So after reading this thread I decided to check out the model 85 in person. In this case a "black" basic 85 with the steel frame. I specifically say "black" and not "blued" because of the new finish. I compared it to the Ultra-lite Model 85, Smith 642, Polyprotector 85, and an LCR. I came away impressed with the trigger pull of the little steel 85. It was a little lighter than the Smith and shorter than the LCR. I was expecting some grittiness or stacking, but did not find it. I liked the wide smooth face of the trigger itself. The sites are obviously basic, but are sized to leave a little light on either side of the front blade which I like in a sight picture. I checked it for a visually canted barrel, but it seemed true. Lockup on 4 of the chambers felt "Colt tight". The 5th chamber was a little more "S&W tight". The new grip allows a full 3 finger hold (pinky does not dangle). It wraps around the steel of the gun so it should provide a pleasant shooting experience. It's a very soft rubber though, so it will probably hang up on clothing some. I was impressed with the fully-shrouded ejector rod. Overall it just felt solid.
It wasn't the screaming deal that the online shops are offering, but with the rebate I gave in and bought it.
I gave it a good cleaning and checked the barrel/cylinder gap with a feeler gauge. The smallest my gauge goes is 0.006". The gap is tighter than that on all 5 chambers. Nice. With as clean as the newer jacketed .38 special ammo is, I'm not too concerned about fouling.
I even tried out the locking system. It's very simple. There's a "screw" on the back of the hammer that includes a spring ball detent to keep it from turning. It requires a 90 degree turn to back it out far enough that it hits the frame if you try to run the hammer back (i.e. cocking or firing DA). I'll be among the first to say that I hate the lock on Smith revolvers, but this one doesn't look like it will be failure prone. I liked how the revolver could still be loaded/unloaded while locked.
The finish is not pretty. It looks like it was sand blasted and phosphate coated. I just hope it proves corrosion resistant.
The new grip does not have any threaded fasteners holding it in place. It looks like there's a roll pin running through it. So the grip won't be easily removable. I tested it with HKS, Safariland, and 5-Star speed loaders. I don't think the grip was designed with speed loaders in mind. They'll work, but it's tight and there's a good chance of something hanging up.
What is everyone using for a holster? Does anyone know if the fitted plastic J-frame holsters work with the 85's?
