Contemplating a model 547 9mm revolver

[Kernel Crittenden]

The M547 uses a special one-of-a-kind extractor that allows for head spacing on the rim.

Patent US4127955 -- Extractor assembly for rimless cartridges

The M547 also had a special "backing pin", almost like a second firing pin, that arrested the rearward movement of the fired case. I don't think the backing pin concept was part of this particular patent.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

So the extractor system was originally done for the .45 acp cartridge?

Disregard. Google found the wrong patent. Corrected above.

 

[sodacan]

The 547 revolver is neat piece of ingenuity and engineering. Unfortunately for S&W it was expensive to produce and the mechanism was a bit fragile. It was also a complicated a solution to a problem that they had solved over sixty years earlier with the model 1917. That being said, I would like to own one, but the prices are a little over the top for me.

 

[H Richard]

Since the bulk of those manufactured were sent to France, only the over-runs were sold in the U S, and a few the French evidently surplussed that were re-imported. I have no idea how many were made over and above the original order, but it wasn't a great amount. That's why they bring some pretty fair prices.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a 3'' one and like it. Its quite accurate and does not have the kick of a semi auto. The trigger pull on mine is a bit on the high side and from what I have read many are. They have to fire NATO spec ammo and needs a bit more oomph to hit the locator pin that secures the cartridge when its fired.

I got mine at what I thought was a reasonable price. Was looking for a long time and a GS about 50 miles away took it in on trade. My son spotted it in the case and gave me a call and I went there ASAP and got it. I do not think they knew what that gun was worth.

 

[darmtn1917]

In the world before the internet a lot of us S&W accumulaters had a sub to Shotgun News. I distinctly remember the J&G(AZ) ad for the 4" 547 @ $179 and if I remember right $20 more got you a three inch. At the time I was chasing something else but that ad lasted about 4 months for the 3" but almost a year for the 4". The LEO world was going to semi auto and the prediction was revolvers would be useless! Pardon we while I kick myself again&again&again

 

[bananaman]

I would sure like to have a 547! I think that concept is neat. On the flip side what would it do for me that my other Smiths can't do? (I know fire 9mm in a revolver) If 1 happened by me at a reasonable price I would have to do it. Bob

 

[BUFF]

I bought my 3 incher new in 1983 and while I haven't shot thousands of rounds through it, it does work just as advertised. HKS made speed loaders for it.

I used to encounter a fellow at the range who had one and shot a coffee can full of his 9mm reloads through it each session. He had thousands of rounds through it, he said without a bobble.

One day, he had some Austrian Hirtenberger ammo and was shooting it. This stuff is very high pressure and was intended to shoot in blow-back submachineguns, not handguns. He shot six and the empties wouldn't eject. He pounded on it with everything he found on the range. Eventually the copper-beryllium fingers tore their way through the stuck brass casings without budging them! He called it a day and went home. Next time I saw him, he was shooting it again. He said he took the cylinder out of the gun and used a steel rod from the front of each chamber and a framing hammer to beat them out. It didn't bother the ejector mechanism.

Numrich used to carry the parts for the ejector.

S&W discontinued the .45 ACP Model 25-2 about the time the M-547 came out and a lot of us hoped to see the .45 reappear in the catalog with a M-547-style ejector system. Didn't happen, of course. The moon clips are probably the better, simpler and way cheaper was to put rimless cartridges on double action revolvers.

 

[tekarra]

S&W discontinued the .45 ACP Model 25-2 about the time the M-547 came out and a lot of us hoped to see the .45 reappear in the catalog with a M-547-style ejector system. Didn't happen, of course. The moon clips are probably the better, simpler and way cheaper was to put rimless cartridges on double action revolvers.

I would dearly like to see Model 25 with 547 style ejectors to go with my 547s.

 

[Frank237]

Owned a RB 3" when they were brand new. Never saw the appeal.

I could buy a 3" M-13 and have way more power, or load .38's. Or buy a 3" HB M-10....and shoot .38's. At the time nines were not the ubiquitous round it is today. They were more expensive than .38's and at least my gun wasn't all that accurate.


Sold mine and really don't regret it.

 

[mr_Reality]

If you still have your 547 I am looking for one to purchase. Let me know if you know of any you would be interested in selling. Thank you