10" Model 48

['79 Magnum GT]

Around 50 years ago a friend of mine got me into actual fire arms. I always had a lot of toy guns back in the 60's and didn't get any real ones unto the late 70's. Any how he had a S&W M-48 in 22 magnum with a 4" bbl. he said that it came with a 10" bbl. and had it cut down to 4". The end of the bbl. was flat so it looked like it had been cut. I don't remember where the markings on the bbl. were.
I think the longer the bbl. the longer the distance from the end of the cylinder. I'm thinking that he misjudged the actual length so it must have been 8 3/8" instead of 10". This was before either of us were very knowledgeable about guns especially S&W's. Obviously he had more than I did. I haven't seen him in about 45 years so I can't ask him. My question is did S&W ever make a M-48 with a 10" bbl? I'm sure there must be several members out there that can clue me in on this that I've wondered about for years. For some reason it will pop in my head and quickly leave before I think to ask someone. I finally made it this time!

Rick

 

[Photog]

By no means any sort of an expert, but I would say no. I believe that the longest barrel they offered was the 8 3/4" on the Registered Magnum. Can't say they didn't do a special one, since they did produce one Registered Magnum in 22LR, I guess you can never say never. I know I have seen some really long barreled Ruger's that were made for export to places where there was a minimum barrel length requirement. Possible, yes; probable, no.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

By no means any sort of an expert, but I would say no. I believe that the longest barrel they offered was the 8 3/4" on the Registered Magnum. Can't say they didn't do a special one, since they did produce one Registered Magnum in 22LR, I guess you can never say never. I know I have seen some really long barreled Ruger's that were made for export to places where there was a minimum barrel length requirement. Possible, yes; probable, no.

Thanks Photog!
I'm not sure but I think it was manufactured in the 60's or early 70's since he bought used in 1974.

Rick

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

It was likely an 8 3/8" barrel. That was the longest length available on the model 48. I have one and love it. It's like shooting a rifle!

 

['79 Magnum GT]

It was likely an 8 3/8" barrel. That was the longest length available on the model 48. I have one and love it. It's like shooting a rifle!

That's what I'm thinking too. I think he just got the length wrong but I'll never know.

Rick

 

[duke2002]

I would agree on the 8 3/8. If i remember smith made some silhouette gun in larger calibers that may have been 10in but i would have to fact check myself with my smith book. The first 17 with a 8 3/8 was around 58 or 59. Not sure on 48's when they came out with a 8in tube.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

I would agree on the 8 3/8. If i remember smith made some silhouette gun in larger calibers that may have been 10in but i would have to fact check myself with my smith book. The first 17 with a 8 3/8 was around 58 or 59. Not sure on 48's when they came out with a 8in tube.

Yeah, the 29's had a 10 5/8 bbl. Don't know about any other calibers. This was a long time before that.

Rick

 

[Masterpiece]

I would agree on the 8 3/8. If i remember smith made some silhouette gun in larger calibers that may have been 10in but i would have to fact check myself with my smith book. The first 17 with a 8 3/8 was around 58 or 59. Not sure on 48's when they came out with a 8in tube.

 

[duke2002]

I have a 8in 48 and a 8in 17. I agree fun to shoot.