Clay Like you, I am not a fan of the cursed lock on modern S&W revolver....I've owned the older Smiths for almost 60 years now, and carried one of them in Vietnam and several others as a civilian....all were universally good with one exception, a M-25 in .45 Colt with enormous cylinder throats that resulted in key holing and 5" + groups at 25 yds.
That said, I still own over a dozen now in my safe, plus an add'l 4 which have the dreaded hole...and while the modern DA triggers are a pound or two heavier than former years, the SA triggers are just about as good, & all four are every bit as accurate as the older models. By that I mean with good handloads, they'll easily produce 2" groups at 25 yds from a rest with iron sights, same as the older ones.
They're good guns, and in particular, I'd not hesitate to carry my M-69 anywhere a .44 would be of material benefit, (It's a .44 Mag but really perks with +P .44 Special loads of the Skelton variety). Weighing virtually the same as my M-19, it makes a dandy back up gun while hunting in bear country, and I'd vote it a top contender for those that prefer a revolver.
while I agree that stories about the cursed lock are over blown IMHO, I will add that S&W needs to tighten up its quality control. There are too many guns leaving the factory with deficiencies that would have been caught in the past. Hopefully with the move to Tennessee, they'll get a better handle on that important facet of the business. In my personal experience with two revolvers in the last ten years that needed work, but were cheerfully fixed entirely at Smith's expense and one of them was a M-36n .38 Special, built in 1992. I just can't fault that level of service.
When all's said and done, they are still a top drawer manuf. of fine guns; but they could take a page out of Colt's business plan which seems to have high commitment to quality in their guns & tighter QC standards, Smith can and certainly should do likewise.... Rod
That said, I still own over a dozen now in my safe, plus an add'l 4 which have the dreaded hole...and while the modern DA triggers are a pound or two heavier than former years, the SA triggers are just about as good, & all four are every bit as accurate as the older models. By that I mean with good handloads, they'll easily produce 2" groups at 25 yds from a rest with iron sights, same as the older ones.
They're good guns, and in particular, I'd not hesitate to carry my M-69 anywhere a .44 would be of material benefit, (It's a .44 Mag but really perks with +P .44 Special loads of the Skelton variety). Weighing virtually the same as my M-19, it makes a dandy back up gun while hunting in bear country, and I'd vote it a top contender for those that prefer a revolver.
while I agree that stories about the cursed lock are over blown IMHO, I will add that S&W needs to tighten up its quality control. There are too many guns leaving the factory with deficiencies that would have been caught in the past. Hopefully with the move to Tennessee, they'll get a better handle on that important facet of the business. In my personal experience with two revolvers in the last ten years that needed work, but were cheerfully fixed entirely at Smith's expense and one of them was a M-36n .38 Special, built in 1992. I just can't fault that level of service.
When all's said and done, they are still a top drawer manuf. of fine guns; but they could take a page out of Colt's business plan which seems to have high commitment to quality in their guns & tighter QC standards, Smith can and certainly should do likewise.... Rod
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