I now know I can have my 45 Colt cylinder milled to accept moon clips and use it to shoot 45 ACP rounds. But I still inquired with Smith Wesson customer service about putting in a 45 ACP barrel and cylinder. They told me it was no problem to convert a model 25 from 45 ACP to 45 Colt, but changing from 45 Colt to 45 ACP was a problem and they would not do it or recommend it. I could not get them to explain any further about why this would be. They just said their 'smith told them it does not work out. I'm not intent on swapping any parts now, but this has me curious. Any ideas why this is bad?

One reason is the amount of space between rear of cylinder and breechface. The acp cylinder has more space than a 45 Colt or 44 mag, or otherwise would have and the cases would be a bit loose.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

It's no trick to do it as long as they change out the cylinder and the barrel.

They can convert from ACP to Colt by simply rechambering ( though the chambers in the short cylinder would only allow factory equivelent length ammo at most), but to go the other way requires swapping out both parts to properly set up headspace and BC gap issues.

I don't know why they told you that unless it is because the have no ACP cylinders and barrels available in blued finish.

For them to go from ACP to Colt without replacing the two parts, it would be too involved in trying to set back the barrel to close the BC gap, and it would also involve shortening the ejector rod substantially since the barrel would have to be set back so far.

If you find the barrel and cylinder from a 25-2, you can certainly have a qualified gunsmith install them for you.

G4F, My inquiry to SW was about replacing the cylinder AND the barrel. You can't do the cylinder only, because the 45 ACP has a shorter cylinder. Going either way requires both parts be changed. They knew what I was proposing was to replace both parts, yet they insist it is a problem.

I suspect it may have to do with the frame lug. In converting from ACP to Colt, the frame lug can be carefully cut back. If you go the other way, to do the conversion correctly, the old frame lug has to be removed and a new one put in, unless you want a lot of fore and aft cylinder slop when the gun is open. New frame lug sort of necessitates a re-blue. Just a thought.

Sir, there's your answer.

BTW, the "-9" engineering change of the Model 25 is somewhat uncommon, especially the 4-inch version. Probably not the best choice for a conversion.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

I have the 8 3/8 45 Colt and I'll keep it that way. Thanks all.

A more detailed explanation of why this is not practical and the role of the frame lug can be found on page 95 of Hamilton Bowen's excellent book "The Custom Revolver." If you are a fan of custom revolvers, this book is worth every penny.

Dave Sinko

Live and learn. Anybody need a new 45 acp cylinder in blue?

I had a 25-2 in 45 ACP, I sent it back to S&W and had them make me another Cylinder made for it. Then fixed a cut out in the presentation case for the extra Cylinder. Work great, but like a dumb *** I traded it off.

Never again, no more trading or selling guns.

Not sure I would want to price a 45 Colt cylinder blank drilled for 45 ACP and fitted, but that could be an option, couldn't it? I'm looking into the moon clip conversion.

That's a good question. For this to work, you'd need to modify the front of the cylinder to get the proper headspacing with moonclips. But you still might have a problem with the frame lug. What I can tell you though is that buying a second revolver would be cheaper.

Dave Sinko