S&W small frames

M

meat

New member
After reading some recent posts about ruger's recent lax in quality control, I have decided against the SP101. Personally, I don't want to have to deal w/ that issue and I don't want to teach a newbie on a gun that could have potential malfunctions or defects. If you do some searching about Ruger or the SP101, you'll see what I mean.

My question is, How is the current build quality of the newer S&W revolvers, particularly the model 60 Chiefs Special and the 65LS? How will these revolvers hold up to shooting magnum rounds? If even the quality of modern S&W is going downhill, I may have to look at a Taurus or even a small Semi-auto. But I'd really like to add a revolver to my semiautomatics.
 
This is just an opinion, I'd say with S&W back in American ownership and trying to put the dreaded Slick Willie Clinton deal behind them, that quality control is Excellent at this time. hpg:cool:
 
S&W

I have three new S&W revolvers and like them very much. I am fully satisfied with the quality, workmanship and performance and I am PICKY! I have had no problems whatsoever with any S&W that I have--both revolvers and semi's (and I have lots of them).

No Taurus for me!
 
Trying to put the deal behind them?

Haven't seen any evidence of that yet.

All's I've seen looks more like an ostrich with its head rammed FIRMLY in the sand. "We don't see it, therefor it doesn't exist!" Lovely position when the sword of Damoclese is hanging over your head...

That said, on to the base question.

Quite frankly, as I've posted numerous times before, I started having serious doubts about S&Ws commitment to producing quality products in the mid 1990s.

Nothing I'm seeing at gunshows gives me any warm fuzzies that would change that concern.

Unless you consider a preponderance of guns with barrels that aren't screwed into the frame properly a quality product.

Maybe they're trying to get the gang banger sidesaddle shooters market?
 
Good service

I've send a couple of revolvers back to S&W for warantee work, all of it fairly minor. I've always gotten my guns back in about 14 days, and shipping was paid both ways. I compare this to service I've gotten on new guns from other manufactureres, 6 to 7 weeks to see the gun again, plus the cost of shipping.
 
At every gun show I see police turn-in S&W revolvers that are in excellent condition functionally but have outside wear. There are usually a few J frame guns also, but mostly .38 Special.

These are very reasonably priced and were made the old way.

Jim
 
You will not go wrong with a S&W, and as Keenan says, the used ones, despite cosmetic wear, are fully as serviceable as the new ones. Forget about Taurus, please. They do not merit being mentioned in the same conversation as a Smith and Wesson revo.
 
Personally, my S&W Model 60 will last a lot longer shooting magnum rounds than my hands will. I'll stick with .38 +P, thank you very much.

M1911
 
Whynot look for a SP101 in 38 special

These are around and from the days when rugers were perfect. also they are just as strong as the newer 357's but cost less dur to most folks 357 itis and aversion to any gun mporked only "38"
There is one in my future as a house gun. (and a 4" 32 magnum too as a fun gun)
 
Bought a 337 airlite several months ago. Recently sent it back because the cylinder kept riding over the stop and falling out part way. What I got back was a totally jammed up gun. Could not squeeze a .003 feeler in the barrel/cylinder gap.After some dry cycling, I managed to shoot 40 rds with a freeze up every 10 rds or so. So thats my experience with Smith and Wesson quality.
I love my 19-5, hangs up a bit releasing the cylinder, but a very smooth, nice shooting gun.
Still undecided what to do about the 337. Any Smiths out there?
 
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