[MICHAEL T]

My dealer has one of the new Model 40 in nickle It doesn't have the silly lock and is +P rated I don't mind the squeeze grip safety I have a old S&W 32 with it . My question is any one here have one. The trigger seems awfully heavy Compared to my 1970's bodyguard I like real steel frames in my revolvers So weight isn't a issue
Hes asking $695 and won't budge I have bought a lot of guns their and he is firm on this one .

[highorder]

The new Classics from S&W look nice, but I cant get over the sticker prices. You can find vintage Model 40's for less if you look.

[OKshot]

I just compared the trigger pull of my re-issued Model 40 to those of a newish, no-lock 642, a mid-90's vintage 60-4, and a Nixon-era Model 36. The 40 and the 642 triggers felt about the same, and were noticeably stiffer than those on the 36 and 60-4, which of course have been pulled a lot more, but I'm not sure how much more since I got the older ones used. Interestingly, those two felt about the same too, but lighter. Could that be due to other factors than time and use, such as spring steel, surface geometry, or MIM-vs.-forged parts?

Anyway, I like my Model 40; my only complaint about it was that the grips were not fitted to it very well, with large gaps between the thinner upper portions and the frame. A light sanding fixed that issue, but sure should not have been required at the price I paid.

I'll stick to buying the older ones from now on, unless they make some more models without the ILS.

[Old Fuff]

The grip safety was a hold-over from the pre-war Safety Hammerless top-break revolvers chambered in .32 S&W or .38 S&W which were very mild in the recoil department. When later models in .38 Special came out the grip safety became very unconfortable when shooting, and it was discontinued.

Double-action trigger pulls in current production guns are a mixed bag, with individual guns being different. To their credit S&W uses springs that are designed to make sure that the gun will go BANG! no matter what, and there is some risk if you change that.

I wouldn't spend $600+ bucks on what's supposed to be a collector's edition. For that kind of money you can get one of the older guns, and if the trigger pull is so important look at one of the new Ruger LCR revolvers before you buy anything. Unlike the Smith & Wesson's they were designed for the best possible double-action from git-go.