Would you change a 45 acp to a 357 mag?

[AbitNutz]

I have a Colt New Service revolver in 45 acp,which requires moon clips. I have found both a 357 mag cylinder and barrel that would allow me to convert it to 357 mag. Not to worry. This is definitely a shooter as the barrel has already been replaced once. The Barrel is $76 and the cylinder is $109. Would you do it? I can do the work myself. The question is....is it more desirable as a practicable matter to leave it as a 45 acp or convert it to a 357 mag?

If you don't consider the work or cost. Would you rather have a 45 acp revolver of a 357 mag?

 

[gazpacho]

$185 parts. How much for labor?

EDIT: Ah, I reread your post, and you are doing the work yourself.

At $300 you are into the market for a used 357. IMHO 2 guns are better than 1.

Now, if you have been jonesing for a Colt New Service in 357, that may be a different matter.

EDIT: I like both calibers. I'd probably keep the Colt as is.

 

[AbitNutz]

This is definitely a shooter and I would do the work myself. The 357 mag would likely have better resale but a $185.00 more? That's hard to say. It just might. There's no way I can but a 45 acp or a 357 mag for that money so a two gun option is not reality. But that's not why I would do it. I have no intention of selling the gun and I reload bot calibers.

 

[zerobarrier]

I would leave it a 45. I have a 45acp revolver with moon clips and love it. But for the price to change it out I would rather get a used Taurus 357 for around 400 and have 2 pistols.

 

[GBExpat]

The question is....is it more desirable as a practicable matter to leave it as a 45 acp or convert it to a 357 mag?

I would leave it as-is.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Leave it alone.

 

[huntershooter]

The age of the New Service would be a consideration for me.
The metallurgy and probable lack of tempering (frame) would lead me to leaving it a .45 ACP. The .357 (obviously) operates at much higher pressures.
This-as well as I prefer the .45 ACP in that revolver.

 

[stubbicatt]

Whichever you prefer. I have been shooting a long while now, and evolved through several calibers in my life. I liked 357 mag, but case life is significantly shorter than it is for 45 ACP, so by my way of seeing things, if you hand load, the 45 is the way to go. Since it is in moon clips, you don't find yourself losing as many empties, either. Lastly, of all the chores that go with hand loading, I most detest trimming. I have never had to trim a 45 ACP, but 357's I would trim every time...

Whether this trim requirement is due to the pressures or the nature of the crimp applied to the bullet, I cannot say.

 

[chicharrones]

It seems that .357 revolvers can be found anywhere and at reasonable prices. I see a lot less .45 ACP revolvers out there and when I do the starting prices are higher than the starting prices of .357 revolvers. Depending on who makes it of course.

I'd be highly incline to keep the .45 revolver as it is and go buy a .357 revolver and enjoy the two.

 

[james layman]

New Service frames are the strongest made. You have a perfect snake gun. See youtube on how to load ACP shotshells.

 

[CraigC]

No way, no how. Actually quite the contrary, I'm hoping to find a .38Spl or .357 New Service to have converted to .38-40 or .44Spl. The New Service was born to be a big bore.

 

[Iggy]

Leave it as a 45.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I'm no gunsmith but I recall reading that a barrel swap on a colt revolver requires a special fixture to prevent bending the frame. Perhaps the swap will be easier with this gun, if it's already had the barrel swapped before? Like I said, I don't really know.

Other than that, if it's not collectable, the conversion is safe and you want it, then why not? I've never needed any more justification than that for anything I've ever wanted to do.

 

[19-3Ben]

I wouldn't touch it. No how, no way, for most of the reasons CraigC mentioned. He pretty much nailed it.

Besides, it may be devalued by already having the barrel swapped out, but I'd bet a caliber swap and second barrel change would devalue it even more. I know that if I saw that revolver for sale, not knowing that the work was done by a qualified gunsmith, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Could be a total basket case. I'd take a gamble on it if I saw it really cheap but with the understanding that I could also be overpaying for a paperweight.

 

[Nighthawk0083]

If the problem you are having is moon clips then buy some 45 auto rim cases and reload those. Then you wont have to worry about moon clips. I wouldnt do any kind of swap like that but thats my opinion. Be safe!

 

[natman]

I'd leave it as 45 ACP. Much more pleasant to shoot.

 

[Drail]

Never.

 

[BobWright]

While .45 AutoRim ammunition is no longer available (at least I don't think so) brass is still available, and use of .45 AR eliminates the use of those clips.

My advice is to keep it a .45.

By the way, is your revolver a M1917, or a commercial New Service? If the latter, by all means do notheing to it.

Bob Wright

 

[Gary A]

Even with moon clips, .45 acp is a wonderful revolver round. I would leave it as is and buy a boatload of moon clips.

 

[buck460XVR]

Have you considered trading the gun for a similar of more preferred model in .357? Trade in value plus the $185 may get you what you want without having to rebarrel.

 

[rs7]

If the barrel swap was done correctly; I wouldn't do a thing, other than buy a .357.

 

[Old Fuff]

Open the cylinder on your revolver and look at the bottom of the topstrap, up at the front where the cylinder/barrel gap is. Do you see a little “cup” cut into the strap there? The original purpose of this cup was to give powder fouling and lead fragments a place to go so the cylinder wouldn’t bind up. Unfortunately this weakens the topstrap at a critical point. On most revolvers it wouldn’t matter, but on a Magnum it could. Colt discontinued the cup in 1935 or thereabout, and all New Service revolvers originally chambered for the Magnum round didn’t (or shouldn't) have the cup.

Also if you have not done so, check out your serial number (stamped on the frame under the barrel and behind the crane, swing out the cylinder to see it). Go to www.proofhouse.com to do this. If the frame predates 1935 I wouldn’t convert it.

 

[hardluk1]

AbitNutz ?? would be the right reply to chang'n that revolver to a 357. Leave it alone or sell it if you just gota have a 357.

 

[PointOneSeven]

I love semi-auto cartridges in revolvers! I also love projects though. I would do more than just a caliber swap though if I were getting the tools out. Maybe a scope or something too .

 

[il.bill]

NO - for all the above stated reasons.

Buy some extra moon clips with that $!85 and put the remainder as seed money in a .357 Revolver fund.