Blackhawk 45 acp cylinder for conversion info questions.

[bigshep85]

Ok guys, I am wanting to pick up this cylinder for my older model vaquero 45 lc that is a 45 acp cylinder. This way I can shoot 45 acp rounds oput of it. It is my understanding that this should drop right in, and work. I was wanting to check with you knowledgeable gentlemen and make sure that I am not missing anything. Here is the link to the ad with pictures.
http://www.armslist.com/posts/1636991/seattle-washington-gun-parts-for-sale--ruger-blackhawk-45-acp-cylinder-

All the pictures I find online for blackhawks and vaqueros do not have that line cut into the cylinder. It almost looks as if this is for moon clips? I don't know I am just an amateur so educate me.

Am I missing anything?



Thanks for the help!

 

[TomC321]

Cylinders typically aren't necessarily drop-in. It may require fitting. If you can get one, it is a great pick-up. I mostly use my .45 Colt NMBHs with .45 ACP cylinders, converted to also allow .45 AR, which is what I mostly use.

 

[rugerguy]

the "early" ( old model, 3 screw) and some of the first new models had that 'cutout' in the rear it is a firing pin "groove"...one way to tell an OM from a new one............the trick is you WANT same vintage, OM to OM or new one to a new one, than you should get the same , or as close to , it may be a tad LONGER in the overall length of the cylinder, that is "end to end" (overall) then make sure it locks up, (times) on each and every chamber.........

 

[contender]

I think the seller has pulled that listing.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

It looks like the best thing to do is place a wanted ad here and supply all the info pertaining to your gun. That way you should end up with as near a "drop in" fit as possible. Good luck, you'll enjoy your new dual cylinder .45!

 

[JmE]

All the pictures I find online for blackhawks and vaqueros do not have that line cut into the cylinder. It almost looks as if this is for moon clips? I don't know I am just an amateur so educate me.

I'm an amateur but I notice the cut and this, "to convert your 45 long colt to fire 45 acp." To me, that may mean that it's merely a .45 Colt cylinder cut to accept some sort of clips to allow .45 ACP to headspace on the rim. I'd be 1000% sure from the seller that the cylinder was actually bored to headspace .45 ACP on the case mouth. It's possible that it is an actual ACP cylinder that has been cut to also accept clips but my spidey sense is tingling that it began life as a Colt cylinder and not an ACP cylinder. If that's the case, you could simply get your Colt cylinder cut for clips. I'd make sure to ask the seller, "Does this cylinder headspace ACP off of the case mouth or does it need to use clips."

Also, there are threads about the dimension(s) that you will need to know from your cylinder and the one you are looking to purchase. IIRC (and CHECK with a thread, don't rely on me) the most important is that the replacement cylinder is long enough in the center from the ratchet gears (actual terms I don't know) to the front; i.e. where the basepin goes through. Too short and endshake/cylinder gap makes it unusable??? Again, check with some threads if someone actually qualified by experience can answer, please.


ETA: I looked again at the photo and I can't make out any "ledge" down in the chamber off of which the ACP round would headspace. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that is a .45 Colt cylinder that has been cut for clips so that one can also use ACP; not a true .45 ACP cylinder. That's my best guess so be sure to ask the seller.

ETAA: Oops! "This listing has been deactivated by the seller. You will no longer be able to contact the seller."

 

[Hondo44]

All you need to know is simple as this: Measure the overall length of your existing 45 Colt cyl with a caliper in .001" of an inch or have your local gunshop do it. Then don't buy any cyl unless it's at least the same length or longer. If longer a little minor fitting will suffice. 99.9% of the time, the timing will be right on
in your gun.

The cyl for sale is gone as has been said but it was right depending on the OAL which wasn't given. I could see the shoulders in the chambers for the ACP case mouth to headspace on. It had the factory firing pin cut of the OMs which doesn't really matter but can be considered a plus.

It was not modified for ACP clips; the cyl would have to be removed from a SA TO LOAD AND UNLOAD AMMO IN CLIPS. Although it has been done and is actually faster to load and unload the gun by switching an extra pre-loaded cylinder.

 

[JmE]

Ah, I was hoping that you'd report in and set things straight.

I could see the shoulders in the chambers for the ACP case mouth to headspace on.

That's what I thought at first but chambers 3 and 6 (clockwise) were the only two that I could see something that might have been shoulders on my monitor without loading up Photoshop and checking further. Upon second look, chamber 6 could have been light underneath and likewise with chamber 3 (plus orange coloration of countertop beneath). However, since that's a fireing pin cut out milled around the cylinder and not some clip arrangement then it's more likely that the shoulders are cut. You might be able to see the shoulders but I couldn't be sure on my monitor without enhancing the photo BUT chamber #3 really, really, really looked like a shoulder to me on both first and second look.

Thanks for clearing things up, Hondo44. 8)


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