Smith & Wesson Factory Tour: Birth of an American Wheel Gun 

I spent 47 years at S&W . Retired a couple of years ago. I had a great job. I do miss the the place.

Nostalgic. I worked there from 1961 to 1967. First on the floor doing various machine tasks. There were no CNC machines back then. I moved up to the drafting room later on and worked on new designs.

As a machinist it was really cool seeing the old pics showing machines and tools I recognize today. Even the burr knife a fellow was holding. Just recently purchased a new S&W 610-3 and had it reamed to fit the 10mm. Magnum round. It being the N-Frame I have no worries about it holding up to the higher pressures. Very cool video!

The one singular thing that S&W could do to drastically increase sales in their revolver division is to ditch the unnecessary and potentially problematic safety. A standard cable lock or trigger lock accomplishes the same end goal without all the pitfalls of the internal lock. They won't do it but they should.

If S&W would ditch the internal lock that besmirches the sideplate of most of their new production revolvers, I'd buy a handful in a heartbeat. Thanks for the video.

Excellent video. I loved seeing the factory tour of one of America's great companies. Such a shame they had to move all but revolver production out of state but good for those people in Tennessee. S&W makes fantastic firearms and their revolvers are second to none in my opinion. Thanks for sharing. 👍

Did you tell them how crappy their quality control is? I just bought two identical 4” 686+ revolvers. BOTH pistols had a poor finish and one of them had a noticeably canted barrel. Compared with my 2.5” 686-4 from 1991, it’s night and day difference in quality. I called S&W and customer service wasn’t surprised. It’s frustrating

I love your tour. I've been a smith fan for a long time. I own so many. And hate to part with one. I let a 39 go to a friend and still regret it . Thanks for the tour!

Great to see the factory I've had to send every purchase from back to multiple times. Thanks for a great video.

If these revolvers are assembled by hand then none should ever leave the factory with canted barrels

The video tour was excellent, I really enjoyed watching it, I’ve already shared it with 3 friends! When I started in Law enforcement back in the 60s I was issued a S&W mod 10 with a 4” barrel. I immediately went and bought my own off duty mod. 60 and a 6” K38 that I used to practice and compete with! I carried the mod 10 for 17 years until we switched to S&W 5906s, I was actually part of the group that tested them against other 9mm and chose the 5906. I presently own 12 S&W revolvers, semi autos and rifles and shoot them all frequently, I have never had a problem or malfunction from any of their products, they have protected me for over 54 years! I’m actually in the process of ordering a new S&W M&P 15T as I write this! Keep up the good work S&W!

I have several Smith and Wesson firearms including some older revolvers. They are a joy to shoot at the range, I will never sell any of my Smith's. Great factory tour, I enjoyed it.

The last three new S&W pistols I bought had to be sent back for major issues. Canted barrels, and fitting.

I own 27 guns and it’s a tragedy that I don’t own a smithee. I have always wanted one and instead I buy the inexpensive guns. I am blown away. It’s time I step up and buy a piece of history that I can hand down to my kids for generations. Amazing video gentleman 🤟🏼❤️

"Over here is our lock machine that adds the key locks. We're extremely proud of this device and we know it's exactly what the market wants and what customers love about our revolvers!"

I am a proud owner of some S&W revolvers. Love them.

I was fortunate to tour the S&W factory in the early ‘70s, after carrying a S&W revolver for several years. In retirement my EDC is the no lock 340PD and I still have one of the first Model 60 revolvers I got for off duty carry.

I've spent almost 10 years between Iraq & Afghanistan and I never took my Smith&Wesson M2.0 full 9mm off , it was always on me at all times. I bought it with my own money , it was 100 times more reliable than the Beretta M9 or the SIG17 they issued to me.

A fascinating video regarding an icon of American manufacturing. My dad had a S&W 38 Special Detective 2” barrel and he cherished it. ❤

Great video! Nice job as usual, Chris, Ben and crew! What an amazing factory...hard to believe they've stayed in Massachusetts as long as they have; I'm sure the move to TN will be great for them. Hard to stick around an area where they hate what you do.

After watching this video my new dream job is to test fire guns for S&W. Thanks for posting this video.

What an awesome tour. I love American manufacturing, and I love my S&W Model 27. I am a mechanical engineer and I tour a lot of factories. It always makes me feel good to see American manufacturing. Too bad Massachusetts is not 2A friendly, but I'm sure that Tennessee will be welcoming S&W with open arms.

4 of the 7 revolvers I bought from them over the past year had off center barrel that I ended up selling for half the price I paid for. 2 weeks ago I bought a brand new 5 inch 460V that I ended up sending back to Smith and Wesson due to the barrel not lining up with the frame. A week later, went back to the same gun store and bought the 7.5 inch 460 Performance Center. I did my checks at the FFL and everything seemed good but I missed one and didn't realize it until I got home. Under the top of the from right where the forcing cone is there is a deep marring. Ended up sending it back too the next day without even getting the chance to fire it. $3900 of disappointment within a week. I'm not even sure they're going to be able to fix it judging from what I've been seeing on forums.

I love S&W revolvers, but the ones before the hillary hole. I am one of those that have ones made before 1990 (M66 no dash in SS and model 28 in blue) and used them for duty and off duty. Never once needed some kind of idiot safety on a revolver.

I live about 4 miles from smith and wessons new location, in Maryville, TN. Blount County is a constitutional sanctuary, glad to have them.

As a huge fan and collector of Smith & Wesson revolvers of the pinned and recessed era, and a resident of Knox County, Tennessee, let me say welcome S&W to Blount County, Tennessee!

I visited that plant in 1979. Hasn't changed much. I particularly enjoyed the rotunda area up front, and getting to visit Roy Jink's office upstairs where most of the records were kept at that time. There's a lot of that plant to see, in particular that area of Mass. The Springfield National Armory, and 25 miles away Colt's old Hartford Plant.

Thank you Smith and Wesson for getting out of Massachusetts. Enjoy Beautiful Tennessee and a New era

I used to love Smith & Wesson revolvers back in the 90's and I bought some. I bought my last S&W revolver in 2000 because after that S&W put a stupid internal lock in all their revolvers with a keyhole (AKA Hillary hole) in the side of their revolver frames. I will never buy another S&W revolver till that dumb Hillary hole goes away. I also had a few Smith & Wesson automatic pistols back in the 90's. I even had a S&W Sigma but when the M&P line of pistols came out and replaced the older aluminum and metal frame pistols I quit buying S&W pistols. I love polymer frame pistols made by Glock but I never liked the M&P line of pistols. Come to think of it now all guns made by S&W other than their revolvers have the M&P designation. That makes no sense for several reasons.

Love my early 70’s model 60. One of my favorites. Can’t beat stainless.

When I was on the job in NYC in the '70's and '80's our duty gun was the S&W Model 10, .38 cal., 4 inch heavy barrel revolver. I have a S&W model 65, .357 magnum, 4 inch barrel revolver. My semi-auto is a Glock.

Loved this factory tour! Did not realize the level of skilled handwork still required to create a Smith & Wesson revolver.

Hey, hold on, let me unlock my gun. Dammit where is my key!

Wow, brings back memories. I worked for S&W for almost 10 years as a gun fitter in Canada. We would receive the revolver as part kits (frame, barrel, cylinder and trigger / hammer components). My quota was 10 x model 10 or model 15 per day. Also did some J frame revolvers which I was not too fond of working with. Always looked forward to testing them on the range (except J frames, painful to the wrist). I spent a lot of time in Springfield and visited the armory. The flintlock section was awesome. Glad I came across this video. Thank's

Great video. As the owner of a half dozen S&W revolvers it was really interesting to see some of the manufacture steps. Most impressive to me was the forging operation. Those hammers are brutal. Thanks!

I loved watching how my 500 magnum was born. Great tour

I love S&W revolvers but i would never buy a modern version solely because the ridiculous interlock.

i grow up in Tajikistan( Republic in Central Asia, 1951) , and we was tree frandes. we call each others Smith And Wesson, even Alexandr was "And", we was boys and don't now wot mine " and". but "Smith and Wesson" wos magic for as! Legend!

excellent tour! Thank you!

Amazing to see them doing everything including the forging. That is really special to see still happening in the USA.

Thanks for the video. I have 2 S&W inherited from my dad. Still appreciated the workmanship on both.

What's my favorite S&W revolver; well, it's the model 66 (because that's the one I own). Great tour, and I could have watched more.

My dad worked at S&W through the 70's and 80's in the small parts polishing department until he had a stroke and was not able to do the job anymore. He loved working there, it was hard work (all piecework, you got paid for how many pieces you finished) but he made a good living and supported his family (6 kids). I remember going to the open house/picnic as a kid that they had for the employees and families. They ran the forges and stamping machines during the tours and we got to see my dad's workstation. The test range on the lower level was something to see as well.

This is beautiful! God Bless America!!

First off... I LOVE Smith & Wesson!!! Second... Kick ass presentation!!!

Great video, thank you!

When I turned 21 in 1971 I bought my first S&W .357 magnum revolver being a 6 inch Highway Patrolman. I still have this great revolver and it still shoots. Naturally this led to the purchase of other S&W revolvers along the way.

She is a genius! The Model 41 is one of the all time great firearms. A classic that still performs at top level.

Great video! I love to see the older manufacturing processes there still using, I have a feeling there new plant will be 3D printing many more of the components used in there guns.

A great video, thanks for bringing it to us. I have owned more than a few S&W revolvers and other firearms over the years. I still own several S&W revolvers as they are my favorite. I plan on adding at least one more perhaps two in the future to my collection. Like the commenter below, I am not a fan of the internal lock or 'lawyer locks' on the new guns. I agree with all the previous comments. Keep up the good work.

There are so many manufacturing steps, so much expensive machinery, so many skilled craftsmen and so much factory space needed to make a fine revolver. Revolvers are certainly expensive compared to plastic fantastic pistols. But I'm honestly surprised revolvers are not even more expensive than what they are. They're fine pieces of craftsmanship. That's why I love them. Thanks for the great video.

Lina Perez at the end of this video looks very much like Sonia Braga. I'm half expecting Clint Eastwood to come sauntering out behind her at some point in the production.- I can speak to Smith's warranty service as I've actually used it once. I had bought a Smith 686 made in 1984 about 12 years ago at a pawn shop. As it turned out, it required the firing pin bushing upgrade. I called them at Smith and was surprised that they sent me a shipping label prepaid and said they'd do all the parts and labor free of charge which they did, also paying for shipping back to me. That's pretty impressive, at least to me. This gun is in good overall shape but really God only knows how many people owned it before I came into it. They didn't attempt to pull the original owner card and I appreciate that. If they had, I frankly wouldn't have been surprised seeing the gun was as old as it was and that the upgrade had been called for as long as it had. Now when you nice people at Smith and Wesson finally get to the business of making the key lock an option or eliminate it entirely, then people like me and soooooooo many others of the same mind on that particular matter can finally get onto buying new production Smith revolvers and catch up with what we've apparently been missing all this time. Thank you for the video and fine tour.

I Love Smith & Wesson and am collecting their revolvers

Thank you, very impressive.

Outstanding! Semper Fi

Fabulous video of a fabulous company. Many thanks! Looking forward to your video of the TN plant.

Very cool inside look at the factory.

Thanks for taking us along.

I know there have been some QC issues with some modern S&W revolvers but I still appreciate S&W. I have several S&W firearms but my S&W .38 Centennial is my favorite. I carried that as a plainclothes LEO and I still carry it often, 30 years later. The man doing the engraving by hand is amazing.

As a guy who owns a ton of stock, I'm excited to see them get better and improve 🤗 for himself carries a S&W .

Great video, as always!

Amazing. One of the best videos you’ve ever done.

Nice video of how things are these days, forge is always a highlight and how blanks are forged, machined, polished and fitted into what I believe is functional art. I worked there from 1973 to 1999 as their Master Engraver, however before that I worked in shipping, pistol slide and frame and stocking departments. In this video it shows engraving and Dave whom I believe is now retired but I trained him, he was my apprentice. We worked at the Academy then, which is no longer there, sad that engraving is located where it is now.

Incredible

I love my 4" 586 Cheers from Northern Sweden!

I saw the thumbnail and immediately thought, Cool, an 80% revolver! Gotta get one!

I have 12 of them and love each one!

Excellent video, and thank you for letting us view, TRULY AMERICAN 🇺🇸 AMERICAN 🇺🇸

Great video, I'm picking up my new 629 tomorrow.

Great video! Thanks! This Mr. Smith and of course the entire staff must have heard the best gun stories ever told! This guy should make a YT channel to tell us some of them. Hang on, what am I saying, there is probably such a thing already…. I’ll go and search for it..!

All my guns are S&W. 686 6” is my favorite

Great interesting 😀

I have a S&W MOD 500 . Omg incredible

I love S&W revolvers. I inherited a 686 manufactured in the 80’s. Since then I bought a 642 for concealed carry. A 625 and 69 for fun at the range. I want a 610 next to shoot 10mm.

I have 4 S&W Revolvers KLandN frame great to see how they are made.

Thanks for a great video! S&W is a great firearm.

My favorite is my Model 41 (made in Maine though not Mass). Followed closely by the 617 and an old Model 19. Hopefully the new factory has added QC checks for the timing of the traditional one piece barrels as I have seen some bad ones. Yep, drop the key lock and they could probably double sales. Nice video.

LOVE YOUR GUNS!

Thank you

I am in the market for a 4” or 5” S&W 629. I’ve looked at both at my local gun shop. The most recent was Monday, I looked at a 4” 629. They had it for a pretty decent price. Couldn’t bring myself to buy it due to all the quality control issues with it. The first problem was the barrel was slightly canted. Not much but enough to see. There was a gouge on the lower right side of the frame, inside of the cylinder opening that was sharp enough to cut a finger on. The crane was nice and tight at the bottom where it slides into the frame but there was a noticeable gap at the top. I left it at the dealer. They had a 5” a few weeks back and that one had a lot of cylinder movement on 5 of the cylinders, only 1 locked up tight. It also exhibited more end shake than normal. This is not reasonable for a revolver priced over $1,000. If I’m paying that I might as well look at a Colt Anaconda and not have to worry about the QC issues. Come on Smith, you can do better. I love my Smiths, but my last 686 requires the rear sight to be cranked all the way to the right to be on target. And it was sandbagged when sighting in.

Thank you for a very well produced video with quality / professional audio!

S&Ws custom shop is awesome! One of the best kept affordable services. Im pretty sure I went to Lena to have my model 640 customized. It was a really good deal the work was impeccable and the turn around time was fast! S&W and Charter Arms are the best two customer services in the whole firearms business.

Wow! Great video. Now I understand why they cost soooo much. Lots of machining and polishing.

Big fan of their product.

Dave Ducharme is a good guy. He certified me as an armorer about 20 years when he first came over to S&W. But the video did not show the Quality Assurance operations: apparently because there are none. Sadly, the last two Classic series I purchased - 2022 and 2023 - did not show any of the "love and labor" of "skilled craftsman" proclaimed in this video. The first one - a Model 10-14 - had to be completely replaced. Right out of the box new, the DA and SA were rough and the strain screw was buggered up. Took 3 months at S&W. The last one purchased a couple weeks ago - a Model 36-10 - was defective right out of the box. The barrel looked like it was fitted to the cylinder with a worn out hacksaw, and damaged the cylinder as well. What love went into that assembly? The gun is there now, maybe I will get it back before Christmas. I called and S&W Revolver Repair has an 8 WEEK BACKLOG. I've owned dozens of S&W revolvers for over 40 years. Despite all the advances in production capability and precision, I still see some guy at a bench with an aggressive Barrett file trying to fit a sideplate and a grip frame. My replacement Model 10-14 has been perfect. But the consumer takes a chance buying a S&W revolver sight unseen. The buyer is now the sole quality inspector. That's sad.

I love this place forever ❤❤❤❤

this guy need more

Interesting. Didn't realise some components were forged before machining, thought they all were machined out. Great vid.

Model 60 is the stainless steel version of the blued 5 shot J-Frame chambered in .38SPL Model 36, previously known as "The Chief's Special". I have a 1962 no dash 36, bobbed hammer beauty with a Pachmayr grip in a holster in my right front pocket. It's my house and yard piece. I carry my 627PC 2-5/8" with a Colt King Cobra 3" for my "NY Reload" when out and about.

Nice video.. I am a S&W revolvers fan... The best revolvers of the world.. I love my 686, scuare but old model. I suscribe. Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina

If only they would remove the lock

Yah for Smith and Wesson. Like an old friend.

how old is the report? Many frames are now cast and no longer forged .

I'd like to see the QC on the throat diameters after the cylinders are completed.

I had heard that the S&W frames were forged whereas the Ruger frames, though no side plate, were cast. I’d be interested in durability/ lifespan comparisons. I have always been a Ruger fan, but I recently came into possession of a series three 686, I gotta say the S&W is pretty damn impressive.

smith and wesson would be goated if they made those beautiful revolvers without the lock hole.

In 1991 I was issued a Smith model 10 with a five inch tapered barrel by the RCMP. In 1995 I was issued a stainless 5946 by the RCMP. Both guns were reliable and accurate but, my love of S&W revolvers was born and after I retired as Sheriff, all my Smiths are wheel guns.

I’m surprised they are still making so many revolvers because I don’t know too many people buying revolvers anymore. I’ve always wanted a 586 or 686 but never had 1k I was willing to drop on one but those are my personal favorites.

As a machinist, I found this fascinating. I would never had thought the yoke was made from bar stock.

I have been using S&W revolvers for Movie use since 1990; model range from M1917, to Modern Stainless models. Most numerous are J frame M36, courtesy of our LE when they transitioned first to Ruger Revolvers, the to Glocks. The S&Ws are robust, easy to maintain, and the J frames ideal for females to handle with confidence. DocAV AVBFILMGUNS Brisbane Australia