Little help needed with new (to me) '60's pistol

[Trebor657]

Neighbor came over today with a 1960's H(erbert) Schmidt nickel .22 single action Model 21S pistol. He asked if I would like it since he is not a gun person. I asked how much, and he said I could have it, he just wanted it out of the house. Seems his dad passed a while back and he found it in the belongings. It is marked .22 LR on the top of the barrel. I did some research and these pistols had both a LR and Magnum cylinder. The cylinder on this is 1 3/8" long....just want to make sure the cylinder is .22 LR instead of Magnum....also anyone with knowledge of this pistol would be appreciated...Thanks

 

[Alpo]

You should not shoot 22lr in a 22 mag cylinder. If the cylinder in unmarked, attempt to insert a 22 mag in it. If it doesn't fit, you have your answer. Or, you can do some measurements. (see charts below).

Since it's a German revolver, I would be surprised to see an unmarked 22 mag cylinder. Remove the cylinder from the frame and check the rear surface for markings.

 

[shootersix]

The cylinder will have the same dimensions for either 22lr or 22 magnum, if the cylinder isn’t marked, take the cylinder out, and try to drop a 22 magnum bullet in, if it drops all the way down, it’s a 22 magnum, if it sticks out of the back, it’s a 22 long rifle!

 

[Mgderf]

You should not shoot 22lr in a 22 mag cylinder. If the cylinder in unmarked, attempt to insert a 22 mag in it. If it doesn't fit, you have your answer. Or, you can do some measurements. (see charts below).

Since it's a German revolver, I would be surprised to see an unmarked 22 mag cylinder. Remove the cylinder from the frame and check the rear surface for markings.

Should be no issues at all shooting lr from the mag cylinder.
That cylinder may need to be cleaned before using it for mags again, but there should not be a safety issue.

 

[Alpo]

No issues? Case bulge/splitting. Extraction becomes an issue. Potential of gas cutting at rear of cylinder, so hand position might come into play.

In a pinch, it's doable. As a common practice, nyet.

 

[Mgderf]

I believe you're mistaken.

 

[Twangbanger]

I believe you're mistaken.

He does have a point, the Mag is a larger diameter chamber. The .22lr has a "rebated" bullet with a reduced "heel," giving a major OD which is approx. the same OD as the case; the WMR case OD is larger diameter than the bullet. It is not a "38/357" situation where only the length differs, and the chamber must be cleaned after shooting 38s. The WMR chambers are actually bigger in diameter.

I had to try it myself in my old AMT .22WMR Automag. It did not go well (and the pistol was a jam-factory even when you did fire the right stuff in it).

 

[Mgderf]

He does have a point, the Mag is a larger diameter chamber. The .22lr has a "rebated" bullet which is approx. the same diameter as the case; the WMR case OD is larger diameter than the bullet. It is not a "38/357" situation where only the length differs, and the chamber must be cleaned after shooting 38s. The WMR chambers are actually bigger in diameter.

Learn something new every day.
I was not aware.