S&W revolver info

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TennJed

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I have a few Ruger revolvers that I absolutely love. I am interested in getting a Smith though. I am not knowledgeable at all on the different models (and to the uninformed there seems to be a million of them). I see used ones turn up a local shops quite often, but do not know what a good deal is.

Is there a good place (website or book) that will give a good comprehensive breakdown of the various S&W models? Preferably with price.

I know I could go to some S&W message boards and forums, but don't really want to dig through pages and pages of post. It would prob. only make me more confused anyway.

Thanks in advance
 
IMO the best current book on S&W handguns is the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" 3rd Edition. It covers all S&W handguns from the start up to when the book was published in 2006.
 
Thanks!!! I should have been more specific, but I am more interested in older models.....stuff that turns up used at my LGS
 
what's your caliber preference ?

if you like centerfire Rugers, that thinly suggests you would prefer K or larger frames (vs smaller J-frames)

if you have big bore Rugers (44mag, 45 colt, something like that) then N-frames, like a model 29

if you have "Six" series Rugers (38/357) then K/L frames
k-frames (no longer made except in the new Classic pricey line) being highly regarded by most - K19, K66/65/64 etc
newer versions being L-frames, very slightly larger/heavier, like a Ruger GP

name a caliber, or tell us what model Rugers you like in what calibers, and you will get much better suggestions
 
k-frames (no longer made except in the new Classic pricey line) being highly regarded by most - K19, K66/65/64 etc

The .38 K-frames are still made, but I do think that they are pricey... its the .357 K-frames are no longer made at all.
 
You are asking for years of experience to be provided quickly and easily.

Sorry, there are no such shortcuts available. Besides, the learning process is part of the fun.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // This is how it starts, welcome:D

I agree the SC of SW 3rd ed. is a great book and answers most of my questions. IMHO well worth the price.

If I were going to look into older S&W or any manuf. the best place to start is the sticky about checking out revolvers.

Next I'd pick a caliber, say .357/.38.
Then pick a frame size and barrel length that best suits your needs. HD/SD/Hunting/Target/Safe Queen

There are still lots of options but only you know how the revolver will be utilized..

Prices vary around the country. I am almost temped to vacation in the Dallas ,FortWorth area just because of the low prices posted by purchasers of handguns.:D

When I find something interesting I compare prices of "sold " firearms on the Gun Broker web site.

I have S&W revolvers from 1867 , Model 1 1/2 in .32rf - 2007 Model 442 .38
My personal favorites by caliber are the
.22 ,mod. 617 6"--2006
.38, mod.442 1 7/8"---2007
.357 ,mod. 586, 6"---1983
.44 ,mod 29 , 8 3/8"---1974

**I think most folks prefer the 4" , I use the 6" and up for hunting,,,well at least I carry them when hunting, haven't gotten anything bigger than a squirrel yet with a handgun. Maybe I should leave the longun home one time.

In the end you win some and lose some but it sure is fun looking, even when I don't buy.

THT enjoy the search.
 
Sorry, there are no such shortcuts available.

Thus, the miracle of Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson#Notable_revolvers

Just under the pics, it gives the basics. Just click on each model's link to learn more.

Very generally, used examples will run $300 - $700, though some will run more. Where a this range a particular gun falls will depend on rarity, age, condition, etc. Some things that push a gun to the higher end of the spectrum include:

1. Age/vintage - particularly pre-1957, 5-screw version.
2. Magnum caliber. All else equal, a .357mag sells for more than it's .38spl counterpart. for example.
3. Adjustable sights

Thus, a pre-27 5-screw .357mag for $500 is a screamin' deal, whereas a it'd be overpriced for a Model 10.

BTW, if you're cuisin' your favorite LGS for a used revolver, I can recommend checking out THR's Revolver Checkout sticky.
 
This is handy to find out the production year. I printed out the whole thing so I can take it with me to a gunshow. Like I said, very handy.:D

Pre-War N frame.

Year/Beginning Serial

1908….. 1-------------1926….. 25000
1909….. 2050----------1927….. 28500
1910….. 5000----------1928….. 29500
1911….. 7050----------1929….. 30000
1912….. 9100----------1930….. 34000
1913….. 11150---------1931….. 36000
1914….. 13200---------1932….. 38375
1915….. 15250---------1933….. 41200
1916….. 15500---------1934….. 43350
1917….. 16000---------1935….. 45500
1918-1919 None--------1936….. 47200
1920….. 16200---------1937….. 48700
1921….. 16300---------1938….. 52000
1922….. 18400---------1939….. 57200
1923….. 19600---------1940….. 59000
1924….. 20800---------1941….. 62350
1925….. 22000---------1942-1945 None

Post-War S Series N frames:

S62,489 – S67,999……..1946 - Early 1947
S68,000 – S71,999……….Late 1947 – Early 1948
S72,000 – S72,499……….Late 1948 - Early 1949
S72,500 – S74,999……….Late 1949 – Early 1950
S75,000 – S80,499……….Late 1950 – Early 1951
S80,500 – S85,999……….Late 1952 – Early 1952
S86,000 – S94,999…….…Late 1952 – Early 1953
S95,000 – S102,999…….Late 1953 – Early 1954
S103,000 – S139,999……Late 1954 – Early 1955*
S140,000 – S149,999….Late 1955 – Early 1956
S150,000 – S175,999……Late 1956 – Early 1957
S176,000 – S181,999……Late 1957 – Early 1958
S182,000 – S194,499……Late 1958 – Early 1959
S194,500 – S206.999……Late 1959 – Early 1960
S207,000 – S219,999……Late 1960 – Early 1961
S220,000 – S227,999……Late 1961 – Early 1962
S228,000 – S231,999……Late 1962 – Early 1963
S232,000 – S235.999……Late 1963 – Early 1964
S236,000 – S257,999……Late 1964 – Early 1965
S258,000 – S261,999……Late 1965 – Early 1966
S262,000 – S289,999……Late 1966 – Early 1967
S290,000 – S304,999……Late 1967 – Early 1968
S305,000 – S329,999……Late 1968 – Early 1969
S330,000 – S333,454……Late 1969 – Early 1970

*Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. It at least one case a gun has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 4-screw gun.


N Series N Frames:

N1 – N60,000………….......1970-72
N60,001 – N 190,000…...1972-74
N190,001 – N430,000…...1975 – 77
N430.001 – N 550,000…..1978
N550,001 – N580,000….. 1979
N580,001 – N790,000…...1980
N790,001 – N932,999...…1980-83

Post-War S Series K Frames:

S811,120 – S999,999…….1946 – 48

C Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

C1 - C233,999………….....1948 – 52
C236,004 – C261,483…….1953
C277,555 – C314,031….…1954 – 56
C402,924 – C405,018…….1957
C405,019 – C429,740…..1958 – 59
C429,741 – C474,148…….1960
C474,149 – C622,699…….1961 – 62
C622,700 – C810,532…….1963 – 65
C810,533 – C999,999…..1966 – 67

D Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

D1 – D90,000…………….....1968
D90,001 – D330,000……..1969 -70
D330,001 – D420,000………1971 – Early 72
D420,001 – D510,000………Late 1972 – Early 73
D510,001 – D659,901………Late 1973 – Early 1974
D659.902 – D75000………..Late 1974 – Early 1975
D750,001 – D870,000………Late 1975 – Early 1976
D870,001 – D999,999………Late 1976 – Early 1977
2D00001 - 2D80,000……….1977
2D80,001 – 2D99,999………1978
4D00001 – 6D10,000……….1979
6D10,0001 – 7D10,000……1980
7D10,001 – 9D44,500…..1981
9D44,501 – 17D8,900………1982
17D8,901 – 21D0883……….1983

K Series K Frames (Adjustable Sight Models)

K101 – K614……………......1946
K615 – K18,731…………....1947
K18,732 – K73,121……..…1948
K73,122 – K84,149……..…1949
K84,150 – K104,047…...1950
K104,048 – K136,690...1951
K136,691 – K175,637...1952
K175,638 – K210,095...1953
K210,096 – K231,255...1954
K231,256 – K266,154...1955
K266,155 – K288,988...1956
K288,989 – K317,822...1957
K317,823 – K350,547...1958
K350,548 – K386,804...1959
K386,805 – K429,894...1960
K429,895 – K468,098...1961
K468,099 – K515,478...1962
K515,479 – K553,999....1963
K555,000 – K605.877....1964
K605,878 – K658.986....1965
K658,987 – K715,996....1966
K715,997 – K779.162....1967
K779,163 – K848,781....1968
K848,782 – K946,391....1969
K946,382 – K999,999....1970
1K1 – 1K39,500.........1970
2K1 – 2K22.037.........1970
1K39,501 – 1K999,999...1971
2K22,038 – 2K55,996....1971
3K1 – 3K73,962.........1971
2K55,997 – 2K99,999....1972
3K31,280 – 5K6,616.....1972
4K1 – 4K1,627..........1972
4K1,628 – 4K54,104.....1973
5K6,617 – 5K73,962.....1973
4K54,105 – 4K99,999....1974
5K73,963 – 6K58,917....1974
7K1 – 7K26,043.........1974
7K26,044 – 7K70,577....1975
6K98,918 – 8K20,763....1975
8K20,764 – 9K1.........1975
8K20,000 – 9K100,000...1975
9K1,001 – 9K99,999.....1976
10K001 – 24K9,999......1977
25K001 – 56K9,999......1978 – 79
57K001 – 91K6,800......1980
91K6,801 – 124K000.....1981
125K000 – 269K9,999....1982
270K000 – 311K273......1983

1980 Three-Letter Prefix Series Begins at AAA000
 
Thanks for everything guys....sorry i should have specified that my next revolver purchase will most likely be a .357 in a 4"barrel (I already have .357's in a 6.5" Blackhawk and 2.25" SP101)

Thanks!
 
I recently did a side by side comparison of a 6" Ruger GP100 and a 6" S&W 686 (both .357) at the local shop. In a general sense very similar guns. I used to own a GP100 4" which I loved, but side by side the S&W wins in every category. Grip was just a little smaller and fit me better (that could go the other way if your hands are really large), trigger pull was smoother, overall just a little better fit and finish.
 
This is not as hard as a lot of people are trying to make it out to be. You're looking for a Smith & Wesson revolver, a first one, to sort of get your foot in the door, and see what they're all about?

Start with the "K" frame. That's a mid sized revolver. Look for 4" barrel. Most common and easy to find. Fixed or adjustable sights? If fixed look for a Model 10. Don't worry about the "dash" numbers for now. If you want adjustable sights look for a Model 15.

If you want a .357 Magnum, look for a Model 19. Same gun as the 15, only in .357.

Frankly, if I was you, I'd go for a 38. They're a lot less expensive than the .357 guns, they're easier to find, and the ammo is less expensive. Yes, you can shoot 38's out of a 357, that's true, but I know in practice I very seldom do.

Be careful. They are addictive.

If you're looking to start a collection, different game. Get the book and start studying.
 
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Frankly, if I was you, I'd go for a 38. They're a lot less expensive than the .357 guns, they're easier to find, and the ammo is less expensive. Yes, you can shoot 38's out of a 357, that's true, but I know in practice I very seldom do.

This is the same advice I would give. I have 2 K frames that are 38 Special only. I never shoot 357s in any 357 guns so I just dont have them anymore. Less cost for both the guns and the ammo.
 
1. purchase the book "standard catalog of smith & wesson"

2. purchase a used, good quality (maybe a police trade iin) S&W model 64 (generations 64 through 64-5)

endless hours of reading entertainment and education. endless hours of shooting fun.
 
Well, a 4" stainless medium frame .357 with fixed sights would be the Model 65. Very nice gun.

As for .38 only guns, they are tough to pass up. Often, they can be found for quite a bit less than a .357. I have more .38 special firearms than any other caliber, 1 is a 5 shot S&W J Frame (642) and the rest are are S&W K Frames (Model 15 2" and 4", pre-model 10 M&P 5" and 6" and a 6" Model 14).
 
like said above, TIMC, for a 4" SS 357 Smith
686, dead simple

(I prefer the older K-frame 357s myself, but the 686 probably just a tad closer to the heft of your Blackhawks, and the 686 overall is a tad heftier than the k-frame if feeding a steady diet of 357 only)
 
I don't know what your interested in but you might take a glance at the model66 line. I have two, 66-2 early 1980s, and a 66-5. Both are super nice stainless pieces, they are tight and clean to handle. Mine are snub nosed. They can be found in good condition for around $500, sometimes even less. I bumped into one very recently that was new in the box still, not for $500 though.
 
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