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February 22, 2017
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One of my other prized revolvers is this beautiful Model 547 9mm from 1982. They only made a few thousand of these and there are various stories behind how they were designed and why, but the prominent explanation is that they were requested by the French government, who later canceled their order. It's a truly innovative design and a beautiful piece of engineering. It was one of the very early, frame-mounted firing pins and the extractor requires no moon clips. My copy isn't pristine, but it's in very good condition, which is how I like them since I usually buy guns that I can shoot, and this one is a great shooter. The double action trigger pull is as smooth as butter and the single action pull is light and crisp. This might be my favorite of all my revolvers. I've included a link to an excellent article about the revolver and here is an excerpt that describes the extractor design:
"Curran and his team came up with a unique extractor, as a solution. The head and stem of the extractor were investment cast from beryllium copper. The copper was chosen for its low coefficient of friction and was heat treated to the same strength as steel. It also demonstrated excellent resistance to wear in testing. Each charge hole had a small spring steel leaf that fit in a groove when the extractor was at rest. With the extractor seated fully in the cylinder, cartridges could be dropped into charge holes as normal, because the extractor leaves were retracted. When the extractor rod was pressed, the end of each leaf expanded into the extractor groove of the case, allowing the extractor to push the case out of its chamber. Engineers were satisfied with the strength of the system and claimed the portion of the leaf that engaged the brass case head would tear completely through the brass without breaking."
Article link: https://revolverguy.com/the-smith-wesson-547-ahead-of-its-time/
Jerry
10 Dans and counting...
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March 25, 2013
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I too have several of the 547s. Two 3" and a 4". One 3" went back to the factory when new and was nickeled. Maybe the only factory nickel 547
I understand they were made for the Palestine Authority per Israeli request but then the order was canceled and they were sold in the U S. They were the most expensive revolver to make that S&W ever made. There are two firing pins. One holds the 9mm from backing out and the other strikes the primer.
February 22, 2017
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Ole Dog said
I too have several of the 547s. Two 3" and a 4". One 3" went back to the factory when new and was nickeled. Maybe the only factory nickel 547I understand they were made for the Palestine Authority per Israeli request but then the order was canceled and they were sold in the U S. They were the most expensive revolver to make that S&W ever made. There are two firing pins. One holds the 9mm from backing out and the other strikes the primer.
I heard that story as well, but the article says it was the French government as if that was the consensus. We'll probably never know the actual story, but it's interesting to speculate. I think that the firing pin engineering is ingenious, and, as you point out, between the complicated firing pin design and the complicated extractor, it was too expensive to make. That article is quite well done and a very interesting read for those who are interested in the actual design and the design process.
I'd like to get a 4" version as well, but I haven't seen one come up at a good time to buy as it seems like something else is always higher on my list. The interesting thing to me is that even though they made more 3" models, the 3" seems to sell for higher prices. As it is with all things, demand determines price.
Jerry
10 Dans and counting...
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March 25, 2013
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Lately the 4" barrel gun is selling for more than the 3". I have a, fondness for 3" Revolvers. Manurhin MR73, Korth, DW Palmer, S&W 547, S&W 327 Federal. No 3" original Python yet though. But 31/2" Registered Magnum. Plus others.
February 22, 2017
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Well, that's disappointing, I should have bought one when they were going less than the 3" barrels. I love the 3" revolver as well. I like the way they look and the way they feel. They seem to balance so well.
Jerry
10 Dans and counting...
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
I have a fondness for 3" Revolvers.
Me to. My first DW was a 3" Palmer fixed barrel, which is a sweet shooter. My 4" Monson Nickel 14 has the smoothest trigger of all my Dan's.
Also have an awesome S&W 686-3.
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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jertex said
Ole Dog said
I too have several of the 547s. Two 3" and a 4". One 3" went back to the factory when new and was nickeled. Maybe the only factory nickel 547
I understand they were made for the Palestine Authority per Israeli request but then the order was canceled and they were sold in the U S. They were the most expensive revolver to make that S&W ever made. There are two firing pins. One holds the 9mm from backing out and the other strikes the primer.
....I'd like to get a 4" version as well.....
Here:
February 22, 2017
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Yep, I saw that, I don't want one that badly, I'll bide my time.
Jerry
10 Dans and counting...
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The S&W 13-3 Heavy Barrel is the identical gun to the 547 but 357Mag. The 3" was the FBI gun until they switched to Semis after the Miami shootout.
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