I have a Model 17 no dash. What are your thoughts of obtaining another cylinder, and having it bored out for .22 magnum, and fitted to my revolver?

Fun idea--or really dumb idea/

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Paul
Salome, AZ

22 LR and 22 WMR have slightly different bore sizes. The Magnum is bigger so you may have an excessive pressure issue. When they make a 22 with two cylinders the barrel is bored for the Magnum and the LR rattles around a bit.

But I have read guys say they have done this. I would not. Just buy a Model 48. Cheaper and you'll be happier in the end.

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No life story has happy end.

Another option would be to buy a new OEM model 48, 0r 648 cylinder hand have it fit to your model 17. Impractical? Perhaps.
Fun? Yes sir.


Total cost for new parts approx. $80.00. Stress while cutting the ratchets yourself.......... priceless.

Cylinder Fitment

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

My experience with extra cylinders is they are little used, cause extra wear or idiot marks exchanging them and often get separated from the gun. The Model 48 is an excellent firearm and a prime candidate for an 8 3/8" barrel~

I have done it. Reaming a 22lr cylinder to 22 mag not too big a deal, timing the new cylinder to your gun a bit more work. In the end I didn't personally see a tremendous amount of benefits to it, but I learned a few things in the process, so there was a benefit in that respect.

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Randy

Just buy a good 3 screw ruger single six from the 1960s with both LR/Mag cylinders. That should scratch the convertible itch.

When it comes to a S&W if you want a magnum just find yourself a good early model 48 and put it next to your model 17. There is no appreciable cost savings with all the work to have a convertible made, and there are a ton of drawbacks (already detailed in this thread).

I reamed a spare LR cyl to Mag for my pre model 18 Combat Masterpiece.

It happened to be a drop in as far as timing like most are. Overall length was right on which isn't always the case but mine was. Simple to correct if not.

I needed 22 mags to drop rock chucks with one shot, no suffering or scampering off to their hole to eventually die.

Added pressure is negligible. Never any signs of bulged case heads or perforated rims from the firing pin with mine or in anyone else's experience that I've ever heard about.

22 Pressures:

.22RF Long&LR - 24,000
.22WRF -19,000
.22WRM -24,000




The bore diameters (distance between the lands) are:

early .22 rim fire revolver bore on the S&W spec sheet as .217 -.218,

the K-22 bore diameter is listed as .2135 - .2147,

the .22 rim fire Magnum bore is listed as .219 -.220.

It's a non-issue in my opinion.

P.S. Rent a reamer and ream it yourself. This has to be one of the easiest rechambers because there' so little metal to be removed.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

My dad back in the late 1950s took a S&W 38 Special and put a factory 6" 22 cal barrel and cylinder in it and re chambered it to 22 snapper ( a shortened 22 Hornet case and shot Hormet .223 bullets through it with no trouble, I remember not liking it because of the muzzle blast, wasn't till i got my hands on a Ruger old model in 30 cal that I found the same ear splitting muzzle blast. My opinion is if you want a 22 magnum in a revolver just buy another, there is S&W 48s arround to pick up. Never had a Model 53 and don't want one but wouldn't mind finding a old model Ruger 256 Hawkeye to play with.

Hawkeye single shot is fun! They are not quite the ear splitters of those you mentioned.

They were poor sellers in the early '60s, because they cost the same $87.50 as the Super Blackhawk. In order to get rid of them many retailers had brand new Hawkeyes rechambered to all manner of cartridges. All it took was a barrel change since the chamber was in the end of the barrel like a rifle.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanx.. Art Doc.. Valued information..... George K.

[QUOTE=Hondo44;140938589]I reamed a spare LR cyl to Mag for my pre model 18 Combat Masterpiece.

It happened to be a drop in as far as timing like most are. Overall length was right on which isn't always the case but mine was. Simple to correct if not.

I needed 22 mags to drop rock chucks with one shot, no suffering or scampering off to their hole to eventually die.

Added pressure is negligible. Never any signs of bulged case heads or perforated rims from the firing pin with mine or in anyone else's experience that I've ever heard about.

22 Pressures:

.22RF Long&LR - 24,000
.22WRF -19,000
.22WRM -24,000




The bore diameters (distance between the lands) are:

early .22 rim fire revolver bore on the S&W spec sheet as .217 -.218,

the K-22 bore diameter is listed as .2135 - .2147,

the .22 rim fire Magnum bore is listed as .219 -.220.

It's a non-issue in my opinion.

P.S. Rent a reamer and ream it yourself. This has to be one of the easiest rechambers because there' so little metal to be removed.
Invaluable information that will go a long way in my fitment project. Thanx again....George K.

Thanx for the Invaluable information that will go a long ways with my fitment project....Thanx again for your help.... George K.