New S&W Heavy Duty

[TheFrontRange]

My apologies if this has been asked-and-answered previously, but I saw something new-to-me while browsing the aisles at the local gun show recently: what appears to be a new rendition of the S&W H-D chambered in .357 Magnum.




Link to the mothership website listing below. The gun I saw was a couple hundred off the MSRP.

Having recently just-missed the real thing at a local gun store recently, this one caught my attention despite the things that tend to concern us S&W revolver-folk: no pinned barrel, The Hole, etc.

I remain intrigued.

Beyond that, I was pleased to find an assortment of older S&Ws at the show offered at what I thought were reasonable prices. I wasn’t in a position to take action, but it was nice to see.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/heavy-duty-n-frame-357-magnum-revolver

 

[357 Terms]

Nice!
A fixed sight N frame 357., that is intriguing.
Always wanted a HD 38/44, a 357 is a bonus of sorts

 

[Mark_Mark]

Almost a Perfect Gun!

 

[TheFrontRange]

Not long ago, I owned one of the “almost” New York State Police issue Model 520s, a gun that always gave me a strong 38-44 HD vibe. The main thing I disliked about the otherwise very nice 520s was the smaller ramp front sight. This new S&W offering seems to eliminate that complaint of mine with what appears to be a more prominent front sight.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Somebody has a PRETTY revolver!!

 

[bangswitch]

Not long ago, I owned one of the “almost” New York State Police issue Model 520s, a gun that always gave me a strong 38-44 HD vibe. The main thing I disliked about the otherwise very nice 520s was the smaller ramp front sight. This new S&W offering seems to eliminate that complaint of mine with what appears to be a more prominent front sight.

That's because It was patterned after the .38-44 HD, which became the Model 20. S&W updated the front sight to the standards of the day, to give it a more modern look, I guess. I have an ANIB M520, with a Factory Letter dated 1980, the year it was sold new. The letter states that the M520 was patterned after the .38-44 HD. Personally, I think it looks more like a fixed sight M28, since it has a barrel rib the .38-44 lacks. I don't mind the smallish front sight, I'm not going to shoot the gun. It's no bigger/smaller than the front ramp sight on a M58, which I shoot frequently. I wish the M58 had been made like the M520, I love the extractor rod shroud.

The new H-D whatchamacallit is probably their nicest retro model, but they fell short on copying the features. They gave it the upper side plate screw so it will look like the older .38-44 HD in profile (it was a 5-screw gun), but then they left out the screw in front of the trigger guard that would give it 5 screws. When a 5-screw became a 4-screw, the upper side plate screw was the first one to go. So, even as a "4-screw" version, it isn't correct because the wrong screw stayed behind.

 

[nofendertom]

I had a Smith 520. Really liked it. Shot great. The only handgun I regretted selling.

 

[shoebox1.1]

This new 20 is on top of my “new” gun list

 

[UncleEd]

Great guns but from a practical standpoint the 586/686
fills the role of a heavy duty revolver just as well if not
better because of its more friendly user size.

Over time I owned a few of the HDs but they never fit
my hand all that well which is a common complaint
by me with any N-frame. S&W was extremely wise
in having several K-frame dimensions on its L-frame.

 

[shoebox1.1]

This gun just exudes “machismo”! AND it’s square butt.

 

[Rodfac]

But....lacking essential adjustable sights....Rod

 

[eddiememphis]

My hands don't fit comfortably with those tiny grips- oh it's a Smith- tiny stocks.

My middle finger rides too high behind the tigger guard to be able to use the trigger double action. Even single action, the trigger guard slams into the middle digit with full .357 loads.

New grips help a lot but that changes the retro look.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I’d be adding a grip adapter, myself. I don’t care for Magna-style stocks solo, but when they are paired with an adapter (I used one from BK Grips on my 520 and use a Tyler today on a “pre-27”) it’s about near perfection for me.

 

[TheFrontRange]

@shoebox1.1 why am I am already imagining you with not just one but a BRACE of these guns in matching Barranti holsters or, perhaps better, a double shoulder-rig?!

 

[shoebox1.1]

NOW your talkin’!!!!!! lol. Speaking of Barranti I can’t wait for that bad boy to arrive.

 

[CraigC]

Yep, pretty much. I don't do magnas either but it'd look real nice with a set of Keith Brown Ropers on it.

 

[Pat Riot]

That is one great looking revolver. Congratulations!

Perhaps I’m a bit dense but why is the gun, essentially a model 27 without adjustable sights, priced $300 more than a model 27? Is it because it’s 4.5 ounces lighter?

 

[Charlie98]

My hands don't fit comfortably with those tiny grips- oh it's a Smith- tiny stocks.

My middle finger rides too high behind the tigger guard to be able to use the trigger double action. Even single action, the trigger guard slams into the middle digit with full .357 loads.

New grips help a lot but that changes the retro look.

That’s why my S&W’s get Pachys when we go to the range, but otherwise they model wood. I shot my 58 with the Magnas once… and only once.

 

[shoebox1.1]

And just for those interested the new 20HD looks like it can be had for about 1280.00 out the door minus FFL. Gun deals dot com shows a bunch in the 1200.00’s range. It’s a darn good thing I don’t keep a CC in the wallet!

 

[StrawHat]

It is more an updated version of the Model 520 which was actually a fixed sighted N frame in 357 Magnum. The Model 20 or Heavy Duty was never offered in 357 but strictly chambered for the 38/44 cartridge. Some of the Heavy Duty revolvers were chambered for the 357 Magnum cartridge AFTER they left the factory.

The new HD is a good looking revolver but I prefer it in 45 ACP rather than the small bore.



Kevin

 

[NeroM]

WOW ! I want one, but $1450 is kind of steep ??

 

[CajunBass]

I paid more than that for a Python. Twice.

I wouldn't mind having one, but I'll see if one turns up in the "pre-owned" case one of these days.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’m IN the market. Come on bonus money!!! Hit baby! Daddy needs a new popper!

 

[fastbolt]

Pretty. Iconic, even.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Haft to get added to the someday list. Pretty.