3 screw 41 mag conversion

[foxtrapper]

Is the old model 41 mag up to the task of a 5 shot conversion in 45 Colt? I still do not own a 45 Colt :shock: and now have the bug. I am looking to be able to use the beefier and longer 5 shot cylinder for max loads, not a steady diet of course but to know it's there if I need it.

 

[Robb Barnes]

There is no difference between the old model 41 Mag, 30 Carbine, 44 Mag or 45 Colt guns as far as strength goes. They all used the same sized frame. It is probably more economical to get an old model 44 for a conversion like this since there were more of those made then old model 41's.

As far as 5 shot 45 Colt vs 6 shot 45 Colt goes, I had this same discussion a few weeks ago with Ben Forkin of Forkin Custom Classics. I had sent Ben a bisley vaquero and a 357 Maximum cylinder to have a long cylinder, tight chambered 6 shot 45 Colt done. I called him to ask about the benefits of saving the Max cylinder and going with a new 5 shot 45 cylinder of the same length and he suggested against it. He has done some testing with chronograghs and the fps gains achieved with the 5 shot over the 6 shot are minute compared to the pressure increases and the battering the gun and shooter takes. He said if you are going to step up to a 5 shot cylinder then you might as well go big or go home as the saying goes and jump to the 475 or 500 Linebaugh.

Just something to think about.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I'm kinda with Robb on this. If ya gonna "need" the HOT loads, rather than super-load a lesser cartridge, why not just go with a more powerful chambering from the get go. (just like the go big, or go home statement above)

 

[seeemmiss]

I think if you make a 5 shot gun out of a old model, you really have a 4 shot gun because you still need to leave the chamber under the hammer empty while carrying. Hamilton Bowen will not convert an old model to a 5 shot for this very reason. I also agree with the go big or go home statement. You could always make it a 454 Casull 5 shot new model and just shoot long 45 olts in it. That way you have the option to shoot handloaded heavy 45 colt or factory fast 454 Casull bullets.

 

[foxtrapper]

Thanks Guy's , I already have a 510GNR ,so I have the go big or go home gun. I was wondering about the strength of the old model frame to the new model for a 45colt conversion with hot loads every now and then. When it is said I can have it converted to a 454, I guess the frame is plenty strong! So the best way cylinder wise would be a tight chambered 6 shot

 

[B.Roberts]

I didn't think any of the custom guys chamber .454's in their 5 shot customs. The 5 shot .45colts operate at a lesser pressure than the 454's. They still manage to aproach the velocity of the .454 with about 10,000 psi less.

 

[Aggie01]

I also think that a lot of smith's don't want to mess with converting a old model to 5 shot because of the timing changes. more difficult to make a 5 shot gun that the chambers line up with the loading gate at half cock.

If you aren't going to change the grip frame, rechambering your factory .41 cylinder to a "tight" .45 with a new barrel will likely get you all you want. OM .41 cylinders aren't as short as the NM ones.
You can get 1300 fps with a 300 grain cast bullet from a 6 shot.

 

[Bucks Owin]

It would appear to me there there is quite a worthwhile velocity increase between Linebaugh's 5 and 6 shot guns. However, having nearly .454 Casull performance comes with a price!FWIW,Dennis :wink: #1-SMALL .45 COLT ON RUGER FRAMES

Rugers. like Colts are plagued with oversize chambers that have come from the black powder era and poor tolerance standards in modern industry. By taking a new Ruger in say a 44 magnum caliber: we rechamber it using our custom reamers to tight 45 Colt specs. Standard SAMMI specs for .45 Colt is .484 minimum to .489 maximum diameter. Our reamers cut a .480 chamber. Average 45 Colt case dimensions are .476 diameter. Our chamber is standard length. This conversion is approximately 86% as strong as a 44 magnum revolver so offers a 100% safety factor to the 32.000 psi level. With this new "tight" chamber and a special custom slow twist barrel fitted properly you can expect the following velocities with a 5 1/2" barrel and safe "full power" loads:


260 gr. cast
1450 fps
24 KO

310/320 gr. cast
1350 fps
26 KO


#2-BIG .45 COLT CONVERSIONS

In our big 45 Conversion we install a new barrel. a steel ejector rod housing with checkered ejector rod button and an oversize 5 or 6 shot cylinder. These are done on Ruger frames only and we suggest the Bisley model for its superior grip and recoil control either in the Blackhawk model with adjustable sights or the Vaquero Bisley. With a 5 shot cylinder and a 7 1/2' barrel you can expect the following velocities (A 6 shot delivers approx. 100 fps less velocity than a 5 shot)
NEW-Now available in STAINLESS Steel!

240-260 gr. JHP
1700 fps
27 Knock Out

260 gr. cast
1750 fps
29 KO

310/320 gr. cast
1600 fps
31 KO

340 gr. cast
1500 fps
32 KO

370 gr. cast
1400 fps
33 KO


Conversion in blue: $2,000.00