357 vs 38 Special barrels

[mikerjf]

A question for those in the know... is a 357 and a 38 Special barrel the same?

What I'm getting at - suppose you had a Model 60 in 357... could you replace the barrel with a Model 60 38 Special barrel safely? Or is there the same kind of pressure/metalurgy difference you would have with a cylinder?

Let me ask this another way - If you had a Model 64 and swapped in a Model 65 cylinder (assuming gap etc to be correct), is the original Model 64 barrel up to the job?

Mainly wondering what parts really need to be different from a safety standpoint, going between 38 Special designs to 357 designs.

 

[murphydog]

Since the .38 Special and .357 barrels have the same internal dimensions, if one fits on a frame and works the other should do the same. With differing cylinder (forcing cone) lengths, getting them to fit with a proper barrel/cylinder gap may be the challenging part.

 

[stansdds]

What Murphydog said. In my opinion, converting a 357 revolver to 38 Special is pretty useless and converting a 38 Special revolver to 357 can be an expensive task and potentially unsafe for the revolver frame.

 

[mikerjf]

My question was really about pressure, I guess. Are 38 and 357 barrels *both* capable of shooting full-bore 357 ammo? Or is there a difference in metallurgy, heat-treating, etc?

I frequently see posters talking about liking or not liking full-lug barrels, various barrel lengths, heavy vs pencil barrels, etc. Just wondering if someone sets out to make their perfect gun, what are the swap limitations between 38 and 357.

 

[colt_saa]

A question for those in the know... is a 357 and a 38 Special barrel the same?

In bore diameter they are the same

What I'm getting at - suppose you had a Model 60 in 357... could you replace the barrel with a Model 60 38 Special barrel safely?

That question is dependent on what era the Model 60 38 Special barrel was manufactured in. If you are talking about a 1960s barrel, there is no way I would trust it to withstand the constant use of 357 Magnum pressure. If you are talking about a current manufactured Model 60 38 special barrel, I would trust it just fine.

Absolutly metallurgy has changed in the 55 years since the introduction of the stainless Chiefs Special.

Let me ask this another way - If you had a Model 64 and swapped in a Model 65 cylinder (assuming gap etc to be correct), is the original Model 64 barrel up to the job?

Again we must ask what era the 38 Special was made in. Overall this is not a safe practice. Just buy a model 65 or hire a gunsmith that knows his trade then have him make you something safe

Mainly wondering what parts really need to be different from a safety standpoint, going between 38 Special designs to 357 designs.

So as not to get into in what year part ??? became safe kind of questions, just go with the rule of thumb that the Frame, Cylinder and Barrel need to be different if you want to upgrade from 38 Special to 357 Magnum