S&W 547

[SDM]

I know next to nothing about revolvers but I'm thinking I'd like to find a 9mm and the 4" 547 is just about what I am looking for (I don't want a J-frame). The largest size that will fit an IDPA box is what I'm after. I assume they use moonclips? If so are those easy to find? The prices I have seen are fairly high, is that going to always be the case? One last question, are there different models or brands that I should be looking at? Thanks in advance folks.

 

[farscott]

The M547 does NOT use moon clips. S&W used a patented extractor system with spring fingers in these revolvers. M547s, while not rare, seem to be scarce, and the pricing is high for the numbers made. They do come up for sale, but not very often can one be found. There are two versions, one with a three-inch barrel and one with a four-inch barrel.

 

[BluesBear]

The 3" was a round butt and the 4" was a square butt.

And as Farscott has noted they do not use, and will not work with, moonclips.

S&W made over 10,000 of them but they didn't sell well. Probably because of the fixed sights. There are so many variations of 9mm ammo that finding one that will shoot to point of aim can be an adventure.

 

[Trebor]

They are also hard to find and pricey when you do find them.

I'd suggest a S&W 610 for IDPA. That one uses moon clips. It's a 10mm/.40 though. Also getting hard to find now.

 

[SDM]

Thanks to you all. Did anybody ever make a 9mm in what I would call a full sized (as compared to a J-frame) revolver that did use moonclips? I'm thinking Ruger did at one point, but I don't know if it used moonclips or not.

Trebor,
The 610 is an idea but my other guns are either 9mm or .45 and I'd like to stick with one of those. I guess I may have to go with the .45 (625?), but since I don't reload I would rather find a 9mm.

 

[Brian Williams]

Ruger made a number of Speed Sixes that were in 9mm and they use moonclips, but like the 547 they are also getting pricy. Also take a look at a 646 preferred a 2nd gen they are in 40S&W and use moonclips. They were made with IDPA in mind, but they did not sell well.

 

[Jim Watson]

Revolvers are not required to fit The Box for use in IDPA. Just meet the 4" barrel maximum and a weight limit that lets in the 610.

Revolvers loading with clips now enter IDPA in Enhanced Service Revolver and must make Power Factor 165. You cannot do that with a 9mm without getting into IPSC type overloading. Even the 686 .38 Super and 646 .40 are marginal. Those guns are now obsolete for IDPA shooting.

The only clipguns really suitable are the 625 .45 and 610 10mm.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Oh no, my 646 is obsolete?! Guess I'll throw the piece of crap away then (not).

 

[Jim Watson]

BB, if you can load that little titanium sucker up to Major and hang on to it, you have my respect.
But I am not going to support a beginner like SDM getting something that I think so marginal. He wanted a 9mm revolver anyhow, which is really useless in current IDPA.

 

[SDM]

Thanks Jim, I didn't think about the power factor requirements. However, if I did use the revolver it would be in a small club match, maybe as a second gun. I think I could get them to let me shoot it, with the understanding that my score would be "off the record".

 

[Jim Watson]

OK, it's your money.

Me, I'd get a K- or L- Smith in .38/.357 and a hatful of speedloaders. Only reason I don't is because I ALREADY have.

More readily available, less expensive, and usable in sanctioned competition.

 

[SDM]

Jim,
Your right, that would be the smart way to do it. I'm not really that interested in shooting a revolver. I happened to see a 547 over the weekend and got the idea that maybe I could find one with cosmetic damage cheap, and use the same ammo I use for SSP. I probably won't worry about it unless a good deal shows up. Thanks again.

 

[BluesBear]

The 547 was noteworthy in that it seems to work well with almost all brands of 9mm ammo.

Whereas moonclips are notoriously finicky. There is so much variation in extractor groove dimensions that some just won't fit the clips.

 

[Jim Watson]

One claim for the 547 was that if you were shooting crapola ammo and a case stuck in the chamber, you could pound the patent extractor through the rim and stay in action with a five-shooter. I get in a lot of situations like that, don't you?

 

[FireBreather01]

Ruger also made a few Service Sixes in 9mm, they're outstanding, IMO!