pre model 43 kit gun

[rjn5777]

I have what I believe to be a pre model 43 kit gun ..alloy frame ...alloy cylinder serial number 50xx serial numbers are on the bottom of of the grip of course which is a square butt flat latch ..face of the cylinder by the edge...and under the extractor rod ..and the grips at least on side have it also ..obviously since the cylinder is alloy there is a good drag line from the the cylinder stop...bore is xcellant...any idea to its worth ..I cant seem to figure out how to post pics on this site ..any info would be greatly appreciated..no box or papers ..best of my knowledge its from about 1953...the empties seem to stick pretty good in cylinder when I shoot it ..why is this? alloy cylinder perhaps?

 

[murphydog]

It looks to be from 1954, and should have the upper sideplate screw. Some report sticky extraction from the aluminum cylinder, which may be a combination of the material and tight chambers. Trying different .22 LR brands (if you can find any ) may help, and some have used chamber hones to the same effect.

Photos would help for a value determination. Hope this is helpful.

 

[jackvs1]

I have SN 6495 and it was shipped in November 1954. Here is the thread - see if it looks like yours.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...22-32-kit-gun-airweight-added-collection.html

 

[DWalt]

The subject of tight .22 chambers and difficult extraction have been mentioned in other threads. Apparently some ammunition types and brands demonstrate more or less extraction difficulty, so the first step would be to see if you can find other brands which are better. Failing that, I think my next step would be to attempt honing the chambers with crocus cloth on a rod to shine them up a little. Some go as far as re-chambering them. With an alloy cylinder, I would be doubly cautious about over-polishing chambers.

 

[rjn5777]

I tried to post some pics ..not sure if they are there ...this gun is 95+ blue ..wear on the frame edges ..and the drag line all the ones iv'e seen have ..another ? is how many of these guns were produced in this configuration ..alloy frame and cylinder ..I saw that supica"book had the seial numbers tarting at 5000..i think ..mine is within the first 50 if this is true ..any comments would be greatly appreciated

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

It's not that the cylinder is made of aluminum. I have had several S&W .22LR revolvers with extraction problems, and several without. My 43 is one of the ones without problems.

Try different ammo, especially CCI, CB Longs, and maybe match ammo.

 

[rjn5777]

the cbs ...and shorts are no problem ..just the long ones
cci standards aren't that bad ..it seems like all the new crappy stuff ..

 

[Peak53]

the cbs ...and shorts are no problem ..just the long ones
cci standards aren't that bad ..it seems like all the new crappy stuff ..

In that case you may have a situation of carbon build up in the chambers ahead of the shorter rounds. It is a chronic problem. Check with a good light. Should be shiney all the way through. A thorough cleaning with solvent and a brass brush could do wonders.

 

[DWalt]

Having a very large supply of .22 Short, I would be content using it if it solved the extraction problem. However, most do not have nearly as large a stash of .22 Short as I.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I probably wouldn't use shorts even in a steel cylinder, not so much because of the extra cleaning, but because of eventual erosion.

In an aluminum cylinder? No way.