Model 63 (No Dash) 22 Magnum Cylinder?

[Dave@A5]

I have an early model 63, no dash. Is it possible to get a 22 magnum cylinder for it? Were they ever available for them? I'd love to have this as a convertible. 22LR / 22Mag. Thanks

 

[hkcavalier]

Wellllllllllllllllll....

You could try and fit a 651 cylinder.

Cylinder Assembly, .22 Magnum | Gun Parts Corp.

I am considering it for my 34.

 

[Dave@A5]

That sounds VERY interesting. I'm just wondering if it's a drop in or do I need to have someone fit it. I don't care either way but obviously, I want it done correctly and timed properly. Should I go to someone like Hamilton Bowen or the likes? I'd feel better having a pistol smith do it.

 

[H Richard]

There will be some fitting required, and I understand Hamilton Bowen no longer works on S&W's. You might try Cylinder & Slide or Frank Glenn.

 

[Vilkus]

Not sure, but I think the barrel dia. is different on a mag .224 instead of .223

 

[shakyshoot]

Not sure, but I think the barrel dia. is different on a mag .224 instead of .223

Yes it is. Not sure if you can get by with a 22 LR barrel or not. I know when Ruger started making the convertible Single Sixes, they used a bigger barrel diameter to fit the magnums. So even if you buy a Single Six that's 22 LR only, you're getting the magnum barrel. There's more difference in the diameter of the case than there is in the bullet though.

 

[Big Cholla]

Easier Solution

I have an early model 63, no dash. Is it possible to get a 22 magnum cylinder for it? Were they ever available for them? I'd love to have this as a convertible. 22LR / 22Mag. Thanks

Purchase a second cylinder 22 LR cylinder and after fitting to your handgun have it reamed out in each chamber for the 22 mag. Note: in the fitting of the new cylinder, do not alter any part of the existing frame, barrel position, hand, cylinder stop or anything else on the existing frame.......doing that of course could alter the fit-up of the original cylinder. ...........

Oh, the barrel diameter size for the 22 LR will probably make the 22 mag shoot with even more accuracy than when shot thru the 22 mag sized barrel. ..........

 

[Dave@A5]

Hmmmm, in doing that, will it increase barrel pressure to unsafe levels?

 

[22hipower]

Hmmmm, in doing that, will it increase barrel pressure to unsafe levels?

This question comes up occasionally, if you use the search button at the top of the page you can probably find previous threads. Some worry about the slight difference in diameter but I don't remember anyone reporting a problem with shooting 22 WMR bullets in a 22 LR barrel. Certainly no issue in the several times I've done it; Ruger Single Six, Colt New Frontier, S&W pre 18.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[RMFnLA]

Purchase a second cylinder 22 LR cylinder and after fitting to your handgun have it reamed out in each chamber for the 22 mag. Note: in the fitting of the new cylinder, do not alter any part of the existing frame, barrel position, hand, cylinder stop or anything else on the existing frame.......doing that of course could alter the fit-up of the original cylinder. .........../QUOTE]

Done this several times and most times it was just a drop-in.

Sights will need to be re-adjusted, of course, but those "mini-magnums" are fun to shoot!

 

[colt_saa]

No 22 Magnum cylinder was produced by the Factory for specifically converting the Model 63

I just re-chambered a 22LR cylinder when I wanted to do his to my Model 34

Cylinders may or may not drop in, just the luck of the draw on early guns. Any local gunsmith should be able to help you if needed

I will probably do the same thing for my 8 shot, 3" Model 63

 

[colt_saa]

Hmmmm, in doing that, will it increase barrel pressure to unsafe levels?

Pressure is a non issue

The barrels are nominally .001" different. The projectiles are also nominally .001" different.

Manufacturing tolerances in both of these items can add up to that or more. Knowing manufacturing tolerances differ and firearms/ammunition from foreign nations may not comply with SAAMI specification, the firearms are built to withstand all those minor differences

SAAMI pressure for both cartridges is 24,000 PSI

 

[RMFnLA]

Pressure is a non issue

The barrels are nominally .001" different. The projectiles are also nominally .001" different.

Manufacturing tolerances in both of these items can add up to that or more. Knowing manufacturing tolerances differ and firearms/ammunition from foreign nations may not comply with SAAMI specification, the firearms are built to withstand all those minor differences

SAAMI pressure for both cartridges is 24,000 PSI

The J frame is built to take .38 Special pressures so .22 Mag should be no sweat.

 

[ken158]

A new cylinder will require the ratchets to be cut to work with the existing hand. This is not a job for an amateur - once metal is filed you can't put it back and a special file is needed for the job. As noted, never alter anything one gun to make the new cylinder fit because you just screwed up the original cylinder fit...

 

[Camster]

Guns made with an second cylinder, are magnums, with the second cylinder being the .22LR cylinder, not vice versa.

 

[RMFnLA]

A new cylinder will require the ratchets to be cut to work with the existing hand. This is not a job for an amateur - once metal is filed you can't put it back and a special file is needed for the job. As noted, never alter anything one gun to make the new cylinder fit because you just screwed up the original cylinder fit...

Fitting is not necessarily required; I have had a lot of luck with simply dropping them in and them working perfectly.

The recommended file is a Barrette file but I've also used jeweler's files and small Arkansas stones.

 

[Big Cholla]

Carefull!!

No 22 Magnum cylinder was produced by the Factory for specifically converting the Model 63

I just re-chambered a 22LR cylinder when I wanted to do his to my Model 34

Cylinders may or may not drop in, just the luck of the draw on early guns. Any local gunsmith should be able to help you if needed

I will probably do the same thing for my 8 shot, 3" Model 63

Make careful measurements before rechambering an eight chamber cylinder to 22 WMR. The critical measurement is the diameter of the cartridge's rim. There may not be enough room for two 22 WMRs to fit side by side in a rechambered cylinder. ...... :-( ...... don't ask me how I know)

 

[Big Cholla]

I have been adding a cylinder in 22 WMR to six shot M 617s for some time. The accuracy using good mag ammo is always good and sometimes is very good. The smaller diameter 22 LR barrel seems to improve the potential accuracy of the 22 WMR ammo. Also, I have found this true in rifle barrels.

 

[mwr1]

Just this week I picked up my 63 from the gunsmith. He fitted a blue model 51 cylinder to it. I now have the advantage of both rounds. It shoots great with both cylinders.

 

[Dave.357]

I just did this to my 63.
I bought a used 63 cylinder
Checked timing it was fine
It had a lot of end shake
Bought a shim kit it came with
6 shims 2each of.002-.003-.004
Put .009 shims in got 0 end shake
and .006 gap between cylinder
And barrel .
I reamed cylinder to .22mag
It shoots higher than .22 about
6 clicks down on rear sight.
I can not find a rim fire yoke in
SS but ordered all other parts
So I do not have to disassemble
Cylinder to swap
Have a blued j frame 22mag
Cylinder if any one needs it

 

[S.B.]

There will be some fitting required, and I understand Hamilton Bowen no longer works on S&W's. You might try Cylinder & Slide or Frank Glenn.

And I was told by S&W they only fit magnum cylinders to certain years of manufactured handguns anymore(when I inquired about fitting a magnum cylinder to my 17-5)? So much for their life time maintenance warranty, huh?
Steve

 

[BoCash]

Oh, the barrel diameter size for the 22 LR will probably make the 22 mag shoot with even more accuracy than when shot thru the 22 mag sized barrel. ..........

To add: I once purchased a Model 18 and the previous owner had installed a .22 Mag cylinder. Did not take long to figure this out when the .22 LR shells were rattling around in the chambers. Since it was a Gunbroker purchase and I had kept the gun for over a month before shooting, I kept it.

I found a .22 K cylinder on Ebay - as new. I few light and careful touches with a Dremel on the ejection star gave the model 18 a correct LR cylinder................BUT -------------- I fired the gun from a sandbag at 25 yards and set the sights with the Magnum cylinder and the danged thing was making nickel-size groups.

So much for running a .224 slug down a .222 tube...... I saw, heard, and felt no problems and would personally not be afraid to send .22 mag rounds down a .22 LR tube. The Mag cylinder in the model 18 was capable of striking matches! I have a ton of K-frame .22 LR Smiths and this model 18 w/ the "incorrect cylinder" will out-shoot most, easily!

Y'all be good, Bo

 

[SuperMan]

I've done a bunch of .22 LR to Magnum conversions...

17 with a 48 cylinder

18 with a 48 cylinder

63 with a 651 cylinder

35 with a 51 cylinder

All needed minor fitting.

Accuracy is excellent with both rounds in all guns. All just need a cylinder swap, no extra crane assembly required. No clue where the idea comes from that one needs an extra crane...Smith doesn't on their two cylinder guns...

Excess pressure...you're talking .22s not .44 Magnums. As to bore diameter, whose dual cylinder guns have the reputation for lack of accuracy when using the .22 Long Rifle cylinder...Smith and Ruger. Freedom Arms and USFA only use .22 LR bore diameter rifling and have far better accuracy than a Single-Six or 48 with a LR cylinder.

Bob

Model 35
Model 18

 

[SuperMan]

Friend's Diamondback... He found all the parts and then sent it off to be rechambered... Colts do require a crane to make the conversion easy. The cylinder doesn't just slide off the crane like a Smith will.

The other gun is a 63 with extra 651 cylinder...

Bob