Slicktop
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Just wondering what the factory distance test is with a 6inch revolver.
Factory range testing
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Unless the Revolver is a special target custom shop job, I doubt it would matter. They probably stick it through a tunnel opening and shoot 3 shots - one in every other charge hole for function testing only.
JohnHL
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Some years back, a former S&W employee told me they regulated sights on their pistols and revolvers at 25 yards and he was one of the people that did it.
John
John
JohnHL
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Slicktop, here's a link to the thread in which "Printer" (Bob St. George, Chief Armorer Instructor at S&W) answered this question.
Scroll down to post #11 for his comments:
S&W "official" 3rd gen. test ammo?
John
Scroll down to post #11 for his comments:
S&W "official" 3rd gen. test ammo?
John
JohnHL
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Bob also said that they used the most popular factory brands and bullet weight when they tested the guns at 25 yards, unless they had a special order with a special request for a different distance or bullet weight.
John
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Well I can't speak for any Revolver manufactured by S&W post 1997 (my collection is all pre 1997) but any I purchased new in the past had only 3 Chambers with any carbon markings on them (every other one).
Many years ago when I lived in New England and knew a couple of S&W factory mechanics I was informed the following. Law enforcement guns and models were test fired at the standard FBI range of 7 yds/21’. Not all model 10’s or other law enforcement guns were tested. The early 41’s and 52’s came out of the original Custom Shop and were tested at Gallery Bullseye distance of 50’ and included a test target. Not sure when they quit supplying the test targets and don’t know what the factory does after about 1989 when the Custom Shop was eliminated by the British.
Rick
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Once upon a time, they actually fired 6 rounds from each revolver. I'm not sure when they went to 3, but back in the 1980's I had to ream 3 chambers in a model 27 that had 3 chambers in a clover leaf pattern that somehow didn't get finish reamed.
To the best of my limited knowledge, the testing was function testing, no effort was made to sight the handguns in. When we received both our 3rd generations and M&P40 replacements, we had to do some sight adjustments.
I also recall having to twiddle the adjustment screws on my personally owned adjustable sight revolvers.
To the best of my limited knowledge, the testing was function testing, no effort was made to sight the handguns in. When we received both our 3rd generations and M&P40 replacements, we had to do some sight adjustments.
I also recall having to twiddle the adjustment screws on my personally owned adjustable sight revolvers.
cmj8591
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I was at the factory shortly after the Sigma came out. They had a guy in a room with a glass wall in front. The guns came in one side of the room on a belt. He would take the gun and one mag out of the box. There was a massive magazine loading machine and he would stick the mag in and it would get it's load. He then loaded the gun, pointed it into a tube and fired the full magazine as fast as he could pull the trigger. He then used compressed air to blow out the gun, wrapped it in it's paper and closed up the box. He put it on a belt that went out of the other side of the room. This was obviously a function only test and the sights didn't come into play. When I first saw this I thought it was pretty cool but I think if I had that job, after about an hour I would be running for the door screaming.
stansdds
Member
For mass produced handguns, especially those designed for defensive purposes, I would suspect only a function test would be performed, the sight heights having been worked out during R&D. For higher end, like Performance Center or target pistols, there may be an accuracy test. I know my Ruger Mk II Government Target pistol came with a 25 yard test target, but my GP-100 did not have a test target, both were purchased brand new.
In my case they were asked to preform a factory tune up and refinish.
Both sights was removed.
Before sending in it was sighted at 25y. It came back that way.
Idk if the sights naturally lined up or they took time to adjust.
I would hope that the adjustment screws on the rear got a bit of love.
Both sights was removed.
Before sending in it was sighted at 25y. It came back that way.
Idk if the sights naturally lined up or they took time to adjust.
I would hope that the adjustment screws on the rear got a bit of love.
Last edited:
mmaher94087
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Cmj8591 summed up the semi auto line and the 'tube' was/is a snail type bullet trap. On the revolver line, the Magnum revolvers got every chamber loaded and fired; the non-magnum guns got every other chamber loaded and fired. There was no sighting involved other than to fire at the backstop.
