I have a S&W M650. It's a 22 magnum, six shot, stainless gun made around 1985.

Some of these came with an additional 22 LR cylinder. Mine didn't, or if it did it was lost before I got the gun.

I'd like to get a 22 LR cylinder for it.

I sometimes see cylinders for the M63, a 22 LR J frame on epay.

I have a few questions:

1 Would a 63, 6 shot 22LR Cylinder work?

2 Would it likely fit with no problems, or will most likely I need a gunsmith to fit it?

3 Do I need to ensure I find a pre J Magnum frame 63 cylinder, or are the J Mag and pre J Mag frame versions the same size?

4 Should I buy one with the extractor? Or do I need one with the crane piece attached.

Is this a practical project, or should I just buy a 63 and have two guns?

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A standard 6-round model 63 cylinder may drop in without gunsmithing, but more likely will need work done (minor adjustment to the ratchet teeth). Best to buy a complete unit and have it fitted as needed rather than swapping parts each time to convert between the two rounds, I think.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Without my calling S&W,does anyone know if you can send a 650 to them and have fitted a 22lr yoke&cylinder installed and if so,an approximate cost? Just curious.thanks.

I doubt they have the old style cylinders available any more, but no fair guessing as to how you can find out .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I don't really want the gun converted to 22LR permanently.

My goal is to be able to switch back and forth between 22 M and 22 LR fairly easily.

Given that goal, would it be better to just buy a cylinder with and extractor fitted already, or to get the cylinder, extractor, and yoke part?

Getting the whole yoke/cylinder assembly would be easiest, but swapping cylinders on and off a single yoke is not difficult.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Well, the easiest thing to do is load .22 LR cartridges into your .22 Magnum cylinder and shoot them.

All that will happen, besides a loud "bang", and the bullet hurtling down range, is the case will split. Who cares if a Long Rifle case splits?

I've been shooting LR in my Mag revolvers for years with no ill effects.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Are you sure those cases will split? Mine never do

Interesting. What are you shooting? I'm shooting my Ruger Single Six (ironically, a gun I have a LR cylinder for). It's convenient for me to go back and forth between the two cartridges, and I often do when plinking informally.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I've read reports that you get lower velocities when shooting 22lr out of a 22Mag cylinder than if you shot the same ammo out of a 22LR cylinder.

May not matter for plinking.

Not sure about accuracy.

I've got a M48-3 22WMR. I bought an extra 22 LR cylinder fitted with it's original extractor that I hoped to just swap cylinder/extractor combo onto the existing 48-3 yoke. Ended up being a no-go as my M48-3 was an late production 48-3 and had the gas ring on the cylinder as opposed to the yoke. I ended up buying a yoke from a "K" frame with the gas ring on the yoke for use with the new cylinder.


And YES. just swapping the pre-fitted (AKA Gunsmith Fitted) yoke/cylinder is a WHOLE LOT EASIERER than trying for a drop-in-fit from another S&W 22 revolver.


Class III

...have done a bunch of these...you don't need the yoke...just a complete cylinder assembly.

As to fitting. I have bought complete assemblies that just dropped in and others that had to be fitted. Just luck of the draw. One also must make sure that the cylinder one is buying is compatible with the series revolver it is being fit to. That said I am lucky enough to have a very old timey Smith smith who was trained at the factory and is a fantastic machinist. He once machined a cylinder that didn't fit into one that did. I don't believe you will have that problem with 63s as long as you don't get one of the recently manufactured ones.

If you can, find a complete cylinder assembly. If all someone has for sale is the cylinder and star then Brownells should have the parts...

I've done:
48 to LR
17 to Magnum
18 to Magnum
35 to Magnum
63 to Magnum
51 to LR
66 to .38 Super
60-10 to .38 Super

Not really a big deal...just have to have patience as these things don't grow on trees...also start looking for a Smith smith who can do the job as it is more than likely going to need a little fitting.

Below are the 35 and the 18 both have Magnum cylinders.

Bob

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