While researching a current production model 60 2.125" .357 magnum I noticed that it has a two-piece barrel. What are the two pieces?

There is an inner "core" with the rifling, press-fit into the outer sleeve, which is the cosmetic part and has the rib and sight. The inner portion has the threads and forcing cone intergal to it.

So far as I know, all current production S&W's use a two-piece barrel.

Many current S & W revolvers have a relatively thin rifled tube that threads into the frame, an external barrel shroud, and an end cap at the muzzle. I recall when they were introduced the factory would not supply a special tool to disassemble the parts but this changed (or some clever person made their own tool).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

There is the actual barrel which has threads for the frame. Near the muzzle end the barrel also has a bit of a shoulder. Then there is the shroud which resembles outside of an older style barrel. The shroud is placed against the frame and it has a nub that indexes it to the frame. Then the barrel is inserted through the shroud and tightened securing everything in place. Some have a couple notches on muzzle of barrel that are engaged by a tool to tighten and some use a tool that actually engages the rifling.

It works

On older models that engage the rifling. If I wanted to take one apart and did not have the tool, I would find a piece of square stock that fit down the barrel. Plug the forcing cone end and then fill the about 1/2 full of low temp solder, stick in the square stock and use it to unscrew the barrel when it cooled. Install using same method. Some solders melt below 250f

My current production standard model 686's have 1 piece barrels.



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Slava Ukraini!

Good to know, maybe it's the Classic series that are all two-piece barrels. I'm NOT a fan of them.

Korth:



Dan Wesson:

Dan Wesson Model 15 from the early 70’s:

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During WWII, S&W made 1911 barrels that were of similar two piece construction. The Lugs were one piece, the chamber, rifling and front 2/3 of the outside were the other. None of mine were marked in any way, but where they joined in front of the lugs, there is anything from a line to a 1/16" gap. They shoot as well as any other military 45 barrel, but do seem to excel with cast bullets!

Ivan

Thanks for the informative replies. I don't think I'm a fan of two-piece barrels. I just don't understand why have them? It looks like I'm going to have to find an old-school model 60 .357 magnum 2.125".

The two-piece (or three-piece) barrel system is less expensive to manufacture. A side benefit is that the barrel is tensioned, which dampens vibration during firing, which results in better accuracy. Dan Wesson revolvers were well known for this type of barrel system and are legendary for their accuracy.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I have 2 revolvers with the two piece barrels and they are the most accurate revolvers I have ever owned. They are not classic but by gosh they shoot very good. I certainly would not hesitate to own another.

There seems to be some confusion between the pressed in barrel with the shoulder and the tensioned barrel/nut like the R8 has. What other SW models have the barrel/nut? Do all other current models have the pressed barrel/shoulder?

Just checked my Model 60-14 .357 LadySmith serial #CPUxxxx. Looks like a one-piece bbl to me...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I don't know anything about the two-piece barrels and don't know if I have any. When did S&W begin using this method of installation and is it easily recognizable? Is it done only on select models?

I'm all for increased accuracy despite the process used to obtain it.

Basically they figured out what Dan Wesson already figured out 50 years ago.

Interesting. I'm all for increased accuracy; however, I wonder if barrel longevity is affected by having a two-piece barrel.

For what it's worth, my current production 629-6 and 29-10 revolvers both use 1 piece barrels. My 629 PC Hunter and model 69 both have multi piece barrels. All shoot accurately with cast and jacketed.

While I believe the two piece barrels may offer an accuracy improvement, I think it is the overall tighter specs and CNC machining that makes a difference. The four "modern" revolvers listed above are also some of the most accurate .44's I own, and I would be hard pressed to grab any other older four N frame .44's out of my safe that would, as a group, beat the four listed above in accuracy, if not cosmetic finish.

Larry

And any patents on the system expired.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Should not affect durability and in the case of the K-frame 357's, actually better durability by eliminating the flat on the bottom of the forcing cone.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I think two piece barrel is a poor description. What advertising guy came up with that? The barrel is one piece covered buy a shroud. This did away with clocking which would be the major cost cutter. As far as wear, wouldn’t be any worse than conventional barrel.