Were older guns made better than modern ones?

[Alan]

I’ve been thinking about this lately, were older firearms really made with better craftsmanship and longevity or do today’s materials and machining actually win out?

 

[Hardshell]

I always say, if you're into art, history and heart, go old school.

 

[winemaker81]

I’ve been thinking about this lately, were older firearms really made with better craftsmanship and longevity or do today’s materials and machining actually win out?

The best answer is "depends".

Better materials are available today. Are they always used? In reading reviews of numerous "lesser" vendor pistols, cheaper materials sometime get used, probably for price reasons.

Craftsmanship has always varied. In today's market, buying main stream brands such as Beretta, Glock, etc. helps ensure good craftsmanship. Yeah, some mainstream vendors produce a "blip" where the design has problems, but that's design, not craftsmanship.

There is a Dilbert cartoon with the caption: "Change is good. You go first."

That's my motto with regard to buying anything of consequence. I read reviews and think before doing.

 

[GaryS]

You struck a nerve with me this morning. Last week I put in a bid on a Colt combat commander .45. I watched it go up yesterday where it closed at 900 plus a 18% buyers premium. Total price 1062. A quick search on the internet showed prices for a new one around 1100. The one I bid on was made in 1974 per the serial number. Other than black cherry grips vs composite for new, I was left wondering what I was missing. Pay a price for a 50 year old gun sold as is vs. buying brand new for another 100 or so? Hard to see it.

 

[Shotgunangler]

The high end, true custom guns of the past are hard to beat for fit and finish IMO. However, I think that modern materials and manufacturing processes have made the "average" firearm far superior to what they were just a couple of decades ago.

 

[Phantom]

I would say both. New models use modern methods of manufacture which can be more precise and cheaper. Old school guns had lots of hand fitting and crafting and that is hard to beat. It really comes down to what trips your trigger, (pun intended).

 

[Alan]

I always say, if you're into art, history and heart, go old school.

That’s a great way to frame it

 

[Alan]

The best answer is "depends".

Better materials are available today. Are they always used? In reading reviews of numerous "lesser" vendor pistols, cheaper materials sometime get used, probably for price reasons.

Craftsmanship has always varied. In today's market, buying main stream brands such as Beretta, Glock, etc. helps ensure good craftsmanship. Yeah, some mainstream vendors produce a "blip" where the design has problems, but that's design, not craftsmanship.

There is a Dilbert cartoon with the caption: "Change is good. You go first."

That's my motto with regard to buying anything of consequence. I read reviews and think before doing.

Good take. Research and proven brands matter more than era, especially when real money and reliability are involved

 

[Alan]

You struck a nerve with me this morning. Last week I put in a bid on a Colt combat commander .45. I watched it go up yesterday where it closed at 900 plus a 18% buyers premium. Total price 1062. A quick search on the internet showed prices for a new one around 1100. The one I bid on was made in 1974 per the serial number. Other than black cherry grips vs composite for new, I was left wondering what I was missing. Pay a price for a 50 year old gun sold as is vs. buying brand new for another 100 or so? Hard to see it.

That’s the dilemma exactly. Nostalgia and collector value versus warranty and modern QC...it’s hard to justify “as-is” pricing when new is that close.

 

[Alan]

The high end, true custom guns of the past are hard to beat for fit and finish IMO. However, I think that modern materials and manufacturing processes have made the "average" firearm far superior to what they were just a couple of decades ago.

Custom classics set a high bar but modern manufacturing has raised the floor dramatically. Today’s average gun is remarkably consistent compared to decades past.

 

[Alan]

I would say both. New models use modern methods of manufacture which can be more precise and cheaper. Old school guns had lots of hand fitting and crafting and that is hard to beat. It really comes down to what trips your trigger, (pun intended).

Well said! At the end of the day, it’s about what makes you smile at the range.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

Give me a Savage 110. All things considered, a pretty cheap gun. Mine was amazing accuracy, good trigger, and a cheap plastic stock that won’t swell with the weather like a nice wood one can. Add a decent Vortex scope and I can’t ask for more. See, I can’t have nice things. I baby nice things, worry over them. I can scratch the hell out of that gun, abuse it (within reason) and it will still perform as well as any classic. Long story long, it performs better for me because If I had a classic it would probably be a “safe queen”

 

[Shotgunangler]

Give me a Savage 110. All things considered, a pretty cheap gun. Mine was amazing accuracy, good trigger, and a cheap plastic stock that won’t swell with the weather like a nice wood one can. Add a decent Vortex scope and I can’t ask for more. See, I can’t have nice things. I baby nice things, worry over them. I can scratch the hell out of that gun, abuse it (within reason) and it will still perform as well as any classic. Long story long, it performs better for me because If I had a classic it would probably be a “safe queen”

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. Although I love to a look at and admire hi-end classic firearms that have mirror finishes and fine wood stocks with hand checkering, I really have little desire in owning them. I like to shoot my guns and I would be too fearful of getting a scratch or ding on a nice classic gun. Now I don't abuse my guns in any way shape or form, but if you shoot them regularly a nick or scratch is inevitable at some point and that would tear me up.