I'm a big S&W fan, love the pre-lock ones and even some of the new ones. Many of the regular size new ones are too pricey for me, but I've seen some real nice looking older ones in gun stores. Only problem is, I'm a little uncomfortable buying used guns from a shop because I don't know who's used it, cowboyed it, or if it's out of time or something. But I've seen some beautiful blued Model 10s and Model 19's. I know how to test the cylinder lockup of each chamber, cylinder gap, and the trigger push-off, but not sure how to tell much more than that. Guess you just have to guess. But the older Smiths just have an overall better quality look to them than the new. However, some of the new ones are nice. Recently, I looked at a new Model 66 and it was well made but the finish was odd, matte stainless, and also it had a weird double barreled thing. And I really don't like the locks on the new ones but it is what it is. I'm just so nervous about buying a nice looking used one unless it was from someone I really new. But there's no doubt in my mind that the quality is better on older.