.357 cylinder for S&W m10?

[kle]

I have a S&W 10-6 and I'm wondering if I picked up a model-13 or 19 cylinder assembly (or even one from a 65/66) along with another hand, would it work in my model 10? Would the cylinder fit in the frame window?

Is this even safe to do? From what I understand, my 10-6 is OK to shoot .38SPL +P; would it be OK to shoot .357 Magnum if I could get the longer rounds to even fit?

Basically: what's the difference between a 10 and a 13?

 

[Jack2427]

There are subtle differences, in the frame and cylinder. Given that even the factory 357s are now acknowledged to be a little on the weak side for continous 357 use, I would not try to use a 357 cylinder in an M10 frame. On the other hand if I were in the market for a hand grenade suprise.......

 

[Z71]

I have heard of people having their S&W K frame .38's rechambered for .357 mag.

I guess it was a fairly popular modification for LEO's that carried the .38 revolvers.

 

[Master Blaster]

No, by the time you had the gunsmithing and parts paid for you could have sold the gun and bought a .357 magnum K frame if that is what you want.

It wouldn't be safe or a good idea anyway.

 

[kle]

Thanks for the insight, everyone. It was a fleeting idea, brought on by a listing on the S&W Forum that had two model-19 cylinder-assemblies/yokes for sale. It's probably just as impractical an idea as a .22 conversion kit for an autoloader--by the time I've got it working, I could've just bought another gun, and it would probably never work as well as a purpose-built gun anyways.

Thanks again!

 

[rcmodel]

Model 10 cylinder is 1.56" long.
Model 13/19 cylinder is 1.67" long.

rcmodel

 

[kle]

Model 10 cylinder is 1.56" long.
Model 13/19 cylinder is 1.67" long.

Ah, okay; I thought the difference was the shoulder cut in the chambers was a 1/10" further along in the .357 magnum cylinder than in the .38 cylinder, and that the overall length was the same.

Thanks.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It was at one time the custom for cops issued Model 10s, or Colt OPs to have a gunsmith run a .357 reamer into the chamber, moving the throat forward and allowing .357s to chamber.

With my gun, I wouldn't try it -- I shoot too much, and the gun would eventually be damaged.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well first of all, .357 Magnum cylinders were (and are) made out of a different steel alloy then similar .38 Special ones, and undergo a different kind of heat treating for additional strength.

As for the length difference, look closely at pictures of a model 10 vs. a 13 or 19/66 and notice the front of the cylinder is much closer to the front of the frame's window, and the amount of barrel sticking out at the back is much shorter in the Magnums.

While a rechambered .38 Special may not blow up, at least in the short term, you will quickly find little dimples inside the chamber above where the cylinder bolt cuts were made.

Even thinking about such a conversion isn't too bright...

 

[rcmodel]

And if you have heard cracked forcing cones were a problem on Model 19's, you ain't seen nothing yet!

(With more forcing cone sticking out of the frame on the .38's)

The reason the K-frame .357 had a longer cylinder (1.67") then the N-frame .357 (1.62") was so the unsupported barrel shank could be made shorter.

rcmodel

 

[kle]

Even thinking about such a conversion isn't too bright...

Well lemme put my dunce cap on and sit in the corner At least I was thinking about it on an internet forum and not with my wallet (or worse, with the hospital bills and mangled hands)...

 

[rcmodel]

The only way we learn is by thinking about it and asking questions.

Nothing at all wrong with that!

rcmodel

 

[Old Fuff]

No, the problem is with those that don't ask, just go ahead... :banghead:

 

[novaDAK]

Ah, okay; I thought the difference was the shoulder cut in the chambers was a 1/10" further along in the .357 magnum cylinder than in the .38 cylinder, and that the overall length was the same.

The Ruger Six series (Security six, service six, speed six) were like that. The .357 and .38 models were exactly the same, except the chambers on the .357 were reamed more to allow .357.

But that series of guns were built around the .357 cartridge anways and were made to handle it. The .38 version was just created to satisfy those depts. that don't allow .357 guns but only .38 guns.

 

[jjohnson]

+1 Old Fuff

Fuff said:

No, the problem is with those that don't ask, just go ahead...

Oh, MAN, no kidding! I have a buddy that's always asking me questions like "how much pressure should you use on a compressed round.." and then goes ahead and does it after asking. And he still has all his fingers, God only knows how.

Yeah, I use this forum for 'sanity check' too. Great place to get a second opinion instead of telling the EM Ts that "it seemed like a good idea at the time."