I wanted to know that since you all know a lot about your revolvers are the Smith & Wesson revolvers of good quality, and I'm not just talking about the revolvers that people rave about, but the other models that Smith & Wesson have on the market that people have little discussion about.
Smith & Wesson Revolvers
- Thread starter BabyBoy
- Start date
Now they have put out lemons and have snatched models off the market, but overall a S&W is one of the better revolvers on the market. S&W has so many models on the market (including the discontinued models) that it would be hard to address your question any further without knowing exactly what revolvers or type of revolvers you are talking about.
Not a bad bet
I have 6 revs. Four centerfire are Smiths and two rimfires are H&R, just bought cause they were cheap for .22 plinking. I don't think you can go wrong with a new Smith, or a used one that is really checked out and not abused or damaged. Other brands are good too, but I can't believe Smith has any more problems than others, and maybe less than Colts. Ruger is good. My experience with Dan Wesson was good, but that was years ago. You do need to clarify what your needs are, or what you are considering, to get better info. I have owned alot of Smiths over the years. Only one went back to the factory for a minor problem, just an annoyance, and only real dog ones I have had have been used, that were surplus or damaged from abuse.
I have 6 revs. Four centerfire are Smiths and two rimfires are H&R, just bought cause they were cheap for .22 plinking. I don't think you can go wrong with a new Smith, or a used one that is really checked out and not abused or damaged. Other brands are good too, but I can't believe Smith has any more problems than others, and maybe less than Colts. Ruger is good. My experience with Dan Wesson was good, but that was years ago. You do need to clarify what your needs are, or what you are considering, to get better info. I have owned alot of Smiths over the years. Only one went back to the factory for a minor problem, just an annoyance, and only real dog ones I have had have been used, that were surplus or damaged from abuse.
ds-10-speed
New member
I like my S&W Revolvers
I have 5 Smiths and 2 Rugers. I've had 2 of the Smiths for at least 20 years. Models I have: 617-6 shot, 617-10 shot, 686, 627PC and a 642 Airweight.
I bought them all new and the quality has been excellent on all models. I had to send one back for a timing problem (the 617-10) and their service was awesome. Lifetime warrenty and they paid for shipping, got it back in 2 weeks with no cost to me. It now functions perfectly. My brother also has 4 Smiths and has been happy with them. The Rugers are reliable but I don't like their designs as well as the S&W's. The Rugers also don't have that smooth trigger that comes with a S&W.
I'm sure you can't go wrong with a S&W.
I have 5 Smiths and 2 Rugers. I've had 2 of the Smiths for at least 20 years. Models I have: 617-6 shot, 617-10 shot, 686, 627PC and a 642 Airweight.
I bought them all new and the quality has been excellent on all models. I had to send one back for a timing problem (the 617-10) and their service was awesome. Lifetime warrenty and they paid for shipping, got it back in 2 weeks with no cost to me. It now functions perfectly. My brother also has 4 Smiths and has been happy with them. The Rugers are reliable but I don't like their designs as well as the S&W's. The Rugers also don't have that smooth trigger that comes with a S&W.
I'm sure you can't go wrong with a S&W.
I only own one revolver, and this is it. S&W M65-5 except for the goofy yellow grips, it's a pretty basic gun. I bought it used on, a whim, and really lucked out. The trigger is really smooth, I don't know if that's just how S&W Revolvers are or if some one worked on it. I saw a .45ACP S&W M625 with a 4in barrel in a local gun shop last weekend, I'm debating on weather or not to buy it.
If the only S&W's I could buy were the ones in current production, I probably wouldn't be buying any. But why do we need to restrict ourselves that way? There are thousands upon thousands of excellent quality used S&W's out there! If you people would quit driving up the prices on the .32 Mag and .41 Mag models I would appreciate it!!
Gregg
You want to get rid of those goofy blond RB Magnas? I don't even have a RB K-frame. 
BabyBoy,
What is your intended purpose for the revolver? Self or home defence, plinking, formal target shooting, or hunting? Are you thinking about small bores like a .22 or .32, mid bores like a .38 or .357, large bore like a .41, .44, .45, or the super duper bore like the .500? There are the steel guns, lightweight aluminum guns, and the super lightweight exotic alloy guns.
Even just saying the ones produced today still covers a awful lot of models. Have you looked at the S&W site to see what they are offering?
BabyBoy,
What is your intended purpose for the revolver? Self or home defence, plinking, formal target shooting, or hunting? Are you thinking about small bores like a .22 or .32, mid bores like a .38 or .357, large bore like a .41, .44, .45, or the super duper bore like the .500? There are the steel guns, lightweight aluminum guns, and the super lightweight exotic alloy guns.
Even just saying the ones produced today still covers a awful lot of models. Have you looked at the S&W site to see what they are offering?
Gentlefolks,
Babyboy - the current crop of S&W's still exhibit a high degree of quality and S&W's service folks are top notch if a problem develops. If I were going to pick an "do all" revolver from S&W, it'd probably be either the new 619 or 620 model. Due to a burglary last year, almost all my S&W revolvers are 21st century models - 649, 66, 432 - and all are of high quality.
tulsamal - +1 on your choice of calibers! I see you like the oddball cartridges too! PM me sometime and we'll chat about our mutual favorites.
AMT8951 - If that M625 checks out tight and free of problems, buy it. The .45ACP in a heavy wheelgun is a delight to shoot. I had a 6.5" M25 that launched swaged 255gr LSWC at 980fps with only mild recoil.
Babyboy - the current crop of S&W's still exhibit a high degree of quality and S&W's service folks are top notch if a problem develops. If I were going to pick an "do all" revolver from S&W, it'd probably be either the new 619 or 620 model. Due to a burglary last year, almost all my S&W revolvers are 21st century models - 649, 66, 432 - and all are of high quality.
tulsamal - +1 on your choice of calibers! I see you like the oddball cartridges too!
PM me sometime and we'll chat about our mutual favorites.AMT8951 - If that M625 checks out tight and free of problems, buy it. The .45ACP in a heavy wheelgun is a delight to shoot. I had a 6.5" M25 that launched swaged 255gr LSWC at 980fps with only mild recoil.
I'm by no means an expert seeing that I have only tried SW and Ruger at the range. I ended up buying the Smith. It had better balance, better grip, more accurate and better trigger(all my opinion of course). You just have to find a buddy who owes some guns or see if you can rent one at the range.
Some folks love Ruger and dislike SW. Both are awsome guns. Apparently you can mix cement with Rugers and go shoot them. Luckily I don't have to do that.
I really do like Smiths. I really do believe that the accuraccy and trigger are unparalled though. I've never owned an old Smith so I can't comment on how they differ from then to the newer models. I own a 686P 6"btw.
Some folks love Ruger and dislike SW. Both are awsome guns. Apparently you can mix cement with Rugers and go shoot them. Luckily I don't have to do that.
I really do like Smiths. I really do believe that the accuraccy and trigger are unparalled though. I've never owned an old Smith so I can't comment on how they differ from then to the newer models. I own a 686P 6"btw.
the finest revolver i have shot is freedom arms. smith is next. you cannot go wrong with a smitty, and if you needed to sell ( a bad four letter word on this forum), rugers do not get much for return. smiths hold their value better. my first handgun was a s&w 66, since then i've owned a 686, a 4'' 29, and my favorite of all my airweight bodyguard.
Smith makes fine revolvers. Then again so do Taurus and Ruger. Personally, I can't rationalize the price difference of a new Smith over a Ruger or Taurus that will do the same thing. Used Smiths are a different story. My only revolver is a S&W Model 28-2 and I can think of no other .357 I'd rather have (well, maybe a model 27). I do like the looks of a S&W better than other manufacturers (although a Taurus looks darned close). But for a $100-$200 difference I'll get something else.