S&W Classic Revolvers
I respect all of the opinions here as many are longtime contributors who know a very great deal about revolvers and have taught me a lot. DPris has written some very interesting publications and is very informed. Model12Win knows the topic well too, as does Mr. Borland, USSR, High Valley Ranch and others. So recognize that each of them comes to the table with a wealth of knowledge and experience and their opinions deserve your respect and consideration.
I have many revolvers and i shoot one weekly. I am a competitive revolver shooter and i have shot S&W, Rugers and even Dan Wessons in competition. I have one revolver that i personally have put about 17,000 rounds through since January of 2016 when i bought it new.
I can and do completely pull apart all my revolvers (of all brands) and do trigger work and other minor upgrades on them.
I also own several older pinned and recessed S&Ws and a new Classic line 586 4 inch. I have a couple new 627s that i use in ICORE.
With all that said the answer to your question, in my opinion, really depends on your intended use.
Do you want a jewel that you may admire the rest of your life and which you may shoot every couple of months at the range for the sheer enjoyment of it? Then by all means get an older pristine S&W.
Will you be carrying this in the field and need something rough and tumble? Consider a Ruger or a new S&W.
Planning on handloading some super extra powerhouse loads for some evening fireballs? Ruger.
Doing some long distance shooting or handgun hunting? Dan Wesson or Ruger.
Planning on shooting the living crap out of it doing speed shooting and competition? A brand new S&W for sure. (It’s true imho that a Ruger is tougher and will last longer but the DA pull of a Smith is really the best for rapid fire.)
So, given that you are weighing either a new classic or an older pinned and recessed, that suggests that you are looking for a jewel to some extent. If so, get the older Smith. If you are looking for a gun that you can tote around, wear out and beat on a little bit, but you still want that classic look on your hip, then get a new S&W from their classic series. That’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.
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