Cylinder reuse

[barrytheprof]

Hi all, a new member here.
I have a mini mag 22MSC with conversion cylinder. I'm interested in a black widow. If I can use the cylinders from the mini in the black widow I would buy the BWM model with just the mag cylinder, otherwise I will probably get the conversion model.
If I get the old cylinders checked for timing and fit, will the mini cylinders work in the BW?
If so, can a good local gunsmith do the work?
I wonder if I can send the old cylinders to NAA and have them fit them to a new BW and send it to a local gunshop.
So many questions . . .

BTP

[Uncle_Lee]

Welcome Barry,
Bring on your questions, knowledge, and pictures.
I would take the BW and spare cylinder to the gunsmith. If he/she is any good, he/she should be able to tell you if it is safe to use.

[Warthog]

Cylinders are specific to each revolver, they should only be used in the revolver they have been made for...they get timed and fitted specifically to the revolver.  The might work in another one and even work well and not be a problem.  BUT this doesn't mean it is something to do to save a little cash.  Get the revolver you want with the cylinders you want and then keep the extra cylinders so that you don't mix them up.  NAA will time and fit them to the revolver if the one you have doesn't have the extra cylinder now and it doesn't cost enough, at least for me, to have a gun blow up in my hand.

Welcome to the forum where you will be told a lot of things you shouldn't do so you can save money.

[Ruger]

Hey BARRY . . .  . . . WELCOME to the Forum!  Reload and step up to the firing line often, don't just be a lurker.  We need fresh ammo!

[RICKS PLACE]

Hi and welcome.  I would say both Uncle Lee and Warthog are correct.  However, as the price of the B/W with the conversion cylinder is very reasonable, I would go with Warthog's advice.  That way, warranty and lawyer wise, you are completely covered from the factory.   Even if NAA would check things out as you are considering, you would burn up shipping charges and ending up paying out the difference of getting the conversion version and still only have one .22 LR cylinder.

[Dinadan]

I also agree that it would be best to just get the Black Widow with the LR cylinder. Unlike most folks, I have switched cylinders between Minis, and most work just fine in most Minis, but having its own LR cylinder for each Mini is the best way.

[OV-1D]

 Welcome aboard Barry , agrees buying both beats sending it back for a L.R. fitting . 

[grayelky]

IF it is checked by a qualified gunsmith, and he determines there is no timing issue, THEN, and only then, can it be considered safe. As to physical considerations, generally speaking, all the magnum length cylinders are the same.

If you buy a gun and ship it back to NAA for a LR cylinder, they charge $50 for the cylinder, and $10 to ship it back. I charge my customers $10 to ship a gun they buy from me, or, if they want to wait until I have a package going to NAA, there will be no charge to ship. It means a potential of $70 for an extra cylinder. If the combo is purchased, as opposed to just a magnum, the cost difference is $40.00, plus no "down" time while it is away from you. It is a lot more cost effective to purchase the combo than it is to send one back.

[barrytheprof]

Thanks to all for your replies. Your advice is good. I'll buy the Black Widow with the combo. At that point, the best thing I can do with the Mini combo is sell it. Sending the old cylinders and the new gun off to be fitted is not worth it.

Barry

[grayelky]

SELL!!!! Surely I did not read that correctly! I think I read you are planning on selling a mini. No one on here does that, I don't think. Im not sure how I am supposed to act now.......





Ahhh, how much you might be asking?

[Ruger]

SELL!!!! Surely I did not read that correctly!  . . . . . . . No one on here does that, . . . . . . .

Jeese Louise; I have never sold a gun in my life, and I own some stinky ones, too.  It is just the principle of the thing.

[barrytheprof]

Well, okay, it's not exactly a sale, more like a trade between neighbors for a Judge. It's like building an orchestra . . . you need something for a bass notes (big boom), something in the middle, and some plink for the highnotes. I would say the bass notes are covered by my musket. I'd call the Judge a baritone.

[5_shooter]

If you want to check the timing yourself, Brownells makes a tool for that. Brownells range rod # 080-617-022wb. This is a handy tool to have if you own a lot of 22 revolvers. Or if you buy used revolvers. To check the timing, first make sure it's unloaded. (But you all knew that) Fully cock the hammer, then lower the hammer keeping the trigger pulled while you insert the range rod. It should go all the way through the cylinder without stopping. Repeat for each chamber. The hammer, trigger & cylinder need to be in the same position they would be in when the bullet leaves the cylinder.  If it's out of time, I suggest sending it to a professional to be timed. The tool is a little expensive, but worth the peace of mind for some people.

[Boisesteve]

Barry,
I also completely agree with Warthogs and Uncle's advice, but I'll tell you my story too.
My second mini was bought in the '90's, it's a 1 5/8" 22mag mini that came with a conversion LR cylinder.
My third mini is a 22mag Earl that I've had about 5 years. When I got it, I looked at the conversion cylinder from the other revolver and thought, hmmm, maybe it'll fit, let's see.... I dropped it in and it cycled and locked up just fine with each dry hammer stroke. The barrel-to-cylinder gap was fine, not excessive nor too tight. I ran a wood dowel down thru and could feel no steps or ridges, and visibly there were none either, looking down the barrel, and the eye can tell some pretty small differences just by looking. All seemed OK to that point, so I crossed my fingers, took a big chance, loaded it up, and it fired the LR cylinder just fine and continues to do so.
The proper way is what i did with my fourth and latest mini, which is the 1 5/8" 22mag EllettBros tritium sight special I got last fall. It only came with the mag cylinder, BUT I was taking a trip to the Salt Lake City area anyhow a few weeks later, so I brought the Ellett revolver along with me and let the factory do the right thing and fit it with a proper matched LR conversion cyl. That's the smart way to do it. And the service at NAA was just great. I'd told them I was coming by, and they fitted the cylinder while I waited and for a very reasonable price. With both NAA and Ruger, I've never been disappointed by their service.
And remember, my advice is worth exactly as much as you're paying for it.  Steve in Boise

[m82a1pa]

I wish NAA would make the .22LR cylinder available for the original Ranger.  I hope Sandy is reading this thread.

[barrytheprof]

Thanks for all the replies. I got the black widow and I'm really enjoying it. Shooting it is a pleasure. The grip feels so good I got one for the mini mag. I was going to sell the mini mag but I chickened out. Now I see how this happens. I'm in the market for a shoe box.

The reason I asked about using the cylinders from the mini mag in the black widow is that it would be a good idea to reduce the reload time. I use a rubber foot for a wooden chair leg to keep a set of rounds in a cylinder when it's not in the frame. I would just like the second cylinder to also hold 22 mags.

It occurs to me that the fastest way to reload is to have the entire minimag in the other pocket.

I appreciate the information about the range rod too. I saw that at Brownells, but wasn't sure how to use it. I might try that, and if I'm still unsure about the result, let my local gunsmith check it too.

I sold my guns off a few months ago to get a fresh start and make better choices the second time around. The only one I kept was the mini mag, and I'm glad I did. So far I added the black widow, a Taurus 380 revolver, and a Taurus Judge 45LC/410. Soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

I'm still waiting for the Tauruses (Taurii?). It takes 1 or 2 months to get a handgun in NY. You have to fill out a form at the Sheriff's office, and wait for them to ship it off to a judge at the courthouse, who has to sign off on it, and send it back to Sheriff's office. Eventually you get a coupon that allow's you to pick up the gun. They don't seem to have any sense of urgency about the various tasks. I've learned that the most important quality for a gun owner is patience.

[Uncle_Lee]

"It occurs to me that the fastest way to reload is to have the entire minimag in the other pocket. "

That is why I never carry just one. Always 2 or 3 are with me.

[glenn]

The most important quality for a gun owner seems to be ... to not live in Kommiefornia or Nazi York.

[OV-1D]

  Wish that could be transmitted to eveyone on the listening channels and truely realized and taken to heart .. But with the attention spans of the populous it needs a weekly addressing for months on end .

[heyjoe]

Thanks for all the replies. I got the black widow and I'm really enjoying it. Shooting it is a pleasure. The grip feels so good I got one for the mini mag. I was going to sell the mini mag but I chickened out. Now I see how this happens. I'm in the market for a shoe box.

The reason I asked about using the cylinders from the mini mag in the black widow is that it would be a good idea to reduce the reload time. I use a rubber foot for a wooden chair leg to keep a set of rounds in a cylinder when it's not in the frame. I would just like the second cylinder to also hold 22 mags.

It occurs to me that the fastest way to reload is to have the entire minimag in the other pocket.

I appreciate the information about the range rod too. I saw that at Brownells, but wasn't sure how to use it. I might try that, and if I'm still unsure about the result, let my local gunsmith check it too.

I sold my guns off a few months ago to get a fresh start and make better choices the second time around. The only one I kept was the mini mag, and I'm glad I did. So far I added the black widow, a Taurus 380 revolver, and a Taurus Judge 45LC/410. Soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

I'm still waiting for the Tauruses (Taurii?). It takes 1 or 2 months to get a handgun in NY. You have to fill out a form at the Sheriff's office, and wait for them to ship it off to a judge at the courthouse, who has to sign off on it, and send it back to Sheriff's office. Eventually you get a coupon that allow's you to pick up the gun. They don't seem to have any sense of urgency about the various tasks. I've learned that the most important quality for a gun owner is patience.

thats your county in new york, not the whole state. I dont have to wait at all. i pick up the gun the day it comes in and go home with it.

[barrytheprof]

That's interesting . . . I didn't know the counties differed so much.

It takes a certain amount of grit to live here.

[Canoeal]

I have a bunch of test strip bottles (diabetic) that will hold a loaded cylinder just perfect. I f you put them in upside down, when they come out they are ready to go in the gun. They will also hold seven rounds of 22 mag.

[barrytheprof]

You have sterling silver test strip bottles?
I'm impressed.

[heyjoe]

That's interesting . . . I didn't know the counties differed so much.

It takes a certain amount of grit to live here.

yes...we are more dedicated gun owners than most of the people who post in gun forums.....we have to work at it. From what i see of the shift in demographics.....gun owners in florida, colorado, and nevada are going to working harder on it soon, texas, north carolina and georgia in the not too distant future. Washington and Oregon are in the midst of it now.

[Canoeal]

You have sterling silver test strip bottles?
I'm impressed.

Black plastic...not sure what I missed.

[barrytheprof]

The bottle with the cover looks metallic to me. Must be the light.

To HeyJoe: Does it take almost 1.5 years to get a concealed carry permit in your county?

The judge asked me why I wanted a carry permit. I said, "I got old." He signed off on it.

[heyjoe]

The bottle with the cover looks metallic to me. Must be the light.

To HeyJoe: Does it take almost 1.5 years to get a concealed carry permit in your county?

The judge asked me why I wanted a carry permit. I said, "I got old." He signed off on it.

it depends on what type....full carry can take a while. home, target much less.   

[Canoeal]

No they are black plastic, and the perfect diameter to hold a magnum cylinder. I have several (like 20) I could give away...The new machine (I call it the medicare version) uses different strips. If you would like a couple, let me know. Meant for those who actually carry...

[bearcatter]

I noticed something similar a few years back. There's a particular brand of suppositories that comes in a blue plastic jar with a white screw top. Perfect fit for Ruger Single-Six cylinders (just wash the jar good first, LOL).......

[heyjoe]

I noticed something similar a few years back. There's a particular brand of suppositories that comes in a blue plastic jar with a white screw top. Perfect fit for Ruger Single-Six cylinders (just wash the jar good first, LOL).......

haha....even if you graze someone they still get the shits