Dan Wesson Caliber conversion

[Hannibal Barca]

Would it be possible to convert a .22 LR Dan Wesson revolver in a .357 Magnum o .38 Special caliber?

If it is possible, beside of changing the barrel and the cylinder, would it be necessary changing the firing pin or the hammer? Would it be possible use the same .22 barrel shroud in the new barrel caliber? Or it will be necessary changing the barrel shroud too?


Hannibal
Forgive my bad English

 

[hardluk1]

No . Just buy another in 357. I just bought a 15-2 momson made for 325 with a 6" barrel. Shoots like my other one. Figure just the cost of parts ,some not avaible if you could find them would be way over the top plus the smithy fiting all the parts. There not drop-in cylinders . I am look'n for a 22 still. harder to find than the 357's. Go to the dan wesson forum for better info. OH, nice wesson

 

[jbbaldwin]

Both the 357 and 22 are built on the small frame so the barrel should is interchangeable. However due to the different placement of the firing pin you could not do this conversation. Also unless you have someone re-thread the barrels the threads are different. I have read where folks have made done conversions between two centerfire cartridges.

If you want more info on Dan Wesson's you might want to visit the Dan Wesson Forum.

 

[Red Cent]

jb, the 22s were made on the medium frame also.

 

[Sniper X]

t is still easy to pick up nice DW .357mag in 14, 15, 15-2 and so on for a fairly decent proce. Way better than ruining that nice .22 DW by turning it into a 357. It would cost a lot more to do it that way anyway! If you find used clean 15-2s they usually sell for under 450 with one barrel.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Probably more exensive than just buying one in .357. Also did the frames use the same heat treatment? I wouldn't even consider doing this regardless of cost unless I knew that the .22 frame recieved the same heat teatment during manufacture.

 

[rcmodel]

Forget the heat treatment.

As already mentioned, the .22 is a rim-fire, and the .357 isn't.

The firing pin in the .357 is not going to hit a .22 rim-fire rim.
It's not in the right place in the frame.

rc

 

[jbbaldwin]

Here is a link to some info on the various frame sizes offered by DW for those interested.

The 22 and 357 were built on what DW considered there small frame along with the 22 Mag, 32 Mag, 38 Special and 32-20. The DW Small frame is about the same size as a S&W L Frame. The 738P made between 1992 and 1995 was slight small and only had a 5 shot cylinder chambered for the 38+P.

Large frames include the 360 DW, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt, and 460 Rowland.

The SuperMag frame which is a lengthened Large frame will accommodate the 357 SuperMag (Maximum), 375 SuperMag, 414 SuperMag and the 445 SuperMag. There is also one know 460 SuperMag as well.

This was problem more info than you guys were looking for...

 

[Apex29]

I wouldn't try for a 22 conversion to 357. I'd go with a 357 to 38 though.