Conversion idea

[Dan in MI]

OM .357 Blackhawk into a 40 S&W?

I'm thinking of a sheriff's model type. With the shorter round it would not need as long of an ejecotr rod allowing a very compact package.

Thoughts? pro or con

 

[I_Like_Pie]

It wouldn't be cheap! For the same money you could do it in .44 special.

Other than that it would be rather unique.

 

[DGW1949]

FWIW, here's what my mind is thinking:

A custom six-gun can be a lot of fun.
A cut-down 357 aint the best platform for that particular cartridge.
Of the common 40-ish calibers, the 40 S&W is probably the cheapest to shoot. And easier to find in most stores than say, 44Spl's are.
Factory 40 S&W ammo is already designed for use out of a short barrel.
As handloading goes, semi-auto cases are very efficient.
Reloading dies and componants are everywhere.
Shorter-type cases are easier for the ejector-rod to kick-out.

Lastly.....
You didn't say, and it aint none of my business, but if a guy already had a semi-auto in that caliber, having more than one gun that shoots the same ammo can be a handy thing.

About the only "problem" I see is that the 40 S&W cartridge aint going to stay-put in a belt loop....'cause it aint got a rim. So you'll have to come-up with some sort of dump pouch (or something) to carry your re-loads in.

All in all, it don't sound like a bad idea to me.

DGW

 

[REP1954]

I myself would opt for the 45 ACP first but the 40 S&W is a awsome cartridge to. I believe it will be the next military handgun cartridge when the 9 MM gets replaced. If and when that happens 40 S&W ammo will be the cheap one to shoot for boughten ammo.

 

[flatgate]

I'd wonder about availability of barrel stock.

Converting a Ruger to a more common cal. like .44 or .45 is easy since there are lots of Ruger barrels out there.....

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[REP1954]

Flatgate is right, if you use the current barrel and send it out for a rebore that will cost you $150.00 and then you still have to pay for a new crown and forcing cone. That bumps you up to about $225.00. I know I can buy a pulled barrel for $50.00 in 45 cal. But then again you dont have a 40 S&W and that is what you want. I would think rechambering the cylinder should not cost any different. One thing about the rebore is your barrel doesnt need to be clocked and barrel cylinder gap reset which saves some time and money there. Oh yeah remember that front sight. I'm not against doing it in 40S&W just trying to make you aware of what all is involved. Are you going to do a reblue when your done? I would say your going to have $625.00 into the project before its done. Thats life in the custom lane.

 

[two bit okie]

what would be the advantage over a 357 woth the same weight bullets????? except maybe lower velocity?

 

[targetshootr]

Sounds like a good idear. Be sure to have a 38-40 cylinder to go along with it.

I had my barrel rebored but if you can find a 38-40 cal, 3rd generation Colt barrel, it'll work on a Ruger. You can find them reasonably priced if you look around enough. And to make it easier on your smith, use a Colt ejector housing and ejector rod too.

Fwiw, I have heard that the 2nd gen Colt barrels can be made to work too.

 

[REP1954]

Hey Dan jump in at anytime.

 

[Dan in MI]

I'm soaking up the ideas.....

Reason - why not? Besides I like medium bores.

The bbl part might be the killer. I've talked to my smith. He could turn a bbl, although maybe he can pick up a Ruger 40 cal if they have any left. The other killer would be buying a piloted reamer for the cyl.

 

[DGW1949]

Short barelled 357's are ugly to shoot...and too dern loud for some folks.
Last I looked, cheap 40's were cheaper than cheap 45's....and easier to find in stores. And if those aspects are considerations to the conversion...well, just forget the 44 Spl.
If I was set on a Colt barrel, I'd try Gun Parts Corp, up in NY. Or possibly SARCO.
If I weren't, I'd contact [email protected], who MIGHT have a suitable stub left off a blank..... or have mine re-bored.

Just some more random thoughts.
DGW

 

[Dan in MI]

I don't know that those were "random," but they were good thoughts.

 

[huntinguy]

I thought Ruger made the Vaquero in 38-40... I know I have seen a few around the range... might have been custom guns... I know they were smithed for Cowboy Action Shooting.

I am pretty sure I have seen Single Actions in 10mm.

Besides... there is always the barrel blank route. Just need lots of machine work.

I like the idea... Best of luck with it. BTW make a 10mm cyl. for it too, after all, why not.

 

[Quarterbore]

Flatgate is right, if you use the current barrel and send it out for a rebore that will cost you $150.00 and then you still have to pay for a new crown and forcing cone. That bumps you up to about $225.00. I know I can buy a pulled barrel for $50.00 in 45 cal. But then again you dont have a 40 S&W and that is what you want. I would think rechambering the cylinder should not cost any different. One thing about the rebore is your barrel doesnt need to be clocked and barrel cylinder gap reset which saves some time and money there. Oh yeah remember that front sight. I'm not against doing it in 40S&W just trying to make you aware of what all is involved. Are you going to do a reblue when your done? I would say your going to have $625.00 into the project before its done. Thats life in the custom lane.

That really doesn't sound "all" that bad...

Kinda sad as I had a couple 40 S&Ws but I sold them all a couple years ago when I consolidated cartridges but since then I have picked up a couple 10mms and now I keep seeing plenty of 40 S&W on the shelf when I can't seem to find 9mm or 45acp.

So, I have been thinking more and more about the prospects of building a 4 5/8 or 5.5-inch Stainless Blackhawk in 40 S&W / 10mm (duel cylinder). Silly me still thinks this would be a product that others might like as well but I have doubts that Ruger is listening.

I think it might make a fun distributer exclusive gun too as it could bring in some guys that right now are into their 40 semiautos. I am still at a point that I have a couple other variants I want to put away for my pack rat tendencies before I start considering this kind of $$$ custom gun but it sure is a gun I would love to see made.

I also don't want to spend the money on a NIB gun like this to turn it into a shooter plus then have a 40S&W Cylinder made:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.a ... =147050196

 

[mt]

I have an OM 357 in line at Alan Hartons waiting to be turned into a 40 S&W. It'll have an octagon barrel and a No. 5 grip frame. I wanted a 40 because I already have the ammo and my baby Glock ain't the most fun plinker.

mt

 

[maxpress]

gary reeder will do .40 and 10mm. IIRC its on his site.

a good reason would be if your a "buy it by the case" kinda guy and you have autos in .40 or if your set up to reload .40 and dont wanna buy alot more stuff to start over JM2CW.