Hi, First time poster here..
Have acquired this S & W S/S 22Lr. It's the first one I have ever seen. Didn't know of this model until I got this one.
Sn. #11086 8” Barrel Ex cond.
It's single/double action & numbers on front of grip, barrel & sight match. (It's not the Olympic the barrel).
It shoots well but 4" high at 50 feet.
Can anyone give me any insight?
How can I tell if it's original finish. Almost too nice for a gun this age.

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	S & W 3rd model SS 22Lr..png.jpg (114.7 KB, 112 views)

"Almost too nice for a gun this age." I agree, I think it's a refinish probably after the front sight work was completed.

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Mike Maher #283

I'm sure you know the front sight is not original. Keep in mind that target shooters will hold on the 6 o'clock position of the black on the target. Try that at 25 yards or 50 yards and see if it doesn't shoot to center.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks I'll give that a try this week.

Given that the rear sight is adjustable (for both windage and elevation), it may well be yours is in need of some change in elevation setting.

Ralph Tremaine

It has been refinished. Try lowering your rear sight or use a lighter bullet.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

If all else fails---------------------------

This barrel has almost certainly been cut. Given that, it then should have been crowned. Having said that word (crowned), I have pretty much exhausted my knowledge of crowning; but as with anything else, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. If it was done incorrectly, it stands to reason the fight of the bullet is going to be effected---and it also stands to reason the effect is going to be the same with every shot.

Bottom Line: If the barrel has been cut, and if the crowning was done incorrectly, and if such adversely effects the flight of the bullet; then the problem would seem to have an easy fix.

At this point, perhaps someone who knows what they're talking about might wish to chime in.

Ralph Tremaine

I guess it is time for an education for me. I own some of these s/s target pistols and really like them, but it seems I have something to learn. (1) How are you guys so sure it is refinished? The photos are not good enough for me to determine that. (2) How are you sure it has had the barrel cut? Although uncommon, 8" barrels were made. If cut, the crowning is an issue. Again, the photos are not good enough and shot from the wrong angle (directly from the side) to determine the presence or quality of crowning. I have a third model with a 10" barrel that will drive tacks. It's crown is visible from the muzzle but almost imperceptible from the side.

I'm not picking on your answers. I really like learning more about these guns and would appreciate any response.

Stan

I can tell it has been refinished by the rolled edges and the large gap on the side plate. I can tell the barrel is cut because the barrel is even with the front sight. The rib and sight should be set back about 1/8".

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Thanks for the input guys.
Can someone tell me how to determine if the barrel
has been crowned?

I tried to attach a pic. Hope that helps.

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Lord have mercy!!! I don't even know where to start!!

Cut Barrel: Some clues-----The stock front sight (almost certainly a Patridge with this serial number) has been replaced with----wait for it----a Patridge. Does that make any sense to anybody?! The stock front sight is held in place by a pin through the rib. Anybody see any sign of a pin hole?! I mention these items first because they're the first things that JUMPED out at me.

Yes, 8" barrels were made. I have seen exactly no legitimate 8" 3rd Models in almost 60 years of looking. So I was simply playing the odds---and would have bet big money on my conclusion. That said, I know where ONE is---not for sale. It lives with a 6" 2nd Model---also not for sale. Both these guns are brand new in their respective boxes!! (And while they are not for sale, I was led to believe they could be had on a trade. At the top of the want list was a K-32 1st Model. I more or less immediately offered to trade my K-32 1st Model for the two guns. My offer has not been rejected, but then again, there has been NO response to my offer-----which was made several months ago. I figure there's a message in there somewhere.)

I must admit I didn't notice the sight and rib were not set back about 1/8". I reckon that's because they're not set back about 1/8" on a stock gun either. But they are set back----rib back from barrel maybe .030"----sight back from rib maybe another .030". I likely totally ignored both because----well, just because.

Maybe it's just me, but about the only thing----certainly the very first thing I'd look at vis-a-vis a suspected cut barrel on one of these things is the barrel address. If it's centered on the constant width section of the rib, it's the way it was when it left Springfield. If it isn't, it isn't.

Okay Biker, As far as I'm concerned your barrel has not been crowned----at least not crowned as I am accustomed to seeing crowns. (And as noted earlier, my knowledge of crowns is limited to knowing how to spell the word and knowing what they look like. And my limited knowledge tracks with my limited concern.) Your barrel has been whacked off------period---as near as can tell. Would it benefit from some TLC from a competent gunsmith? More than likely. Why do I say that? Only because it makes sense. If uncrowned barrels performed as well as crowned barrels, there would be no crowned barrels. I can't imagine anybody taking exception to that statement, but if my imagination is lacking----go for it!!

That's it! The ice is melting in my tea.

Ralph Tremaine

Where did the rear sight leaf, retainer and retainer screws go? Better question; Where does the light go when the switch is turned off??

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Mike Maher #283

As Mike indicated, the rear sight assembly is missing. Sight blades are available, but scarce. The retainer (backplate) and screws far scarcer. If a rear sight is installed I would expect the gun to shoot low due to the higher than original front sight.

Bob

Thanks all. It's nice to keep learning things although what I really learned is to look more carefully before opening my mouth. Seems like I've learned that before.

Biker Bob - The barrel work and refinishing reducd the gun's value to collectors but it can still be a beautiful "shooter". Take it out and see how well it shoots. If not well, find a good gunsmith to do some barrel work. The gun is pretty enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Stan

Here's the way your gun should look - this one is unaltered with its original 10" barrel.



This model is covered in detail in my book "101 Classic Firearms" on pages 52 and 53.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -