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lend lease 38sw

bs233jlbs233jl Member Posts: 623 ✭✭✭
edited January 2016 in Ask the Experts
Just received a S&W 38 revolver. Seems the cylinder has been altered to take the 38 special round. Found different info on line about if this gun could be fired safely. I'm looking for an Expert opinion on this. 38sw or 38 special, or don't shoot. Thanks.[:)]
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Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's a lend-lease gun, it was made for the Brits in 38 S&W and is okay bored out to shoot 38 Spl.
    They didn't change the metal or anything, just the cylinder reemer.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,890 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Expert opinion is that no one can tell you that any gun is safe to shoot without a hands-on examination.

    But, we might be able to help by figuring out exactly what you have. To do that, we need photos of the gun showing all numbers & markings.

    Neal
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are a zillion of these converted lend-lease guns out there; conversion quality can vary from very good to very poor, depending on who did the conversion.

    In terms of mechanical strength, the guns themselves should be plenty strong enough to handle .38 special. Supposedly Smith put standard .358" .38 special barrels on all its lend lease guns, so contrary wo what some suggest, bore size shouldn't be an issue.

    Some guns may split cases due to slightly oversized 38/200 chambers.

    Impossible to say if YOUR gun is safe, but I think some of them definitely and if yours looks to be in good mechanical condition, it probably is. Only way to know, I guess is to try it.

    Here's mine. I've never actually fired it with live ammo, but got it at a pretty good price a few years back. Action is super-smooth, as you might imagine. Looks to be a professional conversion. Nickel finish is good, lanyard ring has been removed, formerly half-moon front sight cut to a slant, and the word "special" was professional stamped into the barrel so now its 38 S&W special, with the word "special" in a noticeably different font!

    DSCN0393.jpg
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When the cylinders were reamed for 38 Special, Some were done very crudely. I had one that had Australian markings. That looked like it was done with worn out reamer.

    Check the your cylinder, to see if the chambers look bad, with a lot of "chatter" marks. If so, you might consider picking up a used .38 Special, "K" frame cylinder. And have a gunsmith fit it to your revolver.
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldn't put any money in it. Shoot it as is if it safe, which is really hard to tell from here. It could be a really nice Saturday night special or truck gun.
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  • bs233jlbs233jl Member Posts: 623 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Update: Took the pistol to the range. Used 38SW ammo. Fired like a champ. Thanks for all your help. Jim.[:)]
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