how to identify genuine H gun

[jat]

hello every one,
i am new to this forum but i m reading your threads from long time.
Last year i got the license of hand gun and i purchased second hand IOf pistol of 2008. this is really axcelent in condition. but know i m looking for s&w or colt revolver.
but there is a problem i saw one of the revolver of colt .32, which is very big in size and having cylinder of almost of 4cm long and barrel is heavy and around 4inch in length. and when i saw in its cylinderfrom inside, i saw that there are ring which is use to stop the bullet case, it is very much similar to the chamber of 12 bore gun in designe.
I discuss this revolver with my friends they told me they are converted revolver from .38 bore to .32 bore by inserting bushes inside the chamber and the barrel.
after some months i found the s&w revolver of the same specification. the dealler told me that cylinder of revolver is big and heavy bcouse it is k frame and in one frame size u find chamber of same legth and thickness only the bore changes. from .22 to any above thick bore.(i feel bit satisfied) but again when i saw the chamber i find the ring inside it and i discuss it with my same freind and he give me the same comment that "this revolver is converted"

could any body can help me is it true that by inserting the bush we can change the boreof revolver. and if it is so then how can we recognise it, pls sugest.
ill be waiting for your valuable comments.
thanking in advance.

regards
jat

[The Doc]

Jat,

I think what you saw was a " recessed cylinder " and the S&W revolver must be a 'K' frame in .22LR caliber.



Ref. http://godgunsandgrits.blogspot.com/201 ... mbers.html

Rimfire cartridges are much more susceptible to casehead failures then centerfire cartridges, because of the hollow rim and thin case (that's where the priming compound is spun). The recessed cylinder is there to protect the shooter and bystanders in case of a rim failure where brass or combustion gasses could caused injury. S&W started the practice on revolvers in the 1930's and the recommendation is to not shoot high speed .22's in a non-recessed chamber.
Centerfire cartridges have solid heads (at least modern ones do) and aren't prone to the same type of failure. S&W first offered recessed chambers in the 1930's on the Registered Magnum to set it apart from other guns and continued the feature on all magnums until the early 1980's.

Colt never bothered doing it and possibly it was more of a S&W marketing tool than anything else.

If you want authentication of any firearm, best would be to post some clear pictures along with proof marks etc. Members here would happily help you out.


best,
Rp.

[Anand]

Hi,
Quite a few revolvers which are of a larger caliber may have been converted to a different caliber by the permanent insertion of chamber sleeves and a barrel sleeve of the desired caliber. I have seen S&W and Colt revolvers with this type of conversion. As for recognizing if its an original or a conversion will take some experience. Pictures may help, also if the work has been done professionally then it maybe difficult to see it easily.

Regards,
Anand

[Amit357]

Hi,
Quite a few revolvers which are of a larger caliber may have been converted to a different caliber by the permanent insertion of chamber sleeves and a barrel sleeve of the desired caliber. I have seen S&W and Colt revolvers with this type of conversion. As for recognizing if its an original or a conversion will take some experience. Pictures may help, also if the work has been done professionally then it maybe difficult to see it easily.

Regards,
Anand

Hi Anand,my 2 bit worth,by converting the chambers of a say 38 Revolver to 32, it would chamber the 32 ctg alright,but i would think that the bullet would "RATTLE" in the barrel,accuracy would suck and it shoot erratic.

[Anand]

Amit357,
you may have missed the part about the barrel sleeve mentioned in my statement!
Regards,
Anand

[vinay singh]

hi,
absolutely in tandem of agreeing with u,,without the clear pics ,wud be difficult to comment.

[hvj1]

Amit357,
you may have missed the part about the barrel sleeve mentioned in my statement!

Barrel Sleeve? Err, I have never seen this before, hence the following questions:
1. Is the barrel sleeve smooth bore?
2. If it is rifled, then how is it rifled in the first place?
Kindly provide me with details.
Thanks & Best Regards

-- Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:25 pm --

Jat,

I think what you saw was a " recessed cylinder " and the S&W revolver must be a 'K' frame in .22LR caliber.

[ Image ]


best,
Rp.

Hey Doc stop posting . Now I will be drooling all night..

[TwoRivers]

hvj1: The sleeve, or "liner", would be rifled the same way as any other barrel is rifled. The practice is nowadays limited to low pressure calibers; but in the past has been done with military calibers where the barrel has been shot out or, or to convert to smaller caliber. The liners used to be soldered in, but now epoxy is used more often. "Relining" a rifle barrel is usually done to restore a corroded bore, while preserving the original barrel contour and maker's marks and stamping.

[dr.jayakumar]

so much to learn about!!

[jat]

HELLO DEAR,
thanks a lott for the above information, i really apreciate your effort and time u devote for me.
1. i had seen the images of .22LR cylinder but it is not the same one.
2. inside the cylinder where the case of bullet stopes then the chamber dia reduces(it feels that it is designed so that we can not insert any longer bullet in it of same bore).

3. In K frames is the length and Dia of cylinder remain same for .22Lr, .32 and .38spl?( i read this in some sites). if there is any difference i can messure it.this can be the real help for me.

4. right know i dont have the images, well all the marking and stamping seems to be orignal. and it is k frame square butt, with wooden grip.

in the above point the third point is very important for me as my friend emphazising on this.

thanking u again for your valluable advices.

Thanks & regards
jat

[eljefe]

Until we get an official IFG crystal ball, pictures would be of great help, to help you

[farhan.lateefi]

Until we get an official IFG crystal ball, pictures would be of great help, to help you