i bought a cheap old .32 revolver and was thinking of converting it to .22 magnum because i figured that it would be easier then something like 17hmr and isn't listed as one of the cartridges that isn't allowed for antiques. Only problem is that i'm not really sure where to start with something like this, but i figured that at least id need to reline the barrel for .22 magnum. If anyone has any experience with something like this then let me know. If this is even viable.
has anyone ever converted a .32 to .22 magnum?
- Thread starter ihaveonequestion
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I know a guy did exactly this years ago. It worked, just not well. Made chamber insiders from an old piece of barrel, had to use cylinder rod to punch out empties. Had a barrel line of some kind worked out. RCMP changed their rules on these kinda conversions though.
it only lists .22 short, long and long rifle. I didn't think .22 magnum was fully compatible with them.
The RCMP are now reinterpreting the law to say that an antique handgun must be made as a antique to be considered an antique. In other words a 32 S&W (pre 1898) cannot be changed to 22 Morris and become an antique. The caliber can be changed but it remains a prohib. In the case of a 32 rimfire, it was made as an antique but no doubt the RCMP would consider a 22 magnum close enough to a 22 long rifle to make it modern.
Like Tiriaq said, I would question the wisdom of such a conversion on the basis of increased pressure and strain on a gun intended for much lower pressures.
cheers mooncoon
The exception to antique status for rimfire cartridges refers to a firearm being capable of firing .22 Short, .22 Long or .22 Long Rifle cartridges.
While .22 Magnum or .22 WRF are not on the list, a .22 Magnum firearm is capable of firing .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 Long Rifle cartridges. It is not a safe practice, as the cases puff up, and may split. But the capability is there. Don't know how the RCMP SFSS interpret this.
While .22 Magnum or .22 WRF are not on the list, a .22 Magnum firearm is capable of firing .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 Long Rifle cartridges. It is not a safe practice, as the cases puff up, and may split. But the capability is there. Don't know how the RCMP SFSS interpret this.
Seen it done from 32 rimfire to 17 HM2. It worked well and it definitely could not shoot any 22 rimfires. It was an expensive gunsmithing job.
Cheers
Moe
Cannot be LEGALLY done . What we call “ pre addendum “ “ post addendum “ modifications . Post addendum how the firearm started life , cal. Etc remains as such for antique status purposes . 6-7 ?? Years ago ? Somewhere in there .
I think you have pre and post reversed. Post addendum would mean after additions / changes. Also do you have a section of law which says the original features define the classification of the firearm?
cheers mooncoon
Didn’t reverse anything . However my post was very abbreviated possibly unclear unless u do some research . Which every individual should do on their own to be fully informed . Here is an old post from a very well informed member for review .
Quote Originally Posted by Dingus
NEW ANTIQUE FRT CHANGES and Addendum to altered cartridges handguns
OK there was and Addendum to the Altered Centerfire Antique Handguns just done when the FRT changes from that swiss rifle went into effect.
There is a NEW CFC Policy on altered antique handguns ..
Im the messenger so dont shoot me i dont make CFC policy i have to deal with it just like everyone else.
this is my interpratation of a conversation on the new addendum.
The new Addendum says that a gun must be in and antique cartridge to start with then it can be altered to 45 acp its still antique.
Im going to stick with 45 acp here as and example in this PM but its not hard to figger out 38 Sp and 44 Sp ext are also effected.
So all Pre 1898 webleys that were antique in 455 but altered to 45 Acp are ok
All french 1873s that were altered to 45 acp are OK.
Why because they started life as perscribed antiques when they were original in 455 and 11 mm.
Now if you have a SAA colt that was 45 colt they will not grant that gun antique status even if its changed to 45 acp.
If the SAA colt was 44 40 and it was changed to 44 sp or 38 sp same thing no go.
The handgun must have started life as a prescribed antique or they wont grant it antique status.
So any 41 Colts can be changed to anything not on the No list so can 455 and 44 russian anything not on the stupid cartridge list to start with.
41 long colts will be very popular now because of this addendum so if you have one id hang onto it.
Keep in mind theres no way to tell what most SAA colts were in originaly as alot were just frames built by guys like Bob christy or other gunsmiths in the USA this policy will effect guys wanting to deregister there SAA colts in Canada where CFC can see which cartridge they were registered in.
This new addendum is mainly aimed at people who want to deregister SAA colts that are Antique by age but not by caliber in Canada i guess there was alot of this happening.
Its New policy im not saying its law as i dont see how they can change SOR/98-464 with policy im by no meensd a lawyer .
They just wont grant antique letters to guns that were not antique by cartridge and age anymore or deregister them.
They will do each gun on a one by one case just like they always have.
Anyway thats all i know for now.
I do not know how this effects the guns already lettered they may grandfather the ones out there now as the other option would get expensive for them fast.
Im just posting what i know about the addendum so people can be prepared for it.
CFC alowed handguns in the past to be deregistered that were restricted handguns in Canada they made that choice to do it so if they now say that was all a mistake this could cost them alot.
Quote Originally Posted by Dingus
NEW ANTIQUE FRT CHANGES and Addendum to altered cartridges handguns
OK there was and Addendum to the Altered Centerfire Antique Handguns just done when the FRT changes from that swiss rifle went into effect.
There is a NEW CFC Policy on altered antique handguns ..
Im the messenger so dont shoot me i dont make CFC policy i have to deal with it just like everyone else.
this is my interpratation of a conversation on the new addendum.
The new Addendum says that a gun must be in and antique cartridge to start with then it can be altered to 45 acp its still antique.
Im going to stick with 45 acp here as and example in this PM but its not hard to figger out 38 Sp and 44 Sp ext are also effected.
So all Pre 1898 webleys that were antique in 455 but altered to 45 Acp are ok
All french 1873s that were altered to 45 acp are OK.
Why because they started life as perscribed antiques when they were original in 455 and 11 mm.
Now if you have a SAA colt that was 45 colt they will not grant that gun antique status even if its changed to 45 acp.
If the SAA colt was 44 40 and it was changed to 44 sp or 38 sp same thing no go.
The handgun must have started life as a prescribed antique or they wont grant it antique status.
So any 41 Colts can be changed to anything not on the No list so can 455 and 44 russian anything not on the stupid cartridge list to start with.
41 long colts will be very popular now because of this addendum so if you have one id hang onto it.
Keep in mind theres no way to tell what most SAA colts were in originaly as alot were just frames built by guys like Bob christy or other gunsmiths in the USA this policy will effect guys wanting to deregister there SAA colts in Canada where CFC can see which cartridge they were registered in.
This new addendum is mainly aimed at people who want to deregister SAA colts that are Antique by age but not by caliber in Canada i guess there was alot of this happening.
Its New policy im not saying its law as i dont see how they can change SOR/98-464 with policy im by no meensd a lawyer .
They just wont grant antique letters to guns that were not antique by cartridge and age anymore or deregister them.
They will do each gun on a one by one case just like they always have.
Anyway thats all i know for now.
I do not know how this effects the guns already lettered they may grandfather the ones out there now as the other option would get expensive for them fast.
Im just posting what i know about the addendum so people can be prepared for it.
CFC alowed handguns in the past to be deregistered that were restricted handguns in Canada they made that choice to do it so if they now say that was all a mistake this could cost them alot.
The extension of this 2012 ? Item Is a .32 rim , pre 98 , NP , alter it to a no go cal . Ie: .22 mag , .17 hmr etc . Is altering the antique status ( how it started life ) even though the .22 mag is not currently listed or the .17 hmr , don’t think I would want to explain how it was modified and still retaining status . A battle not likely with a favourable ending . Choose the hills you want to die on
vagrantviking
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*edit* Never mind. Not worth getting into this.
If someone wants to know what the deal is they should understand exactly what they are intending to do and call the Firearms Center directly. Get transferred to the right department and have them cite the legal basis for the answers they give.
If someone wants to know what the deal is they should understand exactly what they are intending to do and call the Firearms Center directly. Get transferred to the right department and have them cite the legal basis for the answers they give.
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The key word is policy as opposed to law. Since the RCMP administer the law, they can enforce any policy they want regardless of what the written law says. I did ask a retired provincial judge if a person could be successfully prosecuted for breaking a policy but not the written law and his answer was that he did not know.
Also the interpretation of original status seems to vary from (CFP) person to person; some will interpret the receiver of a prohibited modern handgun as prohibited until modified to restricted (ie manufactured with a short barrel and changed to a long barrel) while others will consider it a restricted frame only
cheers mooncoon
22 magnum is not on the prohibited list....that I could find anyways.
If you look close you will find , alot of these little revolver were made is 32 short. Making a 22 magnum too long to chamber....I tried, it's a no go on an H&R young America Bull Dog revolver I have...
But no 22 magnum would not be a good idea...you might get it to work...but at what cost....could be good for 20 years...or 20 shots...lol not good odds....
If you look close you will find , alot of these little revolver were made is 32 short. Making a 22 magnum too long to chamber....I tried, it's a no go on an H&R young America Bull Dog revolver I have...
But no 22 magnum would not be a good idea...you might get it to work...but at what cost....could be good for 20 years...or 20 shots...lol not good odds....
