18-3 22 magnum question

[mike0010]

Hi,
I cannot seem to find any information on 18-3 with a 22 magnum cylinder. Are these firearms OK to shoot 22 magnum in them? My version has two cylinders and one of them is definitely a 22magnum (the 22 lr is pretty sloppy in these chambers!), since the cartridge fits the chambers perfectly!
Any info would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[murphydog]

If the cylinder cycles and times correctly the rest of the gun should work fine with .22 Magnum. Depending on the bore dimensions it may have great accuracy with .22 LR, MRF or both.

[glenwolde]

Originally Posted by mike0010

Hi,
I cannot seem to find any information on 18-3 with a 22 magnum cylinder. Are these firearms OK to shoot 22 magnum in them? My version has two cylinders and one of them is definitely a 22magnum (the 22 lr is pretty sloppy in these chambers!), since the cartridge fits the chambers perfectly!
Any info would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

It's likely an aftermarket addition and not a factory supplied extra cylinder. As far as I know S&W only fit .22LR cylinders to .22 magnum guns, not vice-versa, due to the .22 magnum bore spec being slightly bigger. That being said it should work fine.

[22hipower]

As others noted it should be fine. Maybe 25 years ago I wandered in to the local parts shop and low and behold in a red Ruger cylinder bag was a NOS S&W K frame 22 WRM cylinder. Had it fitted (minor, 5 minutes file time) to my pre-18 and it worked like a charm. All these years later still shoots great with either the original 22LR cylinder or the 22WRM. Accuracy seems the same with both. Enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[mike0010]

Hi all,
Thanks for the great responses - I was expecting the cylinder to be just a spare since that was how it was listed - (no mention of 22 magnum in the description), and was surprised that it was actually a 22 magnum. It looks exactly like the 22lr cylinder - same finish and ratcheting lugs, etc.