Changing cylinders on S&W 617?

[Double-O-Dave]

Greetings,

My apologies in advance for what may be an incredibly stupid question, but I was wondering if it is feasible to change cylinders in a revolver like a S&W 617 - for example, swapping a 6-shot cylinder for a 10-shot cylinder. If this is do-able, what would be involved?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Greetings,

My apologies in advance for what may be an incredibly stupid question, but I was wondering if it is feasible to change cylinders in a revolver like a S&W 617 - for example, swapping a 6-shot cylinder for a 10-shot cylinder. If this is do-able, what would be involved?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Dave

 

[tomcatt51]

Definitely NOT a stupid question. It's a nice conversion. Just requires a cylinder assy, a hand, and some fitting. My (originally) 6 shot 617-1 has a 10 shot cylinder fitted.

 

[dfariswheel]

Revolver cylinders don't "drop in". They require extensive fitting and adjusting, and in the 617 case, the action has to be modified to allow using the different capacity cylinder.

Bottom line: This is a job for the S&W factory. They have the parts and know exactly how to install them so your revolver still shoots accurately and safely.

This IS NOT a "do it yourself" job unless you're a master revolver pistolsmith.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Thanks, guys for your advice and help.

Regards,

Dave

 

[tomcatt51]

Originally posted by dfariswheel:
Revolver cylinders don't "drop in". They require extensive fitting and adjusting, and in the 617 case, the action has to be modified to allow using the different capacity cylinder.


This IS NOT a "do it yourself" job unless you're a master revolver pistolsmith.

The "action modification" required is a different hand. The original can also be modified. You have to set the endshake and fit the ratchets. The new S&W parts are much more interchangeable (dimensionally consistent) than in years past. It does require some skills. Depends on your skill and comfort level.

 

[girvin02]

I was about to start a new thread, but a quick search lead me to this one. My question is very similar.

In my case, I wanted to know if the cylinder could be changed in a model 19 or 66 (K-frame), to make it a 7-shot.

Does anyone know if this is possible, if S&W would perform such a task, and if so, how much I should expect to spend?

Thanks

 

[tomcatt51]

On a K frame no. You can on an L frame. Just use the S&W cylinder assy and hand. Same basics as going from six to ten shot 617.

 

[girvin02]

Darn.

I would love a 2 1/2" (blue) model 19 7-shot.

Oh well.

Thanks for the reply.