I am doing some research into the history of weapons with interchangeable barrels and cannot seem to find a clear answer to what I thought would have been an easy question: Did Smith and Wesson (prior to 1980) ever make a revolver (specifically a .38 or a .357) with an interchangeable barrel system similar to the Dan Wesson system? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!
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Interchangeable Barrels
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merl67
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In a short answer no I have seen some on here shipped with a second shorter or longer barrel but as far as anything like the Dan Wesson models no. The second barrel required the barrel pin to be driven out barrel unscrewed (which would require proper action wrench and barrel vice) and second barrel put back on in like manner not a quik change method. There were older Topbreaks shipped with second barrels that were fairly quick to change only the one screw to take out to change the barrel. Hope this helps any correction by our more experienced members welcome.
Thin Man
Member
In a word, never.
Dan Wesson was, as far as I know, the first commercially successful manufacturer of a user-interchangeable barreled revolver "system".
Dan Wesson was, as far as I know, the first commercially successful manufacturer of a user-interchangeable barreled revolver "system".
No, unless it was a prototype that has not made it into collectors' books.
However, N frames have been modified outside of the factory to take interchangeable Dan Wesson barrels. The author George Nonte modified a Model 57 to use 2 lengths of Dan Wesson barrels. Since they were only 1" different in length it looked like just an excuse to create material to publish. He was probably not the only one.
However, N frames have been modified outside of the factory to take interchangeable Dan Wesson barrels. The author George Nonte modified a Model 57 to use 2 lengths of Dan Wesson barrels. Since they were only 1" different in length it looked like just an excuse to create material to publish. He was probably not the only one.
scooter123
Member
As noted S&W has NEVER offered a revolver with an interchangeable barrel. However there is a rumor on the Net that Dan Wesson did about 500 revolvers that used the S&W L frame. That has to be one very sweet package because the lockwork on a S&W is heads and shoulders better than that used on the original Dan Wesson design.
BTW, I have a Dan Wesson 15-2 and while it's a very accurate revolver the short action design results in a Double Action trigger that can only be set to HEAVY (12.5 lbs) and they came from the factory at VERY HEAVY (14 lbs. or more). When I first got my 15-2 the previous owner had trimmed the mainspring to produce a 11.5 lbs. DA trigger weight and with CCI 550 Magnum primed ammunition it would not fire one single round in double action. Fortunately Numrich Gun Parts had new springs in stock so it now functions properly, however it aint a light trigger. Note, single action on the DW is basically exactly the same as that on a well tuned S&W, zero creep and a break just a hint over 3 lbs.
BTW, I have a Dan Wesson 15-2 and while it's a very accurate revolver the short action design results in a Double Action trigger that can only be set to HEAVY (12.5 lbs) and they came from the factory at VERY HEAVY (14 lbs. or more). When I first got my 15-2 the previous owner had trimmed the mainspring to produce a 11.5 lbs. DA trigger weight and with CCI 550 Magnum primed ammunition it would not fire one single round in double action. Fortunately Numrich Gun Parts had new springs in stock so it now functions properly, however it aint a light trigger. Note, single action on the DW is basically exactly the same as that on a well tuned S&W, zero creep and a break just a hint over 3 lbs.
Jersey Doug
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Mine all have the barrel pin out (does nothing anyway) so as can change my S&W barrels all the time, also have converted M-15 (.38s) into .327s and .22 jet mags doing barrel and cylinder switches.
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BruceM
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Better you than me.
This practice is not recommended by Smith & Wesson or any knowledgeable gunsmith I know of.
Bruce
Jersey Doug
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Frank Glenn does my work I'm sure if there was a problem of concern creating these conversions he would have relayed that info to me, just a matter of knowing what you're doing. My first was a M-28 .357 into a .44 special in 1974, now (with a M-29 cylinder and barrel change) it's a .44 magnum next week maybe,, could be a .41 mag or .45 . "Not recommended" how many times have I heard that one.
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BruceM
Member
My sentiments concerning Frank Glenn also.
Bruce
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