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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 11-17-2011, 06:42 PM
opr1945 opr1945 is offline
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Default .38/44 conversion to .357

What is involved in converting a .38/44 HD revolver to a .357 caliber?

Thanks,
opr1945
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  #2  
Old 11-17-2011, 07:10 PM
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Re-cut the cylinder for magnums. It's easy. I wouldn't do it. But it's easy.
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Old 11-17-2011, 07:24 PM
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I have never considered altering my Outdoorsman to take .357's when you can load .38-44 loads (the predecessor to the .357 Magnum) with .38 Special (I use +P brass). There was an old (not sure the month but it was 2006) issue of Handloader that did a very large article on .38-44 loads for the Heavy Duty and Outdoorsman.
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Old 11-17-2011, 07:27 PM
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Many .38-44s were so converted, but heat-treatment and other differences between them and the .357s make it unwise. The Heavy Duty and Outdoorsman models are collectible, and there are plenty of .357s to use without worrying about firing them. Hope this is helpful.
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Old 11-17-2011, 09:26 PM
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Simple reaming job. Done many times in years long past. Not recommended. Can't imagine any smith willing to do it out of liability fears. But then, I hear of smiths willing to disable the locks on new S&Ws so maybe there are fools out there...
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  #6  
Old 11-17-2011, 10:29 PM
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I wouldn't do it, try 38/44 reloads or buffalo bore 38 +p's.TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT!!!! I PROMISE!!!
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Old 11-17-2011, 10:56 PM
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I wouldn't do it, try 38/44 reloads or buffalo bore 38 +p's.TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT!!!! I PROMISE!!!
That's what I was thinking.

38 SPL +P OUTDOORSMAN - 158 gr. Hard Cast Keith 1,250 fps

38 Special +P OUTDOORSMAN Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
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Old 11-17-2011, 11:15 PM
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You will likely have to alter the front sight height as the trajectory of a light bullet .357 is different than that of a heavy bulleted .38. In fact, a ground front sight is usually the tip-off that the chambers have been lengthened to accept the .357 round.
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Old 11-17-2011, 11:31 PM
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I have a M60 in .357 but I can shoot .38 specials in it. But they are shorter.

So my .38/44 started out as a .38 caliber right? So why does the cylinder have to be drilled out?

And if the .357 rounds are longer why do they fit in the .38/44 cylinder? shouldn't it be to short for the .357's?

And .357 rounds fit in the cylinder. So it must have been drilled out? And I presume I can still shoot .38 specials in the gun?

?????
thanks
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Old 11-17-2011, 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by opr1945 View Post
I have a M60 in .357 but I can shoot .38 specials in it. But they are shorter.

So my .38/44 started out as a .38 caliber right? So why does the cylinder have to be drilled out?

And if the .357 rounds are longer why do they fit in the .38/44 cylinder? shouldn't it be too short for the .357's?

And .357 rounds fit in the cylinder. So it must have been drilled out? And I presume I can still shoot .38 specials in the gun?

?????
thanks
Yes, the .357 case is .135" longer than the .38 Special, so apparently someone already reamed out your cylinder to shoot .357s. The N frame .38 and .357 cylinders have the same external dimensions (I think), but the chamber shoulder (where the front of the case touches with a chambered round) is farther back with the .38. It sounds like you figured that out already .

You can fire .38s in your (apparently modified) cylinder without problems.
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  #11  
Old 11-18-2011, 07:57 AM
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opr,

Murphydog has answered most of your questions I think. I would only offer that some of the M60's are factory chambered for the .357 Mag. so yours may be original and not modified.

Also, the .38/44 IS .38 caliber.

Bob

In re-reading your post I am a little confused. Are you asking about a M60 AND a .38/44. They are two different guns and your post isn't clear if you have both.

B.

Last edited by bettis1; 11-18-2011 at 08:19 AM.
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  #12  
Old 11-18-2011, 10:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opr1945 View Post
I have a M60 in .357 but I can shoot .38 specials in it. But they are shorter.

So my .38/44 started out as a .38 caliber right? So why does the cylinder have to be drilled out?

And if the .357 rounds are longer why do they fit in the .38/44 cylinder? shouldn't it be to short for the .357's?

And .357 rounds fit in the cylinder. So it must have been drilled out? And I presume I can still shoot .38 specials in the gun?

?????
thanks
You can shoot .38 Specials in any revolver factory chambered for .357 Magnum, no problem.

You should not be able to fire .357 Magnums in an unaltered .38 Special, since the magnums are too long for the chambers and therefore the cylinder will not close.

Modified guns are a whole different story. If your HD will chamber .357 Magnums and the cylinder can be closed and cycled, it sure sounds like you have a modified gun. Just because this can be done or has been done does not mean it should be done.

People who are thrilled by tales of reckless derring-do should probably stay away from guns. Please understand that I'm not saying this applies to you; only you know that. Be cautious, be safe.
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  #13  
Old 11-18-2011, 10:25 AM
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If your 60 is in fact a 60-9 or higher, it was available from the factory in .357.
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  #14  
Old 11-18-2011, 10:36 AM
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Quote:
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What is involved in converting a .38/44 HD revolver to a .357 caliber?

Thanks,
opr1945
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  #15  
Old 11-18-2011, 11:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opr1945 View Post
What is involved in converting a .38/44 HD revolver to a .357 caliber?

Thanks,
opr1945
Sounds like my advice is too late based on later post by OP but anyway here it is.

Converting a 38/44 (of any flavor) to .357.

Step 1- Sell the 38/44 to a collector for a nice price.

Step 2- Take proceeds form step 1 and buy a nice model 27 or 28.
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  #16  
Old 11-18-2011, 11:18 AM
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If the 38/44 is in fact in good shape, you should be able to sell it and buy BOTH.
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  #17  
Old 11-18-2011, 01:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opr1945 View Post
What is involved in converting a .38/44 HD revolver to a .357 caliber?

Thanks,
opr1945
Wouldn't it be as simple as swapping the cylinder and crane from a M-28 Highway Patrolman or M-27 with your .38-44HD? (or is the cylinder of those two .357 guns a little longer than the HD?)
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  #18  
Old 11-18-2011, 01:24 PM
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Okay, that helps. I didn't realize the external dimentions were the same on .38 & 357. Nor did I realize there was a shoulder in the chambers in the cylinder to prevent .357 cartirdiges from fitting.

I have both calibers. But I just ***/U/MED the .38 cylinder was shorter than the .357 and that is why the .357 wouldn't fit.

.357 cartirdiges fit in my gun. Also it has a Highway Patrolman barrel installed. Which says .357 on the side.

highway patrolman ? mystery? Not a .38/44 either? see post #44

Thanks.
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  #19  
Old 11-18-2011, 02:46 PM
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At this point it sounds like a Franken/Wesson...
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Old 11-18-2011, 06:06 PM
opr1945 opr1945 is offline
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Most of my shooting has been with revolvers. mostly .38 and .357. I was told I could shoot 38's in the 357, but not the other way around because the 357s were longer and would not fit.

I assumed the cylinders for 357s were longer than 38 cylinders. but I never checked. I just measured several 38 cylinders and 357 cylinders with a tape measure and they appear to be the same length. So the shoulder in the 38s to keep the 357 from fitting makes a lot of sense.

I just never knew it.

So when I got this .38/44 and was told it was converted to .357 I could not figure how you put a longer cylinder in the frame of a .38. And then when people said ream it out, that still did not address the length of cylinder difference. especially since the cylinder serial number was matched to the frame.

But now that I realize the cylinders are all the same length, and the shoulder just has to be removed, it makes more sense.

My earlier reference to the model 60 was just other guns I have.

The question was about the .38/44.

I learned several things.
thanks.
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357 magnum, cartridge, highway patrolman, m60, model 27, model 28, model 60, outdoorsman, patrolman, smith-wessonforum.com

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