Modified British S&W's

THREEDFLYER · #1 05-11-2017, 10:03 AM

I have a couple of British marked S&W's in my accumulation that have been modified, one extensively. I will post photos later today.

First is a MKII that has had the barrel cut down, the grip frame converted to a round butt and chambers reamed out to .45 Colt. Very cool gun and if I remember correctly, there was a company who was doing this type of modification, but I am not sure the name??

Next I have a MKII that has been converted to .45 AR and has had a set of ivory stocks fitted. The right side panel is checkered, the left is smooth....also I am told this was a trend at one point to have only one panel checkered.

Again, I'll post photos later......but feel free to jump in here with your comments and photos of your modified S&W Brit revolvers.

mrcvs · #2 05-11-2017, 12:02 PM

Here is a .455 Hand Ejector First Model Mark II that shipped in December 1914 and later Was converted to.45 Long Colt.

Edit: It was converted to .45 AR but I would never fire that in this one. I fire .45 Long Colt in it.

bruner1981 · #3 05-11-2017, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcvs

Here is a .455 Hand Ejector First Model Mark II that shipped in December 1914 and later Was converted to.45 Long Colt.

Edit: It was converted to .45 AR but I would never fire that in this one. I fire .45 Long Colt in it.

If it was converted to 45 AR, how do you fire 45 Colt in it?

SWCA #3132

mrcvs · #4 05-11-2017, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruner1981

If it was converted to 45 AR, how do you fire 45 Colt in it?

SWCA #3132

You can fire .45 Colt in a revolver chambered for .45 AR.

DWalt · #5 05-11-2017, 02:56 PM

"You can fire .45 Colt in a revolver chambered for .45 AR. "

Assuming that the chamber was originally intended for .455, in order to get it to fire .45 Colt, the following modifications would be necessary:
1. Shave the rear face of the cylinder to allow headspace for the .45 AR (or .45 ACP cartridges with clips).
2. Lengthen the chambers with a .45 Colt reamer, but slightly short, so that the .45 Colt case will headspace on the case mouth while allowing the case head to protrude slightly from the rear face of the chamber thereby providing proper headspace, i.e., the .45 Colt cartridge would not headspace on the rim as it normally would, but instead on the case mouth.

mrcvs · #6 05-11-2017, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

"You can fire .45 Colt in a revolver chambered for .45 AR. "

Assuming that the chamber was originally intended for .455, in order to get it to fire .45 Colt, the following modifications would be necessary:
1. Shave the rear face of the cylinder to allow headspace for the .45 AR (or .45 ACP cartridges with clips).
2. Lengthen the chambers with a .45 Colt reamer, but slightly short, so that the .45 Colt case will headspace on the case mouth while allowing the case head to protrude slightly from the rear face of the chamber thereby providing proper headspace, i.e., the .45 Colt cartridge would not headspace on the rim as it normally would, but instead on the case mouth.

Yes, thank you for reminding me what else had to be done, so it required a bit of surgery. And, yes, this had been done. I have only fired about 50 rounds out of this gun and all were .45 Colt.

bruner1981 · #7 05-11-2017, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

"You can fire .45 Colt in a revolver chambered for .45 AR. "

Assuming that the chamber was originally intended for .455, in order to get it to fire .45 Colt, the following modifications would be necessary:
1. Shave the rear face of the cylinder to allow headspace for the .45 AR (or .45 ACP cartridges with clips).
2. Lengthen the chambers with a .45 Colt reamer, but slightly short, so that the .45 Colt case will headspace on the case mouth while allowing the case head to protrude slightly from the rear face of the chamber thereby providing proper headspace, i.e., the .45 Colt cartridge would not headspace on the rim as it normally would, but instead on the case mouth.

Very interesting. That wouldn't damage the casings with part of the case unsupported?

SWCA #3132

DWalt · #8 05-11-2017, 07:28 PM

"Very interesting. That wouldn't damage the casings with part of the case unsupported?"

No. The cartridge bases are solid brass and the protrusion is only a matter of .02" or so. And any .45 Colt ammunition fired in the old .455 S&Ws should be on the very mild side, as the chambers were not heat treated at that time. One thing to be avoided is firing "Magnumized" .45 Colt loads in these .455s. They were not built to take the pressure.