44-40 VS. 44 Russian in Top Break

[1900colt]

Not sure if this should be here or somewhere else, but since it is antique specific, I did it here...Mods...Please move if needed

When I acquired my #3 it came with two boxes of Russian ammo.

Since finding out I have a 44-40, can the ammo interchange? I did lay the two side by side and it looks like the 44-40 ammo is just longer...The 44-40 I have is new stuff and I am sure will be to powerful for the old gun.

The box of Russian stuff says it is adapted to S&W and Colt.

 

[opoefc]

A 44-40 will usually chamber .44 Russian, but not the other way around. Ed.

 

[Skeetr57]

The .44 Russian and .44-40 cartridges are not interchangeable. The .44-40 has a base diameter of .471" and the .44 Russian has a base diameter of .457, so a .44-40 round will not enter the chamber of a .44 Russian cylinder, and while the .44 Russian will chamber in a .44-40 cylinder, the Russian bullet is .429" in diameter while the .44-40 is .427" diameter, and the smaller diameter of the .44 Russian cases will cause bulges and possibly splits if fired in the .44-40 chamber.

 

[1900colt]

Thanks guys...I ended up with a colt 1902 in the group too, which came with 38 auto ammo and some 38 super (supposed to have auto only)

I thought it was a 1900 colt when I bought them, and I've been using that Id on the net ever since...lol

I'll save the 44 Russian for the right gun someday

-Mark

 

[murphydog]

If the ammo and box are original, a collector would be interested in the .44 Russian rounds you have. It is a shorter version of the .44 Special/Magnum family, and I have a couple boxes of recent manufacture (5 years or so) that were made for Cowboy Action shooting.

 

[deadin]

If your 44 Russian ammo is original to the box you pictured, it is very collectible.
I recently got $150.00 for a full box of 38/40 of about the same vintage. (Don't know if I could have done better, but I only had $20.00 in it.)



As for your 1902, I don't think I would even want any .38 Super in the same house with one of them.....

 

[1900colt]

The ammo is original i believe. I acquired a lot of stuff when I bought the guns. She had a basket full of ammo she brought out.
25-20 single shot
the 44-40 ammo
Couple boxes of Russian
32 s&w
.22 extra long
among others.

With all the guns which there was several, old knives, and a bunch of ammo... plus the bb guns (which is what I went for) I spent just under 1000. .knowing I had at least half that back in the bb guns.

I'm into the guns pretty cheap, and hope to get the #3 back in time for deer hunting next year. I haven't shot at a deer since I was 16... 20 years ago now