scooter123
Member
First I'll lead off by stating that I am a huge fan of tensioned barrels. I've shot my 620 at 50 yards and I believe that it may be the most accurate 38/357 S&W has ever produced. I'm getting the itch to put the scope back on it and really wring it out, however I've layed off on shooting so much this summer that I've got at least a month of work to get back the point where I can shoot it well enough. When I do wring it out this time I'll make sure the scope stays tight and take enough ammo to the range to do it justice.
Now, I am aware that there have been issues with the barrel cap seperating from the barrel tube with this system. However, it's something that CAN be overcome with refinements to the design and IMO it's probably a pretty rare failure.
So, lets start out with a tensioned barrel that has been revised for increased resistance to failure. Then use top grade precision machining methods to insure that the total tolerance for that barrel is held to +/- 0.0005 inch for the critical mounting features. This means that the barrel can be pre-manufactured to specific lengths and then stocked in the warehouse.
Next apply these same precision machining methods to the critical points on the frame and the barrel shroud, thus allowing these parts to be warehoused waiting for an order to arrive.
Now suppose you warehouse barrels and cylinders for an L frame in 9mm and 38/357 calibers. Then do the same for an N frame in the 40/41 calibers. Then, have a third model, also in the N frame, dedicated to the 44/45 calibers. Finally, for the K frame offer caliber choices from 22LR up to 38 spl. Note, all of these models would carry the current K/L/X frame round butt grip frame, so grip selection for all models would be the same, no more N frame with an "oddball" grip that only sort of matches the others.
Now, what to call these models. In my thought experiment the model numbers will carry a 3 digit number and end with a zero. The model 600 would be the 44/45 and would NOT be offered in 44 Magnum in order to maximize parts interchangeability. The model 610 would be the 40/41 caliber offering. The model 620 would be the L frame 38/357/9mm offering. Finally, the model 630 would be the K frame, yeah I've aware of the model number conflict but in this dream I am King of S&W so what I say happens.
Now, how it would work. Barrel lengths would be limited to one of 4 choices, 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 3/8 inch. Barrels in the various calibers would be stocked in the warehouse along with barrel shrouds. Frames would be pre-assembled up to the yoke but cylinders would not be installed. Cylinders in the various calibers and options (round count, moon clip or not) would be pre-assembled and stocked in the warehouse.
End result, when an order is recieved the parts needed are pulled, a cylinder is installed on the yoke, and the barrel is installed. B/C gap is checked as well as timing and any final fitting required is done at this point. Then the gun is sent to be test fired and packed to be shipped to the dealer. The goal for time from order placement to shipping out the finished gun is 4 weeks or less. BTW, you'll note that Distributors are left out of the equation in this scheme, guns are shipped direct from the factory to the final dealer.
As for how ordering would work, you would go in to a participating dealer and he would hand you a Build Sheet for the specific model you want to order. That Build Sheet would resemble a multiply choice test sheet where you color in the box for the desired option. Then the dealer would take that Build Sheet, scan it, and email it to S&W where a computer would take that data and construct a Work order that would be sent back to the dealer via email. Once you confirm the Work Order matches your desired revolver you would sign off on it and pay a deposit to the dealer who would then send in a confirmation via email.
As for why this is workable, today you can purchase Diamond surfaced grinding wheels that last for an extremely long time before wear causes a change in size. In a precision machining center these grinding operation can easily hold +/- 0.0005 inch. In addition, barrel shrouds for tensioned barrel systems are normally keyed to the frame, so assembling the barrel to the frame is simply a matter of installing the shroud and installing the barrel to a specified torque setting. If the frame, shroud, cylinder, and barrel are held to very tight tolerances there should be no need to adjust the Barrel/Cylinder gap because the total stackup should be within a total range of 0.004 inch or less. If super precision machining is used for the final cuts on the extractor pawls then timing may not need any subsequent fitting at all. Basically, you build a manufacturing system with enough precision that revolvers can be assembled the way that car engines are assembled today, you just put them together.
As for why this isn't currently possible with a one piece barrel the problem is cutting the thread on the barrel extension that mates into the frame. It's difficult to cut a thread so that the starting point of the thread is held to the precision needed so that the barrel can be assembled to the frame without needing some "fitting" so the barrel aligns perfectly with the frame when torqued to a preset level. If someone is clever enough to design a method to overcome this hurdle, then one piece barrels could be used in a system like this.
Anyhow, think about it. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to a local dealer and order up a 9mm, 7 shot L frame, in the barrel length of your choice, and have in in your hands in less than a month. In addition,bypassing the distributors we might get a bit of a price break because the distributors "cut" wouldn't factor into the final price.
Now, I am aware that there have been issues with the barrel cap seperating from the barrel tube with this system. However, it's something that CAN be overcome with refinements to the design and IMO it's probably a pretty rare failure.
So, lets start out with a tensioned barrel that has been revised for increased resistance to failure. Then use top grade precision machining methods to insure that the total tolerance for that barrel is held to +/- 0.0005 inch for the critical mounting features. This means that the barrel can be pre-manufactured to specific lengths and then stocked in the warehouse.
Next apply these same precision machining methods to the critical points on the frame and the barrel shroud, thus allowing these parts to be warehoused waiting for an order to arrive.
Now suppose you warehouse barrels and cylinders for an L frame in 9mm and 38/357 calibers. Then do the same for an N frame in the 40/41 calibers. Then, have a third model, also in the N frame, dedicated to the 44/45 calibers. Finally, for the K frame offer caliber choices from 22LR up to 38 spl. Note, all of these models would carry the current K/L/X frame round butt grip frame, so grip selection for all models would be the same, no more N frame with an "oddball" grip that only sort of matches the others.
Now, what to call these models. In my thought experiment the model numbers will carry a 3 digit number and end with a zero. The model 600 would be the 44/45 and would NOT be offered in 44 Magnum in order to maximize parts interchangeability. The model 610 would be the 40/41 caliber offering. The model 620 would be the L frame 38/357/9mm offering. Finally, the model 630 would be the K frame, yeah I've aware of the model number conflict but in this dream I am King of S&W so what I say happens.
Now, how it would work. Barrel lengths would be limited to one of 4 choices, 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 3/8 inch. Barrels in the various calibers would be stocked in the warehouse along with barrel shrouds. Frames would be pre-assembled up to the yoke but cylinders would not be installed. Cylinders in the various calibers and options (round count, moon clip or not) would be pre-assembled and stocked in the warehouse.
End result, when an order is recieved the parts needed are pulled, a cylinder is installed on the yoke, and the barrel is installed. B/C gap is checked as well as timing and any final fitting required is done at this point. Then the gun is sent to be test fired and packed to be shipped to the dealer. The goal for time from order placement to shipping out the finished gun is 4 weeks or less. BTW, you'll note that Distributors are left out of the equation in this scheme, guns are shipped direct from the factory to the final dealer.
As for how ordering would work, you would go in to a participating dealer and he would hand you a Build Sheet for the specific model you want to order. That Build Sheet would resemble a multiply choice test sheet where you color in the box for the desired option. Then the dealer would take that Build Sheet, scan it, and email it to S&W where a computer would take that data and construct a Work order that would be sent back to the dealer via email. Once you confirm the Work Order matches your desired revolver you would sign off on it and pay a deposit to the dealer who would then send in a confirmation via email.
As for why this is workable, today you can purchase Diamond surfaced grinding wheels that last for an extremely long time before wear causes a change in size. In a precision machining center these grinding operation can easily hold +/- 0.0005 inch. In addition, barrel shrouds for tensioned barrel systems are normally keyed to the frame, so assembling the barrel to the frame is simply a matter of installing the shroud and installing the barrel to a specified torque setting. If the frame, shroud, cylinder, and barrel are held to very tight tolerances there should be no need to adjust the Barrel/Cylinder gap because the total stackup should be within a total range of 0.004 inch or less. If super precision machining is used for the final cuts on the extractor pawls then timing may not need any subsequent fitting at all. Basically, you build a manufacturing system with enough precision that revolvers can be assembled the way that car engines are assembled today, you just put them together.
As for why this isn't currently possible with a one piece barrel the problem is cutting the thread on the barrel extension that mates into the frame. It's difficult to cut a thread so that the starting point of the thread is held to the precision needed so that the barrel can be assembled to the frame without needing some "fitting" so the barrel aligns perfectly with the frame when torqued to a preset level. If someone is clever enough to design a method to overcome this hurdle, then one piece barrels could be used in a system like this.
Anyhow, think about it. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to a local dealer and order up a 9mm, 7 shot L frame, in the barrel length of your choice, and have in in your hands in less than a month. In addition,bypassing the distributors we might get a bit of a price break because the distributors "cut" wouldn't factor into the final price.
