I occasionally see some reference to the “S&W Armorer’s Manual” but I have never seen a copy and can’t find it on the S&W website. Can anybody comment on what is included in the Manual and where it can be bought? Also, how does it compare to Jerry Kuhnhausen’s S&W manual?

I don't believe S&W sells them. They are given to people who take the armorer's course from S&W. You might find one on Ebay, but I haven't looked. Kuhnhausen's book is excellent.

Armorer manuals are provided to students during armorer classes.

They aren't "technical manuals", but are written to assist the armorer who has already received current training and learned to apply the manual contents in a 'hands on' classroom environment while observing, and being observed by, a qualified instructor.

Yes, the manuals can be informative and educational when it comes to learning about the way the firearms operate and function, but they aren't something intended to serve as a 'correspondence course' in training someone to become a qualified armorer.

The manuals make a good reference for someone who has received training.

FWIW, I've found the notes I've taken during armorer classes to be very important when it comes to explaining material in the manuals, often adding further details and explanations provided by instructors, as well as supplementing the manual with things that aren't included in the manual.

Also, manuals are often updated as new manufacturing methods are introduced to the extent that it may affect armorers making simple field repairs (a field repair being a repair done outside the factory).

Design revisions and new model variations can also require occasional changes in armorer manuals. Sometimes a model variation may not be included in a manual, or not covered in any great detail, instead being discussed by an instructor and addressed during a class, with the student making whatever notes he/she feels is necessary to allow him/her to maintain & repair that model variation.

It's always interesting to hear how different instructors teaching different classes provide different levels of insight and experience over time, as well. Think of how one instructor who spent many years in production might have something different to add to teaching the class compared to another instructor who may be a retired cop who was hired and trained to teach armorer classes.

The manuals are generally written and created by the S&W Training Academy, BTW.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I recently acquired a copy of the S&W Armorer's manual. I bought a S&W armorers toolkit from a fellow who had got it from an estate sale.
I was surprised when it came with the manual.

The manual is a 59 paged book in a 3 ring binder. It is printed one sided on glossy card stock. It is not copyrighted but is published by the S&W Academy and says it's use is restricted to those who have completed the armorers course.

I am not a gunsmith or armorer but from reading it and my Kunhausen book, I would say the manual is less comprehensive than Kunhausen and is aimed more for the armorer, trained in specific weapons. More complicated tasks that Kunhausen would tackle are referred to the factory. For example installing a new barrel is not covered.

However, for someone like myself, with a mechanical background, I found the manual very interesting reading, clear and with good diagrams. I would feel confident using it for the tasks it covers.

Section 5 has a troubleshooting chart.

Section 7 describes repairs and covers the following;

Extractor Rod Straightening
Yoke Repair, cylinder end shake
Yoke realigning
Burr removal
Mainspring & Strain screw repair
Trigger repair/replacement
Hammer replacement
Sear replacement
Rebound & rebound sprin replacement
Cylinder stop replacement
Hammer block replacement
Bolt replacement
Hand replacement
Extractor rod replacement
Extractor spring replacement
Yoke screw replacement
Yoke end-shake screw, Fitting
Locking Bolt, replacement
Adjustable sightd, replacment

These are the two sections I found most useful. The other sections cover Operation, Inspection, Cleaning, Dissassembly and Reassembly. I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you would like more info.

If its anything like the older S&W armorers manuals I'm familiar with, the factory manual is just that: A manual for a department armorer who's really a part changer and small repair man not a real gunsmith.

For real gunsmithing info buy the Jerry Kuhnhausen S&W shop manual, "The S&W Revolvers: A Shop Manual" from Midway.

This is a true pistolsmiths manual that covers just about everything on the S&W revolvers, and its all done to factory standards, no heating and bending or soldering of parts.

Thanks guys for all the great replies! I already have Jerry Kuhnhausen's manual and it would seem from your answers that it is better than the S&W manual for my needs. Thanks again.

There is not that much stuff out there so his book is a good start.
However, it doesn't cover modern era revolvers plus nothing in the book about hand replacement.

If you don't believe me, just look up on which side of the window you file to fit an oversized hand....Left or Right?

I recommend AGI DVDs and the Jerry Miculek videos in addition to Kuhnhausen book.

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NRA Benefactor Member