Thinking of starting a collection of Smiths.

[RJM]

Have you ever just decided you are going to start collecting a certain type of firearm? I'm not huge into collecting and having a vast array of firearms keeping up space in the house is not something that I've ever really liked to have. I've always been one to buy something, use it for a while, and then trade or sell it off if I don't really care for it or something better comes along. Lately though, I've decided that I'm going to concentrate on building a nice Smith and Wesson collection, concentrating on guns that will fire .38's or .357s. I just picked up a new 686+ with a 3" barrel and next up is either a Model 10 with a 4" barrel or a Model 60 with a 3" barrel. These are firearms that I'm most comfortable with and I like shooting the most and a plus, my wife likes shooting too.

I haven't ever had a preference of older Smiths vs. newer Smiths as I find they all shoot rather well, although some of the older ones do look nice...and don't have the lock hole. Some of the newer Performance Center stuff does strike me as something I would like to have though, like the new 8 shot PC 627 with the 5" barrel. Sweet looking revolver. Which ones do you like?

Here is a shot of my new revolver...just picked up today.

 

[LoneGoose]

RJM, I caught that very same bug last year. Never owned a S&W until I saw a used 625 (5" full lug) in my LGS for a very good price. After shooting it, I decided I needed a .22 to go with it. Got a 617 (10-shot). Said "what the heck" and bought new, a 629 (5" full lug) to go with the 625. Toyed with blowing a whole month's pension check on a .32 Magnum snubbie, but can't make myself do it. Bought a 686 to ease the pain. I put black rubber Hogue grips on them all. I think I'm done. Can't shoot X-frame guns and have .38 Spl. covered by the 686.

Retired, I have plenty of time to shoot. I reload for all of these S&Ws, and other guns. I use them all. It's an addiction, but a good one.

P. S. - Sweet gun!

 

[DLam]

I have a model 13, 10, two 36's , 31, 637, 586, 65... looking for a 27 next.

 

[Old Fuff]

I won't start the "Old guns are great, new ones are junk" argument again, but will point out that if a collection is your intent the used market sometimes offers some great opportunities for modest prices.

To some, the word "collector" means "like new guns locked in a safe and never used." In the real world many "accumulations" D) are less then new and getting well used.

That said, if you are going to accumulate new guns only, even if discounted you'll find you need a thick wallet or high limit credit card. If you are going to change them into users they're is a better way.

 

[ArkieVol]

hmmmm

Unless you are single and independently wealthy I would suggest finding a sugar mama, getting a second job or consider politics. It's going to get expensive. Good hunting!

 

[Bama Drifter]

RJM, I've always been a Colt fellow... but am looking hard for a 2.5" Smith Model 19. I hope the bug doesn't bite me, as I'm a somewhat focused collector of pre-war Gov't Models but the S&W siren is singing loud!

BTW, are those aftermarket Altamont grips or factory stock? Either way, very nice pistola!

 

[PJSprog]

I have a 6" 686, 4" 64, and 2" 637. I also have a 6" 622 semi. Love my Smiths.

If I encounter a 10 in decent shape at a good price, I'll snag one of those, too.

Would love to have a .460XVR, but a gun in that price range would take some serious convincing with the wife.

 

[gbran]

I hope to pull the trigger on an S&W 327, 8 shot PFC snubbie in .357. 21oz unloaded. If I can ccw my 1911, this ought to be much easier.

 

[bwdilli]

Don't know what you're talking about. Nope not me.



It's an older pic. Need to get a new one. It's missing the 5 latest acquisitions.
2" Model 1905 4th Change (Pre-War .38 M&P)
Centennial Airweight with bug screw (pre-model 42)
4" Triple Lock in .44 Special
.22/32 kit gun with 2" barrel (pre-model 34)
K-22 Masterpiece (Pre-Model 17)

 

[Twiki357]

Be careful with that “Collecting S&W” mentality. In 2009 I bought my third S&W, today I have 32 and enough invested to buy a new truck.

 

[the Real Alpo]

I got that "Collection bug" once. Was gonna get one of every Ruger.

Just a representative sample of everything they made - a 77, a mini 14, a single six, a blackhawk, etc.

Then they came out with their centerfire semiautos.

I picked one up in a shop. Felt like I was holding a brick. Picked out a target on the wall, closed my eyes, pointed at the target, opened my eyes. I was a good eight to ten inches off.

Thought, "Okay - ain't gonna buy any of THESE things", and my desire to have a Ruger collection went away.

I've still got all kinds of Rugers. But I don't - COLLECT them.

 

[mavracer]

Yep I have a little collection of Smiths, I put myself on a limit to keep it simple and manageable. One of each frame size J,K,L and N in the calibers I shoot.
M34
K22
442
M14
M60
M19
686
327
610
696
M29
And a 1917 Army

 

[StrawHat]

One could assemble a large collection of S&W revolvers just by collecting the various Model #s that were made. Each Model had a significant number of variations.

Kevin

 

[RJM]

Man, nice pictures and collections above.

Old Fluff, when I say collection, I'm really talking about firearms I will be shooting and I have no problem buying used. My local gun shop has a few used guns but they are generally asking almost new prices and the guns themselves don't seem to be in the best shape. I honestly think their employees get used guns in trade and buy up the best stuff before they hit the shelves. Anyway, I don't really want safe queens or something too nice to shoot though.

I'm currently looking for a model 10 for the wife; just a range shooter with a nice 4" barrel, and I might pick up one of those police trade ins that Buds has on sale. Not terrible prices on those, especially considering a new on at the shop is 600 bucks.

Bama Drifter, those grips on the 3" 686+ are stock...I think this revolver is a special run by Talo Distributors....they feel great in the hand.

Right now my Smith and Wesson collection is sitting at a total number of 3 (this 3" 686+, a 586 4" barrel, and a 686+ 5" barrel) so I have room and desire to grow...just not the money yet. I'll be saving my pennies from here on out though. The nice thing is that I have a place down the street from me that has monthly gun shows and if you have cash on you, one can find pretty nice deals on older revolvers if you know what to look for. My plan is to start heading over there every month to see if I can catch a deal or two.

 

[WestKentucky]

I once decided I was going to collect every long recoil action model ever made. I accomplished almost that very task in shotguns which is the majority of long recoil action in general. The select few pistols made are impossible to find, the remington rifles are priced ridiculously, and my interest waned. I now own 2, my original 2 remington which started me down that path. The Belgian Browning will come back to me when my wife's uncle passes, hopefully many years from now.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I really like Smiths. I currently have 5.
460V
686 PC Competitor
686+ Talo with an unflutted cylinder
3rd model Hand Ejector, Regulation Police
And a E Series 1911

I'm looking to add a full size 22lr to the gang too, but kind of want a prelock pinned barrel gun, just cuz. I have a wide interest in all guns, but specifically in revolvers. I always come back to Smiths.

 

[bannockburn]

Which ones do I like? Just about every J, K, and L frame I have ever come across!

 

[25-5]

I do like Smiths. Not a fan of the Hillary hole though. So I prefer the older ones. I am a shooter more than collector. Pre models and 5" barrels are sought after. All calibers are fine but my favorite is .45 colt.
You've picked a fine road to travel, enjoy.

 

[J-Bar]

I respect those who have the discipline and resources to plan a collection.

I'm just a shooter who enjoys the fine craftsmanship of the Smith and Wessons from the 1950s through the 1970s. I have only 6 at the moment, but I keep my eye peeled for additional candidates.

Good luck in your madness.

 

[joem1945]

I do prefer S&W and have a few. Only have a couple of colts.

 

[saenzrich]

Its addicting yes.

I started with a

34-1 2"
17-3
18-4
17-4 8 3/8"
19-5 4"
19-5 6"
686 no dash 8 3/8"
586 no dash 8 3/8"
43c
627pc 2"

and still going...

 

[cfullgraf]

Lately though, I've decided that I'm going to concentrate on building a nice Smith and Wesson collection, concentrating on guns that will fire .38's or .357s. I just picked up a new 686+ with a 3" barrel and next up is either a Model 10 with a 4" barrel or a Model 60 with a 3" barrel.

Building a collection will be an enjoyable activity.

I'd suggest picking a group of S&Ws to concentrate on first. You have decided on 38 Special/357 Magnums but you might narrow it down to just a particular frame ("L", "N", "K", "J") or one model and hunt for the various dash numbers or barrel lengths, or a smorgasbord of different frame sizes and so forth. Lots of possibilities.

It narrows down the hunt a little.

You can always expand the collection latter as you near the completion of your first objective.

I'm partial to K frames with adjustable sights.

Have fun.

 

[Anmut]

LOL you're going to collect smith and wesson wheelies? Get in line! I MEAN IT. TO THE BACK OF THE LINE.

 

[Bama Drifter]

I do like Smiths. Not a fan of the Hillary hole though. So I prefer the older ones. I am a shooter more than collector. Pre models and 5" barrels are sought after. All calibers are fine but my favorite is .45 colt.
You've picked a fine road to travel, enjoy.

^ LOL-- Hilary hole, indeed!

Darn you 25-5... this thread seemed to be leaning hard to the .357mag side and you come along and balance it out w/ your .45 Colt sensibility. I didn't even know there WAS a Smith DA chambered in .45 Colt until just now... and now dang if I don't NEED one! Well, let's add the 6" Model 25 to the tail end of my growing list of highly desirable S&W pre-lock products. 19 snub; 19 4" bbl; 25-5 6"; 642 no lock; and on it goes...

Thanks 25-5 BTW is the 25 L or N frame?

 

[cfullgraf]

The Model 25's are N frames.

You could make a fair sized collection of the Model 22s (fixed sights) and Model 25s (adjustable sights) in both 45 ACP and/or 45 Colt.

Add in the pre-Model target models and the 625 Models...

Generally, the 25-5 is 45 Colt and the 25-2 is 45 ACP. But there are other dash numbers and the chambering varies.