Just got a 5944 which looks to be in good condition - BUT on disassembly, the barrel is extremely difficult to remove from slide. In fact it wont come out without some force. Also it appears to have more gap at rear of ejector port than my 5904. (Picture attached). Wondering what is going on - someone substituted wrong barrel????. Markings look correct for SW barrel. I only know of one 9mm barrel with narrow hood that would be correct length (Same for 3904, 3906, 59xx with narrow hood?).


Second question, I know these were only made for 2 years 1991-1992. But there were 3 variations per SCSW4. Anyone know how many were made?


Best, Ed

Attached Images

IMG_9135.jpg (149.9 KB, 80 views)

Ed, if barrel will not come easily out of the slide:

Remove recoil spring and guide rod.

Turn slide over (right side up) and hold over table.

Barrel will usually fall right out.

John

Guide Rod & Recoil Spring removed - Barrel comes part way then hangs as if Barrel bushing is too tight or there is a clearance problem. Not the normal fit where barrel comes out easily like my other 3rd Gen pistols.

Further info - I swapped out barrel from an early 5904 and it goes in / comes out with much less effort - still a bit more than it came out of its original 5904 home. And the 5944 barrel is tight going into the 5904 - I did not put it all the way in after it seemed to bind up.

Put barrels side by side and cant see any real difference but there is a distinct difference on fit. 5944 barrel appears to be original S&W with all markings.

So now I need another 3906/5906 barrel with narrow hood.

New barrels are fitted by stoning/filing a small amount from the rear of the chamber hood where it contacts the breech face.

The correct amount has been removed when the barrel will just drop free from the slide.

Is that where yours is binding?

John

Maybe part of the problem. If it went back a bit further it might come free - but binding seems to be at front end barrel bushing trying to get down angle.

I guess I can dress off a bit of hood which might also address the gap at ejection port - any idea how much is typically taken off - thinking maybe 0.020 in at most? And what to use - dremmel?

. . . Than to put back on whatever was taken off in the first place.

It seems to me that JohnHL and you were/are on the proper tack: You've got a larger-than-usual gap in ye olde inspection port and a hang on the barrel's extraction, so take a little out of one end to get a proper function in both ends.

For whatever reason, it further seems a previous owner got a another, new-to-that gun barrel for that 5944, figuring it'd just drop in and all would be well.

Given my personal experiences with use of both a Dremel and some Arkansas stones, both have their place.

The stones are the more forgiving. The Dremel can flat out ruin a day in nothing flat. Given what I ruined, taking my time with a stone/s has proven its value many, many times over to me. Plus, there's a keen sense of satisfaction when whatever I've worked eventually drops perfectly into wherever it needs to go.

There's one last thought that deviates slightly from the above.

It might behoove to check the barrel's round where it meets the bushing as well as that of the up-front bushing.

Also, it would not surprised me to find your barrel "juts" from the front of that bushing just about the same distance as one might need to shave from the barrel's rear.

These are among the vagaries experienced when purchasing a used firearm. We who do so have no idea what transpired previously and must tread carefully.

While I did not expect to learn so many, many things about my firearms going into it all, I am glad for the learning experiences that have since transpired.

In the end, should a used-gun buyer not wish to tread where he or she has not desired, find an excellent gunsmith (most are easy to find today; they're gray hairs) and be willing to shell out a few extra bucks for his knowledge - no doubt gained through a few screw-ups, too.

It's like that time I decided my 318 Dodge engine's valve train was going a klackety klack too doggone much. So off came the valve covers and on went a properly sized socket. I cranked that klackety right out of those suckers. Every doggone one.

And on the very next crank that 318 didn't run worth didley squat, on top of it darn near shakin' itself out of my Polaris 500's engine bay.

The next day I learned about engine lash and that a properly lashed 318 valve train tended to go klackety klack. A lesson that cost a few bucks and a good deal of embarrassment, too.

Later.

DC

Ed, I sure hope you're joking about the Dremel (a.k.a. "The Devil's Paintbrush").

If your 5944 functions properly, I would not do anything to your barrel.
Even if it's a little difficult for you to remove.

If the barrel hood is too long, it will bind on the breech face and the slide will usually not cycle.

If you think it's binding in the bushing (not likely), remove the barrel and push the muzzle end bell of the barrel in to the muzzle end of the bushing and turn it by hand to see if there is any binding.

But again, if the pistol functions properly, leave the barrel alone.

John

It has been my experience that some barrels fit tighter than others. As long as the pistol functions reliably, a tighter fitting barrel is not a bad thing to have.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Thanks for responses and suggestions.
I have not fired the pistol - just tried to disassemble and clean and lubricate. Barrel is definitely a problem on disassembly and assembly. Its not just a tight fit.

Barrel from my 5904 fit better in the 5944 slide but still not loose. And the 5944 barrel was very tight in the 5904 slide, but not as bad as it was in the 5944 slide.

I also tried my replacement barrel for my 3906 (courtesy sndbggr1484) and both the replacement and the original 3906 barrel fit the 5944 slide nicely.

No noticable difference in barrel geometries - but I probably should put a micrometer on them.

I got Manufacture date back from S&W as March 1990 so its a very early 5944 (officially made in 1991-92) with curved Trigger guard and Novak sights.

Does not look to have seen much action - no obvious reason to replace barrel, but its definitely different fit from any of my other 3rd Gen pistols - and yes I have a few.

I may get to shoot it tomorrow - if not it will be at least a week before I can try it out to check slide function.

Let us know how it shoots.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA