Modify .22 LR cylinder for .22 magnum?
I bought, cheap, a used German-made, Colt-clone sixgun in nice shape. Original box (matches gun serial number) lists .22LR and .22 mag cylinders, but both cylinders are .22LR. Can I ream one of the cylinders to safely shoot .22 mag ammo? Obviously, the revolver itself was made to do so. Anything besides the shell diameter different between LR and mag cylinders? Is it purely a gunsmith job? Just curious about the possible modification. Thanks.
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In addition to being slightly larger, the .22 mag is also longer than a long rifle. A good gunsmith could do the work. Make sure he identifies the cylinder as being for magnums.
He may also need to protect the case head of the magnum shells. Some guns are built with the magnum case head recessed into the cylinder, and he may need to do that so it could get pricey.0 -
It could be a DIY project for a handy guy. You could rent the chambering reamer.
If it's an RG I would pass on the project.0 -
It would be best to identify how the cylinder is constructed, prior to reaming the chambers.
Some of the imports had cylinders made of die cast Zinc alloy/pot metal, rather than steel. The chambers themselves were only steel liners in the cylinders.
Attempting to ream the liner out from 22 LR to 22 mag might cause the liner to become loose in the cylinder. Because of this I would only attempt to rechamber a cylinder made of steel.0 -
I would just sell it and buy a Ruger Single-Six convertible. 0 -
yup buy a ruger you will be happier than a happy[^] 0 -
I agree..if you don't want to do it yourself, you're probably looking paying a 'smith what you paid for the gun just to convert the cylinder to .22 mag...then when you're done you'll have a gun worth half what you paid in total should you sell it. It might be easier (and less $$) to scour the used gun parts folks for a .22 mag cylinder instead.
If you go the Ruger route, the 6 1/2" single six convertable I picked up a couple of years ago for about 250 bucks is a great gun that'll last 3 lifetimes.0 -
Four for selling and getting a Ruger single six!! 0 -
some revolver cylinders are to short for magnum...some have smaller circle of chambers and that pushes enlarging chambers into the cocking notches...always wanted a 999 sportsman in magnum but short cylinder nixes that....converted a 22 bisley ruger to magnum and added a longer barrel...made a jig to hole cylinder on the mill...v-notch rear sight, ramp/bead front 0.004 cylinder gap.. threaded barrel...eaa bounty hunter has pinned barrel...when you change barrel you have to drill and tap hole for ejector housing..been thinking on an idea for a side hammer setup like the old colt root pistol or rifle 0 -
In the OP's case, cylinder size should not be a problem. The gun was supposed to come with a magnum cylinder but didn't. Since the length of both cylinders would be the same, to fit between the backplate and the forcing cone, it should be safe to machine out the extra LR cylinder to make a magnum. If the gun had never been intended to fit a magnum, then the LR cylinders might be too short. Best of luck in your efforts. [:)] 0 -
With the quality of your revolver questionable, I would sell it, and get what you are looking for. The 22 WMR, operates at pressures well above the 22LR, and if the barrel is not sized properly for the 22 WMR, which is bigger than the heeled 22LR, in diameter, you could have a bad thing waiting to happen. The majority of the convertibles, have barrels, with the 22 WMR bullet diameter in mind.
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