I'm still waiting for a local shop to price this 547, 3 inch. I was curious if the 3 inch or 4 inch is more desireable and why? Thanks for any input.....Either way, I'm still buying the 3 inch but was just curious what the general consensus is. c good

The 3" versions of the M10, M64, M13 and M65 are all very much sought after as carry guns. These are all M&P revolvers, as is the M547. I have a 3" M13 that is really cool, and if you read the posts on here you'll see they are very popular.
The M547 wasn't made for very long and I rarely see them for sale in either length. But given the choice I would prefer the 3".
Jim

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but a little Googling turns up that they made about twice as many 3" as they did 4". Around a 63/37 split. The 3" should all be round butt, the 4" square butt.

So for rarity, the 4" wins. Usually more rare means more expensive. Not always, but usually. As always, it comes down to personal preference.

Because of it's size (driven by the idea that 9mm is underpowered), the 3" seems to be more desirable (6486 3" round butts were made compared to 3784 4" square butts) but there were more 3" models produced than the 4" model. Either one is an excellent revolver, and getting your hands on either one is bonus. I've got a 4" square butt, but would love to get my hands on 3" round butt!

I wish S&W would put them back into production, as well as many other members of the forum. I mention the power issue, because I think it's fair to compare it to the .38 spl, not the .357 Magnums. Here's a little photo comparison I did; the speedloaders for the .38/.357 are for 7 round L Frames, the 9mm is for the 547. Notice the size/power ratio, particluarly for the .38+P to the 9mm. That's not even 9MM +P, I might add. 9mm also performs better out of short barrels, but I prefer 4". I think 9mm is well suited for revolvers, after all, S&W has been chambering .45 ACP for revolvers since 1917 and still does. Even moon clipped versions are a good choice, so much so that I'm considering coverting a Model 64 or even a Model 10 to 9MM. However, the 547 is magical since it doesn't require moon clips due to that special little pin and berylium clip system.

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Really nice comparison. Well done. Thanks, c good

Agreed. Always good when someone else does the math...

IMO 4" is rarer but 3" is more desirable. I also agree that 9 mm makes a lot of sense in a revolver, a standard 9 blows the doors off a .38. I would prefer a moon clipped to the 547 though.

I find the 3" guns more frequently. That's how I wound up with two 3" 547's and no 4". I'd agree that the 4" is rarer, but the 3" is more desireable. Either one is a great gun to have for many reasons.

9mm is a good performer from revolvers. It also ejects easily because the cases are so short. A 2" or 2.5" 547 would be a nice gun, and the short ejector rod wouldn't be any trouble with the 9mm case.

Thanks. I couldn't help but notice the dramatic difference in size between .38 spl and 9mm, and when I was finally able to track down speedloaders for my 547, even though I knew there would be a difference I had no idea it would be so great. Considering the increased power (not just velocity, but energy as well) you get from the 9mm in the same bullet weight class (to include 110 grainers), it's pretty interesting.

The OP and others should know that finding speedloaders for that 547 are getting pretty difficult. I found them on ebay a couple years ago got five, and go back from time to time to check for more, but haven't seen any for awhile. Get 'em while you can!

Last year I found a 547 3 inch RB. Great shape could not have been shot much. I was looking for a 3 inch 13 to replace the one I sold in my younger days. The 3 inch is a great size and though I have no other 9mm revolvers this one sold me on the idea. Found some speed loaders and now have 4. You will have no regrets. Keep us posted. Thanks.

According to the SCOSW your 'split' is just about spot on for the mix of 3'' to 4" models
Davis Carroll has a 4" right now ANIB at $1150.

I need a 547 bad. This thread is not helping.

Here is a 547 4" RB.
Purchased it at a gunshow and it had Bianchi hammer shroud grips that completely enveloped the butt. Took the grips off a few weeks later to discover a very crude grinding job on the butt. An afternoon with some hand files cleaned it up nicely. As it had been chromed, I was not too upset as I prefer a RB over a SB. Any collector value was lost by the finish anyway.

According to the SCSW, 6486 547s were made in 3" RB and 4084 made in 4" SB. I have seen a few 4" 547s at gun shows, but have only seen one 3" so I bought it.

As for shooting, I prefer K frame RBs over the SBs, but actually like a 4" with a RB.

Yup, I'm looking. But, for now I found that Tuff Quick strips work fine also (see picture). I use the 8 strip ones to give my fingers extra working space.

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If they have both 3 inch and a 4 inch 547's I will make it an easy decision BUY BOTH, THEY PROBABLY HAVE LAYAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a picture of mine I also have bought 5 or 6 speedloaders.

tekarra, as always, you are the king of 547 fans. I hope S&W sees your post. The new 647? And yes, I know S&W already makes one, but this is the one that should have been.

Hello MikeGolf,

I am not a king by any means, just a 547 affecionado. A lot of us wish S&W would resurrect the 547 and in a stainless steel version as well. As you are also a 547 affeciondao, I will tease with a picture of the others.

You are killing me! I have given you king and expert status as there are so few who are even familiar with the 547. I didn't even know it existed until about three years ago, and now I'm fascinated by it; I always look for a new thread about them.

I don't know if I had told you, but I own a 4" 547; I've never actually seen it. I bought it on gunbroker and sent it to my dad until I move back to the US.

I have had an idea for awhile about buying a model 64 and converting it to 9mm. I know, it's not the same...it would require the use of moons, but until the 547 goes back into production (I can't help but hope), it'll have to do. Seeing your chromed/nickeled 547 just motivates me more. However, if I see a chromed 547 like that, at the price rmj paid for, I'd snap it up in a second. I just can't believe that S&W won't make it, even moon clip version. As popular as 9mm is, they can't argue that there is no market, not when they are producing that Model 1917 repro.

Which is your favorite shooter? Let me know how the chromed one works...curious to know if it affects functioning and firing for good or worse.

I hope you return home soon so you can fondle your 547.

Of all mine, the 4" with the wood grips has the best trigger. In fact it has the best trigger of any K frame that I have fired. I like the chromed 4" because of the round butt. If you look closely at the photo, you can see where I sanded the Hogue grips to the contour of the butt. In the photo of three, the top two were surplused out of Israel in the mid 1980s. IIRC they were selling for $150; should have bought a couple more!

I have thought about converting a 64 as well, just have not had the time. Of course now is the time as police trade in 64s are going for reasonable prices.

In the meantime, I will continue to cruise the gun shows as the stubby hammer seems to catch my eye.

for fairly speedy reloads, you can also carry an autoloader magazine and stripthe rounds from the magazine right into the cylinder-have done this with a 45acp revovler and works pretty well. and yes non moon clipped 45's shot in my revolver just fine.

A good point MajorD and it does work well. I learned the a lesson though, there was a sharp edge one of the magazine lips and it sliced my thumb.

One of my many learning experiences in gun fun was with the S&W 547. Apparently the bores were closer to .38 special than 9mm. With my cast bullets at .355, almost every bullet keyholed. Sized to .358, good accuracy. Try everything.

3 inch has more of a demand, but me personally, I would rather have the 4 inch version to shoot.
Eric

547, 3 inch comes home in 10 days! Will post some pics soon. Thanks to all for the input. Now....if anyone knows where I can buy some speedloaders, please let me know. Or if anyone has one or two to sell. Please let me know. c good

I was very lucky to have purchased this Model 547 3" from a retired factory employee. He fitted the gun with a Model 19 recessed cylinder, so I have a dual caliber revolver. I like the 3" round butt, for carrying. Being a retired cop, to me anyway, 4" square butts guns are best for duty weapons, but great for shooting. Either gun would be great to own.

Very interesting and unique 547 Model39. Could it be related to the 547M?

Say it ain't so (you could have bought ten for what they go for now)!!!


I'm with you about 547s, the SB, 4" is my favorite. It has become my favorite type of all S&Ws lately. I've always liked the SB 4" model 10 (will get one soon, and try to resist the urge to convert it to 9MM) and the model 64 and 65. When the Model 619 came along, I was a happy camper (it currently uses up one of my meager licensed slots), but still love the K frames the best. I'm determined to convert a 64 to 9MM until S&W gets off it's duff and makes a real 647.

MikeGolf,

S&W does indeed make a real 647 revolver. It is called the Varminter and is chambered in .17 HMR. We know what you really mean though, is stainless steel 547.

I know about the current 647 (Varminter); sometime back someone had corrected me when I proposed my idea of a 647. Think I'd rather have our version of a 647!