• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Dumb question - Model 17 modified for .22 mag

jmace57

jmace57

SWCA Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
2,340
Reaction score
3,783
OK - I am a bit embarrassed to ask this question. I bought a pretty decent Model 17-3 - that somebody had converted to shoot .22 magnum. It appears they bored out the cylinder, or countersunk it - I'm probably not using the correct terms. They then put a big honkin' stamp on the barrel that says "/ AND 22 MAG" just to the right of the normal .22 LONG RIFLE CTG

I have successfully (and accurately) shot 22 magnum out of it. Is it SAFE to shoot 22 LR out of it now? Or just inaccurate? I have a pre-model 17 already that I shoot, but I'm really just curious.

Why someone to do this to a nice gun, I don't know.

Thanks

magnum1_zps34be0520.jpg


magnum2_zpsf314b4cd.jpg
 
arjay said:
I think the brass will split.
Click to expand...

I agree. The magnum case has a larger diameter than the LR case, so the LR will most likely split or swell excessively. However, I don't think that actually poses a real problem safety wise for you or the gun. It probably won't be very accurate, though.

My biggest area of concern is not with the conversion but with that travesty of a relabeling. What was done to that barrel is atrocious!
 
The original .22LR bore/groove is undersize (spec) for what is used in the .22RF Magnum.
So shooting the RF Magnums in the revolver makes the jacketed Magnum bullets squeeze down just a bit to fit the bore.
Not a real big deal to many, it bothers the hell out of some. You may see some jacket fouling piling up rather quickly in the forcing cone and the throat of the bbl,,and then again maybe not. Each bbl is a mystery in itself.

Factory 22LR/22Mag conversion revolvers like the Ruger Single Six and others generally use a 22Mag bbl to sidestep the problem. Most don't notice any accuracy problems with the slightly larger mag bbl shooting the 22LR ammo as they aren't Match guns anyway.

As far as the markings,,it looks like they wanted to cover everything and then decided it was a 22Mag only,,,or something like that.
I'd take a file to that.
Shooting 22LR ammo in it is taboo,,some will split the cases, but some ammo will just swell up and you can get away with it so to speak. Hard to tell which will do what till you pull the trigger.
In an extreme emergency I'd use it, but not otherwise.
I like lookin' around too much.
 
THIS IS DISGRACEFUL ! ! ! BUBBA HAS COMPROMISED THIS ONCE FINE REVOLVER, FOR SHOOTING EITHER .22LR OR .22 MAG. THE ICING ON THE CAKE IS THE DISFIGURING OF THE BARREL WITH THAT AWFUL STAMP. SADLY, Jmace57, YOU DID NOT PURCHASE A "PRETTY DECENT MODEL 17-3". THE EASIEST FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BORED OUT CYLINDER WITH A STANDARD .22LR CYLINDER. THEN THE REVOLVER WILL BE MECHANICALLY CORRECT, AND YOU CAN ENJOY SHOOTING IT. THE 17-3 IS A VERY NICE GUN, AND ONCE CORRECTED, THIS ONE WILL PROBABLY BE A GOOD SHOOTER…….
IF THE SCRIPT ON THE BARREL BOTHERS YOU, YOU COULD REPLACE THAT ALSO. THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE THAN HAVING THE SCRIPT REMOVED AND THE BARREL, OR WHOLE GUN REFINISHED. AS IS, IT WOULD BE A PERFECT WOODS GUN, TACKLE BOX GUN, TRUCK GUN OR RANGE GUN, THAT YOU WOULD NOT CRY ABOUT, IF IT GOT BANGED UP A BIT. HOPEFULLY, YOU DID NOT PAY BIG MONEY FOR THIS REVOLVER……….
 
You can take spent casings from 22 WMR ammo, grind off the case heads, and slip 22 Long Rifle rounds inside the "tubes" and fire them, IN AN EMERGENCY. There are also commercial adaptors available to do this.

I have never done this, but have been told by IOWEGAN, a very reputable Gunsmith, that it can be done safely.

I think if it were mine, I would contact S&W and send it in for replacement of the cylinder. That way you have a properly functioning revolver. I also would ask if they would remove the barrel designation and re-blue the revolver.

CHAMBER ADAPTERS
 
I didn't pay a lot for it. I thought about doing what you suggest, one-eye. But, are replacement cylinders available? If so, do they require a lot of fitting? Would it be worth doing? I have less than $200 int it figuring the salvageable parts would be worth something. Recommendations? Or I can just shoot 22 magnums out of it. Thanks.
 
I'm not a gunsmith but I don't understand the purpose of the countersinking. It doesn't matter I guess, I'm with 4barrel on this one. If it shoots ok with the mag ammo then it's all good at the range.

Plus you could always re-stamp it to Mod 48. I'm kidding on this last part.;)
 
srsmyth said:
I'm not a gunsmith but I don't understand the purpose of the countersinking. It doesn't matter I guess, I'm with 4barrel on this one. If it shoots ok with the mag ammo then it's all good at the range.

Plus you could always re-stamp it to Mod 48. I'm kidding on this last part.;)
Click to expand...

I am thinking someone counter bored it deeper into the cylinder to the length of the mag case. The counter bore on the front of the cylinder will matter some as the mag rim is thicker. Folks have been making 22 magnum rifles out of 22 long rifle forever. You can buy the tools online to do this. Old Remington single shot rifles are a good candidate with hand tools. :):):)
 
Why not shoot both magnum and lr ammo through it and if you have split lr cases, then only shoot magnum.
A split lr case isn't pretty, but it isn't dangerous.
 
With all the handguns being de-milled and then the remaining parts being sold on various internet sites, a replacement .22 LR cylinder and .22 LR barrel are readily available. Any competent pistolsmith can make the swap for you. Keep the 22 Mag cylinder and have a two caliber handgun. It is perfectly safe and probably very accurate to shoot 22 Mag out of a 22 LR barrel. Put that scarred up original barrel up for sale and someone that wants to make a short barrel for a 'shooter' will buy it at the right price. ........... Big Cholla
 
Thanks Big Cholla (and all). If I should head down the path of looking for a replacement cylinder, do I need to look for a 17-3 cylinder? Or will a model 17-anything cylinder work? Will a model 48 22 LR cylinder work?

EDIT: Not that it matters, but this is a 17-2 circa 1966, rather than a 17-3
 
Last edited:
Model 48 cylinder is .22 mag, you already have that as it's converted.
A model 17 anything cylinder (long rifle) should work for what you want.
 
Ralph, I had heard that some model 48s came with a 22 LR cylinder as well as the 22 magnum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
22 mag cylinder in model 17…
Replies
12
Views
1K
PALADIN85020
PALADIN85020
M
Model 53 for 22 Mag cylinder?
Replies
1
Views
306
s&wchad
s&wchad
M
Can I use a model 17 cylinder in a model 53?
Replies
14
Views
669
steelslaver
steelslaver
M
Collecting/accumulating 629s 66s 57s 53s 29s 27s 25s 19s 18 17
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Inkgardener
Inkgardener
W
My 22 LR / WMR Converter Collection
Replies
0
Views
342
wagwan
W

Latest posts

Back
Top