Author Topic: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??  (Read 19443 times)

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Offline oldfart

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what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« on: January 27, 2009, 06:33:17 AM »
i just bought a s&w 36-1, it has a 3 inch pinned barrel, and square butt. what does the 1 mean in the #'s? its the first i've seen with the extra #. thanks for any help.

Offline GRIMJIM

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2009, 11:42:32 AM »
I believe it is an improved model. Maybe improved is the wrong word. A lot of times they will make modifications for safety or functionality and these new versions get a new designation. I have a 686-3.
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2009, 05:28:13 PM »
I answered this the other place you asked the question.  The dash numbers are engineering changes.  In some cases they are improvements.  In most cases the changes were made to reduce manufacturing costs.

The first Model 36 was followed by the 36-1, followed in turn by the 36-2, etc.  Specifics about each dash number can be found in the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson," or by searching the web.

-Don
Semper Fi.  (1803/0210)

Offline S.B.

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2009, 05:53:47 PM »
Engeneering changes.
Steve
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
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Offline omcforever

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2009, 03:57:02 PM »
Sometimes called endurance mods,,,,,,,
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Offline S.B.

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2009, 05:14:55 PM »
The endurance package was an engineering change of no small size(drop the barrel pin etc.) but, to stop the cylinders from turning backwards in recoil of model 29s.
Steve
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Offline tecrsq

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2009, 01:31:11 PM »
i just bought a s&w 36-1, it has a 3 inch pinned barrel, and square butt. what does the 1 mean in the #'s? its the first i've seen with the extra #. thanks for any help.

Here ya go bud:

Model and Dash numbering system
--------------------------------
Model 10
        -1      1959    Heavy Barrel
        -2      1961    Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
        -3      1961    Same as above, for heavy barrel
        -4      1962    Screw in front of trigger eliminated
        -5      1962    1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
        -5      1962    Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on
                        heavy barrel model
        -7      1977    Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
        -8      1977    Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
                        on heavy barrel model
Model 12        1957
        -1      1962    Change extractor rod to LH thread, eliminate
                        screw in front of trigger guard
        -2      1962    Front sight changed from 1/10" to 1/8"
        -3      1977    Gas ring on yoke to cylinder
        -4      1984    Change frame thickness to same as all K frames
Model 13        No designation used to avoid confusion with air force model
                13 air crewman
Model 13
        -1      1974    Introduced
        -2      1977    Change back to gas ring on cylinder
        -3      1982    eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 14,15,16,17,18,48,53 (all start without dash in 1957)
        -1      1959    Change to LH extractor rod thread
        -2      1961    Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger
                        guard eliminated
        -3      1967    Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
        -4      1977    Changed gas ring from yoke to cylinder
19                      All of the above changes and
        -5      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore

N-Frame Model Blue
------------------

Model 20,21,22,23,24,25 (except 25-5) 26,27,28,29
        -1      1960    Change to LH thread
        -2      1961    Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger
                        guard eliminated
        -3      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore (magnums only)
        -4   2004   Thunder Ranch 44 Special, fixed sight
Model 57        1964    Introduced
        -1      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 629       1980    Introduced
        -1      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 25-5      1978    -5 means 45 Colt caliber
                        125'th anniversary model, -3 (standard) -4 (delux)
                        both of these used a shorter than standard cylinder.
        -7   1985   45 Colt, 5" barrel, unfluted cylinder
K-Frame Stainless Models
------------------------
64              1970    Introduced
        -1      1972    Heavy barrel
        -2      1977    2" standard barrel, gas ring from yoke to cylinder
        -3      1977    Same as above, for heavy barrel
65     -1      1974    introduced
        -2      1977    gas ring from yoke to cylinder
        -3      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore
66              1971    introduced
        -1      1977    Gas ring from yoke to cylinder
        -2      1982    Eliminate cylinder counterbore
67              1972    introduced
        -1      1977    gas ring from yoke to cylinder
39              1957    start of model numbering system
        -1,     1961    Made in 38 AMU cartridge for military 87 made.
        52-A -2 1971    Change of extractor
41              1957    start of model numbering system
        -1      1960    22 Short chambering
        (dash number not always stamped)
52              1961    introduced
        -1      1963    Single action only
        -2      1971    Changed extractor
52-A    See model 39-1
59              1971    introduced, no dash numbers used during production
61              1970    introduced in March
        -1      May '70 Add magazine safety
        -2      Sep '70 Addition of barrel nut
        -3      1971    Forged Al frame
76              1968    introduced, discontinued 1974 no dash numbers used

Small Frame Revolvers
---------------------
Model 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
                1957    Start of numbering system
        -1      1961    Change from I frame to J frame
36      -1      1967    Indicates 3" heavy barrel
37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 49, 63, 649, 650, 651
                        No dash numbers used on above numbers
60              1965    Introduced
        -1      1972    Heavy barrel variation made in 1972, not marketed
                        limited production only
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Offline smong2000

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2009, 05:50:57 AM »
 I don't see 686-3 (or others in that series) listed, anyone know about that one?  Thanks

Offline 1894cfan

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2009, 08:05:58 PM »
Hi all,
Anybody know about the 60-9? Just picked up a used Stainless one with a 2 1/8" barrel with Uncle Mikes grips.
TIA,
1894cfan

Offline 1911crazy

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2012, 08:51:02 AM »
My new S&W model 29-10 is suppose to be the bset model 29 ever manufactured with all the upgrades time will tell.

Offline jimster

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2012, 11:41:44 AM »
I have a 1986 model 36 "no dash"...in some cases I think there was no rhyme or reason for this, I have seen other model 36's with the dashes from around that same period. 

Offline DAT19K

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2012, 12:26:23 PM »
How about a 657-6?

Offline S.B.

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2012, 03:43:35 PM »
 DAT19K, how about it?
Steve
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
Life member of NRA, USPSA,ISRA
AF&AM #294
LIUNA #996 for the past 34 years/now retired!

Offline DAT19K

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2012, 06:03:25 AM »
don't see anything on a dash 6 657.

Offline S.B.

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Re: what do the dash #'s mean on my s&w??
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2012, 06:24:33 AM »
don't see anything on a dash 6 657.

Please explain what you are looking for?
Steve
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
Life member of NRA, USPSA,ISRA
AF&AM #294
LIUNA #996 for the past 34 years/now retired!