Dan Wesson rechamber?

[no.5enfield]

I'm considering buying a Dan Wesson 44 and having it rechambered in 45 Colt. Who would I talk to about that? I bought a SRH Alaskan for that purpose, but it's around $2k for that job... I'm thinking the DW is an easier platform to start with.

 

[Obturation]

There were dan wessons made from the factory in 45 colt, id just buy one of those. The barrel threads are different i believe from the 44 to prevent barrel mixup. Im no dan wesson expert though.

 

[no.5enfield]

That's true, but they are rare.

 

[Obturation]

That's true, but they are rare.

That would be the issue i see, have the frame threaded for 45 barrels and the cylinder reamed. I couldnt see doing it the other way (changing the threads on the barrel) you would lose the ability to buy various barrels (if you find them). Maybe just get a 454 casull and use it as a 45 colt on steroids- easiest solution . Thats what i did too, i was trying to hotrod 45 colt until i ran out of space, got a couple 454s and never had any regrets.
Whats the final configuration you want?

 

[no.5enfield]

A decent gunsmith can turn a .45 barrel blank down and thread to match the frame and shroud. I want a 5-6" double action, full lug that can handle 300gr + bullets at 1300fps.

 

[Obturation]

That's a tough one.
Maybe a custom barrel for a 45 redhawk ? Don't know about cost though. I've seen the Alaskan conversions and they look nice but it's big $ as you've said.

 

[no.5enfield]

Rebarrel on a redhawk is nearly the same price.

 

[DWFan]

You can rechamber the cylinder easily enough but a custom barrel is required. Not only are the frame threads different between the .44 Mag and the .45 Colt, you can't retap the frame to accept a factory barrel if you managed to find one. Luckily, a .45 caliber barrel with .44 threads would be easy to make for almost any gunsmith. You could also have the .44 barrel rebored. I think Dave Clements used to do this conversion.

 

[no.5enfield]

I'm excited about getting one. Been reading about them for years, but never had a chance to play with any.

 

[jdavis123]

A less expensive and possibly better solution would be to purchase a S&W .460 magnum. You would have a new gun with factory warranty that could shoot .460 mag, .45 colt, and .454 Casull. It is available in several barrel lengths and is built on the heavy X-frame. Shooting heavy .45 Colt loads would not phase this double action revolver.

 

[Obturation]

A less expensive and possibly better solution would be to purchase a S&W .460 magnum. You would have a new gun with factory warranty that could shoot .460 mag, .45 colt, and .454 Casull. It is available in several barrel lengths and is built on the heavy X-frame. Shooting heavy .45 Colt loads would not phase this double action revolver.

I looked at that option when I did this a few years ago. Losing a round with a cylinder that long and a gun that heavy didn't make sense for me, I'm not the biggest S&W fan either but if they had a configuration I liked , I'd buy it.

 

[no.5enfield]

I'm not a big fan of X frames. I like a tough, packable gun in .45 or .44.

 

[Obturation]

OP- no interest in going with a toklat in 454?

 

[CraigC]

Why would the conversion be $2000?

Jack Huntington has had to do exactly that to my DW .44 because the original cylinder had a bad chamber. Barrels are threaded the same so it's just a matter of making some .45 liners for the .44 shrouds. Will be on the lookout for another .44 cylinder so I can switch back and forth.

I don't see how the X-frame would even be an option. DW's are heavy but not 'that' heavy.

 

[no.5enfield]

The ruger alaskan conversion starts at $2k from Bowen. Mr. Huntington couldn't give me a price last time i called. He was trying to line up a new EDM shop. I am sure the DW would be much cheaper.

 

[no.5enfield]

OP- no interest in going with a toklat in 454?

I had considered that, until i started reading about chamber and barrel spec being all over the place, causing poor accuracy and velocity loss. I like the idea of having a 44 cylinder bored out, so i know consistency is there.

 

[Obturation]

I had considered that, until i started reading about chamber and barrel spec being all over the place, causing poor accuracy and velocity loss. I like the idea of having a 44 cylinder bored out, so i know consistency is there.

The bore on my toklat was undersized and rough. I sent it back and all was well when it returned, didn't need to ream the throats - accuracy is good now, was bad when I got it.

 

[CraigC]

The ruger alaskan conversion starts at $2k from Bowen. Mr. Huntington couldn't give me a price last time i called. He was trying to line up a new EDM shop. I am sure the DW would be much cheaper.

That's a lot to spend for virtually no gain.

 

[no.5enfield]

That's a lot to spend for virtually no gain.

I'm not sure i understand? Too much to have a 5" barrel put on an alaskan, or to buy a dan wesson and have it rechambered?

 

[CraigC]

$2000 is way too much for such a basic conversion but Bowen is rather high. That said, I'd buy a Toklat and be done with it. Chamber discrepancies do not affect .454's.

 

[Obturation]

$2000 is way too much for such a basic conversion but Bowen is rather high. That said, I'd buy a Toklat and be done with it. Chamber discrepancies do not affect .454's.

Mines awesome. Paid $917 for it, cheap all things considered .

 

[Sneakshot92]

What kind of money are you looking to spend? I'm leaning pretty heavy towards a Taurus raging hunter in 454 Casull. Then I should be able to run hot 45 Colt loads or most factory 454 ammo.

 

[Obturation]

There is something to be said for current production guns in factory configurations. Especially ones that'll see a lot of high pressure heavy loads- you never know what's going to say "adios!"
@Sneakshot92 - I've heard good things about the raging hunter line, taffin likes it.

 

[Sneakshot92]

I'm not a big fan of X frames. I like a tough, packable gun in .45 or .44.

Easy then. S&W model 25. 6 shot DA/SA 45 Colt with a 6.5 inch barrel. Weighs about 42 ounces unloaded. Packable to me in bear country.

*Edit
I'm positive the model 25 is an N Frame gun.

 

[Obturation]

Easy then. S&W model 25. 6 shot DA/SA 45 Colt with a 6.5 inch barrel. Weighs about 42 ounces unloaded. Packable to me in bear country.

OP wants to shoot heavy loads, the 25 won't hold up long.