What is it now?

[sbrmike]

I took my 5 inch nickle plated S&W Model of 1905 4th Change in 32 WCF and turned into a snub nose 38 Special. What do I call it, a model of 1905 4th Change, an M&P or what?

The original cylinder had been bored out to who knows what? They removed the shoulder and bored it to the dimension of the back of the cylinder straight thru. I assume to shoot 32 S&W Longs through it but case life would be next to nothing as far as reloading. Also the bore had some heavy pitting in some areas, but strong rifling throughout. It was not in very good condition finish wise as well.

I installed a 2 inch Airweight marked 38 S&W Special barrel with beautiful bore from I guess a model 12 and a later model cylinder with left hand threaded extractor / ejector assembly. The gun is very tight action wise, functions flawlessly, has next to no end shake, and has .002" barrel to cylinder gap.

I don't know what to call it or what it might be worth? I am not looking to sell and would never represent it as original, but the main reason it wasn't an M&P originally is 32-20 was never a military or police caliber as far as S&W models are concerned. So, is it an M&P now, although not original in any sense of the word. I know it is a frankengun, but it is MY frankengun! I created the lil monster

[Mrnurse]

Call it a well done project...time to send it of to Fords or home blue if you know how.

[2152hq]

It's still a 1905 4th change IMO,,now in 38special.

That original 32-20 cylinder would have accepted 32Longs and 32Shorts in it's factory 32-20 chambering.
The 32Longs often split upon firing in the 32-20 chamber but they do 'work'. If they don't split upon firing, sizing them for reloading and firing them again will usually produce the cracked case. The 32Short holds up better and just bulge a bit from my experience.

Don't know what someone may have been trying to get to with a straight bored through chamber, maybe 327 magnum to chamber?

Nice save,,handy snub 38!

[deadin]

What is it now?

A shooter.

[Muley Gil]

"...but the main reason it wasn't an M&P originally is 32-20 was never a military or police caliber as far as S&W models are concerned."

Somewhere in my "stuff", probably on a disc from an old hard drive, I have a picture of either an ad or a box showing the Military & Police calibers as .38 S&W Special and .32-20

[murphydog]

Technically you can call it a .32-20 Hand Ejector caliber conversion, but since you made and never plan on selling it I would suggest a cute nickname. Mike Junior?

[handejector]

Originally Posted by sbrmike

but the main reason it wasn't an M&P originally is 32-20 was never a military or police caliber as far as S&W models are concerned.

The 1939 catalog. Look under Ammunition:








The 1938 price list that came with that 1939 catalog:

[Hondo44]

Lee,

I'm curious about the next entry following the Kit Gun, all I can see is "Special Large" under the Stock column.

[handejector]

The 22/32 HFT

[Seamus O'Caiside]

I like the looks of that gun as it is. I don't know what you can do about rough finish on a nickeled gun, but if it is practical I would re-do the nickel frame and leave the cylinder and barrel blue. It is unique. I like odd guns because I am kinda odd myself (no, not THAT way!) Lots of people would notice it at the range, and ask about it. You could tell them it is a Frankensmithson.

[Waveski]

I'd leave the finish as is. Why cover up the FrankenGun look? It is what it is , and it has it's own kind of character.

Pretty neat.

[mwr1]

If you still have the old 32-20 barrel would you be interested in selling it.