[Higgins]

What information/parts are available for working on S&W semi-autos? Is it possible to accurize/tune/gunsmith S&W autos the way you might do to a 1911? Or is this something for which the info/parts/accessories just aren't made or available the way they are for 1911's?

Lasrly, are barrels in .357 sig available/workable in S&W .40 autos?

Thanks for any info.

[dfariswheel]

S&W autos can be tuned for accuracy, using many of the same techniques as for the 1911 auto.

However, there is no Kuhnhausen gunsmithing manual, or anything else available, yet.

A problem with customizing the Smith's is a lack of custom parts.
Other than sights and grips, there just isn't much available.

Most S&W autos are thoroughly reliable right from the factory, and they're usually pretty accurate, especially the compact versions.

Bottom line: Tuning for reliably will gain little, or nothing in a significant increase of already high reliability.
The S&W's aren't intended to be used as target pistols, and most of them
are of a type (combat) that doesn't lend themselves to the role of a target pistol very well.

The S&W's are pretty well dedicated as "people shooters".

[JoeHatley]

Higgins,

AGI www.americangunsmith.com has a series on S&W Autos, but I'm not sure how may of the topics you're interested in are covered.

BTW: Don't forget, some S&W autos are just as "tunable" as any 1911.... ;-)

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/sw1911bbtrigger.jpg

Good Luck...

Joe

[Jim K]

S&W themselves did a pretty good job of "accurizing" the Model 39; they call it the Model 52.

Jim

[Bill Hook]

I thought they call it the 952 now that it's a 9mm.

[stans]

Yep, it is now the 952 and chambered in 9X19.

Bar-Sto makes replacement barrels for the S&W semi-auto's. I agree, the biggest draw back to accurizing a S&W is the lack of aftermarket parts. S&W made most of their pistols with law enforcement and self-defense purposes in mind, so there is little demand for accurizing of these pistols.