Vaquero caliber conversion

[cowboy66]

First off I am new here so hello everyone. I have a question about my 44-40 vaquero, can I convert it to 44 mag just by changing the cylinder? I bought this gun new about 1996. I Have been told I can do so by a well know pistol smith but would like to hear from someone who has done this. I have found a nice sbh cylinder, will this work? Thanks in advance for a help.

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, a simple cylinder swap.

But check the dimensions of your 44-40 cyl. If the SBH is shorter you might be out of luck. But if it goes into your frame check the barrel to cyl gap. If not over .007" and no front to back movement over a slight amount, you're good to go. Or if a little too long just remove a few thousanths from the front end of the axis bushing that the cylinder pin goes thru.

The bores on the 44-40 barrels are .429" which is correct for 44 Mag. In fact that's why these didn't shoot too well with factory 44-40 .427" bullets.

 

[cowboy66]

Thanks Jim

 

[EDK]

IIRC, RUGER 44/40 cylinder chambers had to be modified to accept 44/40 reloads with .429/430 boolits. BOWEN CLASSIC ARMS had info on this at one time.

Try the 44 magnum cylinder...if you haven't already. You might want to have a pistolsmith check out the chamber to barrel alignment. (There should be a thread on range rods explaining this.)

RUGER allegedly makes different caliber cylinders in slightly different lengths to frustrate plans like yours.

 

[Hondo44]

EDK,

Good memory! Now that you mention it, that's right. They had tight chamber mouths that would squeeze down .427" bullets that would then rattle down the .429" bore to land who knew where. And even if you did get .429" bullets to chamber, the same thing would happen.

 

[cowboy66]

Thanks guys, I got the SBH cylinder and it works fine.

 

[Sam Johnson]

Cowboy66, Yes, Mine was a easy fit, drop in. Stainless SBH. Good shooter to..

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks guys, I got the SBH cylinder and it works fine.

cowboy,
Excellent, I love happy endings! Was your Vaq blue or SS and did you get a smooth or fluted 44 mag cyl?
All the best in life and Rugers,

 

[buckeyeshooter]

Mine was a drop in fit. the 44 mag cylinder even timed perfectly. I was lucky there I think.

 

[Hondo44]

Mine was a drop in fit. the 44 mag cylinder even timed perfectly. I was lucky there I think.

99% of the time they will drop in and the timing will work just like you experienced.

 

[EDK]

Mine was a drop in fit. the 44 mag cylinder even timed perfectly. I was lucky there I think.

99% of the time they will drop in and the timing will work just like you experienced.

Sounds great to me. I'm looking for another 44 magnum VAQUERO and there are some 44/40s priced right on a couple of internet sites. I've seen cylinders for under $100 also. A plan is starting to evolve......

 

[Hondo44]

Here's one for $70 with measurement in blue:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=158946&hilit=cylinders

 

[dlhredfoxx]

Cylinder swaps are drop-in more than not for me, on NM's anyway. I've got three 45 Colt Vaqueros that are completely interchangeable... accuracy is not 100% transferable but the timing works fine. Cylinder OAL is sometimes an issue...

 

[cowboy66]

Thanks guys, I got the SBH cylinder and it works fine.

cowboy,
Excellent, I love happy endings! Was your Vaq blue or SS and did you get a smooth or fluted 44 mag cyl?
All the best in life and Rugers,

Hondo44, I'm sorry it took so long to reply. My vaqueo is blue with cch frame and I found a smooth blue cylinder.