Not sure if this is the right thread for this.
This may sound dumb to some of you, but I need to know the difference between a S&W model 48 and a S&W K18. I sold a cylinder that to the best of my knowledge was for a Model 48. and the guy that bought it says it won't fit his K18. Is it me or him that lacks knowledge
need some input on this... Thanks all

I have a 22 WMR cylinder in my pre 18 and it works fine. It required some fitting by a gunsmith as they're not "drop in" parts; at least not often unless you're very lucky. Is it dimensionally not a fit (e.g. too long?) or does it look like it should fit but doesn't "drop in?" If the latter, maybe just needs the touch of an experienced smith. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thanks, The only thing I know is I sold a used cylender to a guy across the country and he said it doesn't fit his K18 and it was sold as a model 48 wmr.

I can hardly believe I am going to attempt an answer; but here goes.

(Model 18 .22 LONG RIFLE)
(Model 48 .22 MAGNUM)

Both K frame yes, but I, well, I just don't know where to begin getting this information across, so I will defer to others.
*edit*
I realized my post was a little brusque, so I came back to reply. (Best I can.)

I believe a thread popped up a few days ago, perhaps "pooped up" could be interchanged with "popped" in this case, about a fellow who went to work on his original Model 18's .22 LR cylinder, to do an "in-house" conversion to .22 Magnum ?
I applaud his sense of adventure ! "Full speed ahead;..obstacles and drawbacks be damned".

But; if the person I post of, and the "cross-country buyer" of your mdl. 48 cylinder you post of, are one and the same, then "cross-country" was warned, admonished,warned again, and told straight forth: the "model 48 cylinder will not fit and fall into place barring an expert's, fitting expertise !

It may come across as though I am in dis-approval of the action of those who wish to make something of their Smith&Wesson, that was beyond the intent of Smith&Wesson, but that is not the case.... I personally will do anything I please to any device I bought and paid for with my hard-earned funds,..on the other hand those S&W Model 18s have reached the status of, well,..."I sure want one, please don't bugger one up".

Finally, in keeping with what I already posted, if you have to take the Model 48 .22 mag. cylinder back for a refund, I might buy it from you. Any idea if it will "drop-in fit" a K frame model 10 ??

__________________
wanna do right-- not right now

Personally I do not interchange parts on any of my guns because of my lack of knowledge,I bring it to someone that knows. In this case after thinking about it I decided to take it back.

You answered your own question. Unless you are very lucky the cylinder out of the Model 10 with a serial number consecutive to yours would not drop in to yours without gunsmithing. S&W builds revolvers by removing metal from the yoke or stretching the yoke to properly position the cylinder longitudinally. Next they precisely machine metal off the rear of the barrel so that it turns in to that specific frame with the correct amount of torque with the sight straight up and a correct flash gap with the specific cylinder being used. Some or all of that fitting is repeated if a different cylinder is installed. Additionally, since rimfire cylinders are recessed they are longer in the rear than .38 special cylinders.

Since centerfire revolvers have different firing pin arrangements than rimfires I assume you want to ream the Model 48 cylinder for one of the .32 centerfire cartridges. If that is your project then when the barrel is replaced or relined it can be fitted to the new cylinder when it is reinstalled.

Sometimes you get lucky. I bought a Model 16-4 cylinder in .32 H&R Magnum that was a drop-in fit into a Model 14-4 frame. (The project was completed by a master gunsmith, Andy Horvath.) The seldom-seen 8-3/8" K32

I also fooled around with swapping cylinders between .44 Magnum and .44 Special revolvers. Some fit, some did not. I did not try shooting any of them. Described in here in this thread, posts #43 and #44. Update - .41 mag to .44 spl conversion