I know the story behind the original S&W Registered Magnum, and, alas, can only drool over them as they pass through auction sites at other-worldly prices, but what can you tell me about the "new" RM...is it truly hand-fitted, and is it truly registered to the buyer thru S&W, and does it have the sight and grip and barrel length options as the original? Pure opinion...worth the $12-1600 asking price?
Registered Magnum?
- Thread starter Jst1mr
- Start date
- Status
IMHO, the current "classic", is a poorly conceived counterfeit, of the real S&W Registered Magnum.
Last edited:
Registered Magnum? The finest revolver ever made. And, yeah, that includes the Colt Python wannabe-though I wouldn't mind having one of them don't you know. 
Master Blaster
Member
Let me disagree with you folks.
I have a model 22 4" 45 acp made in 2006. Its one of the best fit best finished most accurate S&W revolvers I own. The blueing is beautiful, as nice or nicer than any of the old smiths I own. I removed the lock in about 5 minutes. I wish I had $4000 to buy an original 4" but since they made less than 200 of them in 1950, and i have neve seen one for sale in the 4" barrel It aint gonna happen.
I wouldnt pay 1500 for that new RM but I suspect they also will have a model from the PC thats almost as nice for around 1100.
I do have a 2008 mfg 627 PC which is also a wonderfull gun, no MIM parts, if that matters....
If you buy one you get a great firearm that is equivalent to a custom gun for under 1500. An 8 shot N frame with a beautiful blue finish and a full warranty.
GO FOR IT and give us some pictures and a range report.
I have a model 22 4" 45 acp made in 2006. Its one of the best fit best finished most accurate S&W revolvers I own. The blueing is beautiful, as nice or nicer than any of the old smiths I own. I removed the lock in about 5 minutes. I wish I had $4000 to buy an original 4" but since they made less than 200 of them in 1950, and i have neve seen one for sale in the 4" barrel It aint gonna happen.
I wouldnt pay 1500 for that new RM but I suspect they also will have a model from the PC thats almost as nice for around 1100.
I do have a 2008 mfg 627 PC which is also a wonderfull gun, no MIM parts, if that matters....
If you buy one you get a great firearm that is equivalent to a custom gun for under 1500. An 8 shot N frame with a beautiful blue finish and a full warranty.
GO FOR IT and give us some pictures and a range report.
Sorry Master Blaster, nothing Smith makes today, even from their Performance Center, comes close to the blue job, the finely checkered top strap, barrel rib, hammer and adjustable sight and the fitting and finish of the Registered Magnum. Have you seen one in the flesh?
I own a Performance Center handgun and it is a nice piece of work indeed. And I wouldn't necessarily argue that the RM is a good buy for the money they want for it now. But in terms of pure quality nothing else comes close. In my subjective opinion, of course.
I own a Performance Center handgun and it is a nice piece of work indeed. And I wouldn't necessarily argue that the RM is a good buy for the money they want for it now. But in terms of pure quality nothing else comes close. In my subjective opinion, of course.
I tend to agree. There is a strong argument that modern revolvers have better steel and in cases can be better machined with CNC then the older guns, but in general it is hard to even hold a candle to the old fit and finish.
I have looked at a lot of modern (post 1957) S&W's and in particular the post 2000 guns. I am always astounded at the lack of workmanship and the lack of polish applied to these guns. The stocks down fit perfectly, the polish is rough at best.
I am sure that what Master Blaster says is correct. The modern gun he owns is probably the best fit and finish of the other modern guns he owns. The issue is when you compare it to the older guns. That is where the difference shows up.
When I go around my wheel of N frames (this picture is about 8 short now) I can see a very consistent improvement in quality of fit and finish as you go back in time. My early 1930's HD are in general better fit and finish then my late 1930's HD's.
I don't even have nice samples. Most of mine are shooter grade guns but I have seen some really nice ones!
I have looked at a lot of modern (post 1957) S&W's and in particular the post 2000 guns. I am always astounded at the lack of workmanship and the lack of polish applied to these guns. The stocks down fit perfectly, the polish is rough at best.
I am sure that what Master Blaster says is correct. The modern gun he owns is probably the best fit and finish of the other modern guns he owns. The issue is when you compare it to the older guns. That is where the difference shows up.
When I go around my wheel of N frames (this picture is about 8 short now) I can see a very consistent improvement in quality of fit and finish as you go back in time. My early 1930's HD are in general better fit and finish then my late 1930's HD's.
I don't even have nice samples. Most of mine are shooter grade guns but I have seen some really nice ones!
Master Blaster
Member
My 8 3/8" 27 and my modern TR22, the 27 has that high polish and the checkered topstrap its 1961 production. Also the TR22 2006 production, cost me $450 slightly used the 1st owner couldnt take the brutal recoil. with the tiny tr grips I added the smooth hogues and threw out the rimz he had been using in it. The first picture is a 1960 model 17. My oldest is a 1946 M&P I found in pristine condition.
I only wish I could afford a collection like yours Mr. Eck I would estimate in that picture you have $30,000 worth of old Smiths at todays prices, and you would have to look long and hard to find them. Very nice collection do you shoot all of them as well?
with the tiny tr grips I added the smooth hogues and threw out the rimz he had been using in it. The first picture is a 1960 model 17. My oldest is a 1946 M&P I found in pristine condition.I only wish I could afford a collection like yours Mr. Eck I would estimate in that picture you have $30,000 worth of old Smiths at todays prices, and you would have to look long and hard to find them. Very nice collection do you shoot all of them as well?
Attachments
I'd pay $1400 for a RM if it were built to the same specs as the original, with a pinned barrel, recessed chambers, hand fitting, NO LOCK, classic bluing etc. Oh, it also would have to hold 6 rounds, like a revolver ought to.
Oh, nice. Post #16 has some beauties. I like the one at the very top, and the one just to the left of it.
I hate to say it, but if I had to pick just one, it would be one of my 38/44 Outdoorsman's and not the Registered.
As an aside I only paid 1600 for my Registered with the grips if I remember right.
Yes I shoot them a lot. Only 2 or 3 have never been fired. One of the 8 3/8" pre-27's is NIB. The transitional 38/44 HD is not fired and one of my 38/44 post war OD's is NIB. The rest will be shot, I just have not got to them yet.
A quick sampling of my shooting. All done at 15 yrds, 50 shot per target.
2nd weeks production April 1930 HD.
2nd weeks production, another April 1930 HD
1939 HD target conversion
1950 OD (my favorite)
Same as above
1939 OD
1939 HD shooter
1954 Pre-25
1954 Pre 28
1952 Pre-27 8 3/8 shooter
1939 Registered Magnum
That ought to be enough to show I am a shooter.
As an aside I only paid 1600 for my Registered with the grips if I remember right.
Yes I shoot them a lot. Only 2 or 3 have never been fired. One of the 8 3/8" pre-27's is NIB. The transitional 38/44 HD is not fired and one of my 38/44 post war OD's is NIB. The rest will be shot, I just have not got to them yet.
A quick sampling of my shooting. All done at 15 yrds, 50 shot per target.
2nd weeks production April 1930 HD.
2nd weeks production, another April 1930 HD
1939 HD target conversion
1950 OD (my favorite)
Same as above
1939 OD
1939 HD shooter
1954 Pre-25
1954 Pre 28
1952 Pre-27 8 3/8 shooter
1939 Registered Magnum
That ought to be enough to show I am a shooter.
Lets see.....
Pre-25 45 ACP version or model of 1955.
Grips on the Pre-25. Note the "cockneyed hammer". True custom work on this gun.
Hammer on the pre-25 (fully jeweled). You should feel the action. It gives my RM a run for the money.
Best Target with my Pre-25 (15 yards, 50 shots offhand).
All 3 targets I shot that day. My consistency was not the best, but I was also shooting my Baer 1911 45 at the same time so switching was throwing me off.
Pre-25 45 ACP version or model of 1955.
Grips on the Pre-25. Note the "cockneyed hammer". True custom work on this gun.
Hammer on the pre-25 (fully jeweled). You should feel the action. It gives my RM a run for the money.
Best Target with my Pre-25 (15 yards, 50 shots offhand).
All 3 targets I shot that day. My consistency was not the best, but I was also shooting my Baer 1911 45 at the same time so switching was throwing me off.
- Status
Similar threads
