Model 51 with .22lr cylinder?

[ischia]

I saw on this forum that a .22lr cylinder was offered as an option for the 51 .22mag. I have always wondered how the difference in the diameter of .22mag vs .22lr with the same barrel is resolved. Like the Colt Scouts, Colt.22 Peacemakers,Ruger single sixs etc. How does it work? 22mag bullet through a .22lr barrel or .22lr bullet through a .22 mag barrel? Bought a mint model 34 cyln years ago and the forum post got me thinking about fitting it to my 51? info please.

Thanks,

Ischia

[dfariswheel]

For safety, the usual was .22LR through a .22 Magnum barrel, since the .22 Mag is a larger diameter bullet.

The reason you seldom see interchangeable cylinders in double action revolvers is due to the need to have an entire cylinder, yoke, and ejector assembly.
Then to, you have to have a screwdriver to remove the cylinder retention screw and slip in the entire extra cylinder assembly.
This is prone to damaging or loosing the screw, and its a more difficult operation than just switching the cylinder in a single action.

Revolver cylinders are very much fitted components, and they need to have their own fitted ejector, the entire assembly being then fitted to the frame.
DA cylinders are not intended to be disassembled often at all, and the chances of damaging something are too high for the usual owner.

"In most cases" when you find a DA revolver with JUST a cylinder, its not a real factory job since they invariably supplied the rare interchangeable cylinder as a complete assembly, usually with a matching serial number on the assembly.