Posted: 12/4/2009 1:59:13 PM EDT
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Is it possible to convert a .38 Revolver to .357? If so, what must be done?
I am specifically interested in doing this to a S&W 64. |
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ABSOLUTELY NOT.
.357 Magnum revolvers have special heat treating of the frame and cylinder to allow use of Magnum ammo. This also means you can't install a Magnum cylinder in a .38 Special frame. You can't see this heat treating, so some fools just assume that gun makers are just chambering the same guns with different chambers and charging the customer extra for the same gun. Since the S&W Model 64 "looks" just like the Model 65, many people think S&W is ripping them off on the higher price for the Magnum. There have been a few guns that could be re-worked to Magnum, but those were very special cases. The original Ruger SP-101 was made to Magnum specs and a few were custom re-worked to Magnum, but that was a special case. Converting a .38 Special revolver to .357 Magnum is commonly known as a "hand grenade". |
