Snub Nose revolver modification

[Bando_Red]

My friend recently gave me his broken UHC Spring-powered airsoft revolver. This particular one is a clone of the S&W 586. I discovered the problem and I'm prepared to fix it, I just need to get a few parts from the hardware store.

In the process of taking it apart, I decided I would attempt to turn this into a snub nose, as a last ditch sort of gun. My desired size is about that of the 627 performance center revolver they stopped making a while ago, pictured below

I've cut the barrel down to about 2 inches, but being an N frame its still quite large. I can make the grips substantially slimmer and shorter, but I must make the nozzle shorter. The gun was pretty weak as it was with a 6 inch barrel and a full size nozzle, So I'm worried about making it even smaller. then I got the either brilliant or retarded idea of using a gas to power the gun instead of the manual single-action style spring compression. C02 cartridges would be a little big, so If anything I'd use some type of fixed,refillable resevoir like many gas airsoft pistols.

I guess my question is, how to make the most of an extremely weak power source and limited space, and whether anyone has experience with this particular model or something similar. I don't really have much experience with this type of gun.

EDIT: 8/16/2010

I just noticed something extremely odd that I seemed to have missed completely . The tube leading to the air hose is sealed from the inside! Whats more, the plunger pushes toward the unsealed end of the nozzle. This whole air supply seems fubar, and I'd prefer to replace it with something more straightforward. Any suggestions are very welcome.

[Bando_Red]

come on, 66 views and nothing?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

It's not an easy task, you need to hook up the CO₂ capsule to a hammer valve struck by the hammer, I'm assuming it's functional in this model? Getting something workable without the use of a machine shop that will still fit into the revolver frame is a bit of a stretch.

[Bando_Red]

I think I'm gonna stick with the stock cylinder or make a new one from PVC. Still trying to deduce EXACTLY how the air works this, as I said it seems very convoluted. not only does the trigger move the tube into the actual shell when it shoots, it also moves the barrel forward when the cylinder has to turn.

After doing some research into the c02 capsule, it seems like far more trouble than it would be worth. So does altering the mechanism to accept a compressed gas period. If I don't stay with the stock setup then my only concern will be altering the current air chamber (if possible) or making a new one to make better use of the space I have. If I don't lose too much power, then I might try to get more airflow by enlarging the air tube slightly.

[Bando_Red]

I think I'm gonna stick with the stock cylinder or make a new one from PVC. Still trying to deduce EXACTLY how the air works this, as I said it seems very convoluted. not only does the trigger move the tube into the actual shell when it shoots, it also moves the barrel forward when the cylinder has to turn.

After doing some research into the c02 capsule, it seems like far more trouble than it would be worth. So does altering the mechanism to accept a compressed gas period. If I don't stay with the stock setup then my only concern will be altering the current air chamber (if possible) or making a new one to make better use of the space I have. If I don't lose too much power, then I might try to get more airflow by enlarging the air tube slightly.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Obvious ways to increase power are increasing spring compression, putting a detent on the breech to allow pressure buildup (though this won't work if there's an unsealed gap between piston chamber and magazine) and boring out the transfer port.