Ruger Speed Six

I have a .38 cal Ruger Speed Six with 2 3/4" barrel. I was told that I can change the cylinder to a .357 cylinder. Is it as easy as changing cylinders on that gun or is there more to it.

Do not believe that it is that easy the new cylinder will have to be fitted to the frame.
Chief

No. Any cylinder must be fit for cylinder to barrel gap, endshake, & headspace regardless of manufacturer. You might get lucky like you might win the lotto, but don't count on it. Ruger differs from S&W in that they use the same length cylinder for 38 Special & 357 Magnum. You can have the cylinder reamed to 357 without affecting the fit. Less expensive by far than a new cylinder with fitting costs. I've done some in the past, but I don't know that I would do it with used Speed Sixes so readily available in 357. Thay are not really all that collectible, but you don't really find them in 38 nearly as often. I would just get some good 130 grain loads for it. Several of the ammo manufactureres have developed such for the snubbies.

The other question is:

Where would you get a .357 cylinder anyway?

Ruger certainly won't sell you one.

rc

If you reload there is little difference between .38 and .357.

Where would you get a .357 cylinder anyway?
rcmodel,
They turn up, with some regularity, on gunbroker:uhoh: and Numrich has them listed.
Regards,
Greg

Thanks for the info. Iwas told by someone who told me on Rugers the cylinders are the same size and that they are interchangable in that frame, which he claims is already a .357 frame with a .38 cylinder. I called Ruger and spoke to a woman who said she would get back to me but never did. I have the Ruger part number and was thinking that I could buy it from Ruger. If it is more involved than that then I will just keep it a .38.

Why not just take it to a good gunsmith and have the chambers reamed to 357 mag? I know a guy who did that back in the 80s to a Ruger, he still has it and it works fine.

$$$ spent to gain a few fps over +P+ ??????

GP100man

I have a blued 357 Cylinder and a 357 marked 4" barrel for a security six if you are interested. I got them for a .38 Special Security Six that I have, but decided to leave as a 38 Special. PM me if you are interested.

If you reload there is little difference between .38 and .357.
Little.....except for the 24,000 CUP difference between the two.