.357 Magnum 8 3/8" Barrel Length

[DARE]

When the .357 Magnum was announced in 1935 barrel length could be ordered from 3 1/2" to 8 3/4" in 1/4" increments. 8 3/8" is not a 1/4" increment.
With 8 3/4" barrel, sight base is 10". Maximum permissible in "Any Revolver Matches".
I think this is why the maximum barrel length was set at 8 3/4".
Roy Jinks says a dispute arose in 1936 over the legality of using the 8 3/4" revolver in the USRA and NRA 'Any Revolver Match'. While the rules allow a 10" sight base there was a 2nd rule allowing but 10" for combined barrel and cylinder. To conform to this requires a barrel of 8 3/8" on the S&W .357 Magnum Revolver. It is from this point that S&W established the odd length of 8 3/8".
On October 16, 1939 a statement was issued discontinuing the registration numbers on Magnum revolvers. The S&W .357 Magnum formerly available in any barrel length between 3 1/2 and 8 3/4 inches is now offered in five standard barrel lengths 3 1/2, 5, 6, 6 1/2 and 8 3/8 inches. Special lengths now at slight extra charge.
I have been told that all barrels were manufactured 8 3/4" and then cut to the ordered length. Did this continue once there were standard lengths? Were barrels longer than 8 3/8" available after the change?

 

[lestert357]

David, see Doc44’s post #4 and Dr. Jinks’ post #6 in this thread: “Short Action” .357 Magnum Barrel Length

 

[mrcvs]

This thread requires the obligatory photograph of a Registered Magnum revolver with an 8 3/8” barrel.

It’s interesting as to the reason why the 8 3/8” barrel length evolved and yet only 32 were manufactured.

 

[DARE]

mrcvs, thanks for the photo. Roy's 1989 article says 32. The 2009 article says 37. Regardless, they are very rare. Don't know how many survive, but you have to be one of the very few people that can post a picture.
You make a good point. The reason for the barrel length was to have maximum legal for 'Any Other Revolver' match. Obviously not many people wanted that. 37 8 3/8 inchers and 677 8 3/4".

 

[mrcvs]

mrcvs, thanks for the photo. Roy's 1989 article says 32. The 2009 article says 37. Regardless, not many were built. Don't know how many survive, but you have to be one of the very few people that can post a picture.
You make a good point. The reason for the barrel length was to have maximum legal for 'Any Other Revolver' match. Obviously not many people wanted that. 37 8 3/8 inchers and 677 8 3/4".

Now, the real question is how many individuals can post a Registered Magnum with an 8 3/8” barrel and a lanyard ring? IIRC, only five Registered Magnum revolvers shipped with a lanyard ring.

This revolver was obtained at an auction house a scant 4 miles from my residence in 2019.

 

[DARE]

I would say odds are you have the only one, with 24 barrel lengths and only 5 with lanyards. Very cool.

 

[mrcvs]

I would say odds are you have the only one, with 24 barrel lengths and only 5 with lanyards. Very cool.

Probably, or possibly. This revolver was shipped about a month after another one with a barrel length of 8 3/8” that was ordered by the older brother of the owner of this one ordered it. That revolver contains its original box and I think the mailing tube as well. I can’t recall if the revolvers were identical or not. I don’t think the older brother’s revolver had a lanyard ring, but possibly. Another forum member owned this older brother’s revolver at one time, and possibly still does.

 

[lestert357]

I have been told that all barrels were manufactured 8 3/4" and then cut according to the ordered length. Did this continue once there were standard lengths? Were barrels longer than 8 3/8" still available after the change?

There were at least 2 barrels longer than 8-3/8” available after WWII, and here are the guns they were attached to. Both are postwar .357 Magnum Transitionals, the gun with target grips has an 8-1/2” barrel, the gun with Magna grips has an 8-3/4” barrel - both believed to be one of a kind based on known factory invoices…..

I also note there are currently 11 Non-Registered Magnums listed in the S&WCA database with 8-3/4” barrels. These NRM’s were of course built after the Magnum barrel lengths were standardized.

 

[RKmesa]

A few more photos for the thread:

REG 2394, an 8 3/8" Magnum that shipped May 20, 1937:





and an 8 3/8" Non Registered pre war Magnum, SN 61157 that shipped February 26, 1940:

 

[A10]

I don't believe I have seen non-relieved special target stocks before. Those are pristine!

 

[turnerriver]

I knew better than to open this thread but I did it anyway. Not sorry, just envious.
Beautiful revolvers, guys.
Regards,

 

[Retired W4]

The magnas on the gun on the top are magnificent, spectacular, killer. Choose your own adjective.

 

[DARE]

Terry, good info. My question was were barrels longer than 8 3/8" available after the change to standard barrel lengths. The answer is yes. 11 in the database and at least two post war. Those transitionals are spectacular, thanks for showing them.

Richard, I have seen your 8 3/8" RM before, but don't think I have seen the Non-Registered Magnum. Thanks for showing them. Beautiful guns. Interesting front sights, what were those called?

 

[RKmesa]

...Richard, I have seen your 8 3/8" RM before, but don't think I have seen the Non-Registered Magnum. Thanks for showing them. Beautiful guns. Interesting front sights, what were those called?

David:

Those front sights are "King red post on a King reflector base". Both of my above guns came from the factory with the King sights and base. They have a great sight picture, particularly when there is some overhead light that gets reflected to the red post...

 

[A10]

A few more photos for the thread:

REG 2394, an 8 3/8" Magnum that shipped May 20, 1937:

The figuring on 2394's stocks is incredible! Are those factory? They almost look like Keith Brown's work. Very very nice!

I must be in a "stocky" mood today....

 

[lestert357]

I don't believe I have seen non-relieved special target stocks before. Those are pristine!

A10, in case you missed it, you can read more about the target grips on my .357 Magnum Transitional in the Summer 2023 Journal issue…..

 

[A10]

Thank you Terry!

 

[handejector]

A10, in case you missed it, you can read more about the target grips on my .357 Magnum Transitional in the Summer 2023 Journal issue…..

Kinda hard for a non-member to read a book he does not get....

 

[lestert357]

Kinda hard for a non-member to read a book he does not get....

Oh, ya…..I saw “Member” next to A10’s avatar and thought “SWCA”. I’m closing in on 78 YO and obviously regressing…..

Anyway A10, if you promise to join the SWCA I will send you a copy of the Summer 2023 Journal.

 

[RKmesa]

Kinda hard for a non-member to read a book he does not get....

I think that was Terry's back-handed way of extending an invitation to join the SWCA. Which is one of the best organizations to belong to and very reasonably priced. What a great group of collectors. Terry's article is almost worth the price of admission all by itself. AND if you are a grip lover, it is hard not to mention Doc44's article on Alvin White carved grips in the most recent SWCA Journal - Great Stuff.