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Old 03-31-2009, 08:04 AM
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The range rod set I got from Brownells has three different .22 heads in it. Can someone explain the differences to me?

One is marked .22C, or possibly .226; the stamping is so tight it is hard to read. Another is marked K-22 .22; the third has no markings at all, which I am provisionally taking to mean that is the stock .22LR head.

I suppose I could dig out a micrometer and find out which one is .222, which .223 and which .224, if those are indeed the relevant diameters. But I am not sure which head is appropriate for which S&W revolvers. (Not that this is a tough question for me at the moment, since my only S&W .22 is a Model 53.)

As an aside, I will note that the range rod set was a little disappointing. Some of the heads were not marked at all, which is no problem when there are clear diameter differences. But the two .32 heads are unmarked, so I don't know at a glance which is for .32-20 and which for .32 S&W/H&R Magnum (the specs from the Brownells web site). The .44-40 head is also unmarked, but can be identified by elimination. Also, a couple of the heads had either soot or some kind of thick oily residue on them that needed to be cleaned off before I could use them. I'm not complaining about the straightness of the rod handles or the apparent consistent diameter of the different heads. But, boy, this kit could have used some quality control and user-friendliness testing before it was boxed and set out for sale.

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Old 03-31-2009, 08:04 AM
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The range rod set I got from Brownells has three different .22 heads in it. Can someone explain the differences to me?

One is marked .22C, or possibly .226; the stamping is so tight it is hard to read. Another is marked K-22 .22; the third has no markings at all, which I am provisionally taking to mean that is the stock .22LR head.

I suppose I could dig out a micrometer and find out which one is .222, which .223 and which .224, if those are indeed the relevant diameters. But I am not sure which head is appropriate for which S&W revolvers. (Not that this is a tough question for me at the moment, since my only S&W .22 is a Model 53.)

As an aside, I will note that the range rod set was a little disappointing. Some of the heads were not marked at all, which is no problem when there are clear diameter differences. But the two .32 heads are unmarked, so I don't know at a glance which is for .32-20 and which for .32 S&W/H&R Magnum (the specs from the Brownells web site). The .44-40 head is also unmarked, but can be identified by elimination. Also, a couple of the heads had either soot or some kind of thick oily residue on them that needed to be cleaned off before I could use them. I'm not complaining about the straightness of the rod handles or the apparent consistent diameter of the different heads. But, boy, this kit could have used some quality control and user-friendliness testing before it was boxed and set out for sale.

David Wilson
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Old 03-31-2009, 08:56 AM
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I suspect your range rod heads indicate .22 Centerfire, K-22 (tighter than standard), and .22 LR (standard).

Your micrometer readings will not indicate those .222", .223", and .224" diameters, since a range rod has to ride on the rifling lands for checking chamber-to-bore alignment.
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Old 03-31-2009, 05:37 PM
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Thanks for your reply, which seems completely reasonable to me. I get the following micrometer readings:

K22 head .215
22C head .216
Unmarked head .217

If the grooves are .0035 deep, that would convert to the .222, .223 and .224 measurements I assumed in my first post.

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Old 04-04-2009, 11:21 AM
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DCWilson,

You should post your question(s) directly to Brownell's. They encourage questions to their expert gunsmiths and it's free.

I have used this service myself and they were quick and accurate in responding.

Just go to the website at http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/guntech.aspx
and then click "Submit a Question"

Hope this helps.

Ron
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Old 04-04-2009, 11:55 AM
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Thank you. I will do that.

David
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Old 09-19-2017, 07:20 AM
sikacz sikacz is offline
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I bought a S&W K-22 range rod to check alignment. It does not seem to fit in my 1947 K-22. Ideas?
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Old 09-19-2017, 07:28 AM
sikacz sikacz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonJon View Post
DCWilson,

You should post your question(s) directly to Brownell's. They encourage questions to their expert gunsmiths and it's free.

I have used this service myself and they were quick and accurate in responding.

Just go to the website at GunTech Search | World's Largest Supplier of Gun Parts, Gunsmith Tools & Shooting Accessories - Brownells
and then click "Submit a Question"

Hope this helps.

Ron
This link doesn't seem to work anymore. It does not go to a guntech submissions.
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Old 09-19-2017, 10:53 AM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
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The difference in diameters is probably due to different depth of rifling on various firearms. The easy way to do it is to check the fit of each size in the barrel, then use the one with the tightest slip fit. I wouldn't worry about markings or numbers, since there will be variations due to manufacturing tolerances anyway.
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Old 09-19-2017, 11:17 AM
sikacz sikacz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toolguy View Post
The difference in diameters is probably due to different depth of rifling on various firearms. The easy way to do it is to check the fit of each size in the barrel, then use the one with the tightest slip fit. I wouldn't worry about markings or numbers, since there will be variations due to manufacturing tolerances anyway.
Thanks. Guess I'll have to buy a different one.
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Old 09-19-2017, 07:12 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sikacz View Post
I bought a S&W K-22 range rod to check alignment. It does not seem to fit in my 1947 K-22. Ideas?
Clean your barrel most diligently. I usually ran into this on .38s & .357. If that doesn't do it, contact your source of the range rod. Wouldn't be the first time someone at the source dropped the wrong part in a bag. Rifling specs may also have changed.
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223, 22lr, brownells, k-22, micrometer

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