Shooting .22WMR out of a .22LR barrel
I have a late Colt 22 New Frontier with a safety which came with a 22LR cylinder only. I picked up a new Colt 22mag cylinder which fits perfectly in the frame.
I have been told that it is dangerous to shoot the 22mags through the barrel bored for the 22lr.
Is it true and what would be the consequencies of doing so?
I have been told that it is dangerous to shoot the 22mags through the barrel bored for the 22lr.
Is it true and what would be the consequencies of doing so?
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My first concern would be, even though it "fits"-is it locking in perfect alignment and is the timing correct for a cylinder that has not been "fit" to the specific revolver?
Also, is the top strap and whole frame, for that matter going to safely take the magnum pressure?
I know it's been done before and will probably be done again, but is your safety and the possible damage to the gun worth the chance?
I'm sure you'll get the answer you need and I'm anxious to hear.0 -
I am not sure if I may be misunderstanding the question. My New Frontier came with both cylinders and shoots both interchangably. I did have to send it back to Colt, because on a couple rounds would fire in each cylinder. They changed one cylinder and adjusted the timing. Shoots great now.
Rob0 -
.22WMRF bullet diameter is .224", and .22lr bullet diameter is .223" on down to .222".
The only problems I see would be an increase in accuracy due to the tighter bore and possibly a spike in pressure momentarily while the bullet enters the forcing cone at the start of the barrel.
Timing is critical, or you may shave lead, skin, or other things you don't want to; the worst situation would be if the cylinders' chamber were 1/2 way in line with the frame and barrel and the rim still i reach of the firing pin.
If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!0 -
Since the cylinder fits it seems likely that only one frame was made for both types of guns. I tried to confirm this but couldn't.
Perhaps someone else knows for sure one way or the other.
There have also been articles that state that barrels made for the .22 mag & convertables have a very slightly larger I.D. for the slightly larger .22 mag bullet. This subject has been debated here before & there have been references pointing each way.
IF the barrel is slightly undersize for the .22 mag that could pose a serious problem.
I don't have the answers, I just raise the questions.0 -
Late model New Frontiers with the cross bolt safety were only made in .22LR. They were not very popular and the Magnum and dual cylinder guns never went into production. (However, some variations of the GS New frontier are very rare, and therefore collectable and relatively more valuable.) Earlier Scouts were marked .22 LR and .22 Magnum; when the dual cylinder guns came out all were equipped with Magnum barrels stamped ".22 CAL.". All of the earlier Peacemakers and New Frontiers (pre cross-bolt) were .22 Magnum barrels.
Colt .22 Magnum barrels were round crowned; .22 LR barrels were flat crowned.
It would be unwise to fit a .22 Magnum cylinder and fire Magnums in your GS series NF, unless you also fit a Magnum barrel.
redcedars0 -
p0838;
Since the cylinder drops into the frame and seems to fit.
BEFORE trying to fire it, I suggest these checks.
First, measure the gap between the barrel and cylinder face.
a gap greater than .004 is un-acceptable, also forward and backward movement is unacceptable.
Second, Use a gauge rod of .222 or.223 which ever "fits" the bore with out wobble and still slides on the rifling. Make absolutely certain the gun is empty. Cock the gun fully, slide the rod down the barrel from the muzzle thru the chamber till it touchs the recoil shield. Repeat in all six chambers. It should not "snag" on anything. If ANY interference is incountered, the cylinder is not properly timed, and should not be used until it is timed for you're revolver.
IF, on the other hand, the transition from barrel thru the chambers is smooth and without interference it should be ok.
Third, If all checks are good, I still would do the test firing A.O.B.,, Absence Of Body. Fire it from a machine rest such a ransom machine pistol rest. They have a LONG firing lanyard. That way if it goods bad, it's not in you're hand. Since you will have to re-cock the piece between shots, you can then look it over for signs of stress or failure. The frame shuld be amply strong on a late production Colt Frontier for the .22mag they were sold as combo's and the frame is common to both. This is for the STEEL frame only, Alloy frames DON NOT apply. For alloy frames check with Colt, they are hte sole authority on whether or not this can be done.
Kill all the lawyers and the world will be much better for it.0 -
I think it is Ruger that makes a dual cylinder gun (comes w/.22lr and magnum interchangeable cylinders). NAA also does this. So, unless there is something special these two (and maybe others) are choosing for the barrels on these, I don't see the barrel being the issue so much as the other stuff the prior members have already addressed. 0 -
I'd go spend 15 bucks and let a gun smith double check everything for you... Better safe than sorry!
Many guns can shoot different ammo interchangably, some in the same cylinder, and others with spare cylinders or barrels and mags in the case of auto's.0 -
fort knox:
The barrel issue is the bore diameter. Nominal bore diameter of the .22 S, L, and LR is .222"; for the .22 WMR it is .224". Shooting the Mag in a rimfire dimension barrel therefore requires the bullet to be swaged down as it passes through the forcing cone and into the rifling. There are several consequences; see below.
p0838:
Python describes the process of testing the fit and timing of the cylinder well. Modern manufacturing tolerances being what they are, you may find a "drop-in" cylinder that will fit and function correctly.
Earlier I said: "It would be unwise to fit a .22 Magnum cylinder and fire Magnums in your GS series NF, unless you also fit a Magnum barrel."
Perhaps a clarification is in order. Please note that I said "fit"; my comment assumed the process described by Python.
As stated above, shooting the .22WMR in a .22LR dimension barrel causes the bullet to be swaged down. The effects of this process on the bullet (deeper rifling cuts, distortion or loss of concentricity) can reduce its ballistic efficiency, resulting in reduced accuracy.
This process also requires more pressure than would a .22WMR dimension barrel; the slowing of the bullet at the forcing cone results in higher peak pressure and duration of pressure than would occur in an otherwise identical .22WMR dimension barrel. You can therefore expect greater than normal recoil and flash, and increased rate of wear. Copper from the bullet jackets will collect in the forcing cone and rifling at an increased rate, and you may see flame cutting adjacent to the cylinder gap.
There is certainly debate regarding the safety of this practice. Judge Colt has reminded me of the strength of the Colt .22 Peacemaker/New Frontier. I must agree; I don't think you have a safety issue in this particular case although I would absolutely follow the A.O.B. testing procedure outlined by Python. On the other hand, there were several virtual copies of this design marketed, most had pot-metal frames and at least one had a pot metal barrel with a steel liner. A Colt cylinder dould conceivably "drop-in" one of those little beauties too. There are other possibilities out there that would not be safe.
Personally, if the cylinder is a "drop-in" I would keep it but I would not give the gun a steady diet of Magnums. If I wanted to shoot Magnums I would be on the scout for a Magnum barrel or gun.
redcedars0 -
quote:Originally posted by redcedars
fort knox:
The barrel issue is the bore diameter. Nominal bore diameter of the .22 S, L, and LR is .222"; for the .22 WMR it is .224". Shooting the Mag in a rimfire dimension barrel therefore requires the bullet to be swaged down as it passes through the forcing cone and into the rifling. There are several consequences; see below.
p0838:
Python describes the process of testing the fit and timing of the cylinder well. Modern manufacturing tolerances being what they are, you may find a "drop-in" cylinder that will fit and function correctly.
Earlier I said: "It would be unwise to fit a .22 Magnum cylinder and fire Magnums in your GS series NF, unless you also fit a Magnum barrel."
Perhaps a clarification is in order. Please note that I said "fit"; my comment assumed the process described by Python.
As stated above, shooting the .22WMR in a .22LR dimension barrel causes the bullet to be swaged down. The effects of this process on the bullet (deeper rifling cuts, distortion or loss of concentricity) can reduce its ballistic efficiency, resulting in reduced accuracy.
This process also requires more pressure than would a .22WMR dimension barrel; the slowing of the bullet at the forcing cone results in higher peak pressure and duration of pressure than would occur in an otherwise identical .22WMR dimension barrel. You can therefore expect greater than normal recoil and flash, and increased rate of wear. Copper from the bullet jackets will collect in the forcing cone and rifling at an increased rate, and you may see flame cutting adjacent to the cylinder gap.
There is certainly debate regarding the safety of this practice. Judge Colt has reminded me of the strength of the Colt .22 Peacemaker/New Frontier. I must agree; I don't think you have a safety issue in this particular case although I would absolutely follow the A.O.B. testing procedure outlined by Python. On the other hand, there were several virtual copies of this design marketed, most had pot-metal frames and at least one had a pot metal barrel with a steel liner. A Colt cylinder dould conceivably "drop-in" one of those little beauties too. There are other possibilities out there that would not be safe.
Personally, if the cylinder is a "drop-in" I would keep it but I would not give the gun a steady diet of Magnums. If I wanted to shoot Magnums I would be on the scout for a Magnum barrel or gun.
redcedars
Point(s) well taken Red Cedars. [:)]0 -
Nope, it should work just fine as long as the new cylinder was fitted properly. You'd have to work really hard to damage any revovler with any .22. Magnum or otherwise. 0
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