Before you put your money down, let me give you some more insight.
I own and operate a very busy indoor range and am the first to have a rental program for my customers.
The one thing that the rental program will do is sortout the weak and timid among handguns in particular as they get a LOT and I mean a LOT of use.
I do not mean nor want to step on any toes and that is not the intent of this reply so for those who have purchased any gun, no matter what or who, congrats and I sincerely hope you never have a problem with any of your purchases.
I too own some S&Ws but all of mine are the older mod 19 or 66s and not a single one is third generation (British) or later.
Here is why:
I have tried for years to use the third gen of S&W revolvers in the rental counter and they simply will not hold together long enough to keep them there.It is not an issue of accuracy or looks as they are as accurate as any of them and their looks are the best, IMHO.
But their mechanical reliability leaves something to be desired. Everything from timing issues, lock-up to the barrels twisting.
Remember though that these guns are used more than any gun owned and used by normal gun owners. But still one would expect that these guns would be better quality being as they are the most expensive of all the revolvers.
Going back to the pinned barreled guns such as the model 66 and 19 or 10 etc. you cannot go wrong and they will last forever as long as you do not use a steady diet of magnum ammo through them. Use it only on occasion. Practice and or use regularly, 38 spcl and as I said, you will never have a problem with these older models and you can find them at very good prices.
I am actually having better luck and less trouble with the Taurus revolvers in 357 or 38 spcl and even the bigger ones for those infrequent renters than those of the S&Ws.
The best and by far the most reliable and least problems are the Rugers in either the SP or the GP series and even the older Security Six models and they are much, much cheaper to own than any of the newer S&W.
This is only food for thought, and is not meant as a personal endorsement of any specific revolver. It is based solely upon the use I get from these guns on a yearly basis, but it is and has been a very good barometer for how well any specific or particular firearm will stand up to rigorous use.
If you have a chance, go to a range with a rental program and shoot as many as you can get your hands on before you put your money down. Find the ones that fit you best and ask a lot of questions, and "listen".
Good luck and stay safe.
UF
www.caswells.com
