Among my .38s, I have a 67-2 (pinned, red front sight insert) in immaculate condition, and I have a 64-3 4" (? too lazy to go look up the dash number now, sorry) with a heavy barrel that was an Austrian police gun and so marked.

The 67 is beautiful but I'd like to find another one with a one-piece heavier barrel, similar to my 64's. I searched and searched, but could not find info. on the engineering change "dash numbers" for the 67 in order to identify which dash numbers have one piece heavy barrels.

Anyone know which 67s had heavier barrels, their dash numbers and manufacturing differences?

Thanks in advance and have a great weekend!

The model 67 originally had a medium weight barrel with a top rib. The latest versions (-6 or 7?) had a three-piece barrel (barrel, external shroud and cap) that is wider in profile, but I'm not sure if this is as heavy as your model 64's barrel.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I don't think they ever made a heavy barrel in 4".

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Dick

First off thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, I couldn't find many pics of what I'm referring to a heavy barreled Model 67, but I am including one from a 67-5 I got off the net a while ago. Note, it's straight tapered, but I cannot tell whether it's a three piece or not (no pics of the end).

Probably redundant info. but I'm also attaching pics of my 64-3 (heavy barrel), 14-3, and 67-1 (confirmed dash 1). Note, on the pics of the underside of the barrel, how that of the 14-3 is thicker than that of the 67-1 (metal surrounding ejection rod). It's my impression that the 14-3 is also thicker at the muzzle than the 67-1, and not just the top rib, either. I don't see how the 67 can be considered a medium taper, but I'll take the experts' word on it.

For the heck of it, I'm including pics of the European stamps on the 64-3.

I'd still like to hear whether or not a one piece straight-taper model 67 exists and what the dash number is, or how else to identify it (straight taper and on visible end cap?).

Thanks again!

I think you've already found your answer, the 67-5 is the one with the "heavy" one piece barrel. IIRC it was the 67-6 that got the 2 piece barrel.

I believe (not having a model 10/64 and 15/67 to compare handy) that the adjustable sight guns' barrels have a slightly heavier profile to them. It may just be an optical illusion from the barrel rib and ramp front sight, however.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I can't tell from the pic if that is indeed a 67-5, or even if it has a one piece barrel. Also, I'm curious as to whether models 67-2 through 67-4 have one piece heavy barrels. The more models that fit the description, the easier it'll be my search. Ideally, I'd like one without the internal lock, but at this point, the heavy one-piece barrel is more important to me.

If anyone knows for sure, please let me know. Also, if anyone has one and wants to trade on a pristine 67-1 (no box or papers), please email me.

Thanks again

As someone who owns a revolver with the 2 piece barrel (a 620) I know quite well what to look for. That heavy barreled 67 that you posted a picture of is most definately a one piece barrel.

BTW, IMO you'll find you've been a bit foolish in selling your 67-1. Because IMO the 67-1 has the finest balance of any 4 inch revolver ever made. IMO the tapered barrel model 15 and 67 are sort of the Lotus Seven of the gun world, they may not be the most powerful but you won't find anything with more nimble handling.

Your photos 3 and 4 from the top show a 67-5. It was the only one made (2002-'04) with the internal lock and the one-piece heavy barrel; the -6 has the multi-piece barrel. Can't tell you if the -3 and 4 had the heavy barrel, as I can't recall ever seeing one of either of these. I'm fairly sure the -2 still had the same barrel as your -1, but probably without the pin.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

scooter123

Other than the distinctive line around the muzzle "cap", how can you tell whether it's a "multiple piece" barrel from the usual side images? I enjoyed the comparison to the Lotus 7, btw, and very rarely see one, probably Caterham, on nicer days around here.

I'm sure in terms of quality if manufacture, the 67-1 beats a 67-3/-4/-5, but I happen to like the weight of the heavier barrel, and since it'll be a "range gun," meaning it won't be carried, the added weight is more a pro than a con.

Maybe I'll skip the trade, simply look for one to buy and compare both at the range later.

The key tipoff for the 2 piece barrels in a side view is that line for the muzzle "cap". That picture you posted of that -5 doesn't have this feature and instead has the square cut barrel end that is common for today's one piece barrels.

I'll also second your thought on simply purchasing another model 67 and comparing them. IMO there are some models that you just can't have too many of and the model 67 is one of those.

Roger that. Thanks again for your kind feedback!

I looked at a model 67-6 at a gun shop and the barrel looked like a one piece... I'm glad I checked this post. I have a 66-8 that is a two piece and it has no cap. It's an obvious two piece.. Wonder why S&W put a cap on the 67-6. There is almost no way to tell that the 67-6 has a two piece barrel.. Glad I found out.

To improve their appearance the more recently made shrouds are recessed so that the flange around the muzzle seats against a step inside the shroud. What has previously been called a muzzle cap in this thread is the front of the older style barrel. In both vintages a wrench that has the reverse image of the rifling is used to tighten the barrel putting it under tension. The shrouds are keyed into the frame so they can't rotate.