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S&W 64-7 convert to .357?
rosco
Member Posts: 79 ✭✭
What would be involved to change a New 64-7 .38+p to .357mag?
Comments
It probably won't work anyway. The cylinder length of the model 64 is 1.56" and the magnum cylinder in the model 66 is 1.62" with the newer non-counterbored cylinder and 1.67" with the older counterbored cylinders.
Even if you could do it, you would void any warranty still in effect on the gun and expose yourself to liability if someone were to get hurt using that gun. A personal injury lawyer would love to find out that you made a magnum gun out of a gun that was designed to shoot .38 spl only.
On top of the other problems mentioned, .38 spec & .357 mag barrels have different rifling twist rates in most guns. (Why else would Colt have made a Python in .38 spec?) So, accuracy would not be optimal.
Neal
I don't recall ever buying a S&W that came with a warranty. Still, the conversion sounds like a dangerous thing to do.
On top of the other problems mentioned, .38 spec & .357 mag barrels have different rifling twist rates in most guns. (Why else would Colt have made a Python in .38 spec?) So, accuracy would not be optimal.
Neal
Just buy yourself a real .357
Won't sell the 64,never sell any guns.
So cylinder is too short,wrong twist in barrel.
Not to worried about the concern for Smith Wesson.
Treason is there middle name
The SAAMI specification for OAL is the same for .357 Magnum as it is for .38 Special. The bullets are seated deeper in the longer Magnum case. Cylinder length is not a factor unless you load true Keith bullets.
S&W standard rifling for all .38 caliber barrels whether .38 S&W, .38 Special, or .357 Magnum is 18 1/2" twist.
(Colt standard rifling .38-.357 twist is 14", they made .38 Special Pythons with shorter chambers so the bullets would not have a jump from case to cylinder throat.)
The real reason not to rechamber a Special to Magnum is that the Special cylinder may not be heat treated to take the nearly double pressure of the Magnum. They did not used to be.
The cylinders Will Not interchange .......
Thanks !!!
d.a.stearns
Gunsmith / LEO
Niota , Tn
I was not refering to the depth of the chamber holes, but the overall length of the cylinders. Unless he wants to grind some metal off the rear end of the barrel, a magnum cylinder will not fit in the model 64.
Either way, its not a good idea to try that type of conversion.