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?

 

[MC2]

I think craftsmanship is the key word. One thing is for sure, modern tolerances and machining are more exact. Before that, frames and parts were finished and polished by hand to get the tight tolerances that an EDM or CNC machine can produce today. Can you feel or sense the hours of work that has gone into a particular piece?

I can tell the difference between certain manufacturers and their machining investments not based on price point alone.

In a black rifle and polymer pistol world, I think blued steel and wood have a certain appeal.

Give me todays machining and tolerances with deep blued steel and Bastone walnut.

 

[Mark37082]

The technology of today is far superior than the old days. This is not to say the end result is always superior. Craftsmanship and ingenuity in designs has been simply amazing in the firearms industry for a very long time. The ability of craftsmen to produce exquisite firearms before the advent of modern day technology and machines was and is to be commended. Access to finely machined firearms for the common man has changed dramatically today in both availability and financial ability.

 

[Alan]

I think craftsmanship is the key word. One thing is for sure, modern tolerances and machining are more exact. Before that, frames and parts were finished and polished by hand to get the tight tolerances that an EDM or CNC machine can produce today. Can you feel or sense the hours of work that has gone into a particular piece?

I can tell the difference between certain manufacturers and their machining investments not based on price point alone.

In a black rifle and polymer pistol world, I think blued steel and wood have a certain appeal.

Give me todays machining and tolerances with deep blued steel and Bastone walnut.

Great points. Modern tolerances are incredible but there’s something special about deep bluing and hand-finished wood. Combining today’s precision with classic materials really would create the best of both worlds.

 

[Alan]

The technology of today is far superior than the old days. This is not to say the end result is always superior. Craftsmanship and ingenuity in designs has been simply amazing in the firearms industry for a very long time. The ability of craftsmen to produce exquisite firearms before the advent of modern day technology and machines was and is to be commended. Access to finely machined firearms for the common man has changed dramatically today in both availability and financial ability.

Yea..today’s technology opens the door for more people to own accurate, well-machined firearms but the craftsmanship of earlier generations still deserves real appreciation for what they achieved.

 

[BKLooney]

Can't argue that machining methods have really come a long way, but I will take a pistol or revolver that was fitted by hand any day. The craftmanship of the old handguns was a class act.

What I would like to see is the combination of the CNC world combined with hand fitment of the mechanisms themselves. Although we do have that, it's only in the boutique world now and it has pretty much placed those guns out of reach for most people. A good example is the Performance Center line of S&W, back in the day all of the mechanisms were hand fitted, now the Performance Center guns are just boxes to check off on addon options that can only be had with through the PC with no hand fitment...

Another example would be the new Colt Pythons, all CNC with zero hand fitment...

 

[Clint Osborn]

I agree to previous mentions regarding technology improvements for production. I will add that one of the biggest impacts on modern firearm production is advanced Metallurgy. The capacity & capability of modern metals far exceeds what was available to past production work. Past Gunsmiths had to rely on the mantra "when in doubt - build it stout" approach. But now, with today's Computer Aided Design & Computer Aided Modeling using advanced Metallurgy, builders can define physical limits, make design changes & improve products faster and more exacting than ever before.

 

[Wadlow Palerider]

I have my Dads 1951 model .270 with a Monte Carlo stock. I have one I purchased last year with a synthetic stock and a fluted barrel. His still works, but I have to allow it to cool down between shots or the POI begins to wander to the left. It is also heavy to carry. A little more than 8 LBs with a scope. Mine was accurate and repeatable right out of the box. The stock is simulated wood, but it is lighter than wood and at 65, I appreciate the reduced weight. BTW - I haven't shot my Dads gun in some time. It has become a keep sake.

 

[dcoffman]

I think modern guns are built with superior metallurgy with exacting tolerances, but they lack the fit and artistry of craftsmen whose skills came from years of meticulous work. Those hand-fitted pieces will always carry a value that reflects their craftsmanship.