Survival Files  •  AR Files  •  AK Files  •  H&K
Here you can view your subscribed threads, work with private messages and edit your profile and preferences Registration is free! Calendar Find other members Frequently Asked Questions Search Home  
Post New Thread       Post A Reply

The FAL Files Forums  »  Weapon Specific Forums » The Revolver Files » S&W 38 to 357 conversion?
  Last Thread   Next Thread
Author
Topic: S&W 38 to 357 conversion?
NC Rifleman
Member

FALaholic # 1713

Old Post November 18, 2009 17:42    Click Here to See the Profile for NC Rifleman   Click here to Send NC Rifleman a Private Message   Click Here to Email NC Rifleman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #1
I've got a model 64 and an extra cylinder from a model 66, was thinking about converting the model 64 to .357 and wanted to know what else would have to be modified to make it doable. Thanks

Status: Online | Posts: 488 | Registered: Dec 2000 | Marketplace Rating: (26) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
MAINER
Curio & Relic
Contributor

FALaholic # 18465

Old Post November 18, 2009 18:29    Click Here to See the Profile for MAINER   Click here to Send MAINER a Private Message   Click Here to Email MAINER     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #2
I'm thinking the "65" and "66" has a better heat treatment on the frame to withstand mag pressure. I would check with the S&W gurus before doing this conversion. Have seen at least two K-38s converted to 357 that didn't last long afterward.

The cylinder is a bit longer, so the crane and barrel may need trimming. Have you miked the parts for a fit?

Are you planning on using a lot of 357 loads in this? I have a 66 and it's not a pleasant gun to shoot mag ammo in. My Colt Cobra and a S&W 686 are much better for this use.

A 65 or 66 makes for a neat carry piece however!

__________________
"Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt

Status: Online | Posts: 3298 | Registered: Oct 2005 | Marketplace Rating: (11) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
W.E.G.
Administrator
Silver Contributor

FALaholic # 1211

Old Post November 18, 2009 23:10    Click Here to See the Profile for W.E.G.   Click here to Send W.E.G. a Private Message   Click Here to Email W.E.G.   Visit W.E.G.'s homepage!   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #3
I think you are asking for trouble and unnecessary expense in getting it installed correctly, and timed. I would be surprised if any solid S&W smith would take the job. So, you end up probably with a jack-leg installation of something that has to hold 40,000 PSI.

If you want to load a few "hot" .38 rounds, there is plenty of case capacity in the .38.

You can probably get by with shooting the hot .38 loads infrequently.

Soon as you put the "wrong" cylinder on that gun, somebody's gonna get
their hands on it, and won't know better.

Bad idea.

__________________
Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

Status: Offline | Posts: 28391 | Registered: Oct 2000 | Marketplace Rating: (27) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Indycar
Veteran Member

FALaholic # 3404

Old Post November 19, 2009 01:14    Click Here to See the Profile for Indycar   Click here to Send Indycar a Private Message   Click Here to Email Indycar     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #4
Sell the 64 and the extra cylinder on http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/
and use the funds to buy yourself a S&W Model 65 (basically a 64 {K frame, stainless, fixed sight}) which shoots .357 Magnum.

Less chance of getting hurt and you would make 1 or 2 other people happy.

Status: Online | Posts: 1047 | Registered: Jun 2001 | Marketplace Rating: (13) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
NC Rifleman
Member

FALaholic # 1713

Old Post November 19, 2009 03:34    Click Here to See the Profile for NC Rifleman   Click here to Send NC Rifleman a Private Message   Click Here to Email NC Rifleman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #5
I've got a model 65 too, didn't think the frames were any different. Maybe it would be a better deal to swap a 2" model 64 barrel on to it. Just isn't a round butt like the model 64 which I'd prefer. I probably wouldn't be shooting many 357's thru it, just wanted to make up something unique for an extra compact carry piece.

Status: Online | Posts: 488 | Registered: Dec 2000 | Marketplace Rating: (26) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hoot G
What, me worry?
Bronze Contributor

FALaholic # 23207

Old Post November 19, 2009 19:44    Click Here to See the Profile for Hoot G   Click here to Send Hoot G a Private Message   Click Here to Email Hoot G   Visit Hoot G's homepage!   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote Post #6
Cylinder on a 64 is 1.56" while the cylinder on a 66 is 1.67". A good 'smith could make it work, but it would be expensive. You would be better off, and probably cheaper, finding a 3" 65, and it already has the round butt.

Keep looking.

__________________
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.
Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill

Status: Online | Posts: 245 | Registered: Dec 2006 | Marketplace Rating: (23) | IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
All times are GMT. The time now is 22:25. Post New Thread    Post A Reply
  Last Thread   Next Thread
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread

Forum Jump:
Rate This Thread:

Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts 		HTML code is OFF
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
 
< Contact Us - The FAL Files > © 1998-2004 The FAL Files, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Opinions, Views and Comments expressed by the members of this forum are their own and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The FAL Files or any of it's agents. the FAL Files does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of these messages and opinions, and does not perform an independent investigation to verify their truth or accuracy. All posted messages are the sole responsibility of the person from which such post originated. The FAL Files assumes no liability in any way for the content of any posted message or opinion, including, but not limited to, any errors or ommissions in any posted message.

Powered by: vBulletin Version 2.2.6   Copyright ©2000, 2001, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
The Opinions, Views and Comments expressed by the members of this forum are their own and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The FAL Files or any of it's agents. the FAL Files does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of these messages and opinions, and does not perform an independent investigation to verify their truth or accuracy. All posted messages are the sole responsibility of the person from which such post originated. The FAL Files assumes no liability in any way for the content of any posted message or opinion, including, but not limited to, any errors or ommissions in any posted message.
Page generated in 0.147 seconds (79.81% PHP - 20.19% MySQL) with 25 queries.