Multiple cartridge interchangeability

[THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR]

I am curious, if I were to buy a .454 Casull revolver and have the cylinder modified for moon clips, could I then shoot .454 Casull, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP, all from the same gun? Are there any more cartridge types I could shoot from such a rig, including fire-formed and oddball/wildcat cartridges?

I'd also like to open discussion on any other rigs that would allow the firing of multiple cartidge types from the same revolver without modification. I am bringing this up because in a SHTF/end-of-the-free-world scenario, would it not be a good idea to have a revolver that can fire multiple cartridge types without modification? As this would increase the odds of finding ammo compatable with your weapon(s) of choice.

 

[JoeHatley]

You may want to contact www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp about the feasabilty of your project. They do several multi-caliber moonclip conversions.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR]

Wow, I guess not too many people are particularly interested it this. Has this been trampled to death in a previous post? I did a search, but didn't find too much.

 

[Colt46]

Casull would be a poor choice

If memory serves...
They are incredibly tight in their dimensions. Firing shorter cartridges in their long cylinders will build up powder rings and increase pressures when you put the full length casull cartridges into the cylinder.
I believe Freedom Arms will provide auxillary cylinders for anybody who wants to shoot multiple cartridges through their revolvers.
There was a revolver called the Medusa that was supposed to fire any .355(9mm) or .357 caliber cartridge. I don't think it was very successful or popular though.

 

[rustymaggot]

buy a shotgun, get adapters.

there are 12 gauge adapters in 9mm, .40sw ,32acp, .22lr, .357 magnum and 38 spl, .44magnum, 45lc, 45acp. probably a few more.

the adapters fit unto any shotgun that takes 3 inch shells and the adapters are rifled. i dont know what kind of spin is put on the bullets, but ive used the 38spl/357 mag adapter in a mossberg 500 and its minute of milk jug at 50 yards.

ive seen 20 gauge adapters as well.

 

[tbtrout]

Ruger makes a Blachawk convertable, one cylinder .38/.357 and the other cylinder 9mm. The other is .45 Colt/.45 ACP

 

[Old Fuff]

The is a lot of interest in multi-caliber revolvers, but what sounds good in theory doesn't often pan out in practice.

If you modify a cylinder to use moon-clips all of the cartridges used therein must use clips. Otherwise you will have a headspace problem, as rimmed cartridges headspace on the rim, not the case mouth. Moon-clips for the particular cylinder/cartridge combination may or may not be available.

Generally speaking when you fire a short length/clipped pistol cartridge in a long revolver case chamber accuracy suffers - sometimes badly. Now I know that they're folks who are satisfied with basketball sized groups at 10 feet, but the Old Fuff isn't one of them.

One "sometimes" solution is to have interchangable cylinders that use different cartridges that all match the bore size. So long as the cartridge(s) aren't too hot for the revolver in question, this will work.

 

[LWC]

Freedom Arms would be the one to check with.
I remember seeing an old G&A article about a 4 cylinder
Freedom Arms Revolver. One cylinder was for 45 ACP
another was for .45 Winchester Mag. one of course was
for .454 Casull and I guess the last on must of been for
.45 Colt ?

Larry

 

[rantingredneck]

The Ruger SRH Cylinder is marked for both .454 Casull/.45 Colt. You can shoot both with no problem. Not sure about modifications for moon clips. As to powder build up, yes that is a concern, but with a good cleaning after shooting the .45 Colts you'll have no problem.

Also the .460XVR, I believe will shoot .460, .454, and .45LC ammo interchangeably. I imagine the same cleaning rule would apply but have no firsthand experience with that gun.

If you're looking at TEOTWAWKI or SHTF situations you'll probably be better off with one of the .38/.357 and 9mm conversion Rugers. Those three calibers will probably be more widely found in some post apocalyptic future than either .454 Casull, .460SW or .45 Colt.

 

[Smith & Wesson Man]

I have a smith 460 and I enjoy shooting it. You don't need moonclips for 460magnum, 454casuall, or 45lc. I have fired all three different ammo out of mine and they shoot great. I have the base model which was the first to come out (8 3/8inch barrel). To me it is a reloaders dream, one gun for three different rounds. With the weight and porting shooting 454 or 45lc is not at all painful. To me 454 is like shooting 357mag, and 45lc is like 38 special. I am not sure if this is what you are looking for.

 

[THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR]

Thanks for the info about powder rings, I didn't know that happened. I also thought you could still shoot cartridges through a gun without the moon clips, even if it had been modified?

 

[Majic]

A .44 magnum will also shoot a .44 spl and a .44 Russian. A .32 H&R magnum will also shoot a .32 SW Long and a .32 SW. Plus don't forget about the .22lr which also fires the .22 long, .22 short, and the .22 CB cap.

 

[GEM]

Dear DI:

Check out http://ezapper.com/

and search on

medusa multi caliber revolver Phillips & Rodgers

on Google for an interesting story about such guns.

Boy - I wish I could afford that Colt