Basque1
Member
Van a 618 10 shot revolver be converted to a 648 22 WMR? If so does S&W so this type of work?
617 conversion to 648
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m657
Member
A Convertible is absolutely possible
Smith & Wesson will not do it for you
When it was just a 6 shot 617 it was easy, just re-chamber a second 617 cylinder
It is not as easy with the 10 shot. Since the 22LR cartridge case heads touch on the 10 shot, a straight re-chamber is not possible. Now a 10 shot 617 cylinder could have every other chamber re-cut. That would give you a 5 shot 22 Magnum, but that is awkward
The optimum goal is to fit one of the new 8 shot 648 cylinders to the model 617. The trick is getting the extra 8 shot cylinder.
6 shot Brand new 648 cylinders are easy to find
Smith & Wesson will not do it for you
When it was just a 6 shot 617 it was easy, just re-chamber a second 617 cylinder
It is not as easy with the 10 shot. Since the 22LR cartridge case heads touch on the 10 shot, a straight re-chamber is not possible. Now a 10 shot 617 cylinder could have every other chamber re-cut. That would give you a 5 shot 22 Magnum, but that is awkward
The optimum goal is to fit one of the new 8 shot 648 cylinders to the model 617. The trick is getting the extra 8 shot cylinder.
6 shot Brand new 648 cylinders are easy to find
I thought seriously about converting my 6" 17-6 or having another cylinder punched out to .22 WMR. However, I figured by the time I factored in my time and fuel hunting for one, shipping cost and labor, worrying about potential accuracy issues, it made better sense to buy a 648. I am content with my decision.
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A brand new 6 shot, 648 cylinder can be shipped to your door for about $150. Numerich has them in stock right now. It would make the 17 a two tone, I know that would be an issue for some folks.
I still have the first convertible I did. It is a 2" Model 34. Found it in a pawn shop about 20 years ago then stumbled on a cylinder at a Gun Show. The buddy that was with me suggested the re-chamber
Have done perhaps half a dozen others over the years for myself and some shooting buddies.
Kenneth07ex
Member
Isn't the 617 barrel, cut with a taper? I'd be curious how much the extra thousandth of an inch, would affect the taper cut barrel. It'd be a a real shame to spoil a fine shooter like the 617. As far as everything else, it certainly sounds doable. But most dual caliber 22 revolvers don't seem to do well. There are some exceptions of course. However, when I was looking for a good 22lr/22wmr revolver. The reviews weren't kind to any currently available double action models. So I ended up going with the 617.
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catcus-jack
Member
Why would you want to screw up such a nice pistol.
Thanks for the 411. Didn't take you long to rip the bottom out of my rationalization for buying a cool 648 with combats...and there's always the instant gratification factor that's hard to quantify.
I see brand new 648 cylinders for $71.25. What else would be required to adapt to say a 617 ND?
Cylinder, .22 Mag, 6 Shot, Stainless (w/ Extractor) | Gun Parts Corp.
Cylinder, .22 Mag, 6 Shot, Stainless (w/ Extractor) | Gun Parts Corp.
If you are asking if the bore is .001" tighter at the end of the rifling than at the beginning of the rifling, no it is not a taper-bore/squeeze-bore
How would putting a second cylinder on a revolver spoil it?
My memory on the pricing is bad, I looked into this late last year after getting a 617.
At the very least you will also need a center pin, center pin spring, ejector and ejector spring. There might be other little things a ND would need, I was not specifically looking at that schematic
This will all be under $100 and we just made CH4 more angry
BTW, it looks good with those combats
This will all be under $100 and we just made CH4 more angry
BTW, it looks good with those combats
I love my 648!
I don't think a conversion could have scratched that itch in the same way a newly acquired, beautiful 648 did - and it's all one color. Priceless! Hmm, so you guys are saying I can fit one of those magnum cylinders to my 80s vintage 17 and it would fit and be OK with magnums?
AveragEd
Member
Back in 1976, I bought a Ruger Single Six Convertible that shot decently with the 22WMR cylinder installed but threw patterns instead of groups with the 22LR cylinder. Ruger advised that was quite typical because a 22WMR bullet and bore are a tad larger than that of a 22LR so the smaller bullets weren't being stabilized in the 22WMR bore.
I would think the same thing would apply to an S&W.
As an example of why selling guns is not a good idea, that Ruger had "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" rollmarked on the top of the barrel. Have you seen what those guns are bringing in like-new condition?
Ed
I would think the same thing would apply to an S&W.
As an example of why selling guns is not a good idea, that Ruger had "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" rollmarked on the top of the barrel. Have you seen what those guns are bringing in like-new condition?
Ed
SweetMK
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