If you can find a gunsmith or machinist who will do it, knock your socks off. It’s adventurous spirits like yours that made this country great . . .
Reaming Model 442 Cylinder for .357 Magnum
- Thread starter IllinoisFineGuns
- Start date
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Back in the 1960s and 1970s there were any number of gunsmiths offering rechambering services for S&W and Colt revolvers, converting .38 Specials to .357 magnums. Simple enough to do with a chambering reamer.
Good idea? Can you say "Hey y'all, hold my beer and watch this!"
Good idea? Can you say "Hey y'all, hold my beer and watch this!"
Or maybe..."hey dude, hold my doobie and watch this gnarly action!"
I’ve owned/shot the 340PD for years but after one cylinder of magnum rounds I’ve stayed w/+P. I’m not recoil sensitive but anything lighter than a steel J Frame is going to be difficult to control, especially with the all important follow up shots.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I'm in the Don't Do It camp, its just too dangerous. I carry a M442 daily and use Speer 135gr GDHP ammo. The recoil is stout but not painful in my 65 year old hands. I came a across a M640 years ago and bought it. The additional weight really helps with the felt recoil when shooting Magnum rounds. that M640 is scary accurate with Winchester 145gr Silvertip magnum ammo. Like the others said, if you want more power but a different gun. Its just safer for you and others around you.
I'm glad you asked before doing it, good luck.
I'm glad you asked before doing it, good luck.
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Why? It's perfectly adequate for it's intended purpose as-issued.
Well, did you try some BB, have your gun rechambered or reconsider?
SWOH
Member
Change user name to "Lefty" first....
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I just reread your OP. From what I know there are no Stainless Steel Model 442's. The M442 has a black finish and the M642 is silver in color but still not Stainless. Both are primarily alloy revolvers. The stainless Centennial J frame is the M640 which is already chambered for the .357 Magnum.
+1. I’ve got to confess, I’ve never fired any .357’s out of my 340PD, I run the same .38 Special ammo in both my 340PD and my 442-2.
Personally, if there is a gun available in that chambering from S&W… I’d just buy a 340PD.
Now before everyone starts down the “you’ll blow yourself up” road, I did convert my 642-1 to 9mm. I carry it religiously, and no issues have popped up in the almost six years I’ve had it converted (plenty of other members/shooters on other forums have had similar results). I train a lot with UMC bulk 115 grain, which has a POI identical to my carry rounds (Hornady XTP 147 grain).
Aren't 38 Spl bores a larger diameter than 9mm? Do you get OK accuracy with the 9mm conversion? I have a Brit Victory with a 38 Spl cylinder, and my accuracy has been pretty good with the 38 S&W barrel, which is a little oversize for 38 Spl. I believe Ruger offered 38/357 - 9mm convertible model Blackhawks. I always assumed they used a .357 diameter barrel.
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I get great accuracy out of it…
.38 S&W is 0.361”.
.38 Special is 0.357”.
.357 Magnum is 0.357”.
9mm is 0.355”.
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I'm kinda disturbed by the way that is worded.
ALL the way through?
No throat that is approximately bullet diameter?
Bubba- han me that 3/8s drill bit an hol' my beer.....
Birdhunter6
Member
My EDC is a .357 640-1. I shoot .38+P ammo in it. It is all steel which helps it absorb recoil. I also have Ergo's Delta Grips on all my round butt J frames. They absorb recoil and help me get rapid follow up shots. The biggest advantage of the .357 J frame snubby is the longer extractor stroke. The weight of the steel frame doesn't bother me during all day carry.
I also have a steel framed 36-1 .38 with a 3" barrel. I would prefer the longer barrel for carry (again, longer extractor stroke) but carry the 640 because it offers tritium night sights, not because of the .357 chambers.
I also have a steel framed 36-1 .38 with a 3" barrel. I would prefer the longer barrel for carry (again, longer extractor stroke) but carry the 640 because it offers tritium night sights, not because of the .357 chambers.
No one asked for hand load data but a 135grGDHPSB on top of 7.5gr VV3N37 in .38spl gave right at 1Kfps from a snub at 20Kpsi. 10 shot group tested with a pressure trace in a Contender per Larry Gibson on the Cast Boolits forum. He tested it for me and it is a load from Hoptob on this forum..............
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