Replacement cylinder for .357 Magnum Model of 1950?

[John M]

I recently acquired a .357 Magnum Model of 1950 (pre-27), SN S96XXX that I like quite a bit and shoots well except for one serious flaw - a bulged chamber (not really noticeable with the naked eye on the outside of the cylinder, but brass won't extract, and a straight edge held along the top of the chamber on the outside of the cylinder reveals the flaw.) I even had .38 SPL brass fail in the suspect chamber via longitudinal splitting, so there's no question in my mind it's a bulged chamber. So it's an N-frame 5-shooter for now. I'm looking for a replacement cylinder, or maybe a complete cylinder-extractor-yoke assembly. Question: would parts from a M27 or M28 possibly do the trick? Not so hard to find as a cylinder from a pre-27. If so, would a recessed cylinder be an easier install? I realize some fitting may be required to make this all work.

Thanks!

 

[Dixiejack]

I think I would contact Smith & Wesson's repair shop to see if they have a cylinder and would fit it. I don't know if this was a defect or caused by a hot reload. You might want to try Numrich Arms for a parts search. Also, I have heard Pinnicle Guns or something close rechambers cylinders, so that might be another lead. Good luck.

 

[tennexplorer]

Yes, they would. But if you get a 27-1 or later cylinder you will need the ejector rod also as they are left hand thread. Yours has a right hand thread. Don't get one for a 27-3 or 28-3 or later. Those do not have the recessed chambers and you will have excess slop when you open the gun. The cylinder stop on the frame will not be the right length.

 

[John M]

great points, tennexplorer, the potential issues with the cylinder stop location being off by the thickness of the rim of the case for non-recessed cylinder and thread direction conflict had not occurred to me. Sounds like you may have done this before - Thanks.