Would anyone know how many Registered Magnums came in 6 inch? I've been under the impression 6 1/2 inch was common and 6 inch was much lower? Thanks.

Some years ago, Roy Jinks wrote an article, I believe in the S&WCA Journal, giving the number of Registered Magnums made in each barrel length from 3.5 in. to 8 3/4 in. All the original barrels were made in 8 3/4 in. length and then cut to what ever length a gun was ordered, if not in 8 3/4th in. The rarest one being only one made in 8 1/8th in, as best I can recall. I think your impression that there were less 6 in. barrels than 6 1/2 in is probably correct. I don't have the Vol # handy of which Journal issue had the article. Perhaps some other member can furnish the reference. Ed.

Per Roy's article, 6.5" was the most common, with an estimated production of just over 1,500, then 5", 6", and 8.75" with 700-900 of each of those lengths.

Lengths were in the 1/4" increments with one exception and that is the 8 3/8" (of which there are estimated to be fewer than 40). The most rare lengths were the ones in the 1/4" lengths (e.g. 7.75", 7.25", 6.25", 5.75", 5.25", 4.25", 4.75" - fewer than 5 estimated in each of these lengths).

Also, just a side note - there is some discussion that Roy's article and estimated production numbers did NOT include guns that were shipped in bulk to police departments, as they were not eligible to receive the registration certificate. It is thought that many of these guns were shipped with 6" barrels, which would increase the number of guns shipped with REG numbers that were shipped with 6" barrels.

For reference, here is my nicest 6" RM - REG 1530 (a 99%+ gun) in the condition that it shipped from the factory...





Hope that this helps.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I've been the big advocate of that theory here for about the last 10 or so years. But my point was more toward the 4" guns than 6" ones. Almost all the KC guns were 4" and that tends to make the 4" guns one of the most common instead of a rare length.

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Dick Burg

My notes which IIRC came from the article:
6.5-1,518
5.0- 869
6.0- 839
8.75- 735
4.0- 587 (if you count KCPD guns that had Reg####, 337 if not)
3.5- 408
5.5- 140
4.5- 108
7.5- 79
8.375- 35
These are the best numbers I have seen but are still only an estimate. Out of 5500 RM that leaves @182 in various other lengths. While some have been lost to time, those that remain in original condition are becoming more expensive.

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PTLAPTA!

Thanks gentleman for all your help.