2 piece barrels
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charlie sherrill
Member
I can still find most of the originals for less than that. Actual costs are usually much less than MSRP.
Interestingly enough, some of the most expensive models S&W makes have two piece barrels. I'm refering to some of the 3XX guns such as the N frames that are all north of $12-1300 MSRP. Not sure it has yet been demonstrated that the two piece barrels are necessarily inferior or less costly to manufacture. Actually, it seems I've read something about Smith buying the barrels from some outfit in Germany. The Dan Wessons with their two piece barrels have long been noted for their superior accuracy.
scooter123
Member
With Smith & Wesson, the cost savings is probably the driving force. Quite simply, one barrel can be fitted to a wide variety of barrel shrouds and this can reduce production costs.
However, for Dan Wesson revolvers the driving force for the suspended barrel was that it produces a more accurate revolver. Gun barrels do move in response to a bullet pasing through them. When the barrel is retained at just one end, that movement is basically a whipping motion.
Bull, or large diameter, barrels are an effort to reduce this tendancy to "whip". So are top ribs and full length underlugs. However, even with these measures a barrel mounted at just one point will "hinge" where it is mounted to the frame because of the reduction in dameter at the mounting point.
Now, with a suspended barrel you have a different result when the bullet is fired. Because it's mounted in a larger diameter tube with a wide bearing surface on the frame, the the tendancy for the muzzle to "whip" is reduced. In addition, a barrel that is under tension has less tendancy to exhibit mid barrel movement than a barrel that is not under tension. Basically, it's a package that is stiffer than other methods of mounting. Because of this, it's possible to produce a revolver with accuracy that matches or exceeds that of a very heavy bull barrel without the extreme weight gain of a bull barrel.
Which is one reason why I chose to purchase the 620 for a 357 over the 686 Plus. In terms of system dynamics, it's a superior system of mounting a barrel on a handgun. The other reason is that I don't like the way a full length underlug looks, however that didn't stop me from purchasing my 610.
Now, off a hard bench rest my 620 is the most accurate handgun I own. On two seperate occasions, shooting from a hard bench rest in single action, I have managed to put 3 rounds into a group that could be covered with a dime at 40 feet. The best I've been able to do with my 610 at the same distance is a half dollar group. However, I've been sorting out a leading issue with the 610 when used with the 40 S&W so I may improve on that down the road.
Point is, there are some distinct advantages to mounting a gun barrel in this way. However, I have yet to shoot any revolver in double action anywhere close to it's potential for accuracy, so for most of us it's a moot point. Still, it is sometimes fun to play with a really accurate handgun in single action. You should give you model 64 a tryout at this before you decide it's an inferior gun, the potential for accuracy will probably surprize you. BTW, my 620 groups really well with Federal 130 grain FMJ 38 spl.
However, for Dan Wesson revolvers the driving force for the suspended barrel was that it produces a more accurate revolver. Gun barrels do move in response to a bullet pasing through them. When the barrel is retained at just one end, that movement is basically a whipping motion.
Bull, or large diameter, barrels are an effort to reduce this tendancy to "whip". So are top ribs and full length underlugs. However, even with these measures a barrel mounted at just one point will "hinge" where it is mounted to the frame because of the reduction in dameter at the mounting point.
Now, with a suspended barrel you have a different result when the bullet is fired. Because it's mounted in a larger diameter tube with a wide bearing surface on the frame, the the tendancy for the muzzle to "whip" is reduced. In addition, a barrel that is under tension has less tendancy to exhibit mid barrel movement than a barrel that is not under tension. Basically, it's a package that is stiffer than other methods of mounting. Because of this, it's possible to produce a revolver with accuracy that matches or exceeds that of a very heavy bull barrel without the extreme weight gain of a bull barrel.
Which is one reason why I chose to purchase the 620 for a 357 over the 686 Plus. In terms of system dynamics, it's a superior system of mounting a barrel on a handgun. The other reason is that I don't like the way a full length underlug looks, however that didn't stop me from purchasing my 610.
Now, off a hard bench rest my 620 is the most accurate handgun I own. On two seperate occasions, shooting from a hard bench rest in single action, I have managed to put 3 rounds into a group that could be covered with a dime at 40 feet. The best I've been able to do with my 610 at the same distance is a half dollar group. However, I've been sorting out a leading issue with the 610 when used with the 40 S&W so I may improve on that down the road.
Point is, there are some distinct advantages to mounting a gun barrel in this way. However, I have yet to shoot any revolver in double action anywhere close to it's potential for accuracy, so for most of us it's a moot point. Still, it is sometimes fun to play with a really accurate handgun in single action. You should give you model 64 a tryout at this before you decide it's an inferior gun, the potential for accuracy will probably surprize you. BTW, my 620 groups really well with Federal 130 grain FMJ 38 spl.
Thank you scooter for your imput. I called smith and wesson and asked them to clarify their reasoning behind doing this and they told me that it was for improved accuracy as well as ease of sight alignment at the factory. the tech I talked to told me that this method was actually more expensive due to all the extra manufacturing at the factory. This I'm haveing a hard time buying but who knows. You make a very good point though and I shall definitly have to try some single action bullseye shooting before making any final judgements.I cant help but to wounder though if this isint akin to buying a new car. You pay $40,000. for and the entire thing is made of plastic.Anyway thanks again and good luck with your M620 I'm glad that smith didint completely drop the models 65 and 66 they just gave them a facelift.
Hmmm!?!
I sent a question off to S&W about this very thing. Anticipating a purchase of a M64 and/or M10. I was assured that current production is one-piece. Years ago, I had heard about these going to 2-piece and secured a remaining one-piece barreled model. I know this because they incorrectly sent a 2-piece version first, and I had it sent back.
Now, they (and other sources) assure me that current production is all one-piece (at least on these models).
How old is you M64-8? New old-stock?
To clarify: I did get that one-piece barreled M64 3-inch several years ago. I'm looking into a 4-inch now. ...and yes, they will both have the internal lock.
I sent a question off to S&W about this very thing. Anticipating a purchase of a M64 and/or M10. I was assured that current production is one-piece. Years ago, I had heard about these going to 2-piece and secured a remaining one-piece barreled model. I know this because they incorrectly sent a 2-piece version first, and I had it sent back.
Now, they (and other sources) assure me that current production is all one-piece (at least on these models).
How old is you M64-8? New old-stock?
To clarify: I did get that one-piece barreled M64 3-inch several years ago. I'm looking into a 4-inch now. ...and yes, they will both have the internal lock.
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stevieboy
Member
I could be wrong about this but the revolvers that are currently two-piece are the 620 and the "Nightguard" series. The others remain one-piece barrels, I think.
MSB21 I purchased my 64-8 about 2 weeks ago and the fired case enclosed inthe box is dated 7-20-09. I know this doesint nessesarily mean that it was made this year but I think it probably puts it in the ballpark. I do know after talking to S&W the model 10 and model 686 still have 1 piece barrels. in fact I have a few old catalogues dateing back to 2005 and if I'm not mistakend they very discreetly metion that the 64, and 67 are 2 piece barrels. I believe in the description it says barrel 4 "B2/10.2cm. If you look at the glossery B2 means 2 piece. the m 10 is still listed as BO barrel one piece. But like I said its done very discreetly and unless you really look most of us would probably miss it. Unfortunately I did not find this out until after I ordered the gun. Back in 2003 I bought a new m64 and 65 and they both had one piece barrels.I wish I'd a kept them.
Centenniel
Member
A few days ago, I looked at a new Model 64. It did have the new two-piece barrel.
Dale53
Member
Here is my 620 (that is really marked 520 inside the crane).
It is now wearing a Red Dot sight...
Dale53
It is now wearing a Red Dot sight...
Dale53
