3566 gurus please chime in!

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Gunhohulk

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Yesterday I came across a 3566 on consignment at a local shop. They were asking 1350 or 1395 for it and caught my Interest. I did as much reading as I could about these last night and headed there to buy it today but upon closer inspection it had a 9mm barrel in it and I got cold feet.

I asked about the background of it and the store owner said the gun was from a lady whose brother had passed. The gun used to have a box but it was lost in a fire. I asked about an additional barrel in .356TSW and the owner said that he thought the 9mm was the factory barrel which I believe isn't the case.

The serial number is TSW0666 and it is the black frame with the flat parts bare stainless so I'm pretty sure it is a 3566 with an aftermarket barrel on it. Also, the barrel is marked "9mm" with the word "performance" under it.

My questions are:
A) is this still a pretty decent deal for a 3566 even though it doesn't have a box/correct barrel?
B)would the markings indicate that is one of the 9mm barrels that the S&W Performance Center made for these?
C) is there any possible source for original or aftermarket .356 barrels if I wanted to go back to that cartridge?

Any info would be appreciated!
 
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That pistol is priced at "stolen property" price. I suggest you go there NOW. If they aren't open, sleep in front of the door so nobody can get in before you.

You're correct in that the original barrel is .356TSW. The way you describe the 9mm barrel tells me that most likely, this is a genuine Performance Center fitted barrel in there.

You did not describe the condition. Let me just say that if this were dragged behind a truck but still fit properly and functional, it's worth more than the price you're reporting.

If this were mint/NIB with box and original barrel and accessory fitted barrel as is likely... that's probably beyond $3,500.
 
You might check with Barsto about a 356TSW barrel, Also, the 9mm barrel in it could be reamed for the 356TSW. In between might be the 9x21 - which is what the 36TSW was originally intended.

I'm not certain anyone is currently making 566TSW ammunition.
 
Bar-Sto isn't going to have a barrel. Scott Sullivan and Claudio Salassa might. Briley made the barrels for these guns.

If it were a mint-condition gun with all original box and papers and museum grade, you obviously want the original barrel.

However if you want a gorgeous gun that was literally the apogee of S&W's talent on a semiautomatic pistol, in used condition that you could shoot and love... this is better with a fitted 9mm barrel.
 
Ok thank you for the info so far. As for condition I'd say it's 95% to my amateur eye. The black finish is pretty much 100% and the stainless flat parts are in great shape with a few fine scratches here and there. The gun has definitely been shot but appears to have been taken care of pretty well.
 
I have a recollection that some boutique ammo maker is making .356 ammo, as a friend of mine was looking for a platform a couple years ago for a build. Regardless, as was pointed out, it's a great gun and more usable with that barrel.
 
Gunhohulk said:
Yesterday I came across a 3566 on consignment at a local shop. They were asking 1350 or 1395 for it and caught my Interest. I did as much reading as I could about these last night and headed there to buy it today but upon closer inspection it had a 9mm barrel in it and I got cold feet.

I asked about the background of it and the store owner said the gun was from a lady whose brother had passed. The gun used to have a box but it was lost in a fire. I asked about an additional barrel in .356TSW and the owner said that he thought the 9mm was the factory barrel which I believe isn't the case.

The serial number is TSW0666 and it is the black frame with the flat parts bare stainless so I'm pretty sure it is a 3566 with an aftermarket barrel on it. Also, the barrel is marked "9mm" with the word "performance" under it.

My questions are:
A) is this still a pretty decent deal for a 3566 even though it doesn't have a box/correct barrel?
B)would the markings indicate that is one of the 9mm barrels that the S&W Performance Center made for these?
C) is there any possible source for original or aftermarket .356 barrels if I wanted to go back to that cartridge?

Any info would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

Wow thats a fantastic price for that gun even with a 9mm barrel... I hope you have your camping gear and are on your way to camp out for the night to grab it when they first open.... if by some chance you don't want the gun please advise where she is so we can bring our tents and start a camp lol.
 
As others have said that is a GREAT price

It would not matter if that was a 3566 Limited

3566Limited2bs.jpg


Or if it was the 3566 Compact

3566Compact-rs.jpg


That pistol would already be in my safe keeping it's brethren company. These are probably the Sexiest auto loaders Smith & Wesson ever produced. Since then other companies have somewhat copied the two tone look of the 3566 family of pistols

That is a Factory Performance Center barrel for the pistol. When these came out in the early 1990s, the pistols could be returned to the Performance Center for the second barrel to be fitted. Many of the 3566 pistols that have been on the used market included both barrels.

A 356TSW barrel is not a problem, it is just time. Worst case is that you have to wait for Briley to get a 356TSW barrel onto the production schedule. Best case is that Scott has one available for you now

356TSW has no relation to 9x21 with the exception that they share a case head. 356TSW actually measures 9x21.5 MM

9x21 brass is not designed to function at 50,000 PSI. 9x21 is intended for use in Countries where Military cartridges are prohibited from Civilian use.

9x21 brass is just longer 9MM Parabellum (9x19) brass and is intended for use at the same pressures as Industry standard 9MM Parabellum ammunition. There is no increased structural strength

The reason that 356TSW measures 9x21.5 MM is to prevent it from properly chambering in firearms designed to function with the other two lower pressure cartridges

356TSW ammunition has recently been available from Cor-Bon, Underwood and Apex Tactical. Since I load my own, I do not keep too close of a watch as to which ones are still available.

You are going to love that pistol and if for some strange reason you do not, I will gladly give you ALL your money back in exchange for it. Even the taxes and fees that you have paid :)
 
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Gunhohulk said:
Yesterday I came across a 3566 on consignment at a local shop. They were asking 1350 or 1395 for it and caught my Interest. I did as much reading as I could about these last night and headed there to buy it today but upon closer inspection it had a 9mm barrel in it and I got cold feet.

I asked about the background of it and the store owner said the gun was from a lady whose brother had passed. The gun used to have a box but it was lost in a fire. I asked about an additional barrel in .356TSW and the owner said that he thought the 9mm was the factory barrel which I believe isn't the case.

The serial number is TSW0666 and it is the black frame with the flat parts bare stainless so I'm pretty sure it is a 3566 with an aftermarket barrel on it. Also, the barrel is marked "9mm" with the word "performance" under it.

My questions are:
A) is this still a pretty decent deal for a 3566 even though it doesn't have a box/correct barrel?
B)would the markings indicate that is one of the 9mm barrels that the S&W Performance Center made for these?
C) is there any possible source for original or aftermarket .356 barrels if I wanted to go back to that cartridge?

Any info would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

I think it was a good decision not to list the location of that local shop...:)

Good snag. Now post up when you have it in hand.
 
This is off subject but do any of you 356TSW fans know if there are published SAAMI specs for the 356TSW. I went to SAAMI but didn't see any, perhaps as the caliber has been unfortunately discontinued. Great deal on the 3566, my daily driver is SN TSW0660 with a Scott Sullivan 9mm barrel.
 
There was a SAAMI spec. It may have been dropped in te latest publication, but was in an older publications.
 
356TSW / 3566 Limited Info

Glad you've had them set it aside for you.

They're an awesome pistol that I can't imagine you not liking, even if you only ever have a 9x19 barrel for it, if you like quality.

Hopefully it's the 5" model?

356TSW ammo is pricey but a literal blast to shoot.

Underwood currently has loaded ammo for the 356TSW but not Corbon.

If you can't find 356TSW brass to handload S-L 9x23 Super Comp can be cut down to 9x21.5mm but it has ~4.3% less volume due to increased case thickness.

The 356TSW's max COAL" is the same as the 9x19 so its longer (& stronger) case is primarily as a safety factor, not for increased powder capacity as they still have to fit in a standard 5906 magazine.

There's no published manufacturer 356TSW reloading data available for it though.

SAAMI specs below.

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Looking forward to pictures.
The serial indicates to me it's the 5". The 9mm barrel was an option from the PC as some have pointed out.
I would not have hesitated on this one, any gun with low production numbers I cannot say no to. It's easier to change your mind and sell it rather than missing out all together.

Once it's yours you need to chase up the lady who handed it into the shop. The shop will have her details. Get them to call her. On the off chance she thought it worthless or it turns up at a later date.
 
I "snagged" it today! And by that I mean did the paperwork. Still have to wait the 10 days CA needs to make sure I don't have ill intentions with it…

And yes it is the 5" version. I asked and the owner of the shop and he talked to the lady and everything that could have been with it was in a fire so I'm afraid that's a dead end. I was hoping they had some of the original mags I could get but I'll just have to start scouring the earth for a few.

And is Scott Sullivan a member here and how would I get ahold of him to see about a .356TSW barrel?
 
Note that original magazines for this gun are marked with the Performance Center emblem and say .356TSW on them and they also wear the CP Bullets rounded plastic floorplate/bumper pad to assist seating with the magazine well.

However beyond that? These dimensionally and functionally identical to 5906 magazines in every way. Same same same.
 
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