Hard to convert a 5-shot 357 to a 6-shot 32?

[Nickel Plated]

Just curious.

How involved would it be to convert something like a 5-shot 357 J-frame to a 6-shot .327 Fed or .32 H&R?

Obviously the barrel would need to be lined for the smaller bullet. And a new cylinder made or found for the cartridge.

What about the lockwork? Would the hand and cylinder stop have to be redesigned to accommodate the shorter rotation of the cylinder from chamber to chamber with the extra shot?

Not planning on doing it anytime soon, but when I get a CC-gun, I really want a snub and I really want it in 327 or 32 6-shot variety. But noone seems to make one anymore. So just throwing some ideas around in my head about the feasibility of something like this. I'm ofcourse aware that anything is possible if you throw enough money and effort at it, but just wondering how realistic such a project would be.

 

[GRIZ22]

You probably could find a J frame sized 327 used for a lot less than the cost of the conversion. I have a Taurus 327 I like so I can understand the appeal.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Its an easy conversion.

Sell that one. Buy the other.

A lot less expensive too. 327s and 32s are not so rare as to have to convert an existing 357 to one.

 

[rcmodel]

This!

S&W made what you are looking for.
But sales were poor, and the .327 never took off to begin with, so they dropped it from the line a year or two after bringing it out.

There is no economic justification for you trying to convert something else.

You just won't win that war!

Rc

 

[BSA1]

How involved would the conversion be?

Simply lots of money.

p.s. Take a look at the 22 Magnum discussion thread on Revolvers Forum.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If Hamilton Bowen can convert a 6-shot .327 Ruger Single-Six to a 5-shot .38spl, you know it can be done. It is just a matter of how much you're will to pay to have it done

 

[urbaneruralite]

It'll be cheaper just to buy what you want on the used market. There's a 432PD on gunbroker right now. I personally would not pay the price it will go for, but since it'd be cheaper than that conversion...

 

[Jim Watson]

What I call a Class 3 modification:
Class 1: Commonly called for, reasonably priced.
Class 2: Extreme custom, expensive.
Class 3: Physically possible, but try to find somebody willing to fool with it.
Class 4: Not feasible.

 

[Kernel]

A 2" M631, 6-shot .32 Mag J-frame. This one is a pre-lock LadySmith that's on GB now.

 

[BCRider]

I have to agree. Since they DID make them at one time you simply need to be patient and when one comes up for sale at a reasonable price then jump on it.