But, true enough, a new Smith is not an old Smith, only maintains outward appearance, sorta, but much of modern castings, different mechanisms, lack of interchangeable parts, same with modern Winchesters, and they simply are not the same gun.

Saying it is better than old is saying an apple is better than an orange, and a cheaper grown appple, too.

Anyhow, that is as if saying the same of Kimber or Wilson when it announced Colt is dropping the 1911, and just no comparison between the two except superficial resemblance.

Not in how made, of what, design clearances, focus of design, etc. Not to mention history and connection with it. A Wilson would not inspire thoughts of soldiers in a glider over Normandy, nor a Warner those of the OSS.

Of course, there are many who say the Miroku Winchesters are "the best ever made" today. And my take is almost at no time is any copy ever the best. It is a copy, a devivative, a modification of another's genious idea or genious in long term production. And holds value nowhere close to an original for that reason.

They really are great pistols. True classics.

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/pistols/hi-power-pistols.html