45 Colt

[hdxr750]

Please don't yell or scream at me. Would it be possible to convert a Old Model 357 Flat Top into a 45 Colt? 6 Shooter. I know that it would be subject to SAA loads.

 

[princeout]

Based on the NM midframe being available in 6 shot 45 Colt, it appears quite possible.
I like the 5 shot version because it will handle "Ruger Only" loads. Less things for my fading attention span to keep track of!
Currently, I load for the only non-Ruger 45 - a First Gen Colt - using nickel plated brass. Everything else is normal brass and can be shot in any of my 45's. The large frame 5 shot loads I only use long bullets that won't chamber in my normal Rugers. Hopefully this technique will keep me from messing up.
Tim

 

[jmar]

Yes i might be doing this soon, lot's of work is required though. I own and OM .357 as well as a New Vaquero in .45 and the frame and cylinder are the same size. So that's proof that it can be done and handle similar loads to a New Vaquero right there. I may get some exact measurements with my calipers since i'm planning on this project anyways.

 

[jmar]

I measured, calipers may not be exact but they are still relative to each other. OM .357 BH Cylinder diameter is 1.671, New Vaquero .45 is 1.677. So yes this is defiantly possible and wouldn't be noticeably weaker. But that's just if you bore the stock cylinder, if you have one made you can have it the same diameter or larger the the NM cylinder as i measured that to and you can tell just visually there's room to spare.

 

[hdxr750]

Thank you Jmar. You just make it to were it becomes more of an easy thought to follow though with a 45.

 

[contender]

As noted,, it is mechanically possible. My thoughts turn to the future when I see these projects discussed or done. You can do it, you can observe all the safety rules of old lower pressure ammo & never have an issue. Then you pass along the firearm in your will to a family member. That family member may know what your did & follow all the safety rules. But at some point, a different family member may acquire the gun and NOT follow the safety rules of proper loads,,, or may not know to do so. And a grandchild or other future family member may be injured by thinking: "It's a Ruger & can handle Ruger only loads."
We are only temporary custodians & we do not live forever. When I go to the big gun range & finally meet my heros,, I want to know I left behind safe firearms for all the future owners of my cherished firearms.
If your desires are to have a smaller framed 45 Colt, maybe a different route could be explored?
Just my opinion & food for thought.

 

[princeout]

Contender,
Great observation and valid points. Ruger, with all its liability adverse lawyers, builds midframe 45 Colt, 6 shots. The Vaquero model seems to have originally been labeled as "New Vaquero" but it seems now some are showing up marked just "Vaquero". The Blackhawks are marked "New Blackhawk" just like the large framed versions, but I think the serial number had a 3 digit prefix on the mid frames and only 2 on the large frame. Maybe the Vaquero models have the same distinction.

Guys in the future just have to pay attention. Nothing but the safety between your ears keeps you from tossing a Buffalo Bore 45-70 hand grenade into an old trapdoor Springfield. Gotta pay attention.

Tim

 

[contender]

True enough princeout. But we ALL have had lapses in good judgement in our lives to where we would have benefited from a proper education. Heck, look how many folks do NOT know about how to properly load an OM Ruger, a Colt or Colt replica with just 5 rounds, with the hammer resting on an empty chamber. I'm just in the camp of thinking ahead to where nobody gets hurt because of something I did. Now, some of the custom smiths do weld up the markings & re-mark the frames. In cases like that, hopefully they are marked to where potential accidents are prevented by the new owners who are able to understand the changes.

 

[mhblaw]

I had Bowen convert an OMBH 357 to 45 Colt. His remark on my request was that if Ruger could build it on the smaller frame, so could he. Nice shooter.

 

[DougGuy]

Why not just look for a medium framed 45? I got a New Model Vaquero medium frame off Armslist with 50 rounds through it for $400 you can't hardly buy the parts to convert one for that. Then you don't have any liability issues, and the gun will retain much if not all of the investment value where a gun that is converted often won't bring what a decent used blackhawk will bring unless some very reputable smith did it in which case you can add a 1 or a 2 in front of the price of a used blackhawk to have a conversion done by one of the well known smiths. That and a very long waiting list.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a simple conversion especially now that new Ruger mid frame cylinders are being made.

Large frame NM barrels and OM mid-size barrels interchange, and 45 barrels are not hard to find.

Ruger mid size cylinders are harder to find and as you probably know, Ruger will not sell barrels or cylinders, even to gunsmiths. But boring you OM flat top 357 cyl is simple, either by you or a gunsmith.

My self converted OM flat top using second hand Ruger barrel and cyl:

A beater 1958 357 Flat Top ‘before’ photo:

Below: Completed conversion all steel FT (grip frame and ejector housing). With old barrel, cyl, grip frame, and housing replaced, which had most of the wear, it no longer looks like a beater:

 

[Aeroscout9]

Please don't yell or scream at me. Would it be possible to convert a Old Model 357 Flat Top into a 45 Colt? 6 Shooter. I know that it would be subject to SAA loads.

I'm with Hondo! I've definitely thought about putting a midframe old model 45 colt together. It'd be loads of fun. Hardest part to find would be the new midframe cylinder. But, a WTB ad and some internet searching will more than likely land you what you seek.

Loads wouldn't be limited to the old Colt load. There's an excellent article written by Brian Pierce exploring the new midframe 45's. It's worth the read.

 

[BoggusDeal]

Please don't yell or scream at me. Would it be possible to convert a Old Model 357 Flat Top into a 45 Colt? 6 Shooter. I know that it would be subject to SAA loads.

I'm with Hondo! I've definitely thought about putting a midframe old model 45 colt together. It'd be loads of fun. Hardest part to find would be the new midframe cylinder. But, a WTB ad and some internet searching will more than likely land you what you seek.

Loads wouldn't be limited to the old Colt load. There's an excellent article written by Brian Pierce exploring the new midframe 45's. It's worth the read.

Just rechamber the old cylinder.

 

[Aeroscout9]

Please don't yell or scream at me. Would it be possible to convert a Old Model 357 Flat Top into a 45 Colt? 6 Shooter. I know that it would be subject to SAA loads.

I'm with Hondo! I've definitely thought about putting a midframe old model 45 colt together. It'd be loads of fun. Hardest part to find would be the new midframe cylinder. But, a WTB ad and some internet searching will more than likely land you what you seek.

Loads wouldn't be limited to the old Colt load. There's an excellent article written by Brian Pierce exploring the new midframe 45's. It's worth the read.

Just rechamber the old cylinder.

It's not easy to find a 'smith that would take just the cylinder to rechamber. They usually want to do all the work.

 

[hdxr750]

Ok someone please tell me if a NM 45 Colt/ACP # 48-306@$ would be any different in size from a FlatTop 357?

 

[hdxr750]

And I almost forgot Hondo I love that FlatTop you posted. That is what I want to build. Anyone know of a Blued .45 Ruger barrel for sale?

 

[Aeroscout9]

Ok someone please tell me if a NM 45 Colt/ACP # 48-306@$ would be any different in size from a FlatTop 357?

The 48 prefix is a large frame prefix I believe.