S&W Model 35 WMR Project

[wagwan]

I had never heard of a model 35 until a few months ago when one showed up at my LGS and followed me home. (Essentially a Mod 34 .22 with a 6” barrel). Now I have acquired a Mod 35 parts gun for a very reasonable price - I think because few people knew what it was?

Judging by the condition of the parts, I conclude that this gun was badly neglected but not abused. There is hard dried crud on all internal parts but no wear or damage. Also some light rust and bluing loss. The grips are not original but Herretts that should refinish well. All the parts are there with the exception of the frame, even the hard to remove firing pin and bushing. All the screws are clean with no head damage.

My plan is to ream the cylinder to .22 Mag and end up with a Model 35 convertible. But first, a lot of cleaning and then checking the cylinder for fit, alignment, timing, end shake, etc. I’ll probably test fire as a .22LR, too. If all works out, I’ll then ream it for WMR and most likely reblue it as well.

Should be a fun little project.

 

[SuperMan]

...wonderful little guns.

I' got a 70s vintage that has been fitted with a Model 51 .22 Magnum cylinder...very accurate. Something S&W should have done...6" 51 instead of just the 3.5"....

Bob

 

[wagwan]

Had a chance to test fit the new cylinder today. Clearances between the new / original are fairly close: cylinder to recoil shield gap is .014 for both, however cylinder to barrel gap is .010 / .006 respectively. The main issue so far is the trigger reset sticking on three chambers. It sticks all the way back but will release with a small push. At this time, I suspect the hand is sticking but I’m not sure why yet. More investigation is required!

 

[steelslaver]

Put some drywall anchors or other snap caps in it and dry fire it a bunch. The most likely reason is the hand is just barely rubbing by the tooth and when it is that tight working it will rub a tiny bit off each tooth and smooth it out. The hand being way harder than the teeth it will take a bit off the teeth not the hand.

You could also figure out which chamber and the tooth for each of those and give each a few passes with a very fine file

 

[wagwan]

I too, think the hand is probably rubbing on the teeth. Feels like it will need more than just wearing in, though. I have marked the chambers but think I’ll try some Prussian Blue on the teeth as well. It might show some rubbing more than others. I also have the hand that was originally fitted to that cylinder and can try that too.

It’s gonna have to wait a couple of days, tho. Tomorrow is fishing weather!

 

[wagwan]

Well I tried some Prussian blue and then a Sharpie but wasn’t able to determine where the hand is rubbing or sticking. So I tried the other approach and fitted the spare hand. It has a slightly different profile at the tip. The gun now functions perfectly with both cylinders.

The next step is to ream one cylinder to .22 mag.

 

[wagwan]

Now that the cylinder fits and works properly, I got busy with the reamer today. This is almost the easiest part. I use a Manson .22 WMR finishing reamer with lots of cutting oil. In this case I ran the reamer (in a drill) until it just kissed the top of the chambers. A full cylinder of unfired shells clears the recoil shield and rotates freely. A trip to the range will determine if fired shells also clear properly. I can always cut a little deeper if necessary.

 

[cgt4570]

The old timers put toothpaste in the hand area to fine tune with a lot of dry fire. I'd try that before doing anything serious.

 

[Cotis]

I am curious about the accuracy you will get. Nominal for a 22lr barrel is 0.222 vs 0.224 for a wmr. I wonder if you will need to do any forcing cone work. A .22 WMR bullet will have no problem swagging down 0.002 so the accuracy could be surprisingly nice. Best of luck, take photos.

 

[wagwan]

The old timers put toothpaste in the hand area to fine tune with a lot of dry fire. I'd try that before doing anything serious.

Ah, the ol redneck action job. Coat the entire action with toothpaste and dry fire a bunch. Supposed to really smooth it out. Probably works well enough to polish metal but in this case I think more reshaping is required. However the replacement hand is working great.

 

[wagwan]

I am curious about the accuracy you will get. Nominal for a 22lr barrel is 0.222 vs 0.224 for a wmr. I wonder if you will need to do any forcing cone work. A .22 WMR bullet will have no problem swagging down 0.002 so the accuracy could be surprisingly nice. Best of luck, take photos.

I am aware of the barrel diameter differences. WMR generally tends to be quite accurate through an LR bore. A previous revolver I converted worked out very well with no forcing cone work. It will be interesting to see if POA shifts between the calibers - I hope not!

 

[biblethumpincop]

I am aware of the barrel diameter differences. WMR generally tends to be quite accurate through an LR bore. A previous revolver I converted worked out very well with no forcing cone work. It will be interesting to see if POA shifts between the calibers - I hope not!

I'd love to find another 22lr cylinder for my old Colt Diamondback and do the same thing. I've owned it for about 40 years and it isn't going anywhere until I kick the bucket.

 

[colt_saa]

I am curious about the accuracy you will get. Nominal for a 22lr barrel is 0.222 vs 0.224 for a wmr. I wonder if you will need to do any forcing cone work. A .22 WMR bullet will have no problem swagging down 0.002 so the accuracy could be surprisingly nice. Best of luck, take photos.

Accuracy is just fine, this kind of conversion has been going on for decades or longer

I've done the same thing to a Model 34 snubby years ago

 

[wagwan]

I finally made it to the range over the weekend. Basic function was pretty good - some very slight rubbing of fired cases and surprisingly stiff extraction. Quick, off-hand accuracy was good as well. I'm sure it will be very good off a rest.

So, back to the shop for a little deeper reaming and some chamber polishing. All chambers now pass the 'plunk' test and the case rims are flush with the cylinder face. Hopefully this is it - next range test will tell.

 

[wagwan]

Test session at the range today. Functioning was perfect with easy extraction from the now polished chambers. POI is unchanged from the 22LR cylinder so that is a nice bonus. I’m very happy with the final result.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Good show wagwon

I had intended to tell the story of my Model 617 but after several comments about this conversion and your confirming results I'll say that I am very pleased with the accuracy, function and proud to have a convertible. I also found a Model 63 with a magnum cylinder, there could be an epidemic. Enjoy the versatility!

 

[SuperMan]

Glad it has all come together for you...was lucky in that I found an original Model 51 cylinder and have a local factory trained gunsmith who witted mine...

As to other conversions...have done:
S&W 63 to Magnum with a 651 cylinder
S&W 17 and 18 to Magnum with 48 cylinders
Colt Diamondback to Magnum with another LR cylinder reamed to Magnum
1954 Colt Trooper to Magnum with an Official Police cylinder reamed to Magnum

 

[Muley Gil]

Good job!

I have a stainless Ruger Bearcat that I added a second cylinder to that I reamed to .22 WMR.

 

[wagwan]

Good job!

I have a stainless Ruger Bearcat that I added a second cylinder to that I reamed to .22 WMR.

A Ruger Shopkeeper Bearcat was my first conversion project! In WMR mode it is now two-tone as my second cylinder is blue. Shoots great.

 

[mtgianni]

I don't see the love for the 22 mag personally. If I am buying ammo, the 32 Long does a lot more.
It is also a hard to find model. One on GB now for $1700 or so. That's probably just my opinion for only seeing 2 or three at gun shows in the last 25 years.