Are the early Airweight K frames with the alloy cylinder safe to shoot?

Pics on post # 8.

Definitely NOT! They're collector items only.

Not recommended. I have understood that revolvers with the alloy cylinders can be returned to S&W for retrofitting with a replacement steel cylinder, but I don't know if they will do that for a pre-Model. You might contact S&W to find out. Otherwise, you might handload some very light loads if you want to shoot it. When the USAF was using these, they did use lightly loaded ammunition, and then they removed them from service, later destroying most of them.

It will be worth much more unfired.

Not just unfired, but even fired to the right collector with the alloy cylinder if it is still in good condition and shows no signs of cracking.

But this is definitely one case where you want to resist the understandable urge to shoot any gun you get your hands on.

The factory will NOT replace the cylinder assembly on these revolvers!

"The factory will NOT replace the cylinder assembly on these revolvers! "

That being the case, and if you truly want to shoot it, you should take up reloading and roll your own pipsqueak .38 Special loads. Or buy yourself another shooter-grade revolver with a steel cylinder.

I won this pre-12 (C-236xxx) from 1953 at auction. Anyone have any idea as to production numbers with the alloy cylinder like this one?

A previous owner carved his name inside the stocks which number to the gun !

Best,
Charles

Attached Images

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Not many remain with original cyl. Any that were returned to the factory got the steel cyl "upgrade", like it or not. Probably not made but a yr or two.

Charlie

I don't even shoot my Model 12 with anything heavier than the light shooting .38 Specials made by Hornady, I think, called Lite something or other. Then, again, I shot it, it shoots fine, I really don't shoot it any longer because I think it is taking a risk for no reason. It fits the collection; done and done.

Well, congrats, Charles. That's terrific. Happy to hear you won it. Nice looking little thing, too, with a bit of character.

I can't figure why the pre-Model 12s would be different than pre-Model 37s. I've attached Roy's recent letter, June 8, 2017, where he tells me to return my Chiefs Special. Take a peek.

Slàinte,

Bob

Attached Files

38 Chiefs Airweight, Jinks letter p2.pdf (745.3 KB, 76 views)

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Bob:

I'm not sure how old the template for that letter is. By that date Roy had not been "we" as far as S&W was concerned for some time.

The company definitely did in the past exchange cylinders, but nothing but a call to them could ascertain whether that is still the case today.

If one talked to the right person and took the right tack about danger and product liability, who knows? But this letter isn't sufficient authority

Have a similar Pre-12 #C259XXX Shipped March 1954. Roy's letter says "This Aluminum cylinder .38 Military and Police Airweights can be identified by serial number which should fall between C190000 and C310000."

Further Roy says, "Unfortunately we do not have any production figures on the Model 12." (Does he also mean Pre-12 ? I don't know.)
Roy does state there are no records of the total production of the few revolvers with the extra locking screw produced in 1954. (like mine)

Hope this helps.

Do I remember correctly that the pre 12s with alloy cylinder were only made 1953-54?

The SCSW 3rd shows production to be 1952-1954.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!