Ruger Speed-Six .38 to .357 conversion

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edrice

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It's not so much that I need to do this, as I already have both another Speed-Six in .357 and likewise a Security-Six in .357. But I also have one in .38 that I picked up used years ago that I've decided I'd like to convert to .357, if not just for the sake of standardizing on ammo.

I compared the .38 and .357 cylinders and see no dimensional differences. If I were to pick up .357 cylinder, would it likely swap out with the .38 one without too much hassle?

Is there any reason that this should not be done?

I did some searching in several places but didn't come up with any answers.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer,

Ed
 
In all likelihood you could ream the chambers (if you could find a smith willing to risk the liability and do it) and shoot 357s out of it.

But I would not recommend it. If the gun doesn't measure up as is then sell it and buy what you want.

This is my standard advice for anyone contemplating trying to change a gun into something other than what it was built to be. Just sell it.
 
I would suggest that you NOT convert the Speed Six to .357 ---- There were far fewer .38 cal Speed Sixes made as these were mostly made for LE agencies that required the .38 cal. firearm. Accordingly, the .38 Speed Sixes usually sell for more to collectors. Why not sell the .38 cal and buy another one in .357 and pocket the extra $$ --- That's my .02 worth. :cool:


Don
 
Ha! SaxonPig took an entire 6 minutes to respond and woodsltc was 4 minutes after that! :D

Yes, I had already talked to a smith prior to asking here and he did come back with a canned response which I am sure is for liability issues and I certainly can't blame him for that. He said to talk to Ruger but he did say it would be cheaper to replace the cylinder than to ream out the current one.

That, and the premise in woodsltc's response, is what led me towards acquiring another cylinder in .357. I didn't intend to sell the .38 revolver, but in the event that I ever did, I would still have the .38 to revert back to.

Any issues that I have overlooked in that scenario?

Ed
 
oneonceload said:
it could be pressure, (overlooked item), if it was made for 38 and not to the strength as their 357, you would be asking for trouble....FWIW
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From all the info I've been able to collect, they are the same guns, and the .38 versions merely had shorter chambers stipluated for LE use. The frames and metals were all the same, and in any event a .357 cylinder would be built to withstand .357 pressures, so no worries there.

Ed
 
I'm still not sure I understand what's wrong with having both 38s and 357s in inventory? I have a bunch of both and am actually quite happy with the situation.

Rather than shed the single 38 you have, you should just buy a few more to keep it company.
 
SaxonPig said:
I'm still not sure I understand what's wrong with having both 38s and 357s in inventory? I have a bunch of both and am actually quite happy with the situation.

Rather than shed the single 38 you have, you should just buy a few more to keep it company.
Click to expand...

You're right. Nothing wrong really and I'm going to follow your advice and keep it 38. Just in search of a new project to eat up what little time I don't have.

Actually, I forgot that I had a Ruger DA Revolver shop manual and I dug it out and it mentioned a section on used cylinders and it's a rather iffy proposition. It's most likely not "drop-in." If the shoulder on the cylinder is too long, it can be cut down, but if it's too short... so it's probably not worth the effort and I don't want to ream it.

I do have a couple other 38s, so there's no shortage here.

Anyway, I thank you for your input and advice. It is sound.

Ed
 
In all likelihood you could ream the chambers (if you could find a smith willing to risk the liability and do it) and shoot 357s out of it.


I asked a NYPD armorer about this. NYPD had quite a few 38 special Rugers in use. He told me Ruger said it was the same cylinder and it could just be reamed out to 357.

There were far fewer .38 cal Speed Sixes made as these were mostly made for LE agencies that required the .38 cal. firearm. Accordingly, the .38 Speed Sixes usually sell for more to collectors.

This is a very good point. Another solution would be send the gun to Ruger and pay for a 357 cylinder and new crane so you could just swap the cylinder and crane. Ruger would also check out the entire gun while it's there and return it with the 38 special cylinder. Cheaper than buying another gun.

I'd leave it as is (you'll never wear it out shooting 38s) and use it as a reason to buy another gun.
 
I'd just sell it and put the money towards a GP100. People used to convert .38spl SP101's to .357 before Ruger started making them in that caliber.
 
This is a very good point. Another solution would be send the gun to Ruger and pay for a 357 cylinder and new crane so you could just swap the cylinder and crane. Ruger would also check out the entire gun while it's there and return it with the 38 special cylinder. Cheaper than buying another gun.
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Would Ruger even do this? It was my understanding that Ruger only replaces parts with those that were originally on that particular gun. For instance, they won't put a shorter or longer barrel on a gun than was originally on it from what I've read.
 
Sort of reminds me of the old Heavy Duty 38/44 S&Ws. Seems like about half have been reamed to take 357s. I assume these folks were shooting these guns all those years otherwise why do it? Never heard of any breaking. But just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.

BTW- Both of my HDs will not accept 357s. Maybe because they were cop guns and an officer could get cashiered for carrying non-regulation ammo.
 
Moonclip said:
I'd just sell it and put the money towards a GP100. People used to convert .38spl SP101's to .357 before Ruger started making them in that caliber.
Click to expand...

The GP100 is a very nice revolver, but I'm kinda partial to my older Ruger Security-Six and Speed-Six in .357. It's not like I'm really needing another .357. I have four .357 shooters, including an SP101 and a Timber Wolf rifle.

I just started thinking too much the other day and, as usual, it just got out of hand. :D

I'm settled down for now.

Ed
 
MortalWombat said:
Would Ruger even do this? It was my understanding that Ruger only replaces parts with those that were originally on that particular gun. For instance, they won't put a shorter or longer barrel on a gun than was originally on it from what I've read.
Click to expand...

I can tell you without even calling them that they wouldn't. Ruger will only repair a firearm to original specs. Some years ago I wanted to replace the barrel on my Security-six and they would only do it if it were in some way damaged, and then only with the same original length barrel.

I ended up buying a used barrel off fleabay (when eBay would still permit them to be sold) and had a smith replace it. I then sold the original barrel on GunBroker, because by then, eBay stopped the sale of any part of a firearm that acually helps release a bullet.

Ed
 
ZeSpectre said:
If you don't want the speed-six in .38 then sell it to someone who does and get yourself another gun.
Click to expand...

Too easy! What's the fun in that?

Besides, I usally get seller's remorse after selling one, so this way I'd have gotten a new one and still had the old one at the same time... :what:

Ed
 
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