New titanium cylinders available! - Updated w/pic

[Gary7]

I rec'd my 342/337 titanium cylinder in the mail from Numrich today. As you can see in the pic there are slight differences, like the shape of the flutes and the the front of my original 360J cylinder is slightly beveled, but the diameter and length are the same. I'll be calling Mark Hartshorne tomorrow to make arrangements for him to fit the new cylinder to my gun.

FYI - my cylinder has been coated with NP3, hence the silver color.

Okay, I was wrong...or rather "The Book" is wrong.

I'll be ordering one for my 360J, too.

 

[chp]

WC145 - will you'll use the 360j yoke?

 

[Gary7]

I rec'd my 342/337 titanium cylinder in the mail from Numrich today. As you can see in the pic there are slight differences, like the shape of the flutes and the the front of my original 360J cylinder is slightly beveled, but the diameter and length are the same. I'll be calling Mark Hartshorne tomorrow to make arrangements for him to fit the new cylinder to my gun.

I know you want to be able to use both cylinders, but for me, why wouldn't this be a simple plug-n-play swap if I just switch the complete ejector assemblies?

 

[WC145]

Okay, I was wrong...or rather "The Book" is wrong.

I'll be ordering one for my 360J, too.

I assume my trip to the moon will be first class?

WC145 - will you'll use the 360j yoke?

Yes, the complete cylinder assy just slips in and out of the yoke, no reason to change it.

I know you want to be able to use both cylinders, but for me, why wouldn't this be a simple plug-n-play swap if I just switch the complete ejector assemblies?

I believe that the ejectors are machined to the particular cylinder, though the thought crossed my mind. I was going to try it but I couldn't unscrew the ejector rod and didn't feel like going after a tool. I might still try it before send the gun though, if I do I'll let you know if it works. If it does, I may not send it after all.

 

[Gary7]

I assume my trip to the moon will be first class?

Coach.

I believe that the ejectors are machined to the particular cylinder, though the thought crossed my mind. I was going to try it but I couldn't unscrew the ejector rod and didn't feel like going after a tool. I might still try it before send the gun though, if I do I'll let you know if it works. If it does, I may not send it after all.

What kind of tool do you need? I thought all you had to do was remove the cylinder from the yoke, load it up with snap caps, fasten the ejector rod in a vice, and turn the cylinder to unscrew.

 

[WC145]

Coach.

Great, so I have to fly Russian. Cheapskate.

What kind of tool do you need? I thought all you had to do was remove the cylinder from the yoke, load it up with snap caps, fasten the ejector rod in a vice, and turn the cylinder to unscrew.

I don't have a vice in the kitchen and dinner was almost ready when I was taking pics and posting. Now I'm having a drink and being lazy, might try it in a while though.

 

[chp]

What other parts do you need? Extractor spring, rod? Are you buying those separately of taking them from the 360j cylinder?

I just got my Ti cylinder today and just wondering . . . Planning on putting it on my 637. Thx.

 

[WC145]

What other parts do you need? Extractor spring, rod? Are you buying those separately of taking them from the 360j cylinder?

I just got my Ti cylinder today and just wondering . . . Planning on putting it on my 637. Thx.

My plan was just to have the gunsmith add the parts to complete the cylinder assy so that both cyls would be complete. That way swapping them out would just be a one screw operation.

 

[chp]

My plan was just to have the gunsmith add the parts to complete the cylinder assy so that both cyls would be complete. That way swapping them out would just be a one screw operation.

Good plan. Any ballpark on the cost?

 

[chp]

My plan was just to have the gunsmith add the parts to complete the cylinder assy so that both cyls would be complete. That way swapping them out would just be a one screw operation.

Good plan. Any ballpark on the cost for the whole shooting-match from your smith?

 

[WC145]

No idea, it will be mostly time and some machining, the parts probably wouldn't come to $25. I'm guessing $100 or so total, not counting shipping, I'll know more after I speak to him. I can let you know what he says.

 

[Gary7]

No idea, it will be mostly time and some machining, the parts probably wouldn't come to $25. I'm guessing $100 or so total, not counting shipping, I'll know more after I speak to him. I can let you know what he says.

I've ordered my Ti cylinder. Let me know if you try the ejector swap and if it works without having to be fitted by a smith.

 

[WC145]

I tried the ejector swap today and it didn't work, don't know why not because I'm not a gunsmith, but it didn't. I held off on calling Pinnacle until I checked that, so I'll be calling Mark Monday and sending it off to him to be fitted.

 

[Gary7]

I tried the ejector swap today and it didn't work, don't know why not because I'm not a gunsmith, but it didn't. I held off on calling Pinnacle until I checked that, so I'll be calling Mark Monday and sending it off to him to be fitted.

In what way didn't it work? What was the result?

 

[WC145]

The action wouldn't cycle, couldn't cock the hammer. I didn't try to force anything since I'm just as happy to have the new cylinder fitted by a good gunsmith.

 

[Gary7]

Well... my Ti cylinder arrived this morning. And just like I said, it's longer than the steel cylinder on my 360J. I don't know how WC145 wound up with a long, 357 length cylinder on his 360J, but mine is 1.5 inches long and the Ti cylinder is 1-18/32 inches long, i.e., 1/8" longer.

I guess I'll call S&W and see if they can fit the Ti cylinder by recutting the forcing cone.

 

[Steve_NEPhila]

Bummer Gary... I suspect that swapping the cylinder out will be expensive if done by Smith and Wesson. (I do not recommend having someone "Bubba" it)

As for the others, see post number 3 in this thread... it really is that simple.

 

[Gary7]

Bummer Gary... I suspect that swapping the cylinder out will be expensive if done by Smith and Wesson. (I do not recommend having someone "Bubba" it)

I called S&W and explained the situation. They can and will swap out the cylinders and recut the forcing cone so the Ti cylinder will fit. If the forcing cone has to be cut more than 1/8" for the cylinder to fit, they will have to install a new barrel from a 360PD.

So...my 360 is on its way to them by UPS overnight along with the Ti cylinder. I'll post back when they call me with the cost estimate.