[Thefabulousfink]

Pardon the newbee question, I have head these terms thrown around alot when talking about revolvers and I have no idea what they mean. If anyone could help me by explaining what it means to have a revolver pinned and recessed and what are the benefits of having this done?

Thank you for your help.

[Steve F]

Here you go;)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=135252

[Checkman]

In many respects it's one of those things that we miss once it's gone. Many feel like it's a just another indication that we live in an age that doesn't value craftsmanship. Others say that improved steel and better ammunition has rendered those features obsolete. Perhaps they're both right.

[Thefabulousfink]

Thanks Steve F,

I tried searching for it but I guess I didn't look back far enough.:o
That clears up quite a bit, I bought my first revolver a few months ago (S&W J-frame 637) and I have fallen in love with them. Now I am saving up and trying to decide between a S&W 629 or a SAA clone.

Is there no help for me? I still love my autos and rifles...well rent and food are overrated anyway.

[Steve F]

You are quite welcome;) ,no, there is no cure(get the 629,hint,hint)I started with one,and,I can't come close to someothers here,but I'm up to 5 S&W's already and still looking:D

[Steve C]

S&W M19

Recessed chambers
http://www.members.aol.com/scoll63101/public/recessed

Pinned barrel
http://www.members.aol.com/scoll63101/public/pinned

[Shear_stress]

Great pictures!

To add a few more details, S&W recessed the cylinders on rimfire and magnum-chambered revolvers only, to the best of my knowledge. Better case support.

[Hal]

If anyone could help me by explaining what it means to have a revolver pinned and recessed and what are the benefits of having this done?
Pinned and recessed or P&R as it's often referred as, are mostly used to designate a "ball park vintage" of a Smith and Wesson.

A typical conversation between 2 Smith nuts may go something like this:

#1- "I scored a nice P&R 19 for 200 bucks.
#2- Really? Wide or narrow?"
#1 - "Wide with the big checkered spur?"
#2 - "Square or round?"
#1- (Rolls eyes) "Square of course,,like I'd even look at anything else - and it has the original Coco' bolos (said with a very heavy roll of the "o's" for dramatic effect)."
#2 - "What NRA?"
#1 (lieing a bit ;)) "98%".
#2 - "Box and papers?"
#1 - "Nah" (and frowns deeply - knowing his error [see below])
#2 - "Cool!" (but is thinking - lie'en sack - no such thing as a 98% $200 P&R 19 around these parts.)

Translation - #1 Bought a Smith and Wesson 19-3 with the original over-sized target grips, the wide target trigger and the wide spur target hammer for about $300.00. One side of the revolver is in excellent condition since it sat in a drawer in the bedroom for years and years. However, the other side has been marred by some unknown goo that had accumulated in the bottom of the drawer. Had the revolver been stored in it's original box, along with the instruction manual and cleaning rod, brush and S&W screwdriver, it would have been worth the $300.00 and then some. As it is, it's a $250 "shooter".
As it is, it doesn't matter at all. #1 is overjoyed that:
a.) he has a new P&R.
b.) he thinks #2 is jealous of him.

#1 also lives in absolute terror of his wife. he knows she's going to skin him alive when she finds out he bought another gun. He desperately hopes he made it attractive enough to #2, so that #2 will buy it from him.

#2 meanwhile, is looking at a $400.00 P&R Model 29 - nickel finish - which is flaked badly around the chamber mouths - it's priced @ $535.00. He's doing the mental math of how much is left on his Discover card limit. he's also forming in his mind the description he's going to give to #3 - in the hopes that #3 will keep him from getting skinned alive.

Both plan to meet up later near the jerky table at the gun show where this is taking place.......

#3 isn't there.
His wife saw the Visa bill and grounded him......

[Matthew748]

Nice job posting those pictures Steve C. I have kind of wondered about those terms myself.

[Jkwas]

ok, I understand the recess part. As far as "pinning" goes, do they screw the barrel on, drill an alignment hole in the frame and barrel, and press the pin in? Does this prevent the barrel from unscrewing and shifting, or do they press the barrel in, then pin it in place? I would assume this makes for a much more secure arrangement by locking it in position.

[Smith357]

do they screw the barrel on, drill an alignment hole in the frame and barrel, and press the pin in?

The barrel has a small notch cut out of the threaded area, and the pin kips it from moving. The barrel is not at the best angle in the picture I found, but you can barely see the notch.