Model 3566 - 356TSW - Hope I did the right thing here?

bad_man_ one

bad_man_ one

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Just bought a S&W-3566 from one of my local dealers, it was one of two that he had.
If I am to understand it correctly, it was "One of Two Hundred" made.
Also some 147 g. Federal Match rounds to go along with it so I can reload also.
It's like 99.5%, with the Performance Center box and all the goodies.
I dare say that it is tighter and smoother than my 945 and 952,
we'll see tomorrow at the range, it might just be my excitement with a new caliber
icon_biggrin.gif
.
I have found limited history on this model and this round.
Any information from the 356TSW guys/gals would be greatly appreciated, reload info?
I understand it is a 9x21.5 and that I can start with 9x21 load data.
Sorry I don't have a picture yet.
Regards,
BM1
 
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Just bought a S&W-3566 from one of my local dealers, it was one of two that he had.
If I am to understand it correctly, it was "One of Two Hundred" made.
Also some 147 g. Federal Match rounds to go along with it so I can reload also.
It's like 99.5%, with the Performance Center box and all the goodies.
I dare say that it is tighter and smoother than my 945 and 952,
we'll see tomorrow at the range, it might just be my excitement with a new caliber
icon_biggrin.gif
.
I have found limited history on this model and this round.
Any information from the 356TSW guys/gals would be greatly appreciated, reload info?
I understand it is a 9x21.5 and that I can start with 9x21 load data.
Sorry I don't have a picture yet.
Regards,
BM1
 
Pictures! We want pictures!

If you're in tight with the Performance Center, they will fit a 9mm (9x19) barrel to the gun and you can shoot more inexpensively.

What other model did the dealer have for sale?
 
Good luck with it. The build quality and the spherical bushing are great. Mine sits in the safe and hasn't seen the light of day in many years. I have zero interest in reloading again and it is a dead caliber.

Not a dealer in the area wants it on trade for anything and I don't feel like spending the money for a 9mm conversion to turn it into a Frankengun.
 
If it is the compact model on the 6900 size frame then it was one of 200, Full size 5" guns there were around 1,500. Either way they are tack drivers. You can easily load them down to 9mm specs although you might need to go to a lighter spring. In the compact you can remove the inner spring with light loads. There are a couple of differant specs for 9x21, the way it was originaly made was the same as standard 9x19. Then you have the IPSC/USPSA loads that made major power factor, plenty safe in the 356 brass. The last I heard was $250 to have a 9x19 barrel installed, it doesn't hurt the gun any as you can always put the the 356 back in with no problem. Only other change would be the recoil spring, full size guns used a 17# while 9s' use 14#. I know this will stir things up, but I've shot thousands of 9mm through my 356 barreled guns without a hitch.
 
Tony S45,
Thanks, I've heard about those that have changed them over to a 9 m.m. Luger/Para,
But I bought all the 147 g. Federal Match ammo that they had (2000+ rounds) cheap,
So I will be good for the reloading process (brass) for some time to come.
Besides it will only cost me like a 9 m.m. would, with a little more powder.

Handgunner356,
It's the compact model like on my 6906 size frame and it's twin brother is still sitting there in the display case.
I already had three of the PC 356TSW mags for the larger frame so I just ordered some of the Magazine Butt Plate +/2 Adapters from S&W, $8.00 ea., Brownell's wanted $10.15 ea.
I would love to get a hold of the reloading data for the IPSC/USPSA loads that make the major power factor.
Reloading data, anyone?
Please keep the info coming on the 356TSW.
Regards,
BM1
 
I shoot my 3566 TSW in ESP IDPA all the time. Love this gun and it even makes me a better shot, this is a one hole gun it the right hands.
I only shoot 356TSW 9x21.5 in this gun shooting 9x19 runs the risk of damaging the extractor because that is what is holding the round in the chamber.
My load for the 356TSW which has served me best, (most accurate and reliable for me in my gun) after a lot of experimentation is:
7.5gr. Accurate #7 Powder
124gr. FMJ .355 round nose bullet Winchester or Remington
OAL 1.165
It has been my experience to only use top quality bullets some of the lesser brand bulk bullets have too large a length and weight variation and will change accuracy quite a bit. I never use plated or lead.
New brass is available from Starline and is reasonably priced. I was lucky I ended up with a couple 1000 rounds of brass from one of the guys that was on the S&W IPSC team in the 90's.
3356TSW and PC5906 close cousins.
PC_5906_3566.JPG

TSW_2.JPG

356TSW_Load.JPG
 
Who is your local dealer that has two 3356 gun?
What range will you be going to?
Do you shoot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center?
 
One unique feature to the compact is the steel frame. Only it and the SD9/356/40 used that steel 6900 size frame, that's only around 500 total. I'd probably stick with 9mm+P data, overall length remains the same in 356 and it would be hard to get the major power factor out of the 3.5" barrel. I actually use a lot of 135gr plated bullets around 1250fps out of a 5" which makes major with good results.
 
I'm curious to know the total amount made. The original run was intermixed with the first full size Limited gun and shared the TSW serial prefix. I was under the impression that it was 1/2 of that run of 500. Subsequently there were more made with a PCY serial prefix.
Anyone know how the numbers line up with the different serial number prefix's?

I've owned two Shorty's in the TSW027x range and have seen a couple of the PCY guns....
 
I think there must have been more than 200 made because they seem to pop up for sale so frequently. My compact model is a PCY serial number. I recall the 356 line being sold in sets where you got the full and compact size pistols. I think those were PCY serials and the regular run was TSW. I could be wrong but that is what I recall.
 
I bought a NIB PC Model 3566 back in 1994. It is one of the 6900 frame based DA/SA models with the 4.25 inch barrel. Mine is a Stocking Dealer verison and has the serial number SD000020 which I assume means that it is number twenty of however many that were produced.

Mine came with two .356 TSW marked magazines. A twelve round with a finger extension and a 15 rounder with a neoprene collar. I bought two Model 6906 9mm mags at a much cheaper price that the .356 marked mags and they work just fine.

I've shot several hundred rounds of the Federal factory 147 gr FMJ Match load and also a box of the now discontinued Corbon 124 gr Bonded Hollow Point (actually the Speer Gold Dot).

Here are the chronographed velocities for these two loads.

Federal 147 gr Match - 1167 fps/445 fpe

Corbon 124 gr BHP - 1356 fps/506 fpe

Last year I was able to purchase sixteen boxes of the FC 147 gr Match load for only $9.00 a box from a dealer going out of business. With the ammo I had on hand plus fired cases, I have a lifetime supply of ammo and cases for handloading. Once in a while I carry the M3566 as a CCW piece just to be different and load it with the Corbon rounds.

I have worked up a small number of handloads for my pistol. These loads are safe in MY M3566, but as always one should use caution in handloading a high performance round such as the .356 TSW.

Hornady 115 gr XTP-HP/8.4 grs WAP/1358 fps/471 fpe

Hornady 124 gr XTP-HP/8.0 grs WAP/1303 fps/468 fpe

Hornady 124 gr FMJ-FP/8.0 grs WAP/1290 fps/458 fpe

Remington 147 gr FMJ/6.9 grs WAP/1110 fps/402 fpe

I purchased a set of the 6900 series grip inserts for my Ransom Rest and modified them to fit the 3566 frame. Both factory loads and all of the above handloads were tested for accuracy at 25 yards using ten shot groups.

The Federal 147 gr FMJ Match gave 1.0 inch groups center to center. This is slightly better than my Model 52-2 with Win 148 gr HBWC factory loads. The real suprise was the 147 grain FMJ handload. Ten shots gave 0.75 inch center to center. This is the best accuracy I have ever gotten from any centerfire auto pistol regardless of make or chambering. The handloads with the Hornady bullets averaged 1.25 inches for the three different bullets. Everything shoots accurately in this pistol.

I've shot the Fiocchi 9x21 123 gr JTC factory ammo in the M3566 and it fed, fired, and ejected without any problems. I tried WWB 9mm 115 gr FMJ and ran into problems with pierced primers. I suppose if I just had to, I'd send my 3566 back to the PC and have a 9mm barrel fitted. But with plenty of ammo and handloads on hand, it just does't seem worth the trouble or expense.


Roadster
 
I am sure there are more than 200 compacts also.
Most I see are the TSW prefix.
Never saw a TSW (compact or Ltd) prefix over 600 personally
My PCY is paired with a matching TSW Ltd, and PCYs were produced after the TSWs ,so Orangehole's theory may be correct.
What is the highest SN TSW and PCY guns you guys have seen ?
Roadster, why did you have to modify the inserts?
I just bought a Ransom rest and that insert is on my list
 
Well,
I shot it yesterday and I have got to say it is the hottest/coolest 9 m.m. that I have ever shot.
icon_biggrin.gif

Also the most accurate 9 m.m. compact, right up there just a little hair short of my 952.
The +2 grip extensions works great with the 15rd. magazines.
All in all I am very impressed/happy with this purchase, especially since I reload.
icon_wink.gif

Thank you all for the responses and I'll try that reload data.
Regards,
BM1
 
Grinder,

The beavertail on the PC M3566 is bigger than the beavertail on the M6906. So I trimmed away the neoprene with an X-Acto knife to get a proper fit.


Roadster
 
Originally posted by Roadster:
Grinder,

The beavertail on the PC M3566 is bigger than the beavertail on the M6906. So I trimmed away the neoprene with an X-Acto knife to get a proper fit.


Roadster
Click to expand...

Thanks Roadster
 
bad_man_one what dealer has the other 3566?
What range do you shoot at?
Do you ever shoot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center?
 
JDLSALES,
Sorry I didn't see your post the first time, I didn't have my "notifications" on.
I found out it went to Sparky's in Webster MA.
Are you the one that got it?
Regards,
BM1
 
I do not even know where Sparky's is and I don't even think I have ever been to Webster MA.
I eneded up spending my money on a new S&W 4inch 500 to go along with the 2 3/4 inch 460 I have and a 50 cal Beowulf upper to build a 50 cal AR.
Have you ever shot at the S&W Sport Shooting Center. I know Rbert0005 has.
If the 3566 still floating around for sale? I would still be intrested.
 
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