S&W M-13 variation info... help please!

[fast97rs]

Ok...... Trying to learn a bit more....

I was looking for a S&W 13-2..... just because I had one..... but I found what the differances in the Model 13 are.... and its almost like reading chinese for me......


OK.... here we go....

Model 13 -1 1974 Introduced
-2 1977 Change back to gas ring on cylinder
-3 1982 eliminate cylinder counterbore


What does this mean..... what is a gas ring on cylinder and what is a cylinder counterbore? If you guys can, please provide me with this info, and possibly a picture so I know what the differance is and don't have to just picture it in my head.....

I really appreciate this as im looking to purchase a M13 to replace the one that was stolen from me..... and would like to be properly educated to make my purchase....


Jorgy

 

[RON in PA]

Periodically Smith & Wesson makes engineering changes in the manufacture of its revolvers and these result in dash number changes. Some of these are very obvious like the introduction of heavy weight barrels or MIM parts and sometimes the changes are subtle such as the changes you mention in regard to the model 13. For these changes I suspect that you would have to compare an earlier dash number gun directly with a later dash number gun to see the difference. For the gun owner and user these changes are usually unimportant. One change you mentioned, -3 1982 elimination of cylinder counterbore, probably refers to the elimination of recessed rims (as in pinned and recessed).

 

[fast97rs]

Thanks


But can someone tell me what these exact changes mean? How do they change the revolver?


Jorgy

 

[Kurac]

The gas ring prevents powder gases from getting in the cylinder from around the ejection rod. Some revolvers have this ring on the crane others on the cylinder

The counter bored chambers where used on all magnums until I think about 1982. By counter boreing the chambers, the case head will be flush with the end of the cylinder as opposed to having the rim resting on the end of the cylinder.

The pinned barrel was eliminated within a year or two of the counter bored or recessed chmabers. The pin is visible on above the barrel where it meets the frame.

 

[fast97rs]

The gas ring prevents powder gases from getting in the cylinder from around the ejection rod. Some revolvers have this ring on the crane others on the cylinder

The counter bored chambers where used on all magnums until I think about 1982. By counter boreing the chambers, the case head will be flush with the end of the cylinder as opposed to having the rim resting on the end of the cylinder.

The pinned barrel was eliminated within a year or two of the counter bored or recessed chmabers. The pin is visible on above the barrel where it meets the frame.

Perfect... thats what I was looking for.


Now the question is.... if you eliminate the counter bored chambers can you use Moonclips?

Is a pinned barrel a good or bad thing? The reason I ask is becuase I want to know if I should stay away from a 13-3 and just stick to either a 13 or 13-2....

Thanks guys!


Jorgy

 

[Kurac]

It is not possible to use moon clips on the counter boaded cylinder unless you visit a gunsmith and have hime do some work for you. I also don't think its possiblw with a standard non counter bored cylinder. The other bad news, I don't know that anyone makes moon clips for a K-frame but I could be wrong.

The pinned barrel and recessed chambers are very desirable features for a S&W and make it have a higher resale value and you will probably pay more for it too.

 

[41 magnum fan]

None of the model 13 variations will accept moonclips unless one has been modified by a competent gunsmith.The pinned barrell is not nessecary.It was just the way older revolvers were made.There is no diffrence in performance or reliability between a pinned barrel gun and a non pinned barrel gun.A lot of people prefer a pinned barrel just because it is a sign of a older gun.

 

[pauli]

i am 100% pleased with my 13-3. balances perfectly, significantly more accurate than i am, and somewhere in the past 20 years it picked up a really wonderful trigger.

 

[Steve 48]

I have a 13-2 and its in 99% condition. Its accurate and well balanced. It was my first handgun. I also have a 13-3 in 3 inch and its my favorite handgun to shoot. Steve 48