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Suppressed S&W 22LR J-frame prototype

shanneba

Professional
Off the record for decades until now. This suppressed J-frame prototype's configuration suggests it was built for experimental government or military requirements during the Cold War era and possibly other hush puppy weapon programs of the time.

Included with the .22 LR revolver is an early wipe-style suppressor assembly, reinforcing its intended role as a specialized, close-range system developed for discreet applications. Records indicate it was returned to Smith & Wesson’s government sales channel in 1990, placing it within the broader era of experimental suppressed handgun development.


 
How can you suppress any revolver with the barrel gap, this isn’t tv….
My thoughts exactly. Of all things to suppress, a revolver wouldn't be at the top of my list.
Im guessing its because its a 22 rimfire (maybe even meant for 22 shorts) with limited blast and perhapse with a tight cylinder gap.

With the suppressor using wipes, its not meant for a lot of rounds

...and then theres the possibility that maybe the designer got the job because he was the boss' nephew???
 
How can you suppress any revolver with the barrel gap, this isn’t tv….
The Soviets made a suppressed revolver that worked quite well. The ammo they used had a piston that would seal the cylinder gap and drive the projectile. And there was a suppressed revolver that the cylinder would move forward and with a cone shape recess in the cylinder it did a decent job of sealing the cylinder gap. Autos are a lot easier to manufacture and did a much better job of suppressing the projectile as long as it was kept under a 1000 fps.
 
They made some revolvers with extremely tight cylinder gap that could be suppressed. Basically a cylinder or two before lead and fouling locked the gun up. Pretty quiet as there was no action noise.
 
And there was a suppressed revolver that the cylinder would move forward and with a cone shape recess in the cylinder it did a decent job of sealing the cylinder gap.
Im guessing you were thinking about the Nagant 1895 revolver. I dont think it was made to be suppressed. Im pretty sure that was something (US?) gunsmiths "discovered" many years later.
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Picture from Wikipedia
 
Russia’s primary captive-piston revolver ammunition is the 7.62×41mm SP-4 (СП-4). It was developed for the specialized OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver. [1, 2]
Yes it was suppressed. And yes they also made a Nagant revolver that used the same principle and it was suppressed.
 
Very COOL. Thanks for the update.

The captive piston concept was also used in shot shells marketed in the early 80s. I got to fire a slug version. It fired a steel "dart" with four plastic fins. It was pretty quiet but not something that wouldnt be heard in the next room.

When fired the base (over the powder) pushed forward, throwing the slug and was captured by the crimp. They werent cheap even by 1980s standards. Then the boyz in WV decided each round was a suppressor, which effectively ended the market
 
The auto pistol was still in their infancy so back then it made more since to come up with a suppressed revolver since it would have been used at very close range and one shot would be all that was needed. Do you ever watch YouTube? Forgotten Weapons channel has some really good videos on this.
 
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