Change Is Inevitable
I'm a brand spankin' newbie here at THR, so before I get to the topic at hand, I think it's only appropriate for me to begin by extending a big, "Hi, everybody! Glad to meet ya!"
For my first post here at THR, I'm not going to jump into this thread and try to persuade anybody with a passionate presentation of my personal thoughts, opinions, and conclusions on this topic. Rather, I'd simply like to offer a few things to think about.
1.)I am a devout fan, and modest collector, of S&W pistols, primarily revolvers, but I have a couple autoloaders, too. I only own 1 stainless steel model, the rest being about a 70/30 mix of blue and nickel. Less than 10% of my collection was manufactured post-'83, when they discontinued pinning and counterboring. My newest specimen was built in 1989, my oldest in 1920.
2.) "Profit" is not a bad thing; it is what drives a sound economy.
3.) I was deeply disappointed when S&W announced the integral lock, not so much because of the change to the guns themselves, but primarily because what this change says about the political/litigious climate in our country.
4.) Every successful manufacturer in existence is continually looking for new ways to reduce production costs, while maintaining the quality at a level that is acceptable to the consumer market.
5.) In 1955, Smith eliminated the "5th" screw.
6.) In 1961, Smith eliminated the "4th" screw.
7.) In 1968, Smith eliminated the Diamond from their checkered grips.
8.) In 1982, Smith discontinued pinning barrels, and counterboring chambers on magnum caliber revolvers.
9.) In 1997, Smith moved firing pins from the hammer to the frame, and began using MIM to build certain parts.
10.) In 2002, Smith added integral locking mechanisms.
Also during this period of time...
11.) New Government regulations required auto manufacturers to install seatbelts in all new passenger vehicles.
12.) New Government regulations required licensed firearms dealers to keep detailed records of all firearm sales.
13.) New Government regulations outlawed mailorder firearm sales.
14.) New Government regulations required tobacco companies to place warning labels on cigarette packages.
15.) The Government discontinued minting coins from silver.
16.) In less than 5 decades, the product label "Made In Japan" shed the well-deserved stigma of being cheap junk, to become widely accepted as a sign of premium quality.
17.) The quality of education in U.S. public schools has deteriorated to an abyssmal level, and continues to decline, despite incredible ongoing advances in communication and information technologies.
And the list could go on and on and on...
Change is inevitable. Nothing remains the same. I'm not going to freak out over a gun lock.
OutAtTheEdge
