georgek472
Member
Looking to fit a Mod 48 .22 mag cylinder to a Mod 17 3/8".22 L.R. cylinder revolver. The best of both worlds. Will it work..Your knowledge and experience is welcomed. Thanx George K ...
Cylinder Fitment
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George,
I fit a new production model 648 cylinder to my 60's era model 17. The new cylinder came from Numrich's with a new, uncut extractor.
Fitting included a new center pin and cutting the new ratchets, but otherwise, tolerances were spot on and everything went very smoothly. I couldn't find a new model 48 cylinder, or afford a new or used model 48 at the time. (or now)
Amazing that the tolerances have not changed one iota over the approximately 60 year time span represented here.
Certainly no problem telling which caliber the gun is set up for now.......
I fit a new production model 648 cylinder to my 60's era model 17. The new cylinder came from Numrich's with a new, uncut extractor.
Fitting included a new center pin and cutting the new ratchets, but otherwise, tolerances were spot on and everything went very smoothly. I couldn't find a new model 48 cylinder, or afford a new or used model 48 at the time. (or now)
Amazing that the tolerances have not changed one iota over the approximately 60 year time span represented here.
Certainly no problem telling which caliber the gun is set up for now.......
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georgek472
Member
Armorer951,
Thank you for your knowledgeable answer. I have heard several different scenarios as to fitment. From cylinder bore too small, barrel and forcing cone too tight, and lockup. Good to know a 686 cylinder will fit. Nice Look. Did you have to do anything with the yoke and ejector rod and star ??? I would love to try this approach based on your hands on experience.. I will look for a cylinder in .22 mag. NICE JOB on that project, Congrats.!! I wish I had that kind of knowledge...Would S&W sell me a #686 cylinder with rod and star. ??? Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.. Thanx again for your help... Best; George K.
Thank you for your knowledgeable answer. I have heard several different scenarios as to fitment. From cylinder bore too small, barrel and forcing cone too tight, and lockup. Good to know a 686 cylinder will fit. Nice Look. Did you have to do anything with the yoke and ejector rod and star ??? I would love to try this approach based on your hands on experience.. I will look for a cylinder in .22 mag. NICE JOB on that project, Congrats.!! I wish I had that kind of knowledge...Would S&W sell me a #686 cylinder with rod and star. ??? Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.. Thanx again for your help... Best; George K.
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georgek472
Member
Sorry.. 648... And thanx again..
I'm not sure if S&W would provide and fit a new 648 .22 Magnum cylinder to your existing model 17. I doubt if they would, since the finishes don't match, and production "convertables" per se, were not offered, as far as I know....although there are probably some floating around. Numrich has the new cylinders in stock. The new cylinder will come with a new uncut extractor.
My model 17 is an older one, but there were no problems at all with the yoke or the cylinder assembly. Fitting only involved minor tweaking of a new center pin, and cutting the extractor ratchets to fit. The old extractor cannot be placed into a new production cylinder due to the design changes in the extractor itself. Any trained and experienced gunsmith could fit the 648 cylinder for you.....for a small fee, of course.
My model 17 is an older one, but there were no problems at all with the yoke or the cylinder assembly. Fitting only involved minor tweaking of a new center pin, and cutting the extractor ratchets to fit. The old extractor cannot be placed into a new production cylinder due to the design changes in the extractor itself. Any trained and experienced gunsmith could fit the 648 cylinder for you.....for a small fee, of course.
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georgek472
Member
Thank you for your help and information..My Model 17 is also early production... I found the s/s cylinder at Numrich new. What other parts should i need.?? Spring, collar etc. What has to be done to the extractor ratchets and new center pin ?? Does the extractor rod have to be shortened or the one that comes with the cylinder will fit properly ??"8 3/8 barrel fitment. I will have to find a machinist to cut the extractor ratchets.. Thanx...George K.
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georgek472
Member
Your response to S&W doing the work makes sense..
You will need a new center pin, since you have an older model 17. The shoulder on the newer center pins is in a slightly different position, so the old pin won't work properly in the new cylinder. The OAL of the new center pin will also have to be fit to the front locking bolt. (for proper length)
All of the other parts, including the extractor rod, extractor rod collar, and the springs should work fine with the new cylinder.
The ratchets on the new cylinder's extractor will have to be cut (fit) to work properly with your particular gun. I would recommend finding a good, reputable, revolver gunsmith to fit the extractor as the work requires special tools and considerable experience.
All of the other parts, including the extractor rod, extractor rod collar, and the springs should work fine with the new cylinder.
The ratchets on the new cylinder's extractor will have to be cut (fit) to work properly with your particular gun. I would recommend finding a good, reputable, revolver gunsmith to fit the extractor as the work requires special tools and considerable experience.
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georgek472
Member
Thank you again for your help... Best...George K.
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georgek472
Member
ARMORER951...Called S&W today regarding fitment for a #648 .22 mag cylinder to a #17(.22lr). Too much liability for them to do the fitment..Not interested.... Are there any members in the forum who can do this fitment with the knowledge, experience, and tools for this project.?? I have to find a knowledgeable gunsmith, so I will start here on the Forum first. Thought you might have someone you know in the Forum who can do the fitment..... Thanx again... George K.
George,
I'm not aware of anyone here on the forum doing this sort of conversion. My recommendation would be to call several of the reputable gunsmiths and shops to see if they think it's feasible, and to get an estimate of the cost for the work.
I would check with Mark at Pinnacle High Performance, Cylinder and Slide, Hamilton Bowen, and Clark Custom. Perhaps some other members here on the forum will have more information for you.
If you decide to have the work done, please let us know how the project turned out. Thanks.
Carter
I'm not aware of anyone here on the forum doing this sort of conversion. My recommendation would be to call several of the reputable gunsmiths and shops to see if they think it's feasible, and to get an estimate of the cost for the work.
I would check with Mark at Pinnacle High Performance, Cylinder and Slide, Hamilton Bowen, and Clark Custom. Perhaps some other members here on the forum will have more information for you.
If you decide to have the work done, please let us know how the project turned out. Thanks.
Carter
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You could also try Andy Horvath in Lagrange, Ohio.
440-458-4369
440-458-4369
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georgek472
Member
Thank you all for your responses
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georgek472
Member
armorer951
Carter,
Was your 648 cylinder 6 shot or 8 shot..recessed ???? S&W made both.. Thanx again George K.
Carter,
Was your 648 cylinder 6 shot or 8 shot..recessed ???? S&W made both.. Thanx again George K.
It is the new production 6 shot from Numrich. Comes with a new, uncut extractor. All of the .22 cylinders are recessed.
Cylinder, .22 Mag, 6 Shot, Stainless (w/ Extractor) | Gun Parts Corp.
Cylinder, .22 Mag, 6 Shot, Stainless (w/ Extractor) | Gun Parts Corp.
Bob Cogan is in AL, so it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to ship it to him.
Accurate Plating & Weaponry | Gunsmith In Newville, Alabama
Accurate Plating & Weaponry | Gunsmith In Newville, Alabama
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georgek472
Member
Cylinder fitment
Thank you Carter,
I called Numrich and was told the 648 cylinders are 1.61" long and the older 17 recessed and 1.68"long, So the newer 6 shot S/S cylinders are shorter.... Confused.. 648 S/S cylinders are recessed ??? Diameters the same...1.44" And you had no problem with lockup, headspace, and cylinder gap ??? I would suspect the shorter length of the 648 takes up the difference on the rim of the cartridge...Just a wild guess (probably wrong). But if the 648 cylinder is recessed my theory is wrong... Thanx... George K.
Thank you Carter,
I called Numrich and was told the 648 cylinders are 1.61" long and the older 17 recessed and 1.68"long, So the newer 6 shot S/S cylinders are shorter.... Confused.. 648 S/S cylinders are recessed ??? Diameters the same...1.44" And you had no problem with lockup, headspace, and cylinder gap ??? I would suspect the shorter length of the 648 takes up the difference on the rim of the cartridge...Just a wild guess (probably wrong). But if the 648 cylinder is recessed my theory is wrong... Thanx... George K.
I'm doing the same modification that Carter did to his Model 17 to my pre-18. The only real problem I ran into was the diameter of the gas ring on the new 648 cylinder was larger than on my pre-18 and so I filed the barrel flat on the bottom of the barrel to gain clearance. Other than taking .002 off the yoke tube of the pre-18 it became a drop in fit. That .002 is easily taken up with a .002 shim in the pre-18 cylinder. I'm waiting for my new center pin, extractor rod, collar and springs to show up and then I'm going to cut the ratchets. I'm really looking forward to having a convertible pre-18. In process photo below.
Stu
Stu
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Amazing to me that the tolerances are still so close on these components after so many decades. One of the many things that make these guns so much fun to work on.
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georgek472
Member
stu1ritter,
Nice work....... Best...George K.
Nice work....... Best...George K.
