k frame .41 special.

[texas tom]

Has anyone ever heard of converting a k frame 38 special to 41 special.
is the cylinder to small? can the barrel be bored or replaced.

The brass can be made from 41 mag. I think this would be a great project.

there are loads of m-64's police trade ins floating around cheap.
just a thought.

texas tom

 

[Alk8944]

As-is the cylinder is too small. The issue is distance between change holes. If you could find someone like Bowen to make a 5-shot cylinder it is possible. Back in the early 70s S&W built at least one tool room copy of 5-shot .41 Magnum K-frame. Basically a .41 Magnum Chiefs Special. It didn't go any farther, probably for good reason.

 

[texas tom]

thanks
i'll make a few calls, still sounds interesting

 

[OKFC05]

Making a quick check of barrel dimensions, there is also an issue with the barrel where it screws into the K frame. Not much metal left for a .41 cal bore.

 

[jag312]

Just a thought, what about using a 586 or 686? Their cylinders are larger in diameter, and S&W did manage to squeeze in a seventh chamber.

 

[OKFC05]

Just a thought, what about using a 586 or 686? Their cylinders are larger in diameter, and S&W did manage to squeeze in a seventh chamber.

I have a 646, which is a six-shot , L-frame .40 S&W, so that does work.

 

[M29since14]

One fairly well-known pistolsmith I know (won't mention his name here, without his permission) has made a few L-frame .41 Magnums. He did turn one loose to a customer, who pretty much destroyed the gun shooting heavier-than-recommended handloads. (The same thing you would use in an N-frame.) I think he said it took about 1500 rounds.

The original idea was to run the gun at about 80-90% of SAAMI .41 Magnum pressure. I can't recall what that was for sure - maybe about 28000 PSI? He was looking for a 220-grain LSWC at 1100-1200 FPS.

The 'smith's opinion is that the result is probably not worth the expense and trouble. But we all like different things. If you want to go this route, the L-frame would definitely seem the way to go.

 

[epj]

From all I have read, the .41 Special is a viable round in the L frame, Ruger GP100, or Python. The round is intended to be loaded in the 900-1000 fps range, or about the same as the old .41 mag "police load". I have a GP 100 that I have considered having converted, but am sort of put off by the price of the conversion. (about $600, I think)

 

[texas tom]

thanks to all who responded,
I'm not necessarlly looking for a combat pistol, just something "special" a "one of" so to speak. Oh is money were no object.. but I punch a clock like everybody else...

 

[ddixie884]

.41spl in 686

Several smiths do them on L-frames. David Clements did mine, but no longer does L-frames. I believe he does do GP100s.

 

[4864]

Now that would be a fun gun!

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

Sounds like a cool project to me!

 

[ntxyankee]

tagged for further perusal