H&R Revolver

Bergtreffer

I recently bought an old H&R hammerless .22 revolver, with 2 inch barrel and serial number 8402 on the grip butt and grip frame. Can anyone tell me whether this model can be shot safely using modern ammunition? Maybe Mr. Goforth can help with this question and also provide some background historical info. Thanks.

Bergtreffer

Can an H&R Model-929, .22 LR revolver, 4-inch barrel have the cyclinder modified to accept .22 WinMag ammo? It appears that this H&R would be a decent little concealed carry piece, and would be more effective with magnum ammo.

1KYDSTR

I obviously don't have a sample to compare with, but how long is the cylinder? Is there enough room between the recoil shield and the forcing cone to get a 22WMR cylinder in there?

SoreShoulder

I think the pressure would be higher. Even though 22 mag and 22 lr are both rated for 24000psi (or was it cup) the lr has a .222 bullet and the mag has a jacketed .224 bullet. Your revolver probably has a .222 bore. Of course, it may not be a big enough difference to hurt anything, but then again you could just burn up your margin of safety, then have a burst gun fly open when it's unusually warm or you get a little pocket lint obstructing the barrel.

OAL can of course be looked up online.

Bergtreffer

SoreShoulder -- You make sense. Caution is always well advised. I didn't know that a .22 LR and a Mag were different diamaters. Thanks.

SoreShoulder

You might take too much metal out of the cylinder too. The LR has a heel seated bullet so the case is the same diameter as the shank of the bullet-.222.

The 22 magnum, however, has the shank (all or part of it) inside the case, so the inside of the case is .224, and the outside is .224 plus twice the thickness of the case wall.

ChrisInTempe

I recall some of this from when I bought my model 649 new about 30 years ago. This is a .22LR/.22WMR convertible, SA/DA, 6 shots. Was my hiking gun for years until I decided to carry something bigger.

While looking for a revolver to buy I'd noticed that 9 shot revolvers were only offered in .22LR. I talked with the gunsmith in the gun shop about that, he said I wouldn't find anyone making a .22WMR revolver over 6 shots. The cylinder walls become too thin when drilled into a cylinder suited to .22LR. So they'd have to make the cylinder much larger. The frame of the gun would then need to be larger to hold the cylinder. Weight and cost would all go up which gun buyers would not accept.

So H&R would never build it.

I compromised in buying the 649 over the 929 but like it just fine.

Of course today I wish I'd bought BOTH guns!

32 Magnum

Other than the convertible models (649, 666, 686, etc.) H&R made a dedicated .22 mag 6 shooter, the Model 642 - this one was set-up to exclusively fire .22 mags - they are good shooters and a bit more accurate than the convertibles.

jamesjo

H&R also offerd the model 603, and 604, in 6 shot 22 mag.
If you want a 22lr/22 mag convertible that is a 9 shot, you will have to find a High Standard.
They made a few different 9 shot convertibles.

32 Magnum

AND let's not forget the H&R Model 826. Thanks Jamesjo

ChrisInTempe

quote:Originally posted by jamesjo
... you will have to find a High Standard.
They made a few different 9 shot convertibles.


Now that's interesting, I did not know that. If they were making them 30 years ago, that gunsmith didn't know either.

Will have to do some searches on that one ...

jamesjo

Here's one High Standard model, the High Sierra
This one manufactured 1975
I still prefer my H&R's, but I do like the 9 shot capacity!!




They also had the Double Nine Convertible.
These really weren't any good for the OP's want of a small carry piece though.
I think High Standard also made a nine shot 22 mag with about a 2.5,or 3" barrel, maybe called the Sentinal?