Well, I just got back from the range and finally got to shoot both my older Smiths back to back with my newer one. The older ones (relativly) were a 3" barreled , 36-1, and a model 27-3, .357, with a 6" barrel that was close to new in condition. While niether one of these are considered a true "old" Smith and Wessons, they don't have the new lock and are finished in a beautiful deep blue.
My new model was an Airweight , 38 special that has the new "kiddie" lock and all.
The first thing that I noticed right off is that the fit and finish on the older models was far superior to the new one. The spent cases didn't stick in the chambers when trying to eject them and the trigger pulls were FAR superior to the newer piece. The trigger pull on the 36-1 is the best that I have ever felt on a revolver and that little gun is VERY accurate. I almost couldn't believe how well this little gun shot. The Airweight trigger pull by comparison felt rough and heavy, and the spent cases always stuck in the cylinders after firing. This is with about 400 rounds through the piece at this time.
The model 27 was somewhere in between the two but I believe that it will improve as it breaks in. It was however VERY accurate.
So I guess overall, there will be more older Smiths going into my collection. I would rather pay a little more and get a much better shooting firearm that will only appreciate in value. I can't wait to get my hands on one of the older magnums and give it a whirl.
I'm sure that there are some really good new types of Smiths out there but I think that the older ones also look so much better in blue then the stainless ones.
What do you think when comapring older to newer?--Oneshot
My new model was an Airweight , 38 special that has the new "kiddie" lock and all.
The first thing that I noticed right off is that the fit and finish on the older models was far superior to the new one. The spent cases didn't stick in the chambers when trying to eject them and the trigger pulls were FAR superior to the newer piece. The trigger pull on the 36-1 is the best that I have ever felt on a revolver and that little gun is VERY accurate. I almost couldn't believe how well this little gun shot. The Airweight trigger pull by comparison felt rough and heavy, and the spent cases always stuck in the cylinders after firing. This is with about 400 rounds through the piece at this time.
The model 27 was somewhere in between the two but I believe that it will improve as it breaks in. It was however VERY accurate.
So I guess overall, there will be more older Smiths going into my collection. I would rather pay a little more and get a much better shooting firearm that will only appreciate in value. I can't wait to get my hands on one of the older magnums and give it a whirl.
I'm sure that there are some really good new types of Smiths out there but I think that the older ones also look so much better in blue then the stainless ones.
What do you think when comapring older to newer?--Oneshot