i just picked up my third Lew Horton gun, a 3" S&W Model 66. I got this because of favorable experience with an earlier S&W distributed 3" Model 66, which seems more balanced than the 2 1/2". I was very pleased with the other examples of the products they distribute I've fired, one by S&W and one by Springfield Armory. What are the experiences of others with their products?
Lew Horton Products
- Thread starter Bob C
- Start date
Mike Spight
New member
Bob: I have no experience with Horton's joint ventures with S&W. I know I would love to have their treatment of a Mountain Gun in .44 Mag if such an animal exists!
Best...
Mike
Best...
Mike
I have a Lew Horton "Classic Carry" 3"629, unfluted cylinder, which I suppose has some overlap with the Mountain Guns. They're also marketing a 2&5/8" Model 629 tuned by the Performance Center. The price on that one scared me away.
I regret trading off a Lew Horton auto, a compact Springfield Armory "Night 45" with tritium sights, Videcki trigger, and a very nice non-reflective finish.
I regret trading off a Lew Horton auto, a compact Springfield Armory "Night 45" with tritium sights, Videcki trigger, and a very nice non-reflective finish.
Bob C,
Just to clarify that a Lew Horton Gun is really a Smith & Wesson or Colt or whatever. Horton only commissions the special runs (read that: commits to purchase a large quantity), and rarely has any specific input on what the factory chooses to make. For instance, the S&W Performance Center will come up with a design and present it to Horton, who says yes or no. Although it may have happened in the past, rarely does it start with Horton coming up with an idea and taking it to the factory. Horton's is responsible for "commissioning" about 80% of the S&W Performance Center units, and all have been great products. They have also distributed several factory "specials" like the 3" M24/624 revolvers and the M4596 mentioned above. FWIW ......SmithNut
Just to clarify that a Lew Horton Gun is really a Smith & Wesson or Colt or whatever. Horton only commissions the special runs (read that: commits to purchase a large quantity), and rarely has any specific input on what the factory chooses to make. For instance, the S&W Performance Center will come up with a design and present it to Horton, who says yes or no. Although it may have happened in the past, rarely does it start with Horton coming up with an idea and taking it to the factory. Horton's is responsible for "commissioning" about 80% of the S&W Performance Center units, and all have been great products. They have also distributed several factory "specials" like the 3" M24/624 revolvers and the M4596 mentioned above. FWIW ......SmithNut
SmithNut, I need your advice. I want to buy a couple of S&W revolvers. I am interested in a 357 and a 44 Mag.. I'm thinking about geting a 686 in a 4 inch barrel for occasional carry and night stand duty. I'm also thinking of getting a 629 Classic for hunting and night stand duty (using 44 specials of course). Any insights on these two models? Are these the best Smith offers? Are there better quality models? (I'll also shoot them quite a bit at the range) Also, regarding the 629 Classic, why does the DX cost so much more? Thanks. Stay Safe, Sam
Hey there Sam, the models you reference are outstanding firearms, and I dare say they are the standard by which all others are judged today. The M686 spawned a whole new area in .357 revolvers, where Ruger followed with the GP and Colt with the King Cobra. The M686 was designed to allow for over 10,000 rounds of full power loads through it as the
"starting point". Many models are available, from 3" to 6" (today, previously you could get up to 8 3/8"). If you get a M686, you will not be dissapointed. As far as the M629, what can I say? It is the stainless version of the famous M29, and is as solid as they come. Others will say that there are stronger designs out there, notably the Ruger Redhawk, which is an outstanding piece, but if you stay within SAAMI spec's for loaded ammo, the M629 will last a very long time indeed. The DX has some extra features that the standard Classic does not have, most notably the removable front sight blade, which allows you to change the sight insert to match your use. Earlier, the DX pioneered the round butt, and had "extra" hand fitting of all the internals, but that has been dropped these days. The DX is a nice piece, and you will not be dissapointed if you get one. Any of the M629's will do you fine. If you get to sample the Performance Center versions of either, well let's just say you will be surprised and gratified with the nice workmanship. Enjoy. ......SmithNut
"starting point". Many models are available, from 3" to 6" (today, previously you could get up to 8 3/8"). If you get a M686, you will not be dissapointed. As far as the M629, what can I say? It is the stainless version of the famous M29, and is as solid as they come. Others will say that there are stronger designs out there, notably the Ruger Redhawk, which is an outstanding piece, but if you stay within SAAMI spec's for loaded ammo, the M629 will last a very long time indeed. The DX has some extra features that the standard Classic does not have, most notably the removable front sight blade, which allows you to change the sight insert to match your use. Earlier, the DX pioneered the round butt, and had "extra" hand fitting of all the internals, but that has been dropped these days. The DX is a nice piece, and you will not be dissapointed if you get one. Any of the M629's will do you fine. If you get to sample the Performance Center versions of either, well let's just say you will be surprised and gratified with the nice workmanship. Enjoy. ......SmithNut
SmithNut or anyone else, I was calling gun shops checking on prices for a S&W 686 in a 4" barrel and discovered that it can be had in a 6 or a 7 shot. Besides the different ammo capacity, what is the differense between the two? Is one stronger then the other? (less rounds, thicker cylinder walls?), is one larger? Which one is more sought after? Any other questions I forgot to ask? Thanks man. Stay Safe, Sam
[This message has been edited by Sam C (edited August 16, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Sam C (edited August 16, 1999).]
I came across a Horton treatment of the Springfield Armory Compact Night .45 a number of years ago. Had no idea who Horton was but like the look and feel of the limited edition weapon and picked it up. Almost traded it at one time when I was shopping for a Sig, but couldn't get what I wanted so I held onto it and just bought the Sig outright.
Gunshop owner I almost traded it to said he couldn't find any reference to it anywhere.
My only beef with it is that it's not as reliable as my Glock or my Sig. I can depend on it to jam at least once per 50 rounds, and it's done that ever since it was new. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for improving the weapon's reliability? Maybe I just need to put more rounds through it; I've probably only fired couple hundred rounds through it over the years.
Gunshop owner I almost traded it to said he couldn't find any reference to it anywhere.
My only beef with it is that it's not as reliable as my Glock or my Sig. I can depend on it to jam at least once per 50 rounds, and it's done that ever since it was new. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for improving the weapon's reliability? Maybe I just need to put more rounds through it; I've probably only fired couple hundred rounds through it over the years.
I bought something called a Colt "Night Officer" that they made at one time. Was a full size frame and officers upper with night sights. Finally I realised that it was a ridiculous abomination. But did like the night sights on it. As you can imagine, in stock form, it was not exactly target grade. And it had that common flaw of the 90's Colts, there was rust in the barrel. At least when I cleaned it out it was not heavily frosted like another NIB Colt I had.