"New S&W are no good" ?

A

aroman

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I want to buy a Revolver for concealed carry.
Based on what I have read it looks like the Smith and Weson M60 2"1/8, 642 or 640 Models will be good choices.
I have big Hands so I am thinking M60.
I am ready to buy, but now I read "New S&W are no good".
What is the story ?
Disclamer- Not starting a flame...I am new to Firearms.
 
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Two fine Smiths are the 2 1/2" Models 66 and 686. Somewhat larger than the 60, these may be better suited to your large hands. Inspect new guns carefully for a small and uniform cylinder to barrel gap and general freedom from machining defects.
 
check out the revolvers buyer guide in the revolver forum at thehighroad.com if you haven't already done so. good stuff on what to watch out for when purchasing your new toy.
 
S&W revolvers today are at least as good as at any time in the last 40 years. However, since lemons manage to escape from everyone's lines, follow the advice and check out any new (or used) firearm before purchasing.

Trust, but veryify!
 
Just a thought.....

I have put a lot of rounds through my 2 1/2" S&W model 66 without a hitch, including hot magnums and cheap 38s. It is almost an ideal carry gun at 32oz. I put Houge Bantam grips on my revolver and they are a great fit for my hands. If you have larger hands, you might go with Pachmayr Decelerators.
ArmaLube was right, the 686 is also a really great revolver, but I think a little big if you want to CCW. Plus, the mod 60 only goes bang 5 times.

Just a thought....
 
S&W revolvers, especially smaller-framed guns, were nothing to write home about during the 1999-2002 period. They seem to have gotten their stuff together in Springfield since then, however. All the S&W guns I've seen in the last 12 months or so have been pretty good in the fit, finish and trigger pull department.
 
My brother had a stainless S&W .357, briefly. It seemed nicely made, but wouldn't produce any better groups than a Glock 17 from the bench or freehand. We're both pretty decent shots. He sold it for another auto.


I realize that is just one gun, but that was the one opportunity my family was going to afford S&W. My uncle's old 19 is a superlative shooter.
 
I have a M60-9 and a M66-2.

The M66 is a joy to shoot, but I just cannot see carrying it concealed. The M60-9, on the other hand, is one round down, but is much easier to carry concealed. The thing is to have a gun you can carry concealed all the time. The M60-9 is harder to control with .357magnum loads, but it can be done. If you can't solve a problem with 5 rounds of .357, then you probably need better tactics.

That being said, The M640 would be a better concealed carry gun due to the snagless design, and no possibility of the "cocked gun syndrome" in court. I would stay away from a lightweight frame on a .357 J frame. The weight savings ain't worth it. You have to be able to practice with the weapon.

So, even though I have a M60-9 (because i found a good used one for a song) IMHO, the M640 would be the better concealed carry gun.
 
Ive had a S&w 642 since november and the quality is excellent. I put a set of ct grips on it last month, and it usally resides in my front weakside pocket as a bug. I hope the 642 is the first of many s&w revovlers for me, wether that ends up being used or new products.
 
I don't buy a lot of revolvers, but one of my most recent aquisitions was a S&W 642-1 and I love it. Not so good for general pleasure shooting, b/c the light weight will quickly make the recoil unbearable. However, as a defensive gun, it believe it to be without peer. Yes, it's got a lock and sure, I don't like the lock or the way it looks. But my gun shoots dead on and carries nicely, so I tolerate (ignore) those features I don't like. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another S&W revolver - I just haven't decided what I want. Right now I'm chewing on either a 629 Mountain Gun or one of the limited production new 6" 29s (yes, I know these were built from left over heritage series frames - so what?). There's even a 25 Mountain Gun out there that interests me, but I'm going to have to start reloading if I buy it. 45 colt factory loaded ammo is expensive.
 
I own one of the 29-8 Mountain Guns they sold last year. It has one of the Heritage Series frames also.....sweetest revolver I've ever owned. It just gets better the more I use it. :)
 
While they did seem to go through a quality slump somewhere around the turn of the century, those I've seen in the last couple years seem to be back to a good standard of quality. They ain't no pre-war guns, but they ain't no Bangor Punta guns, either.
 
In the last couple of years I have purchased several new S&W revolvers (presently have a NIB 686 on layaway). Overall quality of all has been as good or BETTER than any NIB S&Ws I have ever purchased!
 
I bought the 649 stainless for the console when traveling, and a 640-3 stainless (has a gold plated trigger, ejector rod and cylinder release) for carry. I shoot 125 grain 357's using a minimum of 100 rounds from 10 to 15 yards. The black is about 5" in diameter and I want to be in it or REAL close. Five shots under 5 seconds. No problems except the expense.
 
Since `98, I've bought two NIB Smiths. The first is a 649, which I bought in `98. It is the most accurate snub I've ever fired and has been trouble free for approximately 3,000 rounds.

The second is 340SC, the "beast", which I bought in Feb.`03. After approximately 300 rounds and a few thousand dry fires, it has never given me a problem. It kicks like a mule but I knew it would when I bought it. I wanted the weight saving. It is my "always" gun,

John
 
Most people who know me will tell you very quickly that I am a diehard Smith and Wesson fan, have been for years and will probably continue to be. That aside I think the current offerings from Smith and Wesson are well made weapons. They may not be as pretty as in years past but I believe them to be above average in quality compared to other companies out there. As others in earlier posts have said the occaisional lemon comes out of the factory just as any other company. Where I think Smith and Wesson really shines is their lifetime warranty and customer service. I have sent guns back to Smith and Wesson and in every case they have made it right. Not only have they repaired the gun but they have incuded action jobs, free magazines, and other "perks" for my troubles. That is something you dont normally see in this day and age. Also they will not hesitate to send you manuals and catalogs at no cost. If you have any questions call their toll free number as I do when I have Questions.
 
I have been totally satisfied with the ones I have bought in the last 6-7 years.
I have a 642 Airweight .38 Spl, a 640 .357, and a M60 3" .357.

I would not want to part with any of them.

Jerry
 
Out of curiosity, I checked out thehighroad.com which someone mentioned above. It takes me to a website for some kind of business consulting firm (Hodges & Associates). Does someone have the correct address for the website?
 
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