[Parker Dean]

I frequently see complaints about the current state of DA revolver production. Poor fit and finish mainly, along with a certain amount of performance issues. I was daydreaming a bit this afternoon about whether or not this would allow for an upscale revolver manufacturer to exist. Then I saw the thread about how they don't make them like they used to and thought I'd ask y'all just what it would be worth to you.

So assuming the best attributes of each, strong as a Ruger, smooth and steady as a Smith, accurate as a Python, and blued better than the best finish yet seen on a production gun, how much would you pay?

[SkaerE]

wouldnt be worth it to anyone to make such a revolver.

aside from R&D to make such a frankengun i dont think a company could make any money off of selling them. it would have to be custom made (you couldnt get that kind of quality off a production line consistantly)

i believe its really a select few who would actually pay much more than a production price for what you want in this revolver. it would have to cost in the thousands (ie, price of a high end custom 1911) to make it worth while. hell, thinking about it more, it would probably cost considerably more than a custom 1911. the 1911 has been around for almost 100 years, this revolver would be a brand new design.

i dont think theres enough people who would pay that much.

course i could be wrong.

[Rich357]

The current S&W revolvers are made better (better QC) than the ones made in the late '70s to mid '80s when Bangor Punta owned S&W. I'm happy with the quality of the current S&Ws.

The Performance Center (S&W) revolvers are interesting and very well put together. I recently spent about $1100 for a 629 Stealth Hunter (the green one).

Rich

[Nightcrawler]

Heck, a brand new S&W current production can run you $700 and up these days, depending on the model. While it'd be nice if there were nicer guns out there, I certainly couldn't afford one.

There ARE little things they could do, though. Smith could, for instance, start making blued guns again, and put the firing pin back on the hammer (many seem to prefer it). It would seem that labor costs have gone up far too much to be able to mass produce hand fitted weapons anymore.

[tiberius]

Isn't this what Korth is supposed to be?

[Nightcrawler]

Don't know much about the Korth, but I'd be terribly suprised if they were as strong as Rugers. *shrug*

[tiberius]

Note I said "supposed to be" :)

[Randy63]

For example, if S&W were to build an exact copy of a cased 1956 pre model 29 with the neat aluminum screwdriver I'd imagine it would cost well north of $2000. I'd pay $1300 or so for that gun. Better yet I'll shop around and buy the real deal from 56'.

Of course the reality is they'll never make them like they used to and that's why we pursue those wonderful old Smiths and Colts with such zeal.

Randy

[Parker Dean]

Originally posted by SkaerE
wouldnt be worth it to anyone to make such a revolver.


Actually that's about what I thought, and my expectation of what one would cost was in the couple-grand range too.

Hell, I don't know that I would go that high on a production revolver, yet OTOH a 1911 from a custom builder for 2-4K is considered normal. I guess it's the "custom" that's the difference.

[SkaerE]

i'd just be happy if a company could produce a good consistant quality product for a decent price.

but hey, thats the downside of mass production. ahh well...

[444]

Freedom Arms produces guns today that are pretty much as fine as any revolver ever produced. Of course you can only get them in two flavors and they are both single actions. But, I am willing to pay for that kind of quality and performance.

One problem with producing these guns today is that you can obtain the real thing for less than the cost of a current production gun. I have purchased classic Smith revolvers for the low $200s. This is why I encourage the fad for the euro autoloaders as much as possible; more good ones left for me.

[C.R.Sam]

444
:D

Sam

[SnWnMe]

I am sure Smith or Colt would be very, very happy to accomodate our desires for very high quality revolvers if we are willing to pay for them such that their sales volumes will not suffer.

[Standing Wolf]

I'd be glad to pay $1,000 for an old-style Python-quality revolver; the only old-style Python-quality revolvers I've seen in a long time, however, are old-style Pythons and a few Smith & Wessons.

[JERRY]

someone just mentioned the only revolver like this today, it is the KORTH.

[Jim March]

If you want a fine, strong, modern DA wheelgun, send a Ruger off to Hamilton Bowen or any of a couple others. Jack Huntington is making a name for himself. Depending on what you want, you can get something quite nice for under $2,000, esp. if you're willing to stick with a factory caliber. This can include a line-bored cylinder, which is how FA gets their accuracy (often MOA or close to it).

To me, something like that may not be as pretty as a '56 S&W or Colt, but it'll be a lot stronger and tougher, and I care about that.

[Mike Irwin]

Little things, like getting the barrels screwed in so that the sights are true and vertical, or catching a gun before it leaves the factory with a glaring problem with its finish or mechanics, doesn't take a whole hell of a lot of money.

What it really takes is a reworking (or re-emphasis) on the company's culture.