SW revolver question

[moewadle]

about whether best to buy older used model or brand new. I want to buy an SW Model 25 in 45 Long Colt and probably a Model 36 Chief's Special, both in nickel plate. Now, speaking only of SW guns would I be better off, money and quality both considered, to buy an excellent (box, etc does not have to be there) original model of each of these in nickel plate or is it better to buy a brand new model put out by the company as their classics? The 25 MSRP in the new is slightly over $1000 so would that probably be available from a dealer for around $800? And, what would an excellent original nickel 25 made in the 1978-91 era cost me? The same type of approach makes the same question for the Chief's Special. To discuss my question....many times the older item is higher quality than present manufacture but maybe this is not true of guns so much. Also, I am not sure an excellent older one will be much cheaper than a new one but I think I have seen this in many other gun items. (Case in point, I bought a really, really nice walnut 10/22 Ruger from a dealer,in 2007,made in 1990 with box and papers out the door for $190. I can't hardly buy a new one for that with cheaper wood. You get the point.)

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and using your time to help me.

 

[Gator]

JMO, but I always go for the older ones. They are made better and don't have the annoying, and ugly, lock. Plus they are cheaper!

 

[Old Dog]

My opinion, go for one of the original older models, pre-lock and pre-MIM. I still see excellent Model 36s at the gunshows going for 350-400 bucks ... to me, that's a heckuva better value than one of the new "Classic" 36s I saw in my local gunshop that was going for $600 bucks -- MIM parts and stupid blemish on the sideplate and all ...

I still favor the hammer-mounted firing pin, too. Picked up a mint Model 60-7 (stainless Chief's Special) for 350 not long ago. Can fire +P (be advised that in many of the earlier J-frame models +P is not recommended) and it put together beautifully.

And if you can find a nice nickel Model 36 or Model 19 for a good price, jump on it.

Recommended checking out http://www.smith-wessonforum.com

 

[StrawHat]

I know nothing about the newer S&W revolvers as the newest I have is from 1985.

I do know about S&W 45 revolvers and many of the older 25-5 have bore diameters not matched to chamber diameters.

If you get one of these it is not an easy fix.

More will chime in with better info but be careful when getting the older M25-5.

 

[Rolando]

Go with the older one. You can get it cheaper and no matter if you like the lock or not it will always be more desirable if you want to sell/trade in the future.
Quality is said to be better on the older guns too.

 

[Deanimator]

I do know about S&W 45 revolvers and many of the older 25-5 have bore diameters not matched to chamber diameters.

If you get one of these it is not an easy fix.

If you reload (as most serious shooters do) it's pretty easy to fix by going to a different bullet diameter.

 

[earplug]

What do you want to do with It?

The older guns in as new to VG condition will be fine safe queens that may appreciate in value. Don't be surprised if when you need to sell them for cash that cash is scarce to come by.
The newer guns can be bought and used without worrying about losing value as a collector.
The newer guns are really fine weapons built on newer machinery. They shoot well, and hold up well.
I have found that my new revolvers don't develop end play, or develop lose yokes as quickly as my older guns. The new cylinders don't bind between the yoke as often from shooting lead bullets as my older guns.
The MIM parts hold up well and they take little or no hand fitting to replace compared to the older parts.
A assortment of new factory and aftermarket Rear sights, front sights, stocks and internal parts are available for the newer guns.
Scope mounts for the newer predrilled revolvers are easy to mount if wanted.

 

[moewadle]

To answer earplug's question

I want to shoot them at the range. I am not a hunter and I do not carry for self-defense. I do not want a safe queen. If I buy the older models I will be shooting them. I do not handload. I am 65 and not thinking so much about collector or investment value. I would guess that what guns I have now or buy I will most likely have until I get so old I get rid of all my guns, or die first.

 

[Logan5]

In my experience, nickel finish is something you're not going to see as often when you're just browsing used Smiths at the local gun stores, so it will probably take a while to just happen across what you're looking for.

In terms of price point, the reissue classic model Smiths can be pretty inflated. I think I paid $349 for my used, blued model 25, but I have to keep reminding myself that that was ten years ago and not last week. $800-$1000 is Performance Center money in my opinion... not a deal by any means.

Quality of the classics I've handled is very good, maybe a little better than some of my late 1980's Smith & Wesson revolvers, but not anything like a $400-600 difference. As long as the revolver checks out mechanically, you're not likely to be disappointed either way- it's going to come down to what you can find first that you like at a price you can live with.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Buy a older model for all the above reasons... They are a better made product.

 

[mossy141701]

Go for the older version whenever possible. I have several older Smiths but the wife bought me a new Model 21 for Christmas, nice gun and my first new Smith since the lock, That lock just annoys the heck out of me. I have always prefered the older guns, plus as has been pointed out, they're usually cheaper and better made.Also there is sometimes a little history which goes along with them.

 

[Moonclip]

I bought an ANIB Mod 25-5 4" blue in Aug of 2006 for $500 which I even felt was a bit high, mine dates from around 1982. I personally won't own a lock model S&W unless it was a giveaway price but thats a personal decision.

A nickel 25-5 from an older vintage might be a bit hard to find. And I've been lucky but the few older 25-5's I've shot have not had accuracy issues.

 

[buttrap]

I have some older no dash N guns and several of the new ones too. The targets cant tell the diff if its a old pinned no lock job or a new what a lot of folks call a junk gun. All the used ones that are hot items now where also called junk and not worth having 25-30 years ago too.