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What's my barrel length on this Reg. Magnum?
- Thread starter 1869
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You can answer your own question by measuring from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. Registered Magnum barrels were available in quarter inch increments.
---------from 3 1/2" to 8 3/4".
A perhaps noteworthy exception came along when the maximum length offered was reduced from 8 3/4" to 8 3/8".
Given the oft repeated phrase, "S&W would do anything anybody would pay them to do.", it's certainly possible to stumble upon an exception. I should add the caution to not get upset if you find a barrel that doesn't measure exactly to the expected length---which is to say you may very well come across what should be a 6" barrel that measures 6 1/8"---or 5 7/8"----as in "close enough".
Ralph Tremaine
----------and given a 5 1/4" RM, it shows as 1 of 3 made in that length---and should be noted in the letter.
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I've measured many revolver barrels over the years and found that to be true but expected the pre-war Magnums to be closer in actual length because they were special order. It seems way too short for a 5 1/2", but hard to believe it may be a 5 1/4" because they reportedly only made about 3 of them. Thanks for trying to help, but I guess only a factory letter will actually clear things up.
I am not sure I would consider anyone who owns a Registered Magnum a casual use. Must me me
Even if you figure out how to post the picture no one is going to be able to confirm that your RM has an original 5-1/4" barrel from looking at the picture. There is one (1) 5-1/4" RM listed in the S&WCA database; it is serial number 56794, REG 3944. If yours is a different gun it could still be an original and rare 5-1/4" gun and definitely worthy of a factory letter.
I've been posting messages and pictures on here in the past and never had problems until recently. I keep getting a message that something is wrong with my hosting site yet it's the same album I've been using for years.
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StrawHat
Member
If you sent a request to the factory for information, you will get nothing. The letters are offered through the Historical Society and cost $100.
Kevin
Model19man
Member
This is one of the easiest sites to post pictures. You may need to read the tutorial but it is ridiculously simple.
You can't just post a picture from your computer into the post. You have to upload it first to either a hosting site, an album here or attach it to your post as an attachment. The latter is really easy. Just click on Go Advanced and then click on the paperclip icon. Upload up to 5 pictures as attachments to each post.
The OP emailed pictures of his RM to me and I attached them below. Looks like it could be a 5-1/4" barrel or possibly a 5-1/2" barrel. It will be interesting to see what the factory letter says. Either way it appears to be a very nice RM, probably shipped in late 1936 based on the REG number the OP gave me (1705), and with a lot of oil on it.[emoji1] It is a new listing to the database.
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Terry,
I see the barrel is longer than 5 1/4 but less than 5 1/2. I have not measured any RM barrels, but I'll bet you have measured at least a few. Since you say it could be either, I guess S&W was not precise in the length. What was more common, being too long or being too short?
I see the barrel is longer than 5 1/4 but less than 5 1/2. I have not measured any RM barrels, but I'll bet you have measured at least a few. Since you say it could be either, I guess S&W was not precise in the length. What was more common, being too long or being too short?
Need a more precise "ruler.".... good enough for Government work !!!
5 5/16s".... closer to 5 1/4" than 5 1/2"
5 5/16s".... closer to 5 1/4" than 5 1/2"
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For comparison, this is REG 4355 and it is a well-used, lettered, much more common 5.5"er that shipped to Wolf & Klar in January of 1938 (estimated to have been 140 made). I just got the ruler out and the "exact" barrel length is right at 5.5".
I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the letter says.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the letter says.
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I've been measuring revolver barrels for some time now and have found that many are under what is advertised by as much as 3/16". Usually it's 1/8" to 1/16". This is true of pre-war revolvers as well. Sometimes they're at size or even a 1/16" over, but not often. The actual intended barrel length of my RM will only be decided by a S&W factory letter and nothing else I guess. I thank all for trying to help.
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Congrats 1869 on your nice Registered Magnum. I'm guessing your letter will come back 5 1/4". Wow. To have one of three in your barrel length is exciting.
