Titanium Cylinder Question!

[bmdaniel92]

Hey folks. I have a 637-2 and I'm looking to buy a titanium cylinder for it. I found this one online...

Cylinder Assembly, .38 Special, Fluted, 5 Shot, Titanium, Factory Original

Just wondering if this would be compatible in my 637. Thank you!

Brandon

 

[Josh M.]

It may drop in and work (but I wouldn't count on it).
It may require some fitting (likely).
It may not be able to be fitted to your gun (possible).

It's a roll of the dice on ally framed guns, since the barrel cannot be removed, there is a limit to what can be fitted to your gun. - JM.

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

When the Model 646 racegun from the Performance Center came out in 2001 I jumped on one. It had a titanium cylinder. The spent cartridges would sometimes stick in them . . . the titanium was hard (and delicate) to clean . . . etc.

We went quickly back to a 625 as my moon-clipped competition revolver and sold off the 646.

Now how this relates to a J-framed .38 Special or .357 Magnum, I don't know . . . but I can't see the benefits in an Airweight . . . it is just going to slow your times between rounds and increase the felt recoil . . . plus cost a bunch to have it done.

In the end though, if it is something you might like, GO FOR IT!!! If you do this mod, please let us all know how it goes.

Best wishes,

Tom

 

[scott625b]

Amen to Tom Turner, the TI cylinder on the 646 was really a pain. I found that only nickel plated brass would work in mine and even then, you would have one that would still stick every now and then. Not too reliable in my book. You might have to refit the ratchet, hand and other components to make it work for you. If the crane is a different diameter then that's another another issue. Not all the S&W parts are interchangeable. This may be more trouble than its worth.

 

[capnkirk]

Brandon, do a search for 442 and titanium cylinders. Several forum members, myself included, recently installed the cylinder you are looking at in our 442s and other S&W's. Check out the thread below. There is another thread from a few days before that one also.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/176991-pics-titanium-cylinder-442-a.html

 

[capnkirk]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/177346-questions-fitting-ti-cylinder-m442-2-a.html

 

[stevenisthug]

Hey guys. Hate to hijack but i have a question...

I have a 342 M&P (scandium frame, steel cylinder/barrel) and i was wondering if this conversion would be a simple drop in..

 

[allglock]

I did two 442s, and both worked perfectly, with no fitting.
I would definately give it a shot!

 

[DUNTOV]

I tried a similar swap, a 642 cyl. in a 442, both were current issue 2008 guns, and the 642 cyl would not close in the 442

 

[allglock]

I just slid a 637 cylinder in a 2008 and a 2011 model 442. No problems.............

 

[OKFC05]

I have a 646 that I bought new and have shot for many years , first in IDPA and then in ICORE.
Couple of comments on cleaning titanium:
1. If you want the cylinder to look shiny new after cleaning and can't stand that nasty black stain on the front of the cylinder, don't buy titanium. You'll drive yourself nuts scrubbing on it, and may ruin it.
2. If you accept the fact that titanium discolors and just clean normally and wipe the chambers clean and dry, there will be no hassle. Aside from the discoloration, titanium is very slick and cleans easier than steel. There is NO reason to leave any oil on the surface of a titanium cylinder or in a chamber, as it cannot rust.