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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 08-25-2011, 10:55 PM
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Arrow Finding No Dashes

How much more difficult is it to find no-dash S&W revolvers as opposed to the dash-series versions? Is there a particular method you guys have found that works best to find your no-dashes?

Thanks.
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Old 08-25-2011, 11:04 PM
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I don't think they are difficult to find. The problem is finding them in good condition at a good price. Too many Smiths were used and abused over the years, and nice examples often have a "nice" price.

Checking your local stores and pawn shops can lead to some great deals. Sometimes a shop will get a gun in and not really know what it is, so they slap a standard price on it like $300. Always pick up a Smith with a price tag of $300 or less and check it out. Additionally you can find some high quality pieces online and right here on the forum! Great guns are sold every day in the Classifieds section at fair prices.
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Old 08-25-2011, 11:36 PM
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There's really no secret to it. Just LOTS of looking anywhere and everywhere guns are sold. The internet has enabled us to "shop" the entire country without ever leaving home. Personally,I spend hours every day just lookin' to see what I can turn up. And don't think that there aren't deals to be had. I find at least one gun a day that I would love to have and is priced right. I just can't afford to buy 'em all.
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Old 08-25-2011, 11:53 PM
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It depends on which ones you seek. The K and N frames were only made for 2-3 years (1957-'60) and are correspondingly hard to find. However, the model 36 went from 1957 to '82, and the 60 from 1965-'82, so are easily found.
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Old 08-26-2011, 12:27 AM
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Please clarify. Are you referring to "model marked" no-dash guns,or those made before model numbers were assigned to them?
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Old 08-26-2011, 01:15 AM
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The quest is everywhere and just about every handgun nut is your adversary for top quality desirable no-dash and quality early guns.... The hunt is much like an adult version of an Easter Egg hunt.. You snooze.... you lose!!

To eliminate any confusion there were a couple of N frame guns that were no-dashes and produced into the early 80s. They would include the Mod. 57s and the Mod. 629s. Also the "J" frame 63s, the "K" frame 64s, 65s and 66s as well as "L" frame 586s and 686s and their fixed sight counterparts had no-dash early models... The dashes were simply a method of identifying each engineering change made to newly introduced models.

I believe murphydog was referring to blue and nickle revolvers prior to the stainless K, L,and N frame later introductions. The blue 586s and the blue and nickle 57s were the exceptions and were no-dash into the early 80s if I recall correctly.

Hope this helps....
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Old 08-26-2011, 01:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fat tom View Post
Please clarify. Are you referring to "model marked" no-dash guns,or those made before model numbers were assigned to them?
f.t.
I'm referring to the model marked no-dash guns, i.e. the Model 60 no-dash, the Model-686 no-dash, etc.

Thanks guys for all the valuable information. I really need to hit the pawn shops, but it will have to wait until funds loosen up a bit.

As far as the internet, I've seen some really good deals on gunsamerica, impact, and j&g. I found my first wheelgun on my local gun forum - a S&W Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard in excellent condition for $375. When the funds roll in, I'll be sure to check out the guns here as well. There are some great deals to be had.
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Old 08-26-2011, 11:33 AM
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I have a fair # of "No Dash" S&W's, some are long running models like 36, 60, 686, but several are more uncommon Mod 10, etc. One "secret" is to squirrel away a few hundred dollar bills, tucked into a non-visible location in your wallet, and always be ready when an opportunity presents itself. Of course you will have periods afterward while you replenish your "stash", but in the long run it will be worth it.
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:23 PM
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Okay, I can't wait any longer to find out. I have seen dash-no dash posts all over the place. I have a mdl 36 " no dash ".

Whats the difference between " has and has not "?

Last edited by raven818; 08-26-2011 at 06:24 PM. Reason: subscribe
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:41 PM
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A dash and number after the Model number indicates an engineering change. Typically when S&W changed something major on the gun, they started a new engineering change. For example, many magnum guns will have an engineering change for the removal of the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder around 1981. However, engineering changes can also denote something like barrel length. For example, Mod 36s and Mod 36-1s were produced at the same time, as the -1 merely indicates a 3" barrel on the gun.
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:44 PM
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Thanks..
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Old 08-26-2011, 08:06 PM
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A "no dash" gun is not necessarily rare or worth more money than a dash numbered gun. It all depends on what model you're talking about. A "no dash" M24 is a very rare and desirable gun because very few were made. If you were refering to a 44 Magnum M29, the rare variation is a M29-1. Moving to the modern guns, it may just indicate guns that were recently introduced and haven't yet experienced an engineering change. It all depends...
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Old 08-26-2011, 08:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raven818 View Post
Okay, I can't wait any longer to find out. I have seen dash-no dash posts all over the place. I have a mdl 36 " no dash ".

Whats the difference between " has and has not "?
dragon 88 is spot on....

We realize there is much confusion when trying to understand the "dash" issue. "No-dash" numbers are important to many collectors because it identifies many S&Ws as being the first models of their particular type (ie. 36, 19, 29, 686, etc).

Knowledge of what the dash number identifies as changes tells an interested person what changes, for good or for bad, that particular dash numbered gun has. For instance, A very early Mod. 66 no-dash has stainless sights. A dash one 66 has minor engineering changes as well as all black rear sights with a red ramp front front blade. A dash 2 Mod 66 had significant changes that along with many other S&W handguns in 1981/82, included the elimination of pinned barrels and recessed cylinders accross the board. With the changes the 66 was then designated a dash 2, and a Mod 27 that experienced the same major change at the same time was changed from Mod 27-2 to a 27-3.

Dash numbers and changes are unique to each specific model gun and follow their own progression of engineering changes. At any given time, one model may be a dash 4 and another model being produced at the same time may be a dash 8...

As you spend more time here you will more clearly understand how the dashes have been used.... It can be even more confusing when you realize not all cosmetic and engineering changes were given a dash number....

Hope this helped and didn't confuse you more....
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Old 08-26-2011, 08:19 PM
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Here in the People's Republik it involves a lot of legwork & a little luck, thanks to our approved "not too unsafe" roster. Most older revolvers aren't on it and never will be.

Good Smiths of any age hardly ever linger long in the consignment case around here. I just happened to be at the range picking up a box of bullets when (now) my 686 no dash went in the case. 'bout wrenched my shoulder getting to my wallet.

Additionally, many sellers won't send anything here for fear of violating some obscure regulation.

Ditto the tip about carrying cash. Folding green stuff talks, and etc. You can haggle harder when yer talkin' Benjamins.
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Old 08-26-2011, 08:36 PM
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H&D,

You have to, in my experience, fondle every gun that meets your visual criteria. Many (not most) sellers are ignorant of what they offer.

I found this:



...on the table of a guy who was coming across as a smart-***, know it all, jerk face. It was marked as a "36".
I asked to inspect it and saw no model # in the crane...
"How much for this old dime-a-dozen 36?", I asked. He quoted a bit high for a clean 36, I counter-offered, he bit.
I walked with this, obviously, very clean flat latch "pre 36" Chiefs Special.

Mike
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Old 08-29-2011, 08:47 PM
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Beautiful Model 36, PH-2.

Thanks for all the responses, everybody. Great information and advice.
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Old 08-29-2011, 09:26 PM
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I found my S&W Model 66 4 inch No Dash NIB just by searching and searching every day on GB and other boards, found 3 this way thus far..... Do a lot of reverse key word searches and you find stuff folks mis lable and never get many hits.

Keep hunting.....
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Old 08-29-2011, 09:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard View Post
One "secret" is to squirrel away a few hundred dollar bills, tucked into a non-visible location in your wallet, and always be ready when an opportunity presents itself. Of course you will have periods afterward while you replenish your "stash", but in the long run it will be worth it.
For years that's how I was with Savage 99's 'til the S&W bug bit "again". I was making my rounds a couple months ago when I spotted a no dash 4" 686. Looking at it and talking to the salesman (I've known him for several years) the pistol was carried more than shot so at $475 my super glue hands wouldn't let me put it down until I got it home.
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Old 08-29-2011, 09:55 PM
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It's been my experience, and based on the reference material I have read, I would rather have a S&W with -2, -3, and in some cases, even a -4. It seems those first few dashes indicated much needed improvements before they got to the cost cutting changes. I would really want those improvements if I intended to shoot it a lot.
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44 magnum, 686, airweight, bodyguard, m29, model 24, model 29, model 60, model 66, model 686, recessed, rrwo, savage, sig arms

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