Smith and Wesson Revolvers

Finally got some time to dig out my S&W revolvers to take some pictures.
Top left-Model 629-6" 44mag
Middle left- Model 627-5" 357Performance Center 8 shot
Bottom left- Model 66 357 Circa 1978
Center- Model 351PD 22mag Airlite
Top right- Model 317 .22 Airlite
Center right- Model 10-7 38spl
Bottom right- Model 10-8 38spl

Also the holsters are interesting as well. Bottom left is a slip on holster made by Ray Sullivan in 1978 well before Sullivan's was picked by Randall as their next sheath maker after Maurice Johnson. The other 2 Suilivan slip on holsters were all made by Greg Gutcher.
The newer western style holsters were made by leather artist, Tom Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon, and the darker, older holster is an H.H. Heiser from the 40's.

Pap

Mike

Great collection. I am a huge fan of S&W revolvers.

Love my Smiths: Left to Right:
1) S&W 686 4",357 mag, first year of the L frame 1981
2) S&W 629-5 44 mag, Performance Center Compensated hunter 1st year 2001 Talo distributor edition.
3) S&W 638 38 +P, Airweight, Lock delete kit installed, Crimson Trace grips.

Good stuff! Pappy, Looks like ya have 1 for everybody in the house... including the Dawg!!!!!!!

GHD
Nice looking 3 some you got there. I raced snowmobiles in North Pole on my February break in 1975 when I worked on the Alaska Pipeline project.

Pap

I arrived up here in 1983 with the Air Force at Eielson AFB, retired in 1990, and worked for Alaska Airlines for 15 years, then retired from them. Love the winters, peaceful and quiet.

George

Very nice y’all!
Pappy, are the holsters by your buddy Tom or another?
Walker

Walker
The western deluxe holsters were made by Tom Angle.

Pap

That's a nice collection Pappy!

Pap,
Nice stuff you have there!! I really like the Airlite S&Ws.

Does Joe (Biden) know you have all that good stuff???

Wayne

Haha, he probably knows about all of them except for the 66 which I got from my brother that was in Florida law enforcement.

Pap

Nice collection!!!

for your review...a couple .44 specials
The nickel is from the Lew Horton build

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
Some of those distributor specials are super nice.


Som,e time back,the then governor of Texas used a new Ruger LCP to dispatch a coyote while walking his dog.

I think it was Lipseys that came out with a "Coyote Special" LCP.

I wish I were able to get one.

Wayne

Wayne,
I'm on the hunt for a Lipsey's Ruger 275 Rigby "African"....they do a pretty good job of having interesting guns built

:-)Rocky

Hi, I had a Ruger RSI in 7x57 Mauser/ 275 Rigby. It was beautiful with the Mannlicher style stock. It was also the most inaccurate rifle I owned, even with reloads. I free floated the stock and tried all the tricks but "no soap". The Lipsey has a different set up and I would like to try again. Jack O'Connor loved the 7x57 Mauser and touted it's accuracy, regards, Mike

Uncle Mike!!!
You cannot say Jack O'Conner and not say .270....
I'm just say'n....
I've got 2 7x57's in the newer Winchester featherweight....these came from my dad which he took to Africa several times, 1 being cut down for step mom.
I think that the Ruger "African" is simply a beautiful gun. Got my eye on a 280 Ackley in the African configuration, however I'd just prefer the .275 Rigby...guess I just like the set up....AND doesn't everyone need 3 7x57's???
thread hijack...sorry

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
No thread hijack here,just a slight drift which is the norm when folks are at the campfire/fishing hole talking about :good stuff"

Nothing wrong with the 7 X 57.it has superb ballistics and great ballistic co-efficient/sectional density.

I think it was a white hunter by the name of Bell in Africa used to use the 7 X 57 to harvest elephants.

Getting back to S&Ws,I only have one,a Model 27 which was made years before S&W went "political" in '74 and in 2000 when they signed the deal with HUD.

I won't own an S&W today.

Wayne

well....I can go old on ya!!!
Model 27 5" nickel...
not the best photo's....but on short notice, the best I can find
It's currently in my son's possession

:-)Rocky

Hi, Rocky, your right; Jack liked the 270 but his wife I believe used the 7x57. In his book The Hunting Rifle he listed his favorite cartridges, the 7x 57 and 375 HH were listed. I have a copy of his "The Last Book: Confessions of a Gun Writer", in it he 'beefs' on everybody. All the freebies and corporate perks for the 'boys', regards, Mike

Nice piece, Rocky.

Rocky,
Nice Model 27!!! When they first came out,there were many barrel lengths available.

Mine was in 6 1/2 inch then before I went to 'Nam,I had S&W cut the bbl back to 4 inches andey also moved the front sight back as well. All for $20!! and about two weeks turn around.

Wayne

I once had a Model 27 4 screw, in the box, never shot, and traded it off. I expect we all have trades or deals we wish back, I have many.

Pap

Pappy.....every trade!!
Uncle Mike....it's been a while since I read this....might be time to read it again...

:-)Rocky

O'Conner was the go-to guy when I was young, and I have shot a 270 ever since. I have an older S&W 22 that I shoot now and then.

VERY nice....pinned & recessed I believe

:-)Rocky

I had a Colt Woodsman Match Target 22 for a few years, and traded it off....kick my butt for that one too.

Pap

Re: O'Connor

Once at a show, a collector rushed over and asked if I knew O'Connor's middle name?

Seems he came across a nice rifle that had initials "J(?)O" and he either hoped or was told they were O'Connor's and he maybe could buy one of Jack's guns on the cheap.

I did not know Jack's middle name but had my address book with me.

I called Roy Dunlap who was still living and asked him the question.

Roy said that Jack's middle name was "Wolf" (online they say it was "Woolf" with two o's).

Unfortunately for the collector, the rifle he had found did not have a "W" in the middle.

Roy told me that it would have been interesting if the rifle had been O'Connor's...all of Jack's guns had been stolen from his home during his funeral!

Larry

Getting a little slow round here.....
my 66's

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
Model 19s & 66s are true S&W classics.

I don't know how many models were brought about by the S&W K frame but that was pretty much their bread & butter gun for many decades.

Wayne

Hi, Wait Jack O' Connors middle name was "wolf". That's like those Alpine skiers that were born on the Italian side of the Alps, like Luigi Mueller and Giovanni Swartz. I looked it up and Larry is right. Jack's mothers maiden name was Woolf, so Jack Woolf O' Connor. You learn a lot here , regards, Mike

absolutely right!!
AND I clumped my 19 right in the middle without think'n...

:-)Rocky

I found an obit for Jack. I did not know he quit teaching college English as far back as 1945. Some things I have read gave the impression he taught much longer than that. And...it probably put some pressure on to earn a living from gun writing. Some do it as a "hobby" because the income is not certain.

Larry

Didn't he write for Outdoor Life?

Sid,
Yes he did write for Outdoor Life as well as some other publications. I remember in the late 50s and early 60s he did a monthly article on a different game animal each month.

I think it was in '59 he cancelled last minute for a fly in hunting trip in Montana. It was very fortunate that he did as the flight crashed and there were only one or two survivors.

Wayne

I've been considering a Performance Center Pro Series Model 60, and would appreciate any comments about it that any of you would care to offer.
Thanks.

The Performance Center is the best.

Pap

Hi Steve, my 2 cents is that any J frame is much much better with a 3” barrel. The other thing is that Performance Center is also the way to go. Cry once and buy once, it’s worth the added cost, regards, Mike

Steve,
OK the verdict is in. When are you going to get your performance center Model 60??

Wayne

I already have a 357 J-frame. It's scandium, way too light, a BEAR to shoot, and a BEAR to control. More muzzle blast and recoil than I care to put up with. I'm convinced a heavier carry gun, with a bit longer barrel, would be my best solution.
- - -
And thanks to Mike and Mike for their encouragement.
Would anyone else care to comment?
Is there any downside to the 3-inch Performance Center Pro Series Model 60?
- - -
(BTW--in the late 1960's, I bought an original stainless Model 60, long since traded for something else.)

All I can say is that I had a 357 Airlite that I was going use as my woods carry, but after shooting it a dozen times; it was brutal. I traded for my 627 8 shot 5" Performance Center, and have loved it ever since. One of my favorites.

Pap

Hi, I have a S&W Pro series 640, it's all stainless steel, with night sights. I practice with 38 Specials but in a serious social situation carry .357's. Yes it kicks with the .357's. If you need to use the .357 you won't feel the recoil. I have a pair of Pachmayr "Guardian Grips" that add a little bigger grip, see the YouTube. Good luck in your choice, regards, Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcvsDhNtLw0

Needless to say,shooting a full house 357 out of an airweight can be a bit...............interesting.

IN all honesty,I would say that the lowly 38 spl wadcutter does a pretty good job.

Wayne

Yep...I did too....$135....it's a fine piece!!! It's sits in it's box most of the time...

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
That Model 60 is way too nice to just sit in a box.

Get some standard grips for it,and a set of Tyler T-Grip adapters and start to pack it.

No fancy ammo,just some nice wadcutteers will do along with a speed strip reload.

Wayne

my newest addition....just picked it up this afternoon
Smith model 69 44 combat magnum

:-)Rocky

Nice one Rocky!!

Pap

You got some POWER in your hand now!

Be sure to wear ear protection. You will be glad.

think I'll be shooting mostly .44 spl out of it...I'm chicken...

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
I shoot full house "moose loads" out of my Ruger Alaskan no sweat.
You should have no problems with that new Smith. The grips look like they will distribute the recoil in the palm of your hand.

Wayne

My Alaskan isn’t too bad either as far as recoil goes.

The noise is another matter.

I guess it depends on your definition of "not too bad"....it's a relative thing

:-)Rocky

Rocky,
If you want a real treat,touch off a 444 Marlin in a Thompson Contender with a 6 in barrel.

It will cleanse your soul for sure.

Wayne

The .45-70 T/C is quite lively as well even with a 14" barrel.

you guys are crazy!!

:-)Rocky

Try a S&W 500. Make a dental appointment before you shoot it, you will need it to replace your loosened fillings!!

Early 70's Model 66 and 19-Both pinned and recessed

Billy,

Nice S&W K Frames you have there!!! Although I have a number of those new fangled automagic things,I tend to always rotate back to revolvers.

67-69? I guess you were there in time for Tet?? I was there '64,'65,'66.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne
I was in DC in 68 with the 503rd MP Battalion out of Ft.Bragg
from April to September due to riots, marches,Bobby Kennedy,etc.
Got back to Bragg and got orders for Germany.

Billy,
I was in DC during the riots too in '68.

Airborne?? Me too!!

Wayne

Yes.
Walking perimeter patrols at the Naval Air Station receiving potshots from the highway not far from the burning apartments.
All had just returned from Viet Nam, and the remarks focused around leaving a war zone to come defend our nation's Capitol from its own citizens.

Getting back on topic
S&W Model 629 Alaskan Backpacker with Mag-na-port

David,
I wonder how the 629 compares in size with the Ruger Alaskan 44.

My Ruger is,obviously not a pocket sized snubby but it is not that large at all.

Super comfortable grips.

Wayne

I have tested the S&W maybe 5-6 times at the range.
Started with 44 Specials to get a feel for it and then one cylinder of 44 Mags.
I wear light-weight soft leather gloves when I am shooting it.
After the last few shots with the 44 Mag, I am ready to go back to the 44 Special loads.
But, I don't know if its the Mag-Na-Port, it does not kick up like the .357 mag shorter barrel Rugers I have fired.
I wore it in a David Johnston Guide's Chest Holster when fly fishing in Alaska, fired it once with the 44 mag, and did not feel any recoil.
State of mind certainly controlled my reaction.
I have not fired the Ruger 44 mag yet, so I can't compare the two.

David,
The Magna-Port does work very well. Good rig for the fly fishing stuff. I have a Diamond-D rig similar to yours and hardly notice that I am wearing the piece.

Thinking of a very hairy caliber/gun combination,a friend of mine has an American Derringer chambered in 0ne barrel for 410,the lower barrel in......................45-70.

I think that the trick is to have the bear fire it!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

Top dog, that is a handful for sure!
Walker

Wow.
There was a shooter next to me at an outdoor range that was firing a short barreled .50 pistol a couple of years ago.
He offered to let me shoot it, but I had watched his body language when he shot.
He got more tight and tense with each round and after 3 his hand was shaking.
I decided I had come to get comfortable again with my 1911 .45 and didn't want to develop any bad habits.
I think the bear shooting the .45-70 in a derringer would be the best result.
Trying to conjure up a mental image!

David,
Years ago (many) folks shooting a 1911 thought that was then end of the power spectrum.

Now,compared to today's hand cannons,it pretty much feels like a 22 short.

Now as for the 45-70 in a derringer,I will pass on trying that one out for sure.

I remember years ago when the 44 magnums first came out,some folks went and bought one,only to put in on the used gun shelf a short time later with a half box of ammo.

Wayne

The best part about .45-70 in a derringer is that if you miss, you still come out victorious due to powder burns.

Some time back,when I was deer hunting in VT,I saw an older gentleman hunting with a 45-70 Trap Door.

I commented that was a pretty big cartridge. His reply was
"If I miss him,he will have to lie down because of the wind"

Pretty good thinking.

Wayne

I can attest that shooting .410 in 3” magnum with my Bond Arms Texan is all there!

I’m sure that a .45/70 would be a significant increase.

Coach,
I agree with you on that. When I fire a 3 inch in the Bond Derringer,I know that something took place for sure but the grip of the Bond allows the recoil to be in the palm and not the web of the hand so it is not really that bad.

As for a 45-70 in such a short barrel,I do not think that the ballistics would be very impressive. The recoil for sure but not worth the effort.

Wayne

Wayne--

Sounds like people are trending toward maybe a quarter stick of TNT going off in their hand. Good thing the barrel directs the blast away from the shooter!

Larry

Larry,
Sure,some folks like getting the largest caliber handgun but can they really shoot one accurately???

With my Ruger Alaskan and using my "moose loads" I can hit bowling pins at 50 yards frequently.

I never fired an S&W 500 but I can certainly say that no way would I be able to properly,accurately handle one.

Wayne

The recoil and recovery time on both my 44mag and 357mag, is the reason I went to a Glock 20SF 10mm, 15+1 as fast as I can pull the trigger and carry it in a Diamond D Guide Chest holster, for my woods(bear) pistol.

Pap

Pap,
Years ago,when the 10mm round first came out,I tested it in the Colt Delta Elite.

I found that the recoil was really not that bad at all and now figure that the Glock configuration is better than the 1911,that the recoil is even more manageable.

The FBI went to the 10mm but found that some of their agents (actually a lot) could not handle it so S&W developed the 40 S&W.

That round,in my opinion is totally useless. It has to go to bezerk pressures to launch a bullet that the 45acp does at modest pressures.

Why didn't the FBI go back to the 45acp?? Simple as some time earlier they had conducted tests and said that it was not effective.

Go figure.
Wayne