Another 617 to 22mag conversion thread

[Kenneth07ex]

I'm leaning towards converting my 617 to dual caliber. I'm not really interested in buying a 22 magnum revolver, for several reasons.

I have neither the patience nor the skill for this kind of work. So it'll be done by a yet to be determined gunsmith.

I'm assuming that it's a matter of fitting the cylinder only. Or would it be the whole crane, cylinder assembly? Is there a major difference in fitting a crane to the frame? Versus just the cylinder?
Because it just seems like a one screw swap would be cool. With less chance for lost parts. What is recommended here?

 

[smitholdtimer]

Cylinder only fitted

The M-617 I know of fitted the cylinder only, the owner carries the non used cylinder in a small Crown Royal bag. Uses the 617's original crane, he is very happy with the performance & accuracy.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Don't try to convert a 10 shot cylinder. The 22 mag has a larger rim and won't fit in 10 shot, rims overlap. The 6 shot has all kinds of room.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Don't try to convert a 10 shot cylinder. The 22 mag has a larger rim and won't fit in 10 shot, rims overlap. The 6 shot has all kinds of room.

Good point, I'm glad you pointed that out. But yes, I've heard that about the 10 shot cylinder. But since it's a dual caliber, and I already have the 6 shot 22lr.

I'm looking for recommendations on a cylinder. Factory 22 magnum K frame cylinder. Fitted to my gun? Has to be 6 shots, I'm not interested in anything else.

Or something like a six shot 22lr stainless cylinder, exactly like what I have now, that's converted to 22WMR?

Any advantages of one over the other?

 

[challer61]

You’ll get much better results with a 648 and the cost won’t be dramatically more in the long run. There is a 0.002” difference in groove diameter. Thus your barrel will fire the 22 magnum but the barrel will be undersized impacting performance. I will also add that the 22 magnum is a rifle round. In a pistol the ballistics aren’t that great but the report/fireball is impressive

 

[.38SuperMan]

While I think 22wmr is a great round in a rifle I don’t see much advantage over 22LR in a handgun. I bought a 5-1/2” Ruger convertible single six about forty years ago thinking I was getting a good deal more performance but learned otherwise after shooting a few cylinders full. A short barrel doesn’t offer much increase in performance over some of the higher performance long rifle rounds and the Substantially higher cost and Lack of selection of ammo are a factor. In a long barrel there’s a noticeable improvement. My RPR 22wmr at 100 yds is insanely accurate, sub 1 moa, and delivers a good punch compared to 22LR.

I’d be curious as to how many of us bought convertible single sixes and after a box or two of magnums put the wmr cylinder in the box and never looked at it again or how many shoot magnums as their primary round.