GP-framed five-shot 44?

[Naphtali]

I have not seen or examined Ruger's 5-shot 44 Special revolver. I have read nothing about it because I am prejudiced toward 45 Colt - Ruger Blackhawk equivalent handloads for Freedom Arms Model 97. Having used this revolver-ammunition combination for years, Smith & Wesson entered the Model 97s market area with its Model 69. Then Ruger followed Smith's lead.

Excluding S&W's revolver, has Ruger's GP-sized 5-shooter sufficient cylinder metal mass and configuration to become available in 44 Magnum - that is, a direct competitor of the Model 69?

And the question that I really want to answer: Has Ruger's GP-sized 5-shooter sufficient cylinder metal mass and configuration to become available in 45 Colt - that is, able to handle Ruger Blackhawk equivalent handloads that are short enough (1.600 ± .006 inch) to fit my 97's [Colt] SAA-length cylinder?

 

[Thel]

The cylinder diameter of a Model 69 is 1.560" and a GP 1.557" so it may be possible the cylinder could handle the .44 mag. It would also depend on the cylinder bore to pivot or axis as that would affect cylinder walls to outside. The other factor I see is the width of the frame/yoke at the front as this would affect how large of an outside diameter could be employed on barrel shank which would bear on thickness of the forcing cone. The current GP 44 is thinner than a model 69. Clements, when he was doing .44 SP conversions to the GP, maintained that it could handle Keith loads of 250 gr at 1200 fps. Don't know what the pressures on those would be. At any rate the cylinder diameter could be increased with a custom one. The question is could a barrel with thicker shank be fitted.

As the .45 Colt the only medium/large frame I am aware of that can handle the caliber is/was the Taurus. They also had a 5 shot .44 mag on that frame. If I recall the cylinder was not as large a diameter as the GP but the question would be what the width of the frame/yoke was and hence thickness of the forcing cone.

Ah, here is a string elsewhere with the measurements:

http://rugerforum.net/gunsmithing/99853-measurements-s-w-629-69-gp100.html

Based upon the measurements it appears the frame width at the front would need increasing to handle a .44 mag. This would depend upon how the Taurus measures out as width may be less than a 69. I doubt the GP could be modified to handle the .45 Colt as Ruger would desire to insure that it could handle pressures higher than the mundane low end loads.

 

[DPris]

Absolutely no on a .45 Colt GP.
Denis

 

[CraigC]

Not enough real estate for a .45. Never understood why so many are so stuck on the .45Colt in circumstances where the .44Spl is a better choice for the platform.

The Keith 1200fps load is ~26,000psi.

 

[Mus408]

Just as a comparison... my Ruger NV .45 ACP revolver has a cylinder O.D. of 1.680 and there is a wall thickness of .095 between chamber throat and outside of cylinder.
Also checked a Uberti/Colt in .45 Colt and got same cylinder sizes.

 

[Naphtali]

Many thanks for the informative replies. In a left-handed way, they reinforce my choice of my 97s.