Opinion of Smith & Wesson?

[duucfho]

This is a straight rip of a poll posted by riggins83, just changed the manufacturer:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369780

The reason i wanted to sort of repost the same question, is because nearly 1/3 of the voters have a generally negative view of Taurus. I'm curious if this ratio is comparable to some other major manufacturer (I picked S&W, though I could've gone with Glock, Ruger, or some other). Do roughly 1/3 of people have a general dislike (or hatred, even) of S&W?

let's find out...

 

[Tom Servo]

I think the results will be mostly in favor. S&W is an American institution, whose guns have preserved the lives of thousands of soldiers, peace officers and civilians. Their revolvers have been used in the Olympics. S&W was the brand of choice for Elmer Keith, Ed McGivern and Bill Jordan. Some of the nation's top competitors still swear by them.

Can't say the same for many other manufacturers.

That said, someone will chime in about their political misadventures during the 1990's (during which they were under different ownership) and claim this as a reason for never buying another S&W product.

Others will swear that their quality took a nose-dive after the Bangor Punta era. Some folks will swear that their products have been "teh suck" since DB Wesson passed away.

Still someone else will mention MIM parts and internal locks as the Work of Satan's Minions.

Have I about covered it?

 

[fastbolt]

I don't "love" guns.

Yes, I've often been referred to as a 'gun nut' by family members, acquaintances and folks with whom I've worked.

Granted, I started learning to shoot when I was 5 years old and I own a number of guns (enough so that I couldn't tell you how many I own off the top of my head), including a fair number of S&W revolvers and pistols.

Over my career I carried a number of S&W revolvers and pistols, as well.

Among my various armorer certifications are a number of certificates for various S&W handgun model lines. Counting recerts, more than half a dozen.

I respect and trust S&W handguns (among others).

I just don't "love" guns, though.

I don't "love" books, knives, motorcycles, cigars, adult beverages or any number of other objects, either, even though I like owning, using and generally enjoy a lot of them.

Change the "love" to "like" and I'd have voted in the poll.

 

[Forgetfull]

S&W are great guns. Only downside is that they can be on the pricey side sometimes. But you get what you pay for. The M&P is a great pistol.

 

[JD 500]

Own a 629, and 2 500's. I've had no issues.
They go Boom every time.
I've been very happy with them.

 

[oneounceload]

You might want to segregate some things. There are folks who love the PRE-LOCK S&W, but have no use for them since, versus folks who like them no matter what, versus folks who have never liked them and prefer Colt. Not even going to touch the Taurus/Rossi/RG/pot metal thing.........

 

[Skans]

Traded a Taurus PT-99 that crapped-out on me for a Smith 659. I haven't shot the Smith in a long time, even though it used to be my main self-defense gun. I was quite accurate with it also. I took it out of my safe this morning to look at the frame and slide components. This is an excelently made gun. If anyone is looking for an all stainless 9mm, these things are the deal of the century.

FWIW, if S&W had to make the 659 today, I doubt that they could price them under $1,200.

 

[overkill556x45]

I own four S&Ws- M&P15, M&P9C, 442, 64-4. All are fantastic shooters.

I can shoot my M&P9C pretty well out to 50 yards. I'm not so good with the revolvers yet, but I'll get there.

A lot of the S&W haters cite their going along with anti-gun legislation in the 90s. Well, in interest of fairness, they'd better write off Ruger and Colt too. (But they usually don't.)

 

[KyJim]

I didn't exactly see my choice, so I chose "Own one and love it." I actually own several and love them. Every SW revolver and semi-auto I've owned has functioned 100% out of the box or, in many cases, 100% off the used counter. Triggers on some of the latter models are a bit stiff but that is picking at nits.

 

[JWT]

Own several, have another on order. Not inexpensive, but well worth the money. Excellent guns IMO.

 

[RNB65]

A Ruger for me, thank you. I love my old Mod 60, but S&W caved into Brady Bunch political pressure and I'll never buy another one as long as there's a keyhole in the side.

 

[J.Netto]

All hail Smith & Wesson!!

 

[Carne Frio]

Own a few of them and love them. Own quite a few of
other brands and love them too. I Only keep reliable and
fun guns. Have had a few stinkers (not S&W) and got rid
of them.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

Own 4. I think S&W makes the best revolvers on the market. I'm so-so regarding their autos, but the revolvers are top notch.

 

[DiscoRacing]

I have two ss autos... both .40,,both S&W...4006 and 4046... wouldnt trade them for any other.

 

[Mike Irwin]

As far as I'm concerned, they went out of business in March 2000.

 

[hoytinak]

I don't care for their revolvers but I really liked the 1911PD commander I had.

 

[Tom Servo]

A lot of the S&W haters cite their going along with anti-gun legislation in the 90s. Well, in interest of fairness, they'd better write off Ruger and Colt too

True. For the record, the company that signed that agreement was not the same company that S&W is today. In 2000, they were owned by a British concern called Tomkins, who seemed to have no real interest in selling guns at all. They are now American-owned.

As for the agreement? The current incarnation of S&W has no plans to honor any part of it. None of the oversights and restrictions they were supposed to be placing on dealers have ever materialized.

Essentially, the agreement never went into effect, and it never will. I asked a S&W representative about the whole shebang once, and he told me that HUD has never expressed any interest in enforcing the agreement. In fact, nobody on any front is sure exactly why administration was given to HUD in the first place.

It's one thing not to like their current products. Personally, I could certainly do without the unsightly locks, and I think the firing pin belongs on the hammer. However, I think it's a bit unfair to hold them responsible for the failings of previous masters.

 

[stevieboy]

I own six of their handguns, four revolvers and two semiautos. They run the gamut from my 1971 66-no dash to my 2009 1911. They are all outstanding handguns, intelligently designed, graceful in appearance, and with unsurpassed function. One of my revolvers, a 2006 686, has an unpinned barrel, MIM internals, hammer and trigger, and a lock. It is as accurate and reliable as any handgun I own and a favorite target gun. I'm obviously biased about Smith but my bias is based on my personal experience. If someone makes finer revolvers than they do I'd like to know who it is. Lastly, and not mentioned so far, Smith has one of the most outstanding service departments I've dealt with. I've sent three guns to them for warranty service over the years. On each occasion the repairs were made promptly (within days) and the outcome was outstanding.

 

[goose13]

my CC gun is the S&W M&P 9c i love it, shoot great with it