If it doesn't have a pinned barrel, I'm not interested. If it has the ILS, I'm repulsed. (personal preference, not a mechanical issue)
A friend got a new 8 3/8" 629, shortly after they stopped pinning the barrels. After a few hundred rounds, the barrel was noticeably canted. He sent it back, it came back with the barrel on straight again, and a note from S&W saying "nothing wrong found". He sold it soon after...
I know that it is entirely possible to make a good revolver without pinning the barrel. I also know that for at least some time, S&W, didn't.
More than enough of the older guns around to satisfy my every want and need, so I don't bother with anything else.
A friend got a new 8 3/8" 629, shortly after they stopped pinning the barrels. After a few hundred rounds, the barrel was noticeably canted. He sent it back, it came back with the barrel on straight again, and a note from S&W saying "nothing wrong found". He sold it soon after...
I know that it is entirely possible to make a good revolver without pinning the barrel. I also know that for at least some time, S&W, didn't.
More than enough of the older guns around to satisfy my every want and need, so I don't bother with anything else.