changing a blackhawk from 357 to 45 colt

fourtynine · Oct 21, 2008

i have an old 3 screw ruger blackhawk 357 not a collector piece . that i would like to change over to a 45 or a 44wcf, i would like to keep the original 6.5 in. barrel, does anyone know if this can be re bored , i know the rifles can but have not heard of anyone doing it to a pistol.any recommendations or opinions are welcome.

GGaskill · Oct 21, 2008

Rechamber the cylinder or a new cylinder? Rifling the short barrel will be a problem.

fourtynine · Oct 21, 2008

I am planing to Rechamber the original cylinder.

bob308 · Oct 21, 2008

all three screws that have not been converted to a transfer bar are collector guns.

that said the frame is too small for .44-40 and ,45 colt. the largest i have heard of and seen was .44spl.

with all the money and time and work it would be cheaper to sell the .357 and buy a 3 screw .41 mag it will do every thing that a .38-40 .44-40 .44 spl. and .45 colt can do and maybe better.

jwatts · Oct 21, 2008

Bob,

That is only if it is also a flat top frame. There are a lot of 3 screw .357's out there built on the large frame size.

fourtynine · Oct 21, 2008

it's not a flat top, i think it was made in the late 60s.someone already changed the grip frame and the ejector tube to steel , the 44-40 would go good with my 92 winchester carbine , and i just like the 45.

mrbruce · Oct 22, 2008

Check with Jim Dubell @ delta gun shop, he rebores pistol barrels, but not sure of how short he works on...
(509) 684-5855

GGaskill · Oct 22, 2008

Have you done the math to determine if there is enough material in the cylinder to allow it to be rechambered to the larger cartridges without leaving too thin walls? I don't have one so I can't do it myself.

cheechako · Oct 22, 2008

I was under the impression that all the old Blackhawks were the same size frame, same diameter cylinder, etc. Am I wrong??

Ray

bob308 · Oct 22, 2008

cheechako said:
I was under the impression that all the old Blackhawks were the same size frame, same diameter cylinder, etc. Am I wrong??

Ray

no you are right on.

the flat top was the first modle then the one with the ribs beside the rear sight. then the ones with the hiphon in the searel number. these were the last model the new models started in 1973.

i have all three models in 357 and there is no difference in the frame size. and know i don't see them falling out of trees. the grip frame and the ejector are not perment changes.

fourtynine · Oct 22, 2008

thanks for all the info guys, if i decide to go through with it I'll let you know how it go's, if i can't get the original barrel rebored or at a reasonable price , i probably will just try to find a 3 screw 7.5 barrel 45 . i understand they were made a few years before the new safety.

huntinguy · Oct 23, 2008

skeeters 44

http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmoke/0611/

I have read about the 357 three screw to 44 special conversion. The ones I have read about are 5 shot. Looks like fun but expensive.

jabezkin · Oct 25, 2008

Lets sort out the info here. Some things were missed.

The 3 screw 357 is Colt size. All the other old and new models are the same size a good bit larger. Except the 50th anniversary model, it goes back to the 3 screw 357 size.

The way to make a stout 45 on a 3 screw is to get a new model 357 cylinder and open the window on the 3 screw window and trim a little off the outside od the cylinder. Rechamber the cylinder to whatever the basepin to barrel centerline is. They do vary a lot.

The cylinder is a little shorter than a 45 cylinder. But don't worry, it will get the job done, and the thicker cylinder walls help a lot.

If you just rechamber the 3 screw cylinder, you use Colt loads.

Thats the way I've built them.

Any questions, I'll try to help.

fourtynine · Oct 26, 2008

thanks i will probably have a few ?'s if i decide to do it , i seem to be the only one who likes the 6.5 barrel every one i talk to about the gun , says they prefer the 7.5 , what i like best about the gun is the frame size and the 6.5 barrel. not to crazy about any of the mags , for my use, to much noise . i usually load light 44wcf or 45's for tin can killin.

jabezkin · Oct 26, 2008

5 1/2 to 6 in is a good length. I've seen folks that couldn't shoot a 7 1/2 in barrel have it shortened to 5 1/2 and do much better. Nice balance point and the length of a lot of custom revolvers.

fourtynine · Oct 27, 2008

this company has brass grip frames for the blackhawk ,anyone know if they will work on the small frame , 357 3 screw? http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merc...&Product_Code=216&Category_Code=FA+GRIPSscrew.

jabezkin · Oct 27, 2008

fourtynine said:
this company has brass grip frames for the blackhawk ,anyone know if they will work on the small frame , 357 3 screw? http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merc...&Product_Code=216&Category_Code=FA+GRIPSscrew.

They have both New and Old model so the answer is yes. A Single-Six new model grip frame fits a 44 Mag frame. Just the New and Old difference.

triggerman770 · Oct 29, 2008

357 to 45 Colt

you might check with Hamilton Bowen. he has done about every conversion conceivable to the Rugers.
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/default.htm :cheers:

changing a blackhawk from 357 to 45 colt

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