S&w 547

[Handy]

This short lived revolver chambered and ejected 9mm cases without the use of moon clips. I haven't seen many and the prices always seem a little high.

Is it possible to build one out of a similarly framed .38 or .357 and a replacement cylinder from S&W? Or are the bores different (.355 vs. .357)? Any other oddities?

Anybody got one? What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Model 547

Bores are slightly different, but that is minor compared to: frame mounted firing pin (for the first time on a S&W, with a built in fixed "limiter" pin below the firing pin to prevent firing pin sticking. Firing pin itself was made out of beryllium copper, alleged to be nearly unbreakable. The extractor system was different than anything used before or since - individual springs that allowed rimless cartridges to be used without moonclips - the exact operation is lengthy to describe, works well, and cartridges can't get caught under an extractor star; if an individual spring misses a rim, it just slips back underneath for another go.

I had a 4" model stolen 8 years ago that was the best revovlver I've ever owned for double action shooting. I finally bit the bullet, so to speak, and bought a 3" replacement - it is new in the box, and I probably paid too much, but I don't care. I haven't shot it because I'm afraid I won't like it as much as my first one - how stupid is that?

 

[Neal Bloom]

Don't know about trying to build one but I have had a 547 for almost twenty years. IMHO the 547 is a great gun. Probably the most accurate handgun I have. Very nice to handle. Friends who shoot are surprised at the accuracy. My wife likes it a lot and wants me to get her one but the prices are unbelievable. A while back some guy on Gunbroker was wanting $800 for one. I love the 547 but I don't think one is worth $800. A friend has one but he loves his too and I can't talk him out of it.

The only time I had trouble was shooting aluminum cases. Had a hard time extracting them, had to push them out since they were stuck in the cylinder.

There seems to be some demand for 9mm revolvers but probably not enough for the major manufacturers to build them.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Not to mention the stud on the recoil shield...

S&W very likely does not have any cylinders for this gun, either.

 

[Bill Adair]

Mike,

That's correct I think! I contacted S&W, Numrich, and every other gun parts source I could find here and in Canada, and asked about parts. None of them had any parts for the 547.

I'd also like to find another 547, but will probably never find one, for even twice what I paid ($300).

This is only the second revolver I've ever shot that grouped under 1" at 25 yards (with a red dot sight). The other was a 38/44 Outdoorsman, that a friend bought recently for $200! It got under 1", but the 547 aced it out by a fraction of an inch.

Bill

 

[M58]

GunsAmerica had one a day or so ago for $500.
Great gun,BTW!

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

Wasn't planning on it, but I found a 3" 547 at a shop this weekend. This is my first revolver. Price was $359 out the door including the background check. Does that sound fair? It looks to be completely unfired, in box with papers, extra grip and cleaning kit. Haven't been able to fire it yet, but so far I really like it. Double action pull is stout. Ordered a wolfe reduced power spring kit from Brownell's today to try and take care of that.

Is it possible to mill the cylinder to allow for moon clips while still keeping the extractor it has? I'm guessing not, but I'd love to be able to load it either way.

How hard are the HKS speedloaders to find? Any good sources, or am I going to have to just look for them at gunshows?

 

[M58]

Excellent given the current market.

 

[CZ-75]

If you want a 9mm to work with clips, buy a 940 (or a Ruger).

Leave that 547 alone.

 

[Neal Bloom]

Sounds like a good price. I would leave it alone also. I'd shoot it awhile before I changed the springs. Congrats!

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll stick with the speedloaders for now. I was just curious about the clips. They looked pretty fast, but I'd rather not have to monkey with the gun too much.

The springs I will probably do. The pull is smooth, but very, very heavy. I had read that the original spring was stiffer to pop european NATO primers. I'm just looking for something a little softer, but not so soft I have to switch to Federal primers only.

That new lightweight Taurus 85 9mm is looking interesting, and I definitely like the 625. I'm going to need some more money.

 

[Tamara]

With 2 625s and a PC627, I've actually become quite the devotee of moonclips. I agree with everyone else, though, that I wouldn't mod a 547 to use them...

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

Got the springs installed last weekend and backed the strain screw out as far as I could and still maintain reliability. Trigger pull is very, very nice now. This gun is a whole lot of fun to shoot. Seemed very accurate, but I didn't get a chance to really shoot for groups. Definitely need to get another revolver. There's just something about them that autos don't have.

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

I've heard that K frames should be fired with too many 357's and should mainly be fired with 38's. What about in 9mm? It seems to be right in between 38 and 357 for pressure. Most of the time I fire pretty light loads, but I'm working on a hotter, but still standard pressure load. Do I need to worry about wearing anything out with either standard pressure or +p loads in this gun? Thanks.