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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 06-09-2016, 01:32 AM
orangehole orangehole is offline
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Default 642 Heart Transplant

Well I decided to roll the dice on a Titanium cylinder that I saw on gunbroker. It looked real clean and came with ejector rod/yoke/crane assembly. Not just a raw cylinder. After reading the success of a few forum members, I decided I would attempt the surgery on my 642-1. I removed the screw on the right side, removed my cylinder and slid on the TI cylinder. It seems to have an almost perfect fit. Lockup seems tight. No sloppiness. I believe this transplant was a success! The weight reduction was quite noticeable. I am a bit nervous to fire it and test out function. Maybe some lower power wadcutters before stepping up to anything +p?

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Old 06-09-2016, 07:55 AM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
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Personally I'd buy a range rod and check chamber alignment prior to firing a single shot.

If everything lined up, I'd hold my brother-in-law's beer while he test fired it.
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Old 06-09-2016, 01:13 PM
Bill In Texas Bill In Texas is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
Personally I'd buy a range rod and check chamber alignment prior to firing a single shot.

If everything lined up, I'd hold my brother-in-law's beer while he test fired it.
LOL! Now that's funny!
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Old 06-10-2016, 12:39 AM
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As a bare minimum I'd get a bright light source behind the cylinderand look down the barrel for any hint of misalignment. Range rod would be a better. And brother in law the best LOL!
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Old 06-10-2016, 04:56 AM
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I bought a titanium cylinder for my 396. You had better luck than me. I ended up trading extractor stars and had to shorten the forcing cone a couple thousands as it started out at just .002.
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Old 06-10-2016, 07:08 AM
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Did you do a "slow-cock lock-up test" on all five chambers?
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Old 06-10-2016, 08:34 AM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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Hi Orangehole:

For years I searched for a MSP Bodyguard (Michigan State Police) without luck. I either couldn't find an affordable one, or one that was in good enough condition to warrant its purchase. I finally decided to make my own version and bought a nickeled cylinder from a fellow forum member who had a Bodyguard that suffered a frame crack. Luckily for me, mine was a straight drop-in conversion:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/138838918-post15.html

I will add that I am not a gunsmith, but my drop in seems to work well and without any problems. Additionally, I also did a cylinder swap with my Model 642 by substituting a cylinder from a Model 442 that had been cut for moon clip use. Again, a drop in conversion without any problems.

Regards,

Dave
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Old 06-10-2016, 11:43 AM
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I did the same thing to my 442 and fired many rounds through it with no issues at all. By the way I'm the guy you emailed with the questions before you bought it.
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Old 06-10-2016, 12:38 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
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If I read the OP's post correctly, he performed this "transplant" to lower the weight of his 642. I get that part, even if I don't agree. However, in his photo, his gun wears a large pair of Pach Grippers that increase the weight of the gun by several ounces at least. Doesn't this negate what he is trying to do?

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P.S. There is another poster who has had much success doing the above. I hope he will chime in soon!
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Old 06-10-2016, 12:47 PM
orangehole orangehole is offline
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Yes the Grippers were on the gun at the time that I did the transplant. Keeping to the Fraken-revolver theme, i decided to throw on a pair of green bantams which now matches my goal of weight reduction.


Last edited by orangehole; 06-10-2016 at 12:50 PM.
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Old 06-10-2016, 12:53 PM
Ranger514 Ranger514 is offline
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Weighs less than air now. Be careful...it might float away
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Old 06-12-2016, 05:45 PM
orangehole orangehole is offline
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Weighed on a scale today at 12.2oz unloaded
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Old 06-12-2016, 06:41 PM
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This is why I bought a 342 Airweight Ti to begin with......... Glad the operation turned out well for you.
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Old 06-12-2016, 07:50 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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Good luck. I am squeamish about altering my guns from factory, but then again, it takes me forever to reassemble them after cleaning!
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