Crazy K38
Member
I have read that the -3 was made on the magnum frame, so would it be a cylander and barrel swap or what would it take, just out of curiosity, not going to do it but is it possible?
can you make a 638 bodyguard a .357?
- Thread starter Crazy K38
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The Magnum frame is 1/10th of an inch longer to accomodate the longer cartridge, which sits inside a longer cylinder...so...forget about it.
Alpo
Member
You could always measure your frame and compare it to a magnum frame and a regular J frame, to find out if you are correct about the size.
But even if it is the same size, how will you know if they heat-treated the frame the same? I've got N frames in 44/40, 44 Special and 45 ACP. I would not trust these frames to stand up to 44 magnum pressures, so would not convert any of those guns to 44 magnum. Seems just a tad foolish. I remember reading a Jerry Ahern book once, where a feller had a 38/44 heavy duty, and had reamed the chamber out to take 357s. That didn't seem real smart, to me, either.
But even if it is the same size, how will you know if they heat-treated the frame the same? I've got N frames in 44/40, 44 Special and 45 ACP. I would not trust these frames to stand up to 44 magnum pressures, so would not convert any of those guns to 44 magnum. Seems just a tad foolish. I remember reading a Jerry Ahern book once, where a feller had a 38/44 heavy duty, and had reamed the chamber out to take 357s. That didn't seem real smart, to me, either.
Model 638 to .357
Hi, Alpo:
You mention reaming out a Model 38/44 to .357.
Years ago in My area this was a common practice. If there were any "Blow Ups" I didn't hear of any. Of course the person (s) involved might have kept it a "secret".
I know a guy named "Jimmy" that did this to a nickeled 38/44 Heavy Duty with a 5" barrel. Jimmy
Hi, Alpo:
You mention reaming out a Model 38/44 to .357.
Years ago in My area this was a common practice. If there were any "Blow Ups" I didn't hear of any. Of course the person (s) involved might have kept it a "secret".
I know a guy named "Jimmy" that did this to a nickeled 38/44 Heavy Duty with a 5" barrel. Jimmy
Depends. Do you want it to last more than 4 or 5 shots?
USAF385
US Veteran
If you'd really like a .357 of similar size, S&W does offer a few choices.
OP
Crazy K38
Member
I know and like I said I am not going to do it just had an unanswered question in my head
deadin
US Veteran
Just trim 1/10" off the .357 cases and they will work fine.
You can then pop one out of the cylinder to show people that it says ".357 Magnum"
(Oh yeah, you might want to back off on the load just a tad while you're at it.
)
You can then pop one out of the cylinder to show people that it says ".357 Magnum"
(Oh yeah, you might want to back off on the load just a tad while you're at it.
)animalmother
Member
Not sure the aluminum frame could take even one round of 357 Mag w/o structural failure.
I don't know why anyone would want a .357 Magnum airweight Bodyguard unless they were just a "recoil junky". The hot plus-P .38 loads from Cor bon and Buffalo bore recoil
plenty, for most people.
plenty, for most people.
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