[Old Fud]

I saw and handled a S&W 6-shot revolver recently. Looked like an old-style .38 police special w/4" barrel, but it was chambered in 9mm and came with 2 half-moon clips.

The story that came with the piece was that the FBI had special-ordered between 1000 and 1500 of these to try out at one time --- they had wanted something smaller than their standard handgun to try out for their female operatives.

1) True story?
2) When?
3) Details please.

By the way, other than the oddity and the conversation value, I wasn't really interested. I mean, what would one DO with such a thing?

Fud

[Cortland]

By the way, other than the oddity and the conversation value, I wasn't really interested. I mean, what would one DO with such a thing?
Well, the 9mm Ruger SP-101s are pretty sought-after. I'm not sure why, either, but it's a fact.

[RON in PA]

Sounds like you saw a Smith model 547 which was made in both 4" and 3" sizes. The story on these is that they were designed for the French police in the late 1970's and sold here from 1980 to 1985. Approx. 10,000 were made. Never heard of any FBI interest in a 9mm revolver and also the 547 had a unique extraction system that did not use moon clips . Smith did make a five-shot J-frame snubby (m940) that used full-moon clips. Ruger also made a model of the Service Six and the SP101 for the nine.

[akviper]

The FBI issued a 3 inch Smith & wesson Model 13 that was nearly identical in size, weight, and configuration during the 80's. My limited FBI firearms contacts at the time were much more interested in 9mm autopistols than 9mm revolvers. They adopted the S & W 59 series for the field swat teams around that time. I read the same information mentioned above that the French were looking for a 9mm revolver for their law enforcement folks and S&W came up with the 547 for testing. Apparently the French went with a domestically produced Manurin revolver instead. Not many 547's were made before Smith discontinued them. The 547 is a six shot and does not require moon clips as most 9mm revolvers. Smith tried to market them just when the move to .45 and bigger calibers became most popular. Why use a six shot 9mm revolver when you could get a 14 shot 9mm auto or an 8 shot .45? One local gun dealer had several and had a huge discount trying to get rid of them. Now they are wanted by Smith collectors and command a fairly steep price if in good shape. If only I had bought 5 or 6 and stuck them in the safe...

[revolvergeek]

That might be one of the Israeli modified Model 10s. I read that they converted a few guns over at one point. Is the barrel actually marked 9mmP? Is it a heavy or skinny barrel (all the 547s had heavy barrels)? I would be quite worried that someone milled the cylinder/extractor of an old .38 S&W / .38/200 gun to allow the 9mmP in moon clips to fit (cartridge case size is pretty similar, but pressures are way off). I would not want to shoot that.

I had a 547 (and will trade back for it one day). It was a nice enough gun, but it was something of a pain to load in a hurry. The extractor plungers/teeth put just enough resistance on the rounds going into the cylinders that the rounds won't drop in freely, making the HKS speedloaders for it of very limited use. 9mmP ammo is much cheaper than .38spl now though, and I have been thinking about getting it back to have something cheap to shoot.

[45crittergitter]

This brings to mind the 9mm Federal cartridge . If I recall correctly, it was basically a rimmed 9mm Parabellum for double action revolvers, similar to the .45 Auto Rim. As I recall, Federal made ammo and Ruger made revolvers for it. The "Federal" cartridge designation, I believe, refers to the Federal ammunition company, and not the federal government. I have forgotten whether the revolvers could also use 9mm P with moon clips, but I think that they could.

[BluesBear]

The revolver you are referring to is the Model 547. It was a 3" or 4" barreled 9mm Military & Police revolver. It looked just like a Model 10. They didn't use moon clips. They had a Medusa type extractor.

S&W made over 10,000 or them between 1980 and 1985.

[9x19]

This brings to mind the 9mm Federal cartridge . If I recall correctly, it was basically a rimmed 9mm Parabellum for double action revolvers, similar to the .45 Auto Rim. As I recall, Federal made ammo and Ruger made revolvers for it. The "Federal" cartridge designation, I believe, refers to the Federal ammunition company, and not the federal government. I have forgotten whether the revolvers could also use 9mm P with moon clips, but I think that they could.

Part right.... the only revolver ever chambered at the factory for the 9mm Federal was the Charter Arms Pit Bull, and the concept never caught on. These revo's could not use standard 9mm ammo with moon clips, which no doubt hurt their popularity.

http://nas2.gbhinc.com/GB/028720000/28720149/pix481533875.jpg