Jerry Kuhnhausen, 5th Edition Revolver Manual

armorer951

armorer951

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Kuhnhausen has a "new" (2014) 5th Edition S&W Revolver Shop Manual out. Lots of added information, diagrams, photos, and more. A great reference manual for these great revolvers.

Decent price at Midway with free shipping......

The S&W Revolver: A Shop Manual 5th Edition Book by Jerry Kuhnhausen

Heritage also publishes several other books and DVD's by Kuhnhausen, inlcuding shop manuals on the 1911, Colt and Ruger DA and SA revolvers, and the Remington 870. There is a full list on the link below.......

Heritage Gun Books - Gunsmithing, Repair and Maintenance Manuals
 
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There is also a companion DVD done by Jerry Kuhnhausen called "Gunsmithing the S&W J,K,L,N Frame Revolvers". As it says on the DVD, This supplement Companion DVD Program adds a visual chapter to the book, The S&W Revolver; A Shop Manual. It's quite a bit more detailed than Miculek's DVD.
 
Thanks, I've been wanting the DVD.

I already have the 5th Edition book... judging from tone of the new section on MIM guns, 'ol Jerry isn't much of a fan of the newer revolvers, is he?
 
I just ordered the 5th edition and the DVD to supplement my meager attempts at taking care of my wheel guns! Thanks to all for your comments!
Hog
 
Got mine and still find it an incredible resource with many worthy additions, but a significant amount of the new material is a screed against current S&W, well, everything (products, materials, quality, corporate structure, etc.), and repeated hard pushes for Power Custom, well, everything.

Khunhausen himself has long been a bit of a mysterious figure; some think he's a pseudonym for several gunsmiths over the years, while others say he was real, hugely talented, quite reclusive, and no longer living. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that if Kuhnhausen is no more, Ron Power or someone with stock in the company is responsible for this addition, and not entirely to the reader's benefit.
 
I won't testify to this; but I think Jerry K has been dead since 2012; and as I hear it, indeed, Ron Power of Power Customs, (now known as Grandmasters L.L.C.), was SOLICITED to make informational additions to the latest book by who ever it was that printed it.

Ron Power is a gent from Missouri, probably pushing 80 years young now, and his company is largely being run by his son; I think of the same given name.
If there is anyone who knows more about the mechanics of revolvers outside of him and Frank Glenn I can't bring them to mind.

He, the old man. is as down to earth as they come, blessed with good common sense about lots of subjects, and on those occasions when he still answers the phone, (3rd ring) will take up as much time with you on a $3.00 question as if it meant a thousand.

I do not consider him, or his son a friend, but the three or four times I have called for help through the years they treated me like one.

I am hard pressed to think of any individual outside the S&W facilities, who has "thought-up", and made available, more good idea aftermarket items for Smith& Wesson revolvers, than Powers.

Does he think "less" of S&W now, than he did when the .357 magnum, the .44 mag, the Mdl 17s, and the "combat magnums" were being introduced as the masterpieces they are ?........ You'd have to ask him, but yeah, I expect so. Don't we all ?

As to the newest book. I will probably get one someday, but the "Jerrry K" books I already have are filled with more information than I can comprehend already.
 
The Kuhnhausen books are great, but don't have all of the info that may be needed. I found the listed items lacking info.
1, Fitting new ratchets to cylinders. He has very complete info on ratchet surfaces and the proper fit in relation to the hand.
2, Fitting new gas rings to cylinders.
3, Replacing broken or loose ratchet alignment pins.
4, Polishing rough chambers.
5, Removal of frame mounted firing pins, such as on the model 63.
6, He didn't include any info about using spent/empty cartridge cases when using a range rod/plug gauge to check for cylinder/barrel alignment. The cases keep the proper ratchet fit with each cylinder hole in case the ratchet pins are worn. I obtained this tidbit from Ron Power and those of you who couldn't seem to elliminate cylinder rubs should try this, it worked wonders for me. If you get the plug gauge to fit into the cartridge case without rubbing or ticking you really have good allignment. It goes without saying, make sure those are empty cartridge cases! I check about four five times to just make sure.

I am no expert but noticed that these items were missing and am sure that other items are missing. If any body has contact with Mr. Kuhnhausen, please request him to cover these items in the next edition he prints.
 
MygunisaS&Wrevolver said:
The Kuhnhausen books are great, but don't have all of the info that may be needed. I found the listed items lacking info.
1, Fitting new ratchets to cylinders. He has very complete info on ratchet surfaces and the proper fit in relation to the hand.
2, Fitting new gas rings to cylinders.
3, Replacing broken or loose ratchet alignment pins.
4, Polishing rough chambers.
5, Removal of frame mounted firing pins, such as on the model 63.
6, He didn't include any info about using spent/empty cartridge cases when using a range rod/plug gauge to check for cylinder/barrel alignment. The cases keep the proper ratchet fit with each cylinder hole in case the ratchet pins are worn. I obtained this tidbit from Ron Power and those of you who couldn't seem to elliminate cylinder rubs should try this, it worked wonders for me. If you get the plug gauge to fit into the cartridge case without rubbing or ticking you really have good allignment. It goes without saying, make sure those are empty cartridge cases! I check about four five times to just make sure.

I am no expert but noticed that these items were missing and am sure that other items are missing. If any body has contact with Mr. Kuhnhausen, please request him to cover these items in the next edition he prints.
Click to expand...
I was disappointed with the latest edition as well. Then I heard that Kuhnhausen had passed away and the newest edition wasn't written by him. That would explain the missing info.
 
After all of the old time gunsmiths with exceptional work ethics die off, only people who have taken the time to read and learn will be able to work on their older revolvers. Look what happened with Colt and the Colt Python. I see the same happening with Smith as they moved from gunsmith fitted guns to assembled guns.
 
I don't know if Kuhnhausen has passed or not, but Kull Auction is currently selling online what is described as the Jerry Kuhnhausen collection. The list includes some cut-away demo models and LOTS of M1s and 30 Carbines.
 
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