K22 conversions to 22 WMR

Register to hide this ad
It's possible, but since the model 48 in .22 MRF came out in the late 1950s (at about the same time the round was introduced) he might not have.
 
K22 WMR Conv

Ever see anything like this?

The barrel is original. I am guessing that the forcing cone would be machined down to accept a longer cylinder. If so, It would no longer be possible to use a 22lr cylinder in this frame.

Thoughts?

It appears that the cylinder bores and extractor could be machined for the 22 WMR, without modification to the barrel. Last 2 pics are an unmodified K22 fyi.
 

Attachments

  • PhotoRoom-20231016_162139_2.jpg
    PhotoRoom-20231016_162139_2.jpg
    22.6 KB · Views: 111
  • PhotoRoom-20231016_162139_3.jpg
    PhotoRoom-20231016_162139_3.jpg
    23.8 KB · Views: 108
  • 100_8641.jpg
    100_8641.jpg
    108.2 KB · Views: 104
  • 100_8642.jpg
    100_8642.jpg
    96 KB · Views: 89
Last edited:
It's still up. There were some talented gunsmiths around here back then, picking up on the popularity of the Model 48. A letter would tell you where it went out of the factory but that might take you down a dead end.
 
K22 WMR conversion

SN dates to 1957. Looks like somebody was too impatient to wait on a Model 48. Word of mouth has it this was done by Pachmayr in the early 1960s.

Wonder what 22lr and 22 WMR ammo cost in 1960?

I think this revolver should be great for small game and snakes on 2 legs.
 
Have you measured the cylinder to determine it is longer than a normal K-22 cylinder?

22 Magnum fits in a rechambered 22LR cylinder. I have a dual cylinder 2" Model 34

34%20convertible%20small.jpg
 
Ever see anything like this?

The barrel is original. I am guessing that the forcing cone would be machined down to accept a longer cylinder. If so, It would no longer be possible to use a 22lr cylinder in this frame.

Thoughts?

It appears that the cylinder bores and extractor could be machined for the 22 WMR, without modification to the barrel. Last 2 pics are an unmodified K22 fyi.

The LR and magnum cylinders are the same length. my dad bought the 6 inch that I now have back in 1959. At the same time he bought a 22 LR cylinder and re-cammed it to work in the magnum frame. I believe at one time in the 60s S&W offered the 48 with two cylinders as an extra cost option. I may be wrong on that however.
 
Last edited:
I have a box of Winchester 22 magnum I bought in 1964, I had a Stevens Favorite re-barreled to 22 magnum. Cost $8.00 including drilling and taping for a scope. The tag on the box says $1.50. I still have it since it was a single shot and I didn't shoot it much. One thing you have to remember, I worked for Fisher Electronics plant in the mountains outside Lewistown, Pa and they paid the princely sum of $1.27 and hour to assemble stereo equipment.
SW@CA 892
PS I paid $3.50 for the Stevens.
 
I once bought a very nice mid-1950's vintage K-22 Masterpiece at a gun show. The barrel and all six chambers appeared dirty but I didn't bother to run a brush and patch down them figuring a lot of people think .22's don't need to be cleaned.

When I got it home and cleaned it I found the barrel and every chamber were severely corroded. Maybe some previous owner fired some old .22 ammo from prior to when it was non corrosive and let it sit ? Anyway, I had done quite a bit of business previously with the seller and he was a standup guy and refunded my money. I often wondered what happened to it.

It was a candidate for rechambering for .22 WMR for sure. Cosmetically it was excellent.
 
1960

I have a box of Winchester 22 magnum I bought in 1964, I had a Stevens Favorite re-barreled to 22 magnum. Cost $8.00 including drilling and taping for a scope. The tag on the box says $1.50. I still have it since it was a single shot and I didn't shoot it much. One thing you have to remember, I worked for Fisher Electronics plant in the mountains outside Lewistown, Pa and they paid the princely sum of $1.27 and hour to assemble stereo equipment.
SW@CA 892
PS I paid $3.50 for the Stevens.

So you had to work (at a technical job) for about an hour to pay for one box of ammo. The rifle with mods cost you about 8 boxes of ammo.

My 22wmr cost $18.00 today at the LGS (12 times your costs). Using this factor, your wage would be $15.24 today. (seems low)

Likewise, the rifle would cost you about $138.00. (also seems low)
 
Corrosion

I once bought a very nice mid-1950's vintage K-22 Masterpiece at a gun show. The barrel and all six chambers appeared dirty but I didn't bother to run a brush and patch down them figuring a lot of people think .22's don't need to be cleaned.

When I got it home and cleaned it I found the barrel and every chamber were severely corroded. Maybe some previous owner fired some old .22 ammo from prior to when it was non corrosive and let it sit ? Anyway, I had done quite a bit of business previously with the seller and he was a standup guy and refunded my money. I often wondered what happened to it.

It was a candidate for rechambering for .22 WMR for sure. Cosmetically it was excellent.

This one looks pretty good. I don't think any changes were made to it .
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20231018_190528658.MP~2.jpg
    PXL_20231018_190528658.MP~2.jpg
    58.5 KB · Views: 32
  • PXL_20231018_190647643.MP.jpg
    PXL_20231018_190647643.MP.jpg
    90.9 KB · Views: 27
I was under the impression that the bore diameters were slightly different the .22 lr. .222 and the .22 wmr was .224, all of the convertible .22's that I recall were from .22 mag to long rifle, including the .22 jet, which had a bore diameter of .222. The accuracy of the .22 lr could be slightly affected in the .22 mag barrel.
 
I was under the impression that the bore diameters were slightly different the .22 lr. .222 and the .22 wmr was .224, all of the convertible .22's that I recall were from .22 mag to long rifle, including the .22 jet, which had a bore diameter of .222. The accuracy of the .22 lr could be slightly affected in the .22 mag barrel.
\

Go actually measure some unfired 22lr bullets. I have and have yet to find any that are actually .222, they are all .223 or .224 Plus, although the groove dia of a 22 mag barrel MIGHT be .224 the land dia is usually closer to .218. While you may not get target rifle accuracy, very few people can shoot a 6" revolver well enough to tell any difference.
 
Back
Top