[Space Wrangler]

The former owners did more than handle it badly. They turned traitor against the American gun buying public, or better known to them as their customers. The AZ company bouth S&W for a song, and is now trying to rehabilitate the image. I know some will forever be burned on S&W, but I see no reason not to support the company. As Flashbunny pointed out, they are still legally bound by the HUD agreement, but have vowed to fight it if it's ever brought up again. I don't have a problem with that, and I feel content to sit back and watch what they do if and when the HUD agreement ever comes back. The years they will have spent bringing S&W back into the fold amongst the gun buying public can be erased in a day if they make the wrong move regarding the HUD agreement, and likewise, the same can be said for ANY other gun maker out there. I'll give S&W another chance. I see no good at all in the company ceasing to exist.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I have to agree. I'm the owner of several S&W revolvers and find nothing else as smooth (mod 17, mod 34 in .22 and a five shot revolver in .38).
I also have a .357 Colt Python and while the blueing still looks a quarter inch deep and accuracy is tops, it doesn't have that S&W feel.