Modifying a S&W 460xvr: Revolver carbine

[CHighfield]

Hey, guys! I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I was wondering, though, since I like revolver carbines so much for some reason, if anybody had thought to put a longer (18"-20") barrel on an xvr and add a stock? The only way to add a stock I could think of (not knowing much about xvr's ) is to have a stock/grip in one piece... I know that modifying in this way would probably require a tax stamp... Just some thoughts. Appreciate any feedback!

God bless,

CH

 

[Sam1911]

You mean like this?


http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details.cfm?id=211&category=15&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

That's not a .460, but it is a .410/.45 Colt.

As long as you aren't installing a barrel that's less than 16" long, and the total length is greater than 26" a conversion like you're talking about wouldn't require a tax stamp.

You sure would want a blast shield up at the cylinder/barrel gap. The .460 operates at such high pressure you could be very seriously hurt if you got your arm too close.

 

[CHighfield]

Exactly what I had in mind. I knew about the Rossi's, and even those do have a blast shield. The tax stamp part would come in from modifying a 460 to have the stock, since I don't think you could just get a receiver to make the rifle with. I think that Rossi looks awesome, but a S&W would be one heck of a rifle. Any expectations as far as accuracy? longer barrel, but still a cylinder gap... I don't know how those would play together. Recoil would probably be more manageable, especially with the extra weight and shoulder pad.

 

[CHighfield]

Also, I know that you can use .454 and .45LC in your .460, and in some .45/.410 you can use .454 or .45 ACP depending on model... Would it be possible to make the .460 fire all of the above (.460, .454. .45LC, .410, .45 ACP)? I haven't checked dimensions, but I'm sure someone else already has the data...

 

[Sam1911]

The tax stamp part would come in from modifying a 460 to have the stock, since I don't think you could just get a receiver to make the rifle with.

Once you have the 16" barrel on it, you can add your stock. No paperwork.

Would it be possible to make the .460 fire all of the above (.460, .454. .45LC, .410, .45 ACP)

.460, .454, .45 Colt? Yes. .410? Too long. .45ACP? Going to need to get the cylinder cut for moon clips.

 

[CraigC]

I'm sorry but there is a reason why revolving carbines never caught on. It's a bad idea. I sure as HELL do not want a 65,000psi cartridge going off with the barrel/cylinder gap right in my face. Even with the blast shield.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'm sorry but there is a reason why revolving carbines never caught on. It's a bad idea. I sure as HELL do not want a 65,000psi cartridge going off with the barrel/cylinder gap right in my face. Even with the blast shield.

That's kind of my feelings as well. I love the concept and the look, but I don't want it near my face or my arm out past the cylinder gap, blast shieled or not.

Now I would buy a lever action rifle if anyone made one. The pressure is still an issue though. Even Bighorn Armory who makes a 500 mag lever action hasn't produced a .460 yet.

A 460 mare's leg would be great too.

 

[Sam1911]

Hmmm...so how 'bout a slightly improved and embiggened Nagant revolver? That would seal the gap...!

 

[CraigC]

There's really not much reason to build a .460 rifle. It would have to be easily as large and heavy as a .45-70 and its kin. We already have the .45-70 and it covers everything the .460 could and more at less pressure. Actually, the Marlin 1895 is a wonderful rifle for the .45-70 but is not strong enough for the .460. Unless you just REALLY wanna use pistol bullets and vaporizing speeds.

Hmmm...so how 'bout a slightly improved and embiggened Nagant revolver?

Would it still have a gritty 90lb trigger???

 

[rcmodel]

I sure as HELL do not want a 65,000psi cartridge going off with the barrel/cylinder gap right in my face

+1

The .460 S&W runs 65,000 PSI, and burns a powder charge equal to many centerfire rifles such as the 30-06.

The blast out of the cylinder gap would be almost like a plasma cutter used to cut metal!

See this about that! (Caution = Graphic Images)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2313371/posts

rc

 

[Sam1911]

Would it still have a gritty 90lb trigger???

Oh, that would have to be "UPsized" too!

 

[CHighfield]

Thanks, all! I didn't realize that the chamber pressures were that high! But from what sam1911 says, then if you cut for clips and had a lengthened cylinder/frame then you would have one heck of a monster revolver that could fire everything under the sun, right?
But yeah, I knew that revolver carbines have never caught on... But I do really like that look. I didn't think a lever gun handled pressure that well either though? a lever gun in .500??
mares leg of either would be cool though
Also I've never tried the 45-70. For some reason I just have a fear of that particular cartridge.

 

[CraigC]

I knew that revolver carbines have never caught on... But I do really like that look.

They're cool as they can be, in theory. Colt's Paterson revolving rifles were some of the neatest looking rifles ever produced and really an ingenious design. They're just not very practical for all the reasons mentioned.

 

[barnbwt]

Feel free to draw inspiration from this ugly duckling:

Or this uglier duckling:

Both images courtesy of the awesome Matebafan.com website: MTR-8 Carbine and semi-auto Unica 6-based Grifone, respectively (apparently Ghisoni had a thing for revolver carbines). I have no idea how (or if) the Grifone automatically advances to the next chamber like the pistol; can you really do a recoil action with a barrel that long?

TCB

 

[Fotno]

Hmmm...so how 'bout a slightly improved and embiggened Nagant revolver? That would seal the gap...!

Embiggened... I have learnt a new word.

 

[Sam1911]

Thank Homer Simpson for that one.

 

[NG VI]

Thought that was Abe Simpson?

"A noble heart embiggens the smallest man" is how I remember the original.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Close.

"A Noble spirit embiggens the smallest man."

Those are the words of the Vicious pirate Hans Sprungfeld, after he changed his name to "Jebediah Springfield" and founded the city we all love.

http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Jebediah_Springfield

That aside on a .460 i'd be constantly wondering which shot would breach the shield and slice my arm off.

 

[CraigC]

That aside on a .460 i'd be constantly wondering which shot would breach the shield and slice my arm off.

Me too!

 

[CHighfield]

"That aside on a .460 i'd be constantly wondering which shot would breach the shield and slice my arm off."

Is it really that dangerous? I still cant believe that the gasses would come that far from the cylinder... Flame cutting is self-limiting, right? That would mean that the gasses fon't go very far. I think the rossi shield is about perfect, and if you made it even slightly thicker then there would be no chance (in my mind) of being cut by gas. (I have seen the guy's thumb blown off by gasses from the .500 btw... not something I'd enjoy seeing in person... )
Putting a shield on the regular .460 and .500 might be a good idea, too-- not just on a carbine, but the revolver version straight from the factory.

 

[DWM460tx]

I purchased the S&W 460XVR 14” (Hunter) model two weeks ago and was at my range the next day. Within the first five shots, the combined pressure/heat generated from the muzzle blast “permanently” scorched the cylinder face and semi-circled discoloration on the outside at each cylinder chamber.
The gun is “everything I had hoped for” and should allow me to achieve my goal of taking a black bear with a handgun in the near future. However, this caliber demands absolute respect and attention!
P.S. Double hearing protection is a really good idea!

 

[788Ham]

A little overkill no? Black bears aren't that hard to kill, my grandpa killed several with a .250 Savage '99 ! Unless you wrap the bullets in freezer paper, then your meat will be wrapped when you get to the bear. LOL

 

[DWM460tx]

You definitely have a valid point 788HAM. However, my message (was related to “gun safety with the .460” as apposed to “bear hunting” – specifically). The beauty of the 460XVR is that you have the option to shoot 45, 454 Casull, or 460 through the same weapon – allowing a wide variety of shooting options. S&W 460 is typically what I will shoot for long range silhouette. Bears; likely a 454 or 45 load...

 

[captain awesome]

Also, I know that you can use .454 and .45LC in your .460, and in some .45/.410 you can use .454 or .45 ACP depending on model... Would it be possible to make the .460 fire all of the above (.460, .454. .45LC, .410, .45 ACP)? I haven't checked dimensions, but I'm sure someone else already has the data...

The magnum research BFR could, at least all but 45 acp. perhaps with some kind of modification? Don't think moon clips are viable in a single action. It has the long frame in the 460 version, so 410 would fit.

 

[gandog56]

I'm not real sure, but when they tried to sell the "revolver" rifles in the Civil war was not one of the complaints that the users would get powder burns on their arms from the cylinder/barrel gap flash? How does the new one fix that problem?