Were the old premium built revolvers truly better than more modern iterations?

First topic message reminder :

Were the revolvers from the 30’s and 40’s more accurate than the new SW performance center models (or other makes' premium lines)? Let's ignore for the sake of this discussion the topic of effecting fine finishes.


I’ve not had the opportunity to handle or shoot many of the classic revolvers….aside from a dear friend’s very old SW .22 revolver which i must admit feels beautiful in hand and is very accurate.


If this is true, i wonder why that might be. The higher end tooling and machines in use today must be more precise. CAD-CAM must have facilitate improved design and optimized tolerances and interface relationships. Material sciences have no doubt added much to the matter.
 

I certainly appreciate the value of experienced hands fitting and effecting beautiful work but people are still capable of pretty amazing work. 


I would imagine that specialized teams such as those dedicated to the performance center must in general felt to be more experienced, talented etc.


Curious as to your thoughts and if in fact the older high grade revolvers really were better?

I have an 85% 1955 built, pre-28 Smith and Wesson that I legged the NRA Distinguished Revolver with several years ago.  I easily put five shots inside the ring of the X-ring with decent 148gr wadcutters.   I'd rather own that over any of the new stuff.