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March 15, 2020
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I have a 15-2 in .357. I take a lot of new shooters out and I'd love the ability to swap cylinders and barrels at the range between .22 and .38/.357 as a way of working up to higher recoil.
So,is there any version of a .22 barrel and cylinder that can be used in a 15-2 currently configured with a .357 barrel and cylinder.
I've found only one source directly addressing this question. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/dan-wesson-model-15-convertible-to-other-calibers.644027/ His answer was no because the .22 barrel and .357 receiver have different thread pitches, but I'm hoping there might still be a way (like a differently threaded .22 barrel).
Even a definitive "No" would still be a helpful answer because then I could at least stop scouring the internet.
Thanks.
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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Nothing is impossible. However the center fire to rim fire conversion would be ridiculously impractical. So I guess No is the correct answer. It would be easier and much cheaper just to buy a rim fire revolver. Now center fire to center fire conversions are in the realm of practical if you have such a desire depending on calibers.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
February 16, 2016
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lbruce said
I guess No is the correct answer.
^^^ This.
The frame has a various thread pattern that is specific to each caliber, to prevent incorrect mounting of wrong barrel.
August 28, 2009
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In addition to the barrel threads being different on the .22 and .357, the firing pin is located at a different position in the frame. The barrel bores of both calibers are centered into the frame and the bore centers of both are at the same point. The firing pin on the .357 is aligned with the center bore of the barrel since it is a centerfire cartridge, but the .22 firing pin is offset in the frame to hit the rim of the case since it is a rimfire cartridge. So it's both, the barrel threads are different and and the firing pins are positioned differently. While anything is possible, for all practical purposes it is not possible fire both calibers out of one DW frame. You can stop scouring the internet! 
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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You could buy a Janz. 
. Besides that, what DakotaJack said!
January 18, 2021
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Ole Dog said
You could buy a Janz.
Okay Ole Dog, I catch myself trying to catch up on old posts since I’m a newer member. You led me down the rabbit hole when you made this comment. JANZ I have to scratch my head and wonder. I guess that’s on a whole different level. I really don’t have words that can do the justice. Thanks 🤪
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Janz is a German revolver akin to Korth that has interchangable calibers and barrels. Frightfully expensive.
There are 22 caliber centerfire cartridges that might be more feasible.
January 18, 2021
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I like the kit for $43,000 but it only has 4 barrels. From the sounds of it you would have to send the gun in to have barrel lengths of different sizes built specifically for your gun. Advantage Dan Wesson. I also wonder if the DW technology of tensioning the barrel from both ends and crane latch in the front of the cylinder make it more accurate? I do like the engineering of the external trigger spring adjustment and push button cylinder release. It really is amazing but I think for $43k I would try to start catching up to your Dan count Ole Dog. Thanks, once again, for passing down your knowledge. 😍JANZ😍
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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It isn't a 22 and a 357 but I am one day going to convert a few model 15 pork chops to 9mm. I have the stainless 9mm cylinders and cranes, both blue and stainless. I will do a 715 also. The porkchops though can swap cylinders just by taking off the shroud.
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
I am one day going to convert a few model 15 pork chops to 9mm .. stainless cylinders and cranes. The porkchops though can swap cylinders just by taking off the shroud.
I want to convert a 14 porker with my stainless 9mm cylinder for a pinto .. or is it a paint ?
January 18, 2021
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Sounds like I need a porky. I did have my 22 converted to 22 Mag. What exactly is involved in putting the 22 Lr cylinder back on? Or is it even worth it on a 15-2 ? Did they make a model 14 in 22 or was it just 38/357? Thanks in advance fellers.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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If you had a 22 mag cylinder replacing the 22 LR but the crane, and all the other parts of the cylinder assembly are the original, including the ratchet, you can just remove the 22 mag cylinder and put the LR back on. If you can obtain another crane, bushings and star you can make it a convertable. The new rachet, or used, may have to be fitted to the hand or a new or used hand fitted to the rachet. Or both fitted. HOWEVER, despite those being the only 2 fitted parts of the lockwork I have found that most used hands and stars are interchangable.
So, you have to take the sideplate off and remove what is called the crane lock. It is a very small semicircular piece of wire, flat on one side, that holds the crane to the frame. If you remove that with a tweezers the cylinder assembly slides off. The hand will probably be dislodged and has to be replaced. The "Average Joe Tuneup" pinned to the Gunsmithing thread can guide you. While you are at it you can do cleaning and polishing. I like Wolff reduced power springs too.
Porkchops do not have the crane lock and you don't have to take the sideplate off. Once you remove the shroud the cylinder assembly slides off for easy cleaning or replacing with the 9mm assembly. Unfortunately, 22 LR conversion is not possible unless you are a consummate gunsmith. Best to just buy another gun. I hope I answered your questions. Oh, no 22lr porky. They were not made after 1973? and 22 LR did not debut until 1979.
January 18, 2021
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Ole Dog thanks! I am in process of saving pennys for another 22lr. I am just going to have one set up for Mag and one for LR. That will just make things easier for me. I suppose I need to perform the tune up so I can say that I did it. My 44 mag feels like it’s been massaged compared to my other two revolvers so I suspect something has been done to it. Although I do not have experience with any other large frame it seem to have a really light single action trigger pull. My 22 came back from Bob with new spring kit and didn’t feel much different than when I sent it except, of course, the different snap of the 22 mag from the 22 Lr.
February 16, 2016
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Shadilak said
Did they make a model 14 in 22 or was it just 38/357?
It appears that there is some basic model number confusion going on here. Firstly, there are two size frames; small and large. Small frame handles .357 Mag caliber and lower. Large frame handles calibers above .357 Mag (e.g. .357 Max and .41 Mag.).
In the small frame models, there are two basic styles; a Service or Carry model with fixed rear sights and Target models with adjustable rear sights. These models also came in two different materials; carbon steel (with various finishes) and stainless steel. The stainless model numbers start with a '7', which is used to denote stainless from the others.
Okay, now we have the model numbers that identify frame material, style & caliber; model 22 is a blue target chambered in .22 LR and model 722 is a stainless target chambered in .22LR.
Model 8 is a blue service in .38 Spl and a model 9 is a blue target in .38 Spl., while a model 14 is a blue service in .357 Mag and a model 15 is a blue target in .357 Mag.
The model 14 and 15's then went through two revisions, the 14-1 & 15-1, then 14-2 & 15-2.
Easy !
January 18, 2021
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Stinger thank you. I guess I assumed a model 14 was a pork chop but it is a fixed sight service model. So I am pretty sure my 22 and 357 are 22 and 15-2 respectively since they have adjustable sights and are blue so deep you can see your ancestors.😜 Unfortunately my questions could probably go on for hours and I haven’t scratched the surface on the old posts. Thanks again for clarification.
February 16, 2016
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Shadilak said
My questions could probably go on for hours and I haven’t scratched the surface on the old posts.
No worries, you will not learn everything overnight, regardless of your level of enthusiasm. When I joined, the only thing I was sure of, was that I had a revolver. But with all the fantastic research material available and along with the kind & generous guidance by seasoned members, was a gift.
Enjoy the warmth of the 
!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Stinger, the models 8 and 9, whether no dash, - 1 or - 2 are 38 Special. The 11 and 12, 14s and 15s plus dashes are 357.
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March 25, 2013
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The large frame guns and Supermags have extremely crisp SA. They were designed for IHMSA and when the 44 mag debuted it held virtually all the records. I have supposed factory trigger jobs on some guns but there doesn't seem to be a difference between those and a regular version.
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
Stinger, the models 8 and 9, whether no dash, - 1 or - 2 are 38 Special. The 11 and 12, 14s and 15s plus dashes are 357.
Thanks buddy, fixed it. Ironic, but I knew that and it didn't get written. 
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