Gun Picture Thread

[ferider]

Wow - and those are Performance Center models that you would think would get a little extra attention before leaving the factory. This makes me want to go double-check mine!

Best is to check the rear sight, if you have zero'ed them. When you look at Google images, you see a lot of S&W rear sights off center ....

 

[Hammer67]

Best is to check the rear sight, if you have zero'ed them. When you look at Google images, you see a lot of S&W rear sights off center ....

Yeah, for sure. I bought a 642 UC last year, and nothing had LocTite on it from the factory. First box of ammo, the cylinder release and front sight both almost fell off. It's to the point that I won't buy any new revolvers online any more - I want to inspect them in person first.

 

[ferider]

On another note, a small (loaded) EDC comparison; The 986 has 7 x 124gr, the Defender 7 x 185gr, and the A1 8 x 230gr in it.

Last, a 92FS with 17 x 115gr in it:

 

[smith357]

Let me be CLEAR...


From my very limited "drunken" memory...


The original 158gr .38 Special +P SWHP load, that was originally produced for the St. Louis Police Department back in the day, was offer solely by Winchester.

The similar load, that the FBI carried...known as the "FBI load"...was produced exclusively by Federal.


Surprisingly, Federal still offers it, in limited quantities, in their "white box" variety...



View attachment 3013270

I run the old FBI load in my nightstand gun, it gains a bit of zing in a 6" barrel.

Why would I use such a long barrel and only six shots you ask? Because it's the gun I shoot best.

 

[Hammer67]

I run the old FBI load in my nightstand gun, it gains a bit of zing in a 6" barrel.

Why would I use such a long barrel and only six shots you ask? Because it's the gun I shoot best.

The other nice thing about a revolver as a nightstand gun is that you could leave it in there for 10 years and never touch it, and it will still work. I wouldn't do that with a semi.

 

[RLB0414]

On another note, a small (loaded) EDC comparison; The 986 has 7 x 124gr, the Defender 7 x 185gr, and the A1 8 x 230gr in it.

Last, a 92FS with 17 x 115gr in it:

The defender does shave some weight from the 92FS. Probably a thinner grip as well. Either way, both are capable. The 45 is better for the bigger 4 legged vermin in your area.

 

[nosuchagency]

Beautiful gun, Alone .

Far not as bad, but both my Performance Center S&W have clocking errors (also look at the rear sight, the L-frame worse than the N-frame). Not sure how that made it through QA.

Usable though and love them anyways.

Roland.

a 638 i picked up a decade ago...



at the time i wasn't aware of the issue with canted barrels coming out of s&w or i would have looked for it... kentucky windage was about 11 o'clock, lol(?)

 

[Alone]

There's just something about the 3" Python. Heard through a source the other day that a Colt rep told him the 3" version is a top seller. How's the accuracy on yours? I've been very impressed with the accuracy of mine, but then that's true for all of my Colts.

I can see the 3" being their most popular seller. During the original run, which I believe lasted about 50 years, neither the 2.5" nor the 3" iterations were standard offerings. If I remember correctly, Colt would make them for a special order or specific contract and throw a few to the general public. To say that they were "extremely rare" is an understatement.

I'm sure that the accuracy on mine is stellar, just not in my hands. That's not to say that I'm not a good shot, I'm just used to Ruger double actions. I like to "stage" against the lock. As you already know, the Python is designed for a full and consistent pull. So, every time I shoot it, I kinda' have to reacquaint myself with it.


Overall, I agree with you...There's just something about the 3" Python. They are so SEXY.

 

[smith357]

a 638 i picked up a decade ago...



at the time i wasn't aware of the issue with canted barrels coming out of s&w or i would have looked for it... kentucky windage was about 11 o'clock, lol(?)

Canted barrels has been a very common issue since the 80s when S&W phased out pinned barrels for the much cheaper torque fit. The canting issue is better on the few guns that use the Dan Wesson style sleeved barrel construction, and much easier to correct. Though even a very few of the old P&R Smiths have canted barrels.

 

[Alone]

Beautiful gun, Alone .

Far not as bad, but both my Performance Center S&W have clocking errors (also look at the rear sight, the L-frame worse than the N-frame). Not sure how that made it through QA.

Usable though and love them anyways.

Roland.

Wow - and those are Performance Center models that you would think would get a little extra attention before leaving the factory. This makes me want to go double-check mine!

Thanks, Roland.

The little "Classic 48" is such a great piece. The .22 WMR is so much fun in the K-frame. I wanted one for a long time, but they are So. Damn. Expensive. When I found mine, I found it for a great price and jumped on it. I'll go out on a limb and type that, as I age, that piece will probably be the revolver that is around me the most. Lately, I've realized that my 25yo hands loved the heavy loads a lot more than my 54yo hands.


Man, those are great pics that you took of your wheelguns. As much as it disappoints me to see that, I can honestly say that those two pics represent 100% of the modern Smith stuff (*revolvers) that I've put my hands on as of late. S&W has gone down the tactical tupperware rabbit hole. And why not? Folks love 'em and buy the sh!t out of 'em. Revolvers are more like "nostalgia", like looking through an old family photo album.


Since you mentioned QA, and Hammer67 mentioned "little extra" attention that he thought that the PC stuff might get, I thought I'd share this with y'all. This is what my rear sight looked like after returning from Smith's Warranty Department...
(*and this was just one issue that I discovered upon that wheelgun's return)









I was around Cops for 15 years, many of whom carried revolvers, and many of whom could break an anvil with a rubber mallet...and I never saw anything like this.

That sight walked right out of the Warranty Department. Whomever sent that on its way ought to be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Alone]

...The 986 has 7 x 124gr, the Defender 7 x 185gr, and the A1 8 x 230gr in it...

One of my favorite things about the A1...


It's a deadly weapon even when it's not loaded. (Not to mention that you can hammer tents stakes with it)