32 H&R in a 31-1

[Cal44]

I have a 31-1 and would like to be able to shoot 32 H&R magnum with it.

But I hate to make it non-original by having it reamed.

So I was thinking perhaps get a second cylinder.

Midway USA has replacement cylinders for the M631 listed which come ready for 32 H&R.

Would these fit a 31-1?

My 31-1 is an early 1980's model so I figure the frame could handle the slightly higher pressure of 32 H&R magnum.

What it involved in fitting a new cylinder to a revolver? Is this something I could do, or do I need a gunsmith to do it?

 

[H Richard]

There could be several factors to keep in mind. What is the overall length of the new cylinder compared to the present cylinder? If it's too long you might need to have the barrel removed and turned down a little to open up the window. You should be able to use the existing ejector rod and star, and keep the timing O.K., but if not you will need special tools to set up the timing. Sometimes a cylinder will drop right in and work, often it takes a fair amount of "fitting".

 

[Bastogne71]

The cylinder on my model 631 is 1.400" which is the same as the model 31-1 according to the Standard Catalog of S&W so you should be good there. The picture on Midway shows the extractor but you will need the correct length extractor rod and spring for your barrel length. Odds are it will need to be fitted by a gunsmith. Personally, I'd just ream it out to 32 magnum. That would cost less than what Midway wants for the cylinder alone.

 

[Green Frog]

The reason mint, unaltered guns go for so much money is that normal people normally take their examples of those guns and use them and alter them and get the most out of them. Do you want to enjoy your 31-1 for yourself, or let somebody else get to enjoy it because you kept it for them? If it's an investment, put it in a safe and forget you own it, if it's your gun, make it like you want it to be.

Green Frog, builder of Project 616 using a no-dash Model 66!

 

[RWJ]

Been there, done that

Here is a 3" 31-1 that I did exactly that with - the cylinder ratchets required just a touch, and changed out the ejector rod from the original. The cylinder (and a 2" bbl.) from a 632 came off of e***. One day I'll get the longer extractor rod to stay with the cylinder, and have a quick caliber change gun if I should want. It handles the 32 H&R with aplomb.

RWJ

 

[wrangler5]

< snip > My 31-1 is an early 1980's model so I figure the frame could handle the slightly higher pressure of 32 H&R magnum.

FWIW, I recently had some email exchanges with the owner of Buffalo Bore about their 100g +P 32 Mag round that left very sticky cases in my new 432PD. After giving some advice that turned out to fix the 432 problem, he volunteered that any of their 32 H&R ammo would be fine to use without limit in my reamed 31-1 cylinder.

The BB round I've shot is MUCH faster than any other 32 H&R ammo I've chronographed. (My hand and wrist agree with the chronograph.) So I've personally decided (1) not to try to load anything as hot as the BB stuff, and (2) not to worry about what my 31-1 can handle.

 

[65ny]

Dredging up an old thread.... but this is my 31-1 that I just had reamed to 32 H&R Mag by Big Cholla on this forum. If you're on the fence on whether or not to do it, don't be. He does nice work.

Attaching a crappy cell phone pic because everyone likes pics...right?