Shaved My S&W cylinder...

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I swapped a buddy for an ex-British 2nd Model Hande Ejector that, when imported as surplus, had been over-polished and refinished and been bore from .455 to accept .45 Colt. With any possible collector value buggered I decided to turn it into a big-bore snubby (because I have a thing for those.) Bobbed and crowned the barrel, modified the trigger-guard for faster access, new front sight and some custom grips. I liked it pretty well, but...

...the original .455 cylinder is shorter than a .45 Colt cylinder, so bullets need to be loaded a bit deep or I needed to restrict my reloads to rounds that used short bullets. Not ideal, but livable.


I have a Brazillian-contract 1917 with the same length of cylinder, and I like loading it with moon clips. I also like the idea of using the same carry-ammo in my carry-guns. For a variety of reasons I have elected to not modify the 1917, but the .45 Colt gun? Hmmm... I measured, considered, made sure parts were available in case I messed it up, took a deep0 breath and fired up the lathe. The result?


My big snubby is now a .45 ACP. The extractor is kind of thin, but since it's applying pressure at the center of the clip instead of the rims it's fine. Yes, there is now a 'jump' in the cylinder, but this does not seem to be having a notable effect on either accuracy or velocity so I guess it's fine. No, it will not still chamber .45 Colt; whoever bored the chambers initially bored them too deep and the cartridges sink all the way to the rim. OK, it was never going to be perfect (I've met me) but it does the job and reloads faster than I managed with speed-loaders, so I am going to call this a win.

 

[1KPerDay]

I love your ideas and work. I hope you don't mind if I embed your video about this gun for THR members who weren't aware that you have video content as well.

 

[mcb]

Nice conversion. I you had left a rim around the outside edge of the cylinder it could have been made to worked with both 45 ACP and 45 Colt (with or without moonclips for the Colt). Even with the flat cylinder face, depending on tolerances it might work with 45 Colt on moonclips, though probably not worth the effort unless you are stacked deep in 45 Colt.

 

[wcwhitey]

Great work and great video. I like the thought and evolution.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I love your ideas and work. I hope you don't mind if I embed your video about this gun for THR members who weren't aware that you have video content as well.

I was not aware... Sub'd for future enjoyment!

MTP: you never fail to produce awesome stuff!

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I was not aware... Sub'd for future enjoyment!

MTP: you never fail to produce awesome stuff!

Thank you!

 

[StrawHat]

If you used the original 455 cylinder, these were not heat treated. The 45 ACP operates at proof pressures for the 455.

Handloads in the ACP case that mimic the ballistics of the 455 are acceptable but ACP handloads are too hot.

Regarding the 45 long Colt, cut some 308 or 30-06 (or any .475 headsized cartridge) to the length of 45 long Colt brass. Match overall lengths. Ream the neck if necessary. Load up the rimless cartridges as if they were long Colt cartridges. Use your full moon clips to hold and headspace them. Voila, you are now shooting your 45 long Colt again.

Kevin

 

[retDAC]

If you used the original 455 cylinder, these were not heat treated. The 45 ACP operates at proof pressures for the 455.

Handloads in the ACP case that mimic the ballistics of the 455 are acceptable but ACP handloads are too hot. ...

With what amounts to excessive freebore in the OP's revolver and the original chambering being for 0.454" bullets, ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.455_Webley) that might not be an issue with standard .45ACP pressure and 0.451-0.452" bullets.

 

[AzShooter1]

Love the gun and the video. Those grips are fantastic. .45 ACP is a great carry gun and I like the platform you've made.

I'm a big guy too and can easily conceal a revolver that big so as long as you are comfortable with it it is a good gun.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I guess I could live with that one, if I had to.

 

[EMC45]

Awesome conversion. Very pleased to see a YT channel as well. This is right up my alley and I always enjoy seeing old things (especially guns) brought back to life.

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Another Win/Win for both having now a repurposed revolver and for your handiwork to make it that way!

Love those grips too!

 

[StrawHat]

With what amounts to excessive freebore in the OP's revolver and the original chambering being for 0.454" bullets, ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.455_Webley) that might not be an issue with standard .45ACP pressure and 0.451-0.452" bullets.

While that certainly sounds good, it does not explain the burst cylinders that have been reported. My own 455 New Century was poorly converted to 45 long Colt. A poor enough job I am having a cylinder rechambered to make it usable again.

Everyone is allowed to do what they want with the firearms they curate. If they want to continually use proof loads, it is certainly an option. Just one they need to know about.


Kevin

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I swapped a buddy for an ex-British 2nd Model Hande Ejector that, when imported as surplus, had been over-polished and refinished and been bore from .455 to accept .45 Colt. With any possible collector value buggered I decided to turn it into a big-bore snubby (because I have a thing for those.) Bobbed and crowned the barrel, modified the trigger-guard for faster access, new front sight and some custom grips. I liked it pretty well, but...

...the original .455 cylinder is shorter than a .45 Colt cylinder, so bullets need to be loaded a bit deep or I needed to restrict my reloads to rounds that used short bullets. Not ideal, but livable.

View attachment 1067802
I have a Brazillian-contract 1917 with the same length of cylinder, and I like loading it with moon clips. I also like the idea of using the same carry-ammo in my carry-guns. For a variety of reasons I have elected to not modify the 1917, but the .45 Colt gun? Hmmm... I measured, considered, made sure parts were available in case I messed it up, took a deep0 breath and fired up the lathe. The result?

View attachment 1067803
My big snubby is now a .45 ACP. The extractor is kind of thin, but since it's applying pressure at the center of the clip instead of the rims it's fine. Yes, there is now a 'jump' in the cylinder, but this does not seem to be having a notable effect on either accuracy or velocity so I guess it's fine. No, it will not still chamber .45 Colt; whoever bored the chambers initially bored them too deep and the cartridges sink all the way to the rim. OK, it was never going to be perfect (I've met me) but it does the job and reloads faster than I managed with speed-loaders, so I am going to call this a win.

Real nice work, MTP! I'd love to have ol' Big Ugly done up as a 3" for the nightstand. Thing is, the old feller's been through so much I hate giving it the once-over. It' earned them scars, same as me with mine.