Question about Victory model

[Troystat]

My father has one of the WW2 S&W's that was chambered for 38 S&W and somebody reamed the cylinder out so that it would accept 38 specials. The questions I have are these, could you replace the cylinder with a real 38 special cylinder and are the bores of these pistols the same diameter as a real 38 special revolver. Other than the cylinder issue it is a really nice pistol with a super smooth action.

thanks

 

[Absalom]

Yes, you could replace the cylinder; in fact, there are such parts guns out there; on some barrels were also replaced. The .38 S&W barrels have a slightly larger diameter, which will have a minor impact on accuracy which generally is insignificant at normal handgun distances. Using hollow-based lead bullets can eliminate that issue completely.

What you have to ask yourself is whether the gun is really worth the effort and expense of a different cylinder. The gun will shoot .38 Special loads just fine as it is (stick to moderate-pressure target loads); the only issue are bulged, possibly split cases, since the .38 S&W for which the chambers were originally bored is a slightly fatter cartridge. This is not a safety issue, but only a concern if you plan to reload the cases.

 

[merl67]

I have had a few of these pass through my hands in the 25 years I have been collecting. My experience is that they shoot just fine and as Absalom said at handgun distance unless you shoot like Jerry Miculek you will most likely won't notice. The ones I had did not split the cases as some have said could happen. Unless you are getting split cases the only real issue is if you reload. If you are getting split cases then I might change the cylinder but other than that I would just shoot it.

 

[Troystat]

Thanks, the cases bulge a little bit and occasionally split, the gun has a parkerized finish so I don't know if that would make it harder to replace the cylinder. Anyway thanks for the info.