman]

"Don't know or don't care" probably sums up most people when it comes to the S&W internal lock.

That is not a good justification for the lock.

If for no other reason, I avoid the lock because the post-lock models will never be as collectable as the pre-lock models. Even guns made in the same year.

[Gator]

The Lock thing is becoming really tiresome.

Really Really Really Tiresome.

Yes it is. S&W should get rid of the accursed thing already! :evil:

[Dienekes]

The Dreaded Lock.

Get over it. Don't have one yet but I will make up my own mind and spend my own money or not.

Get out of the way and let the Invisible Hand do its thing.

[SnWnMe]

If for no other reason, I avoid the lock because the post-lock models will never be as collectable as the pre-lock models. Even guns made in the same year.

I guess that's where we differ. I tend to shoot my guns. Ain't no one gunna inherit a cherry Smith from me!

[Lone_Gunman]

Ain't no one gunna inherit a cherry Smith from me!

I don't think you understand. Shooting your Smith and Wesson will not lower the value of it that much, assuming you dont have something extremely rare, as long as you clean it, and don't abuse it. I shoot all my guns too. But any gun with a lock will always sell for less than an equivalent gun without the lock.

Now, I guess if you have a gun that you are going to turn into a beater and use for everything from shooting to hammering nails with, then maybe the lock won't make all that much difference, assuming you accept the risk of lock failure, which is admittedly very small.

[SaxonPig]

Here's mine (#255) shown from the left side (beside a couple of older revolvers). The lock is barely visible except under close inspection.


http://www.fototime.com/E05F7E3F300B4F1/standard.jpg


Would I prefer the lock not be there? Yes.

Does it's presence prevent me from enjoying the pistol? No.

Am I throwing a hissy fit or temper tantrum about it? No.

Do I wish the constant whining and griping about it would stop? Yes.

[SnWnMe]

I don't think you understand. Shooting your Smith and Wesson will not lower the value of it that much, assuming you dont have something extremely rare, as long as you clean it, and don't abuse it. I shoot all my guns too. But any gun with a lock will always sell for less than an equivalent gun without the lock.


Like I said, no one will inherit...

Yup, I plan on keeping them all til I die. I've got other toys I can flip in case of a dire financial crisis. To me, this makes the resale value point moot.

[Lone_Gunman]

Barely visible? I am immediately drawn to it!:neener:

[SnWnMe]

Well, then no Model 22 < $2,000 for you :)

[Master Blaster]

Lone Gunman

I don't think you understand. Shooting your Smith and Wesson will not lower the value of it that much, assuming you dont have something extremely rare, as long as you clean it, and don't abuse it. I shoot all my guns too. But any gun with a lock will always sell for less than an equivalent gun without the lock.


I'm afraid that you dont understand, I bought this gun to shoot, It shoots very, very well. It looks great, its a model they made very few of originally, Its very appealing to me in this configuration, its made by american workers in america.

I can shoot a couple thousand rounds through it and I will trust it more for carry or home defense,than any semi auto, lock or not.

I can shoot it and shoot it and shoot it and if anything wears out or breaks I can send it to S&W and they will fix it under their lifetime warranty.

50 year old originals cost much much more, 6 times more, if they can even be found. If I shoot one and it breaks, it may be difficault to get it fixed and will cost plenty to do so.

I am enjoying this gun lock or not, and I can easily disable the lock if I so choose.

[treebeard]

I can shoot a couple thousand rounds through it and I will trust it more for carry or home defense,than any semi auto, lock or not.


Very well put....and I concur. :D :D