shorten cylinder/lengthen barrel on ACP?

[NB4EST]

On page 105 of "Sixguns", Elmer Keith shows pics of a 1917 S&W that has been "modified" by a Mr. McCashland of Hinton, WVA. The cylinder has been shortened and the barrel has been extended further into the cylinder window in the frame to match up with the front of the cylinder. I have a Pre-Model 26 S&W that has been modified in much the same manner. Its cylinder has been shortened to the point that rounds the length of military hardball contact the forcing cone and foul the cylinder. Its aftermarket barrel extends well into the cylinder window.

I more or less ignored the big, ugly S&W for years, but recent tests have determined its preferred charge of Trail Boss. When combined with a 160 grain cast RN, the old gun's accuracy potential borders on amazing. It is my most accurate revolver.

The old S&W letters as having been shipped to California Hardware in Los Angeles in the early '50s. I can find no markings on the gun to indicate who did the modifications.

Does anyone have experience with guns that have been modified in this manner or know of the history of their use?

 

[Tom S.]

That might be a needle in a haystack kind of thing. You might get better response in the Revolvers 1896-1961 section of the forum. Lots of very knowledgeable people there!

 

[Protocall_Design]

The only time I can recall seeing this is on purpose made target guns.

This is also the only reason I can think of where Taylor throating would be of any use. Where you have a cylinder with the throat cut off, with Taylor throating, the throat is in the barrel. I have seen several guns made this way that shot very well with only a standard forcing cone, so I don't know that Taylor throating offers an advantage in any situation.

 

[NB4EST]

Thanks. I'll post my question in the 1896-1961 section.

 

[bgrafsr]

I took a Model 29 barrel, cut the shoulder back, and installed it on a Model 624. I didn't have to do anything to the cylinder. My reason for doing so was to have a heavier barrel on the 624. I think it looks pretty good and it shoots great.

 

[WR Moore]

I've seen pictures of PPC guns made this way. Theoretically, the reduction of bullet jump to rifling improves accuracy. On the other hand, you have that longer, smaller diameter barrel shank hanging in air between the frame and cylinder.

I don't recall any comparative tests between a standard PPC gun and one with the modifications. A lot of that stuff is theoretical mind games.

I expect the work on the OPs gun was done better than 50 years ago. Without any kind of name stamp on the work, the odds of figuring out who did it are astronomical.

 

[Green Frog]

The late Fred Schmidt of Mechanicsville, VA built quite a few short cylinder conversions on K-Frames (mainly.) They were purpose-built back in the '70s for the then-popular game of PPC. I was fortunate to purchase his personal demo model of the gun which included a heavy custom barrel, a rib with three position front sight, the ball-type cylinder lock, and an unbelievably smooth action. All in all a sweet gun.

Froggie

 

[sw dan]

fred's gun

hi folks,
i have one of fred's ppc guns.....dan