New Production S&W “No Locks”

Another thought--maybe S&W have realized that a lot of the appeal of the revolver is aesthetic, and that the lock ruined aesthetics, like a roll cage on an old E-type.

Henry gets this, and Colt seems to be getting it, although I wish that they'd round the KC/Viper trigger guards already.

Someone should tell the folks at Ruger that people like pretty revolvers with pretty grips.
 
Piedmont Plinker said:
Another thought--maybe S&W have realized that a lot of the appeal of the revolver is aesthetic, and that the lock ruined aesthetics, like a roll cage on an old E-type.

Henry gets this, and Colt seems to be getting it, although I wish that they'd round the KC/Viper trigger guards already.

Someone should tell the folks at Ruger that people like pretty revolvers with pretty grips.
Click to expand...
And no billboards .
 
Guys with safes full of old revolvers will never admit new production is as good or as smooth as the old ones. It's pointless to argue with them or try to convince them.
I buy old ones in used condition because they are less expensive than new models. Some light wear, no box or papers really brings the prices down.
 
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Ok. That’s nice enough. I hated the lock and the redesigned frame to accommodate it. I could get used to the frame though.

Sadly, they missed the window with me. I never bought a lock gun and, I have more than enough revolvers as is.

I have a 629 no lock but, just before the lock. Round butt. Redesigned frame. I’ve taken it apart. The fit and finish, inside, puts the old Smiths to shame.

Are they doing 2 piece barrels? Seems hard to do with some of the offerings.
 
If local Cabelas still has that 5" 986 for $799 I might offer them cash price for it. It's been there long while, I wonder if Cabelas Gun Library dickers, or not. Either way I will try because I have nothing to loose, it's a buyers market out there shops being saturated with used guns.
The lock doesn't bother me at all.
 
PavelSJ said:
If local Cabelas still has that 5" 986 for $799 I might offer them cash price for it. It's been there long while, I wonder if Cabelas Gun Library dickers, or not. Either way I will try because I have nothing to loose, it's a buyers market out there shops being saturated with used guns.
The lock doesn't bother me at all.
Click to expand...
They haggle. A little
 
Tallball said:
No one cares except for "gun people".

To everyone else, it's an argument about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Click to expand...
I would think at this point only gun people are buying new S&W revolvers. Everybody else is buying polymer striker-fired 9mms.
 
So I was just looking at a new S&W "Classic" revolver (with The Lock) in my local Sportsman's Warehouse... while the finish was nice, dark black and shiny, it just doesn't compare (for me) to the old bluing that actually looks blue and reflective in natural light...

...and I still have a strong preference for the old, small D-shaped frame lug, hammer-mounted firing pin and P&R cylinder... the new Model 19 looks fine (especially compared to the Rugers, Taurus, Rossi et al revolvers) but just doesn't strike that same chord in my heart that the old S&Ws do. Guess I've officially attained curmudgeon status.
 
It amazes me a company can be so clueless for so long. But finally, it seems like someone in charge has talked to prospective customers.

When they start making lockless 686's again, not a 686+, I will buy a 4" one. Honestly, this is the first interest I've had in buying any new S&W handgun, period, since the locks were intro'ed. I have almost zero interest in M&P semiautos as I have in locked revolvers. I have 5 Pre-lock S&W revolvers and they are all N Framed guns. I haven't had an L Frame since I sold my 696-2 a long time ago, when I needed money.
 
Old Dog said:
So I was just looking at a new S&W "Classic" revolver (with The Lock) in my local Sportsman's Warehouse... while the finish was nice, dark black and shiny, it just doesn't compare (for me) to the old bluing that actually looks blue and reflective in natural light...

...and I still have a strong preference for the old, small D-shaped frame lug, hammer-mounted firing pin and P&R cylinder... the new Model 19 looks fine (especially compared to the Rugers, Taurus, Rossi et al revolvers) but just doesn't strike that same chord in my heart that the old S&Ws do. Guess I've officially attained curmudgeon status.
Click to expand...
Not a "curmudgeon", you just know what you like. It's a good thing.
 
Old Dog said:
o I was just looking at a new S&W "Classic" revolver (with The Lock) in my local Sportsman's Warehouse... while the finish was nice, dark black and shiny, it just doesn't compare (for me) to the old bluing that actually looks blue and reflective in natural light...
Click to expand...
I do not think their new “blue” finish is bluing. I think it’s a black coating. When I bought my S&W 25-15 I bought it in California. I had a 10 day wait, which turned into a 17 day wait due to Scamdemic delays by the DOJ.
Anyway, when I picked it up it had a ding in the barrel. It looked like someone scraped it when putting it in or taking it out of the safe. It was a small area on the barrel. The coating was scraped.
Here is something I put together to demonstrate this.
IMG_7217.jpeg
 
S&W marketing genius. Selling new guns to old guys with disposable income.
Time for ALL of you guys complaining about the hillary hole to get out there and buy one or two. No exceptions. If you don't you're getting grounded from the internet......
 
Elkins45 said:
I would think at this point only gun people are buying new S&W revolvers. Everybody else is buying polymer striker-fired 9mms.
Click to expand...
From what I have seen of people browsing the local gun shops (which I spend a lot of time in), it's both ends of the gun buying spectrum. Gun people like us, as well as people who have absolutely no interest in firearms and were directed towards revolvers because someone said they are easier to use (though, in the case of a little snubnose, I don't think that's true).
 
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