The title says it all. Could a S&W M1917 revolver, or the .44 Hand Ejector it was spawned from, handle a .41 or .44 Magnum factory load if it were converted?

I have found a M1917 with a Model 57 barrel and cylinder and a beautiful blued finish that I am quite interested in, but I want to make sure it is safe and serviceable first.

My default answer would be no.

I would think that firing it much would be very hard on the frame. I have heard the term "frame stretching" but do not have any experience with that problem. Don't want none, neither.

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You're shy a few manners.

Welcome to the Forum.

I agree with the above posters-NO. I have a M544 (.44-40 chambered N frame built in 1986). I asked Mr Roy Jinks, the S&W historian if it would be safe to add an auxillary cylinder in .44 Magnum. He stated that the heat treatment was different from the Magnum frame revolvers.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Why would the heat treating be different in newly manufactured guns?

Cost! The default reason most decisions are made in business.

To the original poster: I would have to say, no don't do it.

To N framecollector; wouldn't it be the other way around? Adding a 44-40 cylinder to a 44 special or mag. I thought the 44-40 was actually .427 where the 44special and mag are .429/.430.

As for Roy Jinks" sanswer, I'm sure the company lawyers have had their influence. It's a 44-40 that's what you should shoot in it.

Heck I remember reading on the forum that converting some old .455s to .45acp COULD cause pressure problems.

Dave

I very recently obtained a 455 HE 2nd which had been converted to 38 Special, (actually a 357 will chamber). I have no idea of the age or quality of sleeve used in the conversion, but the original cylinder wasn't heat treated for this kind of pressure, sol I will only use the 38 Special, (but I don't think it will have any problems with any 38 Special loading, inc Plus P).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

My opinion or judgment would be as those above - do not do it, the Frame was not made with the pressures of the .41 Magnum in mind, and, the conversion would not be appropriate.

While the .38/44 or /38 Heavy Duty Cartridge was handled well in the early .38/44 N-Frames, your m1917 Frame being adapted to .41 Magnum, would be exceeding those forces the Frame has to abide.

A conversion to .44 Special, or to .44-40, or .38-40 or even .45 Colt, using appropriate Barrel and Cylinder compliments, if staying with standard Revolver Loadings of the day, would be fine.

Probably, converting to .357 Magnum would be something one could get away with, if staying with moderate loadings.

But, .41 Magnum, I thing would be asking too much, and, could lead to Frame 'stretching' or possibly a cracked Frame after a while.

The jump from 15,000 psi to 35,000 psi is a large gap. Considering the design and metals used then - I'm sure they never considered designing it to withstand that type of pressure. My concern would be the thickness of the recoil plate behind the cylinder where the firing pin protrudes then the cylinder next.

I would not fire it and I would not want to be in the next bay on the range if someone else did.

Since the cylinder and barrel are from an M57, my thought was that the frame would be the weak link.

But without arguing what would break first, I think we are all in agreement that this is such an iffy conversion that it deserves a "Do Not Buy" rating.

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You're shy a few manners.

I dunno. Do you think my 1949 Hupmobile will stand up to putting in a 500 horse power 454 Chevy motor?

On second thought, maybe I should just buy a car that came with a 454 rather than try to make something never intended for that power work. I bet it will be cheaper and easier as well as safer.

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No life story has happy end.

I don't think Hupmobile was in business in 1949.

I once had an 09' Argentine Mauser action that I wanted to re-barrel to 458 Winchester magnum with a Shaw barrel. I called them to see if the action would hold up to the 458. They told me lets try it and find out! It did........and what a fine rifle it is!

and I wonder what they would have said if it blew up in your face? Were they there at the range standing next to you when you first fired it?

To the OP, I say no. Why not just buy a .41 or .44 magnum?

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James Redfield
LM #497

Thanks for the info folks, I passed on it.