[Jake Salyards]

Hello - picture if you will a big ole N-frame 4" .38 - I am thinking this is a strong enough platform to have it converted to .357 - sort of llike my own thunder ranch revolver - but cooler .

Questions?

What needs to happen for the conversion?
What does something like that cost?

Before anyone starts breathing into a paper bag and taking my name in vain :evil: - we are speaking here of a shooter grade gun only - not a collectable.

Anyone had something like this done?

Comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
~Jake Salyards

 

[Erich]

Beats me. Rather than try to install the cylinder from a .357, I think I'd just try to buy a 520. There are still a few floating around, if you absolutely must have a fixed-sight N-frame .357.

 

[M. Hall]

Is the cylinder 'window' even long enough for .357? I have no idea, not being familiar with the
pre-20.

 

[Jake Salyards]

Is the cylinder window long enough? Good question - I think it is, but I don't know - it looks to me to be the same size as that on a SW27 - I guess we'll find out. I am trading into this one - even if it has to stay a .38 that is fine too - I have developed a soft spot for shooter grade older SW N-frames. I can't afford the collectables - which is all for the better - because I don't believe in guns you can't shoot - wine you can't drink - cars you can't drive, etc.

I'll let you know what happens.

The 520 idea is a good one - but I traded most of my money for 4 kids - so I have to be creative in my gun acquistions - not complaining either - the kids, on there worst day - are at least as cool as the guns.

~Jake

 

[Boothman]

Convert pre-20

I used to own a M520, and one of the prevous posters is right - it would make a lot more sense to buy one of those. They are not priced out-of-this-world, and would probably be cheaper than all of the costs to do a conversion.

 

[bullethead]

I guess if it were mine, I'd just find some +p 38 spl cases and load them on the stiff side. I would love to come across a pre 20...(spelled AFFORDABLE) to go with my pre 27. I would guess that a 357 cylinder would fit, but, try to find any pre 27 or 28 parts (BBL and CYL) that are affordable....

 

[Witherspoon]

The 520 idea is a good one - but I traded most of my money for 4 kids - so I have to be creative in my gun acquistions - not complaining either - the kids, on there worst day - are at least as cool as the guns.

~Jake

Well spoken, sir, well spoken.

 

[Perfessr]

The conversion would be just a matter of running a 357 reamer into each charge hole. It should not be real expensive. If a HD can be converted to 45Colt then it could be reamed to 357 because the Nominal length is about the same.

 

[TRM]

What is the average throat dia. on the 44 629.

 

[jtcarm]

The conversion would be just a matter of running a 357 reamer into each charge hole. It should not be real expensive. If a HD can be converted to 45Colt then it could be reamed to 357 because the Nominal length is about the same.

While I would normally advise against a .38-to-.357 conversion, Perfessr is correct, this is pretty simple one.

The Heavy Duty (pre-model 20) and Colt New Service .38s were favorites for conversion to a “poor-man’s magnum” when the original.357 cost 25% more than Smiths second-priciest model. Probably more than a few were DIY jobs.

Collectors routinely check for this conversion before buying a .38-44 (other name for the Heavy Duty/Model 20).

Personally, I think it would be more fun loading .38 cases to original .38-44 specs.