Family Reunion

[Mark_Mark]

Either a M27 (Registered Magnum) or M586/686 depending on if you like fully lugged barrels. The 586/ 686 were considered competitors to the Colt Python, in a similarly medium-large frame. The M28 is a slightly plainer M27, prices are a bit lower.

Need one of those family tree poster for Smith Guns! lots of Model numbers and dashes

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Smith are not Cheap! M19 looks to be $800-$1600. S&W makes Colt gun look like Starter Homes..

It depends....apples to apples, I still think Colts command somewhat higher collector prices.
If you compare a Pre-lock 686 to a stainless vintage Python, the Colt will be $2-3000 more.
A Registered Magnum (Pre-27) will be very close to a Three-Five-Seven (Pre-Trooper).
Detective Special Colts are blowing away Chief's Specials (M36 Smith) now....

 

[J-Bar]

If one likes K-frames, the Model 19 is the king of the K-frames (.357s, that is, we all know the 15 is the king of the .38s).
View attachment 1139869

ehhh... maybe debatable. The 19 has the flat bottom forcing cone, which is susceptible to cracking when some types of light bullet .357 ammunition is used. The 19 is a wonderfully reliable revolver when used with any .38 Special +P ammo. The 19 is the reason that Smith & Wesson developed the L frame revolvers, (586, 686) to get rid of that thin forcing cone. K Frames and the .38 Special are a marriage made in heaven. For full house .357 Magnum loads, I want an L or N Frame.

Of course, mileage varies.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, flame-cutting and cracked forcing cones aside, the Model 19 was the perfect size, weight and balance for a police duty handgun (it was my first in 1979). It was also quite accurate (with the right loads), and if not fed a steady diet of full-house magnums, proved durable and reliable enough.

It was the abuse of the Model 19s with the faster lightweight 125-grain JHPs when they came out that contributed to a lot of the issues this revolver suffered.

We trained and qual'd with .148-grain .38 SPL LSWCs and carried 158-grain magnums.

I have a couple of these dating back to the '60s that still lock up tight, no cracks, that I'd trust my life to.

 

[Mark_Mark]

It depends....apples to apples, I still think Colts command somewhat higher collector prices.
If you compare a Pre-lock 686 to a stainless vintage Python, the Colt will be $2-3000 more.
A Registered Magnum (Pre-27) will be very close to a Three-Five-Seven (Pre-Trooper).
Detective Special Colts are blowing away Chief's Specials (M36 Smith) now....

a small .38 is on my list this year!!! something that will make me look like a crime detective. Dress up in a old suit and hat, crappy cigars and little .38 on my belt with a coffee stain shirt! ooooh yeah

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

In strictly $$ terms, the K32 is King of the K-frames.....but if I could have only one K it would be a M15.

Fortunately, I dont have to choose only one-

 

[Mark_Mark]

S&W Military and Police pre model 10!!!

nice look!

 

[Pat Riot]

I bought this model 10 from Cabela’s Gun Library in Baton Rouge, LA. I had it shipped to the Cabela’s in Tualatin, OR.
It was a Hong Kong C&E (Customs & Excise) gun.
It looked like an “old timey” cop gun.
The metal and bluing were excellent, but it had these beat up service panel grips on it. I have a feeling this gun sat in an Armory and was never carried. I suspect that due to the contract with S&W that when it came time to return the gun to the US some C&E officer snagged the good looking grip panels and put his old one on it.

Here it is with my models 19, 60 Pro and 36. It’s the second one down with it’s old grip panels.


Here it is with new service panels from Altamont.


Here it is in its current configuration with the BK grip adapter.

 

[Mark_Mark]

anybody else a fan of taper thin barrels, and no full barrel lug?

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

The Registered Magnum, of course!

Registered Magnums were very expensive guns when they left the factory, so production was consequently limited: a total of only 5224 were made between 1935-39.

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/smith-wesson-registered-357-magnum-revolver/387004

For many American workers the $60 price tag on a Registered Magnum represented almost your family's entire income for a month in the midst of the Depression -- assuming you had a job!

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title...-industries-states-1937-615084?start_page=186

(look at the wage earnings and hours worked columns: 35 to 90 cents per hour x 120-180 hours per month)

Given that each Registered Magnum was made to order, trying to put together a representative collection would be a real challenge! Here's George Patton's order form:

 

[StrawHat]

The Wesson Grip Adapter offered in the 30s was NOT the Tyler model nor the later one offered with the S&W name on it.
Here is an image,



And as it would look installed,



Kevin

 

[Mark_Mark]

Registered Magnums were very expensive guns when they left the factory, so production was consequently limited: a total of only 5224 were made between 1935-39.

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/smith-wesson-registered-357-magnum-revolver/387004

For many American workers the $60 price tag on a Registered Magnum represented almost your family's entire income for a month in the midst of the Depression -- assuming you had a job!

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title...-industries-states-1937-615084?start_page=186

(look at the wage earnings and hours worked columns: 35 to 90 cents per hour x 120-180 hours per month)

Given that each Registered Magnum was made to order, trying to put together a representative collection would be a real challenge! Here's George Patton's order form:

View attachment 1139949

So it pretty much kept with inflation! nice investment gun. at those prices, I would not shoot it! goes into a sealed container

 

[Mark_Mark]

How is the Bluing compared to Colts old guns?

 

[J-Bar]

I love damaged bluing on an old gun, makes it more affordable!!

 

[Pat Riot]

The Wesson Grip Adapter offered in the 30s was NOT the Tyler model nor the later one offered with the S&W name on it.
Here is an image,

View attachment 1139956


And as it would look installed,

View attachment 1139955

Kevin

Thank you. I don’t believe I have ever seen one of these adapters.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I love damaged bluing on an old gun, makes it more affordable!!

lol! they had a C96 with near zero bluing, but bore was clean and bright. Was a Bolo and they wanted $1200! too much

 

[Mark_Mark]

what you guys think about the S&w 1917

 

[J-Bar]

what you guys think about the S&w 1917

Well, it was good enough for Indiana Jones!

I never owned one, but if I ever decide to get into the .45 caliber, the S&W 1917 would probably be my first purchase.

 

[Armored farmer]

Here's a couple of cousins.
Both model 10s

 

[Mark_Mark]

Well, it was good enough for Indiana Jones!

I never owned one, but if I ever decide to get into the .45 caliber, the S&W 1917 would probably be my first purchase.

Ooooh man! want one! wish S&W made a 45 Colt!!!! that’s my drug of choice

 

[vanfunk]

OMG. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. Sublime. Want. I love these threads. I hate these threads. No, I love these threads. Thank you all!

 

[J-Bar]

Ooooh man! want one! wish S&W made a 45 Colt!!!! that’s my drug of choice

They did. Search for Model 25. Careful, some are .45 Colt, some are .45 ACP.

 

[Mark_Mark]

OMG. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. Sublime. Want. I love these threads. I hate these threads. No, I love these threads. Thank you all!

buy them classic as you can… They aren’t getting any cheaper!

 

[Mark_Mark]

They did. Search for Model 25. Careful, some are .45 Colt, some are .45 ACP.

Oooh my Goodness ! Why are Old Smith so expensive! $1200 to $2000!

uuuuuggghhhh … going back to Colt! lol

I’m going to get a Smith after my Officer Match gets out of Lawaway

What do you think of the new Model 29? with the lock

 

[Pat Riot]

Ooooh man! want one! wish S&W made a 45 Colt!!!! that’s my drug of choice

I bought this model 25-15 .45 Colt in March 2021




It has become one of my favorite revolvers.