Best Mfg. Date for S&W?

H

Higgins

New member
I am thinking about buying an S&W revolver. I know a bit about revolvers, but not much. I keep hearing that S&W quality is not so good now and has been better in the past.

So my question is, given a chance to buy an older S&W, what dates should I be looking at? Is there a date before which I should be looking?

How does S&W indicate the dates on their revolvers?

Thanks.
 
A lot depends on what kind of Smith & Wesson you want. From the perspective of best workmanship I’d say from about 1930 through 1955, excluding the World War II period (1940-1945) In this time frame you’ll find .22, .32 and .38 revolvers are very common. Magnums are not. During my specified time period skilled hand labor was inexpensive, and could be lavished on even service models. Target guns got even better treatment. But as labor costs increased cost-cutting changes were made to keep the products competitive. When the Vietnam War came along the demand was so great the company quickly increased production and quality suffered. Be that as it may individual guns were often as good as before. Today’s production is better made, but reflects cost saving changes that many don’t like.
 
S&W snub nose suggestion-

With the advent of the Viet-Nam war, the Smith &
Wesson model 60 (- nothing) Chief's Special was
introduced. It's a five-shot .38 Special (like the
round butt model 36), but it is made of stainless
steel. Introduced in 1965, these 2" barrel snubbies
were quickly grabbed up by some of our troop's
heading into battle. These are excellent, small
firearm's weighing only 19 ozs; and would make
for an excellent Christmas gift, under anyone's
tree!:cool: :D :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
How does S&W indicate the dates on their revolvers?
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The combination of the serial number and the "dash number" (or lack of one) determines manufacture date. A copy of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" helps reference the numbers. You can also call the company.
I personally collect the early to mid 50's pre-model number "5-screw" models.

Is there a date before which I should be looking?
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IMO, I would look at any pre 1982 revolvers.
 
Many of us prefer the Smiths from before 1980 or so, some would say before 1960. And the best of the older guns will have a better fit and finish than the newest ones. But the new guns coming from Smith today are still the Best of the Breed. An arguement can be made for the older guns, and many of us do so daily, but of the new revolvers on the market today, Smith & Wesson still stands head & sholders above Ruger, Taurus, Rossi and all of the Italian Clones.

Please don't see this as a flame of the other makers. Ruger in particular builds some really great models. But I'd still pick a Ruger Security-six over their SP/GP's of today.
 
Last week I traded for a NIB 686 with 6in barrel. It has a date on the box of 10-12-01 which I assume is its date of birth. It has the internal keylock and MIM parts. Upon inspection I could find no quality issues with it. Tight lock up, etc... and it even had a decent trigger pull. I took it to the range today and put about 130rds of Ga Arms 158gr SWC and American Eagle FMJ 38spls thru it. Reliability was 100% and accuracy was very good. The gundealer who traded it to me stated that S&Ws quality was picking back up under the new owners. I am pleased.
 
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