Review Smith and Wesson Model 6. Combat Magnum. In his 1. History of Smith Wessonconsidered by many to be the definitive work on the companyRoy Jinks wrote that without doubt the K frame line of revolvers is the companys most important development for two reasons Some of S Ws most famous handguns are within the K frame line anda fact I was unacquainted withits production exceeds the combined quantities of all the other handguns produced by Smith and Wesson. My revised copy of Jinkss book was printed in 1. The introduction of the companys semiauto M P line and the popularity of semiautos in general has made serious inroads on revolver production numbers, but that doesnt change the fact that, in the world of legendary revolvers, those built on the K frame rank high. Originally designed in 1. Special, the K frame was drafted into magnum duty by post World War II Smith Wesson President Carl Hellstrom after a lengthy conversation with sixgun artist and lawman Bill Jordan at the National Matches at Camp Perry. The topic was designing the ultimate law enforcement sidearm, and the result was the Combat Magnum. Chambered for the newish. Magnum cartridge, it sported a shrouded barrel and adjustable sights. The first serial numbered gun was presented to Jordan in 1. However, time would prove that the K frame Combat Magnum had an Achilles heel. Over a period of time, sustained shooting of heavy magnum loads could fatigue the frame of the revolver just below the rear of the barrel, where machining for the ejector rod weakened the portion of the frame enclosing the threaded barrel. Frames would occasionally crack, so shooters learned to control the diet of their beloved revolver, feeding it mostly. Specials when practicing and reserving the heavy. Magnum loads for duty carry or personal protection use. Amid anguished cries from revolver lovers, Smith Wesson discontinued building the svelte K frame. Serial Number Smith And Wesson 38' title='Serial Number Smith And Wesson 38' />Magnums in 2. Two models had existed the blued or nickel plated carbon steel Combat Magnum to which the designation Model 1. Smith and Wesson Model 6. Built with barrels varying from 2. This brings us to the recent introduction of a new Smith and Wesson Model 6. Combat Magnum. Like previous Smith and Wesson Model 6. Combat Magnums in configuration, the new revolvers have one key difference. As Smith and Wessons Paul Pluff pointed out when he first showed me the new revolver, the machining around the barrel is slightly different, leaving the frame more robust in critical high stress areas, eliminating the potential for cracked frames. The new Smith and Wesson Model 6. Bill Jordan specified for the original Combat Magnum and which is also probably the most practical length. The bore is five groove rifled with a 1 1. It has a classic ramped front sight with an orange insert for increased visibility pinned atop the shrouded barrel. Both the top of the barrel and the rear sight base are serrated to reduce glare. The rear sight is fit beautifully tight, without any discernible play. Finished in a nice non glare satin, Smith Wesson runs down the left side of the barrel, 3. Magnum over COMBAT MAGNUM down the right. The classic S W trademark logo is engraved just below the cylinder latch, and the model designation 6. Minimal cylinder play exists when the revolver is at full cock, indicating a nicely machined cylinder stop and well tuned action. The cylinder gap between the rear of the barrel and the face of the cylinder is nice and tight, too. A guide to help you navigate Smith Wessons lineup of 38 Special and 357 Magnum revolvers in the Lucky Gunner Lounge. Fluted for appearance and to reduce weight, the cylinder shows minimal marking from the cylinder stop, further indicating clean action timing. Like the previous generation of Smith and Wesson Model 6. Model 1. 9 triggers were for the most part serrated. While not of precision tuned custom quality, the double action pull rolls over cleanly and smoothly, stacking ever so slightly just before the hammer falls. My Lyman Digital Trigger gauge maxes out at 1. However, I did get good measurements on the single action pull, which is characteristically clean and crisp, breaking at four pounds, 1. The new K frame magnums are more robust in critical areas, which prevents the distress cracking seen in older K frames that had been fed a lot of magnum ammoas the author did during his test, with no problems. Heavily knurled, the hammer is a semi combat typefairly low profile to minimize snagging but substantial enough to enable a shooter to flick it back easily should the precision of the single action function be desired. Like the sights, trigger and cylinder latch, it is finished in a matte black that contrasts nicely with the glass bead satin of the stainless frame and barrel. A locking mechanism is accessible via a tiny keyhole just above the cylinder latch, enabling the owner to render the handgun inoperable if desired. Its the one element I dont like about the new Smith and Wesson Model 6. Combat Magnum. Sporty looking synthetic grips feel even better than they look. Slightly tacky and offering just a bit of texture, they are emblazoned with Smith Wessons intertwined S W logo. Like every Model 1. Smith and Wesson Model 6. At 3. 6. 6 ounces its light enough to carry comfortably day after day in a duty type holster yet heavy enough to dampen the recoil of full bore. Magnum loads into something approaching civilized. The original K frame revolvers were often shockingly accurate. To determine whether this new CNC and EDM produced version upheld the family reputation, I filled my range bag with various fodder from Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Federal, Fusion, Estate and Black Hills until it threatened to burst and headed to the Utah foothills for some accuracy and function testing. The 4. 2. 5 inch barrel sports an underlug for about three quarters of its length, and simple, tasteful rollmarks denote caliber and model. During the course of accuracy testing and chronographing, I burned through about 2. Ive ever fired from an iron sighted revolver. Shot with Hornadys 1. FTX Critical Defense ammunition, it measured a scant 0. I sure couldnt do it every timeand, frankly, Im not sure that the Smith and Wesson Model 6. I shot at least one very small group with each ammunition type I tested. This in spite of winds gusting to 2. Several of the groups were small enough to make me wish I had a Ransom Rest to accuracy test the revolver or had at least put a handgun scope on it. Id cheerfully wager that it would average sub inch 2. In order to avoid fouling buildup in the forward portion of the chambers, I completed testing the. Magnum loads I had on hand before switching to. Special. Although the Smith and Wesson Model 6. As you can see in the accompanying chart, not one load averaged over 3. Magnumsaveraged under 1. Hornadys 1. 25 grain FTX Critical Defense won the honors of best average, but its average was skewed a bit by that spectacular 0. The Smith and Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum in. Mag. is a updated take on the wildly popular Kframe Model 66 that was discontinued in 2005. In reality, the American Eagle 1. Got to love it when a handgun shoots wonderfully with inexpensive ammo. The new Model 6. 6 Combat Magnum demonstrated excellent accuracy, as evidenced by this 2. SW-model-10.jpg' alt='Serial Number Smith And Wesson 38' title='Serial Number Smith And Wesson 38' />New and used Smith Wesson Pistols Revolvers for sale. Classified listings from verified gun dealers. The Smith Wesson Model 3 was a singleaction, cartridgefiring, topbreak revolver produced by Smith Wesson from circa 1870 to 1915, and was recently again. A look at where to find Smith Wesson serial numbers and the date manufactured on different SW firearms. HISTORY OF SMITH WESSON Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson formed a partnership in 1852 to manufacture a firearm that could fire a fully selfcontained cartridge. American Eagle. And its not even the smallest group von Benedikt shot. With accuracy testing complete, I did some casual drills and plinked with the Smith and Wesson Model 6. Supply Chain Management At World Co Ltd Pdf Reader on this page. Bill Jordan, from the hip. Nope, I couldnt even hit dirt clods consistently from the hiplet alone aspirin tossed in the air like Jordan did back in the daybut the Smith and Wesson Model 6.