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Post by reflex264 on Nov 7, 2023 9:40:41 GMT -5
I have seen posts on FB and forums that refered to the S&W Bangor-Punta guns as terrible and a few other adjectives. At the same time I have some of the Bangor- Punta Taurus guns that are jewels. They are well made and accurate. I have never had an issue with them. Has anyone had a bad experience with a Bangor-Punta S&W? Here is my B-P model 66.  |
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Post by squigz on Nov 7, 2023 9:56:57 GMT -5
I'm really starting to love these Taurus's and I only want to get more of them. I haven't had any issues with mine at all, I need to shoot it a lot more though. Here's my 66 I recently acquired as well. Finding them for the right price, I don't think they can be beat.  |
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Post by bradshaw on Nov 7, 2023 11:24:51 GMT -5
I have seen posts on FB and forums that refered to the S&W Bangor-Punta guns as terrible and a few other adjectives. At the same time I have some of the Bangor- Punta Taurus guns that are jewels. They are well made and accurate. I have never had an issue with them. Has anyone had a bad experience with a Bangor-Punta S&W? Here is my B-P model 66. ***** This is the first I’ve heard of Bangor-Punta owning Taurus. “Has anyone had a bad experience with a Bangor-Punta S&W?” Now there’s a question, easy to answer, hard to quantify. Reckon more silhouette matches shot with, and won with, S&W revolvers involved .357, .41. and .44 Mag revolvers made under Bangor-Punta ownership than by all Smith & Wessons made before or since. The enigma I can’t figure, how did S&W build revolvers as good as from a previous generation, while also turning out sixguns with the barrel crooked on the frame, excessive chamber-to-bore runout, hammer and trigger pins that wouldn’t stay put, yoke axles that popped out, the maddening CYLINDER FLOAT, bluing the color of spoiled fruit? Morale deteriorated toward the end of Bangor-Punta’s tenure, as a corporate assassin from the electronics industry----who admitted to me that he knew nothing about making guns----ws put in charge of management at S&W. Old timers kept their heads down, managers avoided promotion, etc. While visuals play into it, to handle & shoot a revolver is the best way to judge its mechanical quality. David Bradshaw |
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Post by reflex264 on Nov 7, 2023 11:34:37 GMT -5
I have seen posts on FB and forums that refered to the S&W Bangor-Punta guns as terrible and a few other adjectives. At the same time I have some of the Bangor- Punta Taurus guns that are jewels. They are well made and accurate. I have never had an issue with them. Has anyone had a bad experience with a Bangor-Punta S&W? Here is my B-P model 66. ***** This is the first I’ve heard of Bangor-Punta owning Taurus. “Has anyone had a bad experience with a Bangor-Punta S&W?” Now there’s a question, easy to answer, hard to quantify. Reckon more silhouette matches shot with, and won with, S&W revolvers involved .357, .41. and .44 Mag revolvers made under Bangor-Punta ownership than by all Smith & Wessons made before or since. The enigma I can’t figure, how did S&W build revolvers as good as from a previous generation, while also turning out sixguns with the barrel crooked on the frame, excessive chamber-to-bore runout, hammer and trigger pins that wouldn’t stay put, yoke axles that popped out, the maddening CYLINDER FLOAT, bluing the color of spoiled fruit? Morale deteriorated toward the end of Bangor-Punta’s tenure, as a corporate assassin from the electronics industry----who admitted to me that he knew nothing about making guns----ws put in charge of management at S&W. Old timers kept their heads down, managers avoided promotion, etc. While visuals play into it, to handle & shoot a revolver is the best way to judge its mechanical quality. David Bradshaw Bangor_Punta owned controlling interest in Taurus from 1970 to 1977. I own some of those guns from both S&W and Taurus. I haven't seen a problem with either of them. All are great shooters. Barrels are straight on the frames and the finish is good. When I saw the posts I was a little shocked. I am not sure what guns they are refering to but it isn't mine. |
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Post by reflex264 on Nov 7, 2023 11:42:32 GMT -5
I just did a quick search. Bangor-Punta still had its claws in S&W till 1984. I am guessing that sometime in the window between 1977 and 1984 was the time of the bad S&W guns. The closest i have after 1984 is a 1986 model and its great.
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Post by bradshaw on Nov 8, 2023 12:37:51 GMT -5
My M-29 dash 2 revolvers were made, or most were made, when Bangor-Punta owned Smith & Wesson. The latest of my 29-2’s built around 1980 under Bangor-Punta ownership, a superb revolver. To this shooter the decline into bad examples is not linear. I had a 29 probably made in late 1976 or early ’77. The International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association sanctioned matches in 1977 and held the first International Handgun Silhouette Championship in early October of that year. Spitting from that revolver during an IHMSA match put a combustion particle in the white of my eye, which took years to work its way out. That experience, along with spitting from other revolvers, helped motivate me write a safety rule for IHMSA which requires Eye and Ear protection for everyone on the Firing Line while the line is hot. That Model 29 and another bought later were not the equal of other M-29-2 revolvers in bluing and chamber-to-bore alignment. Despite these manufacturing shortcomings, nothing loosened or broke on these two guns under a diet .44 Magnums. Nevertheless, these guns got sold.
Guns with the barrel put on crooked and guns with parts falling off came later. A new generation of shooters could not be assured their new M-29’s were properly made. By this shooter’s experience, an inferior example is determined neither by date nor serial number; it is discerned by in-hand examination.
David Bradshaw
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