38 s&w top break revolvers

DTHughes · 10-28-2011, 10:12 AM

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

Silhouette · 10-28-2011, 03:37 PM

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.

wjkuleck · 10-28-2011, 05:03 PM

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

DTHughes · 10-28-2011, 05:03 PM

Ahhhh. So the pressures ARE that much different. So many good ideas get shot down by their encounters with reality!
Thanks, Silhouette.
Dave

Silhouette · 10-28-2011, 06:28 PM

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.

DTHughes · 10-28-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silhouette

Dave, nothing is a bad idea unless it's attempted without looking at all the information first or proceeding when there are red flags.

Thanks, Silhouette. I asked because it seemed like such a very simple idea, just sleeve and remachine the cylinder for the different cartridge diameter, change the extractor star to allow for the moon clips and you should have a very small, pocketable, utterly worthless firearm! I've always had a fondness for the bastard children of the firearms world. Thought the Webley was wonderful, and the self-cocking Webley an engineers dream!

Dave

Silhouette · 10-28-2011, 07:46 PM

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.

Brian D. · 10-30-2011, 05:24 AM

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".

Amaro · 06-20-2012, 09:02 PM

try and share some videos please

10-28-2011, 10:12 AM	#1
DTHughes 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

10-28-2011, 06:28 PM	#5
Silhouette Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 51	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 06:30 PM. Reason: Editing

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10-28-2011, 03:37 PM	#2
Silhouette Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 51	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.

10-28-2011, 05:03 PM	#3
wjkuleck Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 67	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

10-28-2011, 07:46 PM	#7
Silhouette Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 51	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.

10-30-2011, 05:24 AM	#8
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 489	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".

06-20-2012, 09:02 PM	#9
Amaro Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: usa Posts: 7	try and share some videos please