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![]() | #1 |
Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newton, KS
Posts: 64
| Wildcat ideas and the .38 S&W Top Breaks?
Strange ideas happen at odd times. Has anyone ever (and surely someone has) modernized one of the old S&W pocketable top-break revolvers done in .38 S&W to let it take .380 in full-moon clips? Seems like it could be an interesting pocket carry that could be useful in the modern age, and the pressure difference between .38S&W and .380 (or 38 super) may not be all that great -- at least not enough to demolish the inherently weak frame. I'm not asking if there is a commercial market for such a beast, just if anyone has tried it. ![]() Thanks. Dave |
![]() | #2 |
Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida
Posts: 51
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I'm afraid I wouldn't have the nerve to try it. The pressures are a good bit different, at best you'd have an old S&W that broke open every time you fired it, at worst...you could be called Lefty.
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![]() | #3 |
Member Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 67
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In addition, the body of the .380 at its base is 0.3739", the body of the .38 S&W is .3863. Combine this disparity with higher pressures... It would be similar to using .38 Special cases in the .38 S&W. Bulged cases would be the least of the problems. Regards, Walt |
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![]() | #4 |
Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newton, KS
Posts: 64
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Ahhhh. So the pressures ARE that much different. So many good ideas get shot down by their encounters with reality! Thanks, Silhouette. Dave |
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Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida
Posts: 51
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Dave, nothing is a bad idea unless it's attempted without looking at all the information first or proceeding when there are red flags. There's wisdom in asking...God knows I've asked a million questions! Howard Peters, bless his heart, had the patience of Job with me...his only request was "pass it on". Howard was Charles Askins' gunsmith for years...he was the guy who came up with the .38 Super. El Paso, Texas was where I met him back in the early 70's. Last edited by Silhouette; 10-28-2011 at 07:30 PM. Reason: Editing |
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Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newton, KS
Posts: 64
| Quote:
Dave | |
![]() | #7 |
Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida
Posts: 51
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Sleeving would work as for cartridge fit and might even improve the cylinder strength, but the top latch and bottom hinged barrel would almost certainly "recoil itself open". Even beefing it up, I'd be afraid of it.
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![]() | #8 |
Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 489
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Does anybody imagine Jerry Miculek's revolver handling/reloading wizardry would be sped up even further with a top break rather than a swing out cylinder? Woild the human eye even be able to tell the difference? DT, you're not the only one who thinks "outside the gunbox". |
![]() | #9 |
Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: usa
Posts: 7
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try and share some videos please
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