There is a certain group within the larger group of gun owners that likes to say that you can never have too many guns. Now, maybe they’re being somewhat tongue-in-cheek about that and don’t really mean that a persona should literally get every gun (or every type of gun) that they can get their hands on. Or maybe they do.
Regardless, I’m sympathetic to the idea behind that statement, and that idea is to have as many options as possible for your self-protection and to always have firearms available.
There are a lot of things to be said in favor of that thinking, especially if you don’t buy into the delusion that the government is there to help and protect you (or even that they can be everywhere to be able to protect you at all times).
With that in mind, it may be worth asking if you should look into owning some older firearms, some considered “classic,” some not. And there is an argument to be made for owning at least one older model of Smith & Wesson revolver. Travis Pike writes,
The old S&W I frames, often overlooked, have a unique charm. It’s true, they have an awkward size frame, smaller than the J-frame and almost awkwardly small. Guns like the S&W Model 1903 Hand Ejector are too big to be pocket pistols with long barrels and elongated frames. The size of the S&W 1903 guns is somewhat awkward, but they hold a significant place in history. The I Frame was the first S&W hand ejector design, a pioneer that introduced the swing-out cylinder and an ejector rod, features we see on 99% of double-action revolvers produced today.
These were produced in 1896, too late to be picked up by cowboys and too soon to be the guns of private detectives. They didn’t get a pop culture push or famed users to make these guns collectible or desirable. That’s a good thing if you like old guns and want an affordable model. I’ve picked up two of these guns this year and spent less than $150 on each. That’s a Hi-Point and a half for a S&W revolver.
There isn’t a catch unless you want a Model 1903 for defensive use. I would say the safety features are a bit out of date. Okay, if I had to come up with a downside, it would be the caliber. The gun fires the .32 S&W Long cartridge. This little cartridge isn’t bad per se, but it’s expensive and somewhat tough to find. However, the round has seen a slight revival with the advent of the S&W 432 UC. I’ve been able to find .32 S&W long quite easily at my local gun store and even Academy.
It’s still 60 cents a round, but I can find it. The .32 S&W Long delivers crazy good accuracy. How accurate? Do you know those high-end Italian super pistols designed for competition? Due to its absurd accuracy, it’s one of the rounds that often finds its way into those pistols. You can easily find wadcutters designed specifically for these guns that also work well in revolvers.
Now, granted, this may not be the gun that you will tend to buy for the purpose of self-protection, but it can be a great choice just for practicing at the range and just for the fun of shooting, not to mention small game hunting.
You can see how small this revolver is in the short video below.
So, is the Smith & Wesson Model 1903 the next gun that you should add to your collection? Obviously, I can’t answer that for you.
If you want a classic revolver, though, at a reasonable market price that is fun to shoot and still has practical uses, then this revolver may be one to keep your eye out for.