Just bought a S&W-3566 from one of my local dealers, it was one of two that he had.
If I am to understand it correctly, it was "One of Two Hundred" made.
Also some 147 g. Federal Match rounds to go along with it so I can reload also.
It's like 99.5%, with the Performance Center box and all the goodies.
I dare say that it is tighter and smoother than my 945 and 952,
we'll see tomorrow at the range, it might just be my excitement with a new caliber .
I have found limited history on this model and this round.
Any information from the 356TSW guys/gals would be greatly appreciated, reload info?
I understand it is a 9x21.5 and that I can start with 9x21 load data.
Sorry I don't have a picture yet.
Regards,
BM1

Just bought a S&W-3566 from one of my local dealers, it was one of two that he had.
If I am to understand it correctly, it was "One of Two Hundred" made.
Also some 147 g. Federal Match rounds to go along with it so I can reload also.
It's like 99.5%, with the Performance Center box and all the goodies.
I dare say that it is tighter and smoother than my 945 and 952,
we'll see tomorrow at the range, it might just be my excitement with a new caliber .
I have found limited history on this model and this round.
Any information from the 356TSW guys/gals would be greatly appreciated, reload info?
I understand it is a 9x21.5 and that I can start with 9x21 load data.
Sorry I don't have a picture yet.
Regards,
BM1

Pictures! We want pictures!

If you're in tight with the Performance Center, they will fit a 9mm (9x19) barrel to the gun and you can shoot more inexpensively.

What other model did the dealer have for sale?

Good luck with it. The build quality and the spherical bushing are great. Mine sits in the safe and hasn't seen the light of day in many years. I have zero interest in reloading again and it is a dead caliber.

Not a dealer in the area wants it on trade for anything and I don't feel like spending the money for a 9mm conversion to turn it into a Frankengun.

If it is the compact model on the 6900 size frame then it was one of 200, Full size 5" guns there were around 1,500. Either way they are tack drivers. You can easily load them down to 9mm specs although you might need to go to a lighter spring. In the compact you can remove the inner spring with light loads. There are a couple of differant specs for 9x21, the way it was originaly made was the same as standard 9x19. Then you have the IPSC/USPSA loads that made major power factor, plenty safe in the 356 brass. The last I heard was $250 to have a 9x19 barrel installed, it doesn't hurt the gun any as you can always put the the 356 back in with no problem. Only other change would be the recoil spring, full size guns used a 17# while 9s' use 14#. I know this will stir things up, but I've shot thousands of 9mm through my 356 barreled guns without a hitch.

Tony S45,
Thanks, I've heard about those that have changed them over to a 9 m.m. Luger/Para,
But I bought all the 147 g. Federal Match ammo that they had (2000+ rounds) cheap,
So I will be good for the reloading process (brass) for some time to come.
Besides it will only cost me like a 9 m.m. would, with a little more powder.

Handgunner356,
It's the compact model like on my 6906 size frame and it's twin brother is still sitting there in the display case.
I already had three of the PC 356TSW mags for the larger frame so I just ordered some of the Magazine Butt Plate +/2 Adapters from S&W, $8.00 ea., Brownell's wanted $10.15 ea.
I would love to get a hold of the reloading data for the IPSC/USPSA loads that make the major power factor.
Reloading data, anyone?
Please keep the info coming on the 356TSW.
Regards,
BM1

I shoot my 3566 TSW in ESP IDPA all the time. Love this gun and it even makes me a better shot, this is a one hole gun it the right hands.
I only shoot 356TSW 9x21.5 in this gun shooting 9x19 runs the risk of damaging the extractor because that is what is holding the round in the chamber.
My load for the 356TSW which has served me best, (most accurate and reliable for me in my gun) after a lot of experimentation is:
7.5gr. Accurate #7 Powder
124gr. FMJ .355 round nose bullet Winchester or Remington
OAL 1.165
It has been my experience to only use top quality bullets some of the lesser brand bulk bullets have too large a length and weight variation and will change accuracy quite a bit. I never use plated or lead.
New brass is available from Starline and is reasonably priced. I was lucky I ended up with a couple 1000 rounds of brass from one of the guys that was on the S&W IPSC team in the 90's.
3356TSW and PC5906 close cousins.

Who is your local dealer that has two 3356 gun?
What range will you be going to?
Do you shoot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center?

One unique feature to the compact is the steel frame. Only it and the SD9/356/40 used that steel 6900 size frame, that's only around 500 total. I'd probably stick with 9mm+P data, overall length remains the same in 356 and it would be hard to get the major power factor out of the 3.5" barrel. I actually use a lot of 135gr plated bullets around 1250fps out of a 5" which makes major with good results.

I'm curious to know the total amount made. The original run was intermixed with the first full size Limited gun and shared the TSW serial prefix. I was under the impression that it was 1/2 of that run of 500. Subsequently there were more made with a PCY serial prefix.
Anyone know how the numbers line up with the different serial number prefix's?

I've owned two Shorty's in the TSW027x range and have seen a couple of the PCY guns....

I think there must have been more than 200 made because they seem to pop up for sale so frequently. My compact model is a PCY serial number. I recall the 356 line being sold in sets where you got the full and compact size pistols. I think those were PCY serials and the regular run was TSW. I could be wrong but that is what I recall.

I bought a NIB PC Model 3566 back in 1994. It is one of the 6900 frame based DA/SA models with the 4.25 inch barrel. Mine is a Stocking Dealer verison and has the serial number SD000020 which I assume means that it is number twenty of however many that were produced.

Mine came with two .356 TSW marked magazines. A twelve round with a finger extension and a 15 rounder with a neoprene collar. I bought two Model 6906 9mm mags at a much cheaper price that the .356 marked mags and they work just fine.

I've shot several hundred rounds of the Federal factory 147 gr FMJ Match load and also a box of the now discontinued Corbon 124 gr Bonded Hollow Point (actually the Speer Gold Dot).

Here are the chronographed velocities for these two loads.

Federal 147 gr Match - 1167 fps/445 fpe

Corbon 124 gr BHP - 1356 fps/506 fpe

Last year I was able to purchase sixteen boxes of the FC 147 gr Match load for only $9.00 a box from a dealer going out of business. With the ammo I had on hand plus fired cases, I have a lifetime supply of ammo and cases for handloading. Once in a while I carry the M3566 as a CCW piece just to be different and load it with the Corbon rounds.

I have worked up a small number of handloads for my pistol. These loads are safe in MY M3566, but as always one should use caution in handloading a high performance round such as the .356 TSW.

Hornady 115 gr XTP-HP/8.4 grs WAP/1358 fps/471 fpe

Hornady 124 gr XTP-HP/8.0 grs WAP/1303 fps/468 fpe

Hornady 124 gr FMJ-FP/8.0 grs WAP/1290 fps/458 fpe

Remington 147 gr FMJ/6.9 grs WAP/1110 fps/402 fpe

I purchased a set of the 6900 series grip inserts for my Ransom Rest and modified them to fit the 3566 frame. Both factory loads and all of the above handloads were tested for accuracy at 25 yards using ten shot groups.

The Federal 147 gr FMJ Match gave 1.0 inch groups center to center. This is slightly better than my Model 52-2 with Win 148 gr HBWC factory loads. The real suprise was the 147 grain FMJ handload. Ten shots gave 0.75 inch center to center. This is the best accuracy I have ever gotten from any centerfire auto pistol regardless of make or chambering. The handloads with the Hornady bullets averaged 1.25 inches for the three different bullets. Everything shoots accurately in this pistol.

I've shot the Fiocchi 9x21 123 gr JTC factory ammo in the M3566 and it fed, fired, and ejected without any problems. I tried WWB 9mm 115 gr FMJ and ran into problems with pierced primers. I suppose if I just had to, I'd send my 3566 back to the PC and have a 9mm barrel fitted. But with plenty of ammo and handloads on hand, it just does't seem worth the trouble or expense.


Roadster

I am sure there are more than 200 compacts also.
Most I see are the TSW prefix.
Never saw a TSW (compact or Ltd) prefix over 600 personally
My PCY is paired with a matching TSW Ltd, and PCYs were produced after the TSWs ,so Orangehole's theory may be correct.
What is the highest SN TSW and PCY guns you guys have seen ?
Roadster, why did you have to modify the inserts?
I just bought a Ransom rest and that insert is on my list

__________________
PC semiauto collector

Well,
I shot it yesterday and I have got to say it is the hottest/coolest 9 m.m. that I have ever shot.
Also the most accurate 9 m.m. compact, right up there just a little hair short of my 952.
The +2 grip extensions works great with the 15rd. magazines.
All in all I am very impressed/happy with this purchase, especially since I reload.
Thank you all for the responses and I'll try that reload data.
Regards,
BM1

Grinder,

The beavertail on the PC M3566 is bigger than the beavertail on the M6906. So I trimmed away the neoprene with an X-Acto knife to get a proper fit.


Roadster

Thanks Roadster

__________________
PC semiauto collector

bad_man_one what dealer has the other 3566?
What range do you shoot at?
Do you ever shoot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center?

JDLSALES,
Sorry I didn't see your post the first time, I didn't have my "notifications" on.
I found out it went to Sparky's in Webster MA.
Are you the one that got it?
Regards,
BM1

No, that one was mine.

Bob

I do not even know where Sparky's is and I don't even think I have ever been to Webster MA.
I eneded up spending my money on a new S&W 4inch 500 to go along with the 2 3/4 inch 460 I have and a 50 cal Beowulf upper to build a 50 cal AR.
Have you ever shot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center. I know Rbert0005 has.
If the 3566 still floating around for sale? I would still be intrested.

JDLSALES,
Hartford Gun Club in East Granby, CT. and Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge, MA.
I did some last fall after they had their "Club 1852 October Super Shooting Weekend".
I won a three month Gold membership as a "door prize".
Won "High Service Pistol" class in the indoor match.
My Wife scored Third Place Lady's.
Regards,
BM1

John,

The gun in question was at Sparkys because it came in for me.
It was mine, all the way.

Bob

Bob,
Have you taken it to the range yet?
As I posted the other day:
I shot it and I have got to say it is the hottest/coolest 9 m.m. that I have ever shot.
Also the most accurate 9 m.m. compact, right up there just a little hair short of my 952.
The +2 grip extensions works great with the 15rd. magazines.
All in all I am very impressed/happy with this purchase, especially since I reload.
Thank you all for the responses and I'll try that reload data.
Regards,
BM1

BM1 I shoot IDPA at the Hartford Gun Club.
Robert where did you find the gun?

JDLSALES,
They were both at Hoffman's in Newington, CT
Regards,
BM1

I have a pair of S&W mod.3566s with PCY SNs in 356 TS&W that came from Lew Horton that I bought new in the 90s and have 500 handloads that were loaded as follows. New Starline brass, 6.2 grs. Universal powder, 124 gr. gold dot HPs, Win.SP primers... I can't remember or figure out where the load information came from and would like to know if this is a safe load, is it hot, mild, weak or what..???
These are unfired (unless tested by S&W) so these loads were not tested by me... I also have 500 more pieces of brass that I would like to load if these loads are good...
BTW-I have a copy from S&W somewhere that states the PCY00?? SNs that there was only either 200 or 300 made, but can't remember which, dang its good to get old...lol.. But if I find it I will post it...
All help greatly appreciated...
Thanks and have a good .1"...XPman...

Rbert0005,
Did you get to the range with it yet?

XPman,
I would love to see that letter on the PCYxxxx serial numbers as to how many were produced.

Regards,
BM1

BM1, Me too, I can't figure out where it got to, I sure need to keep up with it... I went through "My Documents" and email back through Jan. 07 which is where I had cleared out to...I looked under the top & bottom foam in the boxes all I can find for now is what I have wrote in my list of gun values, 2 of 300, but I am almost sure that when I got the email or letter it was less than I thought... I know I have kept, that but where, no way would I have trashed it on purpose.... Hopefully it will turn up... I did however find the receipt when I bought the guns (1-28-94) $1,557.50 plus $128.49 tax for a total of $1,685.99...
Have a good .1"...XPman...

Bad man,

Yes I got to the range with it. Very impressed with it, for sure.

The only thing is that I have traded it away for a 4" 945.

Such is my life. They come and they go.

Bob

Got the 356 load info from Sierra yesterday and 6.3grs. Universal w/Sierra 125 was a top load at 1300fps & 469 ft.#... So my loads should be good, sure glad to find that out... I still don't know what went with the letter from S&W, but with so many piles of junk I may still find it...
Have a good .1"...XPman...

BM1--I found the letter which turned out to be an email from Lew Horton & not S&W...Dated
4-14-2000... I emailed Lew Horton as follows...
Sirs;
Some time back I purchased a pair of S&W Performance Center pistols that came from you, and was told that they were a limited run of 500. I have since seen them in the blue book and it does not state that they were a limited run. The ones I have are consecutive SNs--0xx,0xx,and unfired. I was wondering if they are of a limited run or not...Thanks ....Tater....

From Lew Horton 4-19-2000
(quote)
Dear Tater,
Thank you for your interest in Lew Hortons. Lew Horton's produced two M3566 Special Editions from the S&W Performance Center. The 3 1/2" barrel model had a run of 300 produced. The 5" model had 125 produced.
Also-the Performance Center produced a stocking dealer special edition with a 4 1/4" barrel. You would have to contact S&W to find out how many of these were produced. Their phone # is 800-331-0852.
Thanks again for your interest.(end quote)
HTH...Have a good .1"...XPman...

Thanks XPman.
Regards,
BM1

Can a 3566 tactical be rebarrelled to shoot the 9x23?

Will the mags fit & feed the +2mm OAL? (Same OAL as 38 super IIRC)

If so, I know where there is one for sale I may buy.

Thank you in advance for any information on this.

No, the 9x23 is too long for the mags. You need a 45 frame size to fit the 9x23 in.

Bob,
Did it go to DGS Guns, 320 School Street, Marshfield, MA 02050, it looks like the same S/N?
I see one on GunsAmerica. HERE
Regards,
BM1