Current S&W Quality?

[cfullgraf]

Hello everyone!

I've got a "wild hair" as it were, and want a new S&W revolver. By new, I do mean one of the new ones with the internal lock. Specifically, a S&W Model 67:

I got a new Model 67 a few years ago and it has performed well. I intend to wear it out, saving wear and tear on my older K frames. There is just something about shooting 38 Specials in a revolver chambered for 38 Special.

While I feel the fit and finish on the current production S&W's is not quite what it once was, it is more than acceptable. And, they still shoot well and better than I can.

The wood stocks are definitely not as nice as they used to be. They look cheesy. Maybe like they are molded not carved. Not really an issue as I prefer neoprene stocks but it is kind of falls under the same principle as the folks that rail against the lock and MIM parts.

But, the quality of my favorite neoprene stocks has also slipped since I first bought them in the early 1980s.

Oh, well.

 

[Jeepergeo]

S&W continues to make fine handguns. You won't go wrong. If you can swing it, somethimg from the custom shop is usually worth the extra money.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks, in post 48 I mentioned that I decided to buy a pre-lock 67-1. I'm so excited!!

 

[Jim K]

This kind of thread shows a basic misunderstanding of what a company is for.

Some folks seem to think that S&W exists only to turn out a few beautifully made revolvers for the connoisseur collector, to be removed from the safe on special occasions for display to fellow collectors. This is the "English shotgun" approach to gun making. Careful hand work is admired, short cuts are never taken, and cost control is irrelevant since in that market price is no object.

S&W thinks their job is to make money for their investors, which means turning out as many serviceable and durable guns as they can sell, while keeping the price within reach of the mass market. That approach is generally followed by other American manufacturers.

Incredibly, S&W has done reasonably well at satisfying both markets.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

This is an argument that goes nowhere. On both sides they're enough guns to satisfy everybody. The choice is "either" so you can get whatever you want.

Oh, and anyone that thinks that the ones that were made from the end of World War Two to the early 1990's are the best will get a tremendous shock if they get to handle a mint/like new example made from the 1890's up to World War Two.

That is if fine gun making is the standard of performance. Otherwise no.