30-1 .32 H&R Conversion Question

[Gunhohulk]

I have a early flat latch 30-1 that I’m considering converting over to .32 H&R mag but I don’t want to mess with the original cylinder. I can find a replacement nickel cylinder but it doesn’t have an extractor star, ejection rod assembly and can’t really seem to find those parts. My question is would I be able to swap the cylinder parts over from the original to the nickel cylinder and just swap it out after reaming or would this be something that would require more fitting to make the nickel cylinder work?

 

[texmex]

You won`t know till you try but I think there is a pretty good chance it will work. The extractor star would be the real test as they have changed over the years. You can always just poke the empties out with a small pocket sized screw driver. Good luck.

 

[steelslaver]

The extractor usually works except for the alignment pins. Those never seem to line up right. I believe they are match drilled. But, what you can do is remove to original pins using a small pair of side cutter pliers to grip and pull them. Then, with some empty brass in 2 or 3 chambers use a drill that just fits the old holes in extractor, size #50, I believe, to drill though the extractor into the cylinder in similar spots as the old location but the next spot over. Then, remove the exactor and put some red Loctite on the pins and insert in cylinder/ Leave the exactor off and let set 24 hours.

Or you can just leave the pins out, they are not needed once chambers are loaded.

The shape of the ratchet teeth have changes over the years, but I have found that old style ones work in new guns and visa versa, I have a 1917 running a new style 44 mag cylinder I reamed to 45 colt. I have also used a early K22 cylinder in a much newer frame.

I frame 32 cylinders will not work in a J frame as they are 2 short and the latest 32 H&R, 38 and 357 J frame cylinders are all longer that the earlier models like the 30-1 36 etc. You might be able to fit one in an older J frame by trading yokes and trimming barrel extension, but am not sure about that. It would be close.

I have picket up J frame 32 cylinders from Ebay and 4DReamer will rent you a 32 H&R reamer.

 

[Hondo44]

I agree with steelslaver, he knows this stuff backwards and forwards.

However, something to consider:

I've reamed several 32 cylinders in the 30-1. It'll take you 20 minutes at most even turning the reamer by hand with a T handle.

There's so little material to be removed. You won't even know the cyl has been reamed if you hadn't done it yourself. And you can still shoot .32 Long ammo just as accurately as before reaming. Unless you consider your .32 a collector item, which you likely don't if you're going to shoot it much, it's hardly worth the trouble to fit another cyl.

But if you still want a 2nd cyl, I'd highly recommend finding one with it's own extractor star and extractor rod. Check the on-line auctions like ebay and gunbroker. Find one of similar vintage to your gun, by confirm the overall length with the seller to be sure it's within a couple of thousandths to your cyl. Then it'll most likely drop in and work right. A slight adjustment to the length of the extractor rod is all you might have to do. It'll be a lot easier swapping cyls back and forth!

Then sell the nickel cyl.

 

[steelslaver]

There are several J frame 32 S&W cylinders on Ebay right now.
Just use that for a search.