K frame 38 vs 357 cylinder metallurgy?

[-BTM-]

I don't believe that any normal 357 load would blow up a K frame 38 special cylinder made in the last 50 years or so if it was reamed to 357.

It has been done many times and not once in the years I have been on this forum has a 38 special cylinder that blew up after being reamed and firing 357 mags shown up. If they would we would have heard all about it many times over.
Think about it a few off kilter front sights show up and it is the topic of the day with guys worrying about sights that might be 1 degree off. Yet not one blown up 38 cylinder from firing 357s and more than a few of them had that done to them.

My question is why ream a 38 cylinder, when K frame 357 cylinders are easy to come by and trimming the barrel shank and adjusting the forcing cone is easy and it doesn't cost that much more for the tools and cylinder than it does a 357 reamer.

A 38 special K frame sporting a 357 cylinder and barrel

SS or nickel, in my book is a Pinto! Agree regarding the swap

 

[daveboy]

I and others who have attended the S&W Armorer's School have indicated in the past that when we were at S&W we all had asked specifically if there is any difference in K-Frame revolvers in either the materials or heat-treatment between .38 Special and .357 Magnum models, and the answer we received is that there is not any difference. One of the others was there in 2001, and I got this same answer when I was there in 1974!

I don't question this at all. But, it makes me wonder about the max loads in .38+P. If the K frame .38s can handle .357 Magnum pressure, then we can load .38+P up to near magnum pressures, can't we? I see max pressure in loading manuals for .38+P at around 20k, while .357 Magnum pressures go up to 35k. Of course, the loading manuals have to take into account all makes and models of guns when they state max loads. But, my point is that for the S&W K-frame, I don't have to worry very much about the .38+P max loads in the loading manuals, it would seem. I don't plan to do that, since I own .357 revolvers, but still it makes me wonder. Maybe a better question for the reloading forum.

 

[stansdds]

I don't question this at all. But, it makes me wonder about the max loads in .38+P. If the K frame .38s can handle .357 Magnum pressure, then we can load .38+P up to near magnum pressures, can't we? I see max pressure in loading manuals for .38+P at around 20k, while .357 Magnum pressures go up to 35k. Of course, the loading manuals have to take into account all makes and models of guns when they state max loads. But, my point is that for the S&W K-frame, I don't have to worry very much about the .38+P max loads in the loading manuals, it would seem. I don't plan to do that, since I own .357 revolvers, but still it makes me wonder. Maybe a better question for the reloading forum.

Steel/stainless steel S&W 38 Special cylinders will certainly handle +P and .38-44 HD loads, so hand loading 38 Special brass to .38-44 levels is not the issue. The issue of very hot 38 Special comes when those hot hand loads find their way into an aluminum cylinder.