What the deal ?
Whats the big deal with S&W's model numbers and people wanting to know if its a dash, no dash, what dash is it ? Is the barrel pinned or un-pinned? Why the concern and how does it affect the prices ? Thanks for any help.[:)]
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The dash thing is for states (like california) that (basically the state wants their "fee"). It's about the money.
I have no idea where this information may have come from but I can assure our members that it is not correct.
Pinned/unpinned? One's older and I guess more collectable.
As for me I just want my S&Ws without the ugly built in lock.
Example. S&W 649-5 (I think is the currrent "safe" gun or is it 649-6?). Anyways S&W 649-4 is the same exact gun (to S&W 649-5) which is not considered "safe" in the state of califonia for sale. Yes this can be sold face to face through FFL but that's not the point. And yes I understand the next number up indicates "improvements". However if the dash number isn't "current" with their fees to DOJ it's not considered safe. So it's about the money.0 -
Some folks think that the early production no-dash models, and the models made prior to 1981 with pined barrels are better quality.
It's more a collectors thing nowadays. This is a factor along with factory originality and cosmetic condition in increasing value as far as collectors are concerned, as far as shooters are concerned not so much.0 -
So, what your saying is anything made after 1981 has no pins in the barrels and they have dashes in the model #'s ? that the way I'm reading it ? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Junkballer
So, what your saying is anything made after 1981 has no pins in the barrels and they have dashes in the model #'s ? that the way I'm reading it ?
I didn't mean to confuse you in this matter. The pined barrels are entirely a separate matter. The numbers after the dash are actually what is known as engineering changes.
What S & W brought a new model out it didn't have a dash with a number after it. After they made a physical change to the handgun they added a number after a dash to denote the change. Depending on the model the number after the dash can be quite high, showing the number of physical changes that S & W made to the handgun.
When they went to unpinned barrels in the early 80's all the different revolver models got a higher number after the dash to denote this change.0 -
They started with model numbers in 1958 for instance Model 27 which was a 357 on the N frame with a pinned barrel with recessed cylinder chambers for the magnum ammo. The same gun made today will be a model 27-(something say 8)(I just made that number up, I don't know what the current number is). The current model 27 will not have a pinned barrel, will not have recessed chambers will have totally different internal parts, MIMS (metal injected molding) and will have a hole in the side to activate a lock. Many beleive (myself Included) that the older guns are much better and will hold or increase their value. 0 -
Got it now !! Thanks alot guys for your explinations, great help [;)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
The dash thing is for states (like california) that (basically the state wants their "fee"). It's about the money.
Where did you get this information [?][?]
The dash has not a damn thing to do with any state "FEE" [xx(]
It has to do with engerneering changes S&W makes to the pistols [:0][;)]0 -
dcs, that had me re-reading and scatching my head too, wondering what he'd been drinking. LOL [;)] Again, thanks everyone ! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Junkballer
Whats the big deal with S&W's model numbers and people wanting to know if its a dash, no dash, what dash is it ? Is the barrel pinned or un-pinned? Why the concern and how does it affect the prices ? Thanks for any help.[:)]
Put as simply as possible, the various "dash" numbers indicate minor design/manufacture changes to the guns over time, usually to save money on manufacturing cost.
Here is one example of the "dash" series:
quote:http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp
Model 14,15,16,17,18,19,48,53 (all start without dash in 1957)
-1 1959 Change to LH extractor rod thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of triggerguard eliminated
-3 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
-4 1977 Changed gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-5 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
As another example, the Smith and Wesson 637 is the original "Airweight" aluminum alloy frame .38 snubnose. The 637-1 is built on a slightly beefier frame to handle high-pressure +P ammo in unlimited quantity. The 36-2 has the stronger frame AND the key-lock that makes new guns compliant for sale in certain states (eg MA, CA, etc).
Diehard collectors usually prefer the lowest "dash" number possible, since those guns are older, and its a case of "they don't make them like that any more".
In practice, merely SHOOTING the gun, you're probably not going to notice any difference between say a Smith model 19-3 and a 19-4.
The true value of a pinned barrel is debatable (and beyond the scope of this post), but these older guns generally are of more interest to collectors, again "because they don't make them like that anymore. Ditto for recessed cylinder heads edit: (ie "counterbore").
In terms of value, all else being equal (eg the guns are 100% brand new in box, and therefore of interest to collectors) lower "dash" numbers are usually worth more. How much more is dependent on the model in question and what you're comparing it to. . but it might not be very much0 -
beantown, very good explination [:)] again thanks. The main reason I asked was I have a S&W 686 .357 6" s/s no dash, that a freind wants and I think he was trying to get over on me ! calling the dash models improvements instead of cost-cutters. LOL 0
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