Golfin' Gator
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Can you shoot 44-40 in a S/W 29-2?
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44-40
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Spotteddog
Member
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Model 29 is chambered for .44 Magnum, .44 Special and (if you can ever find them?) .44 Russian. All of the previous loads are based on a NON-tapered cartridge case, with a .429", .430" bullet. The .44/40 though "saying" ".44" is most typically a .421" diameter bullet, and runs a tapered cartridge case.
I'm glad you asked!
The Model 29 is chambered for .44 Magnum, .44 Special and (if you can ever find them?) .44 Russian. All of the previous loads are based on a NON-tapered cartridge case, with a .429", .430" bullet. The .44/40 though "saying" ".44" is most typically a .421" diameter bullet, and runs a tapered cartridge case.
I'm glad you asked!
Actually, .44-40 bullet diameter is nominally 0.427". I had to swage some in that size down to 0.422" to use in an Italian Ordinance revolver.
However, the previous advice about non-interchangeability is spot on.
Buck
However, the previous advice about non-interchangeability is spot on.
Buck
OP
Golfin' Gator
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Thanks, just curious. Funny you talk about the 44 Russian. I have a box I found a few weeks ago and am going to the range next week and shoot some.
Calaveras Slim
US Veteran
Actually, the 44-40 is a bottle neck cartridge as opposed to tapered. The 44-40 can not be interchanged with a 44 mag, 44 special, 44 colt or 44 russian. Bullet is sized to .426 or .427 as opposed to .429 or .430
Alk8944
US Veteran
Usually, no. There actually isn't much difference in the cartridge base of the .44-40 and if you happen to find some absolutely minimum dimension ammunition and have a .44 Magnum with somewhat loose chargeholes you may be able to chamber and fire THAT ammunition in THAT revolver, but it would be rare to find the right combination. Just for the record the dimensions are:
.44 Magnum chamber base diameter; .459" +.004/-.000. Maximum dimension = .463"
.44-40 cartridge base diameter; .471" +.000/-.008. Minimum dimension = .463"
Now, explain just exactly how this is impossible?
So far as it being safe to do so? Absolutely! the nominal .002" difference in bullet diameter won't cause any problem whatsoever, and the SAAMI MAP for the .44-40 is around 15,000 PSI and the .44 Magnum 36,000 PSI, there is hardly a pressure issue!
Many years ago I built a convertible Ruger Super Blackhawk, .44 Magnum/.44-40, by obtaining a spare cylinder and running a .44-40 reamer into it. All that was done was the last 1/8" or so at the base of the chargeholes were slightly enlarged, not even far enough to get to the front of the case web. In all actuality the .44 Magnum was still perfectly safe to shoot in the modified cylinder and I could have saved the cost of the second cylinder! The gun shot perfectly well with .44-40 and standard cast .427 bullets (Lyman 42798). Since the front of the chargeholes was a little oversize it should have been hard on brass, but in several loadings I never experienced so much as a split neck. Why? Just because I wanted to have a .44-40 to shoot instead of my 3rd Model .44 DA Frontier.
.44 Magnum chamber base diameter; .459" +.004/-.000. Maximum dimension = .463"
.44-40 cartridge base diameter; .471" +.000/-.008. Minimum dimension = .463"
Now, explain just exactly how this is impossible?
So far as it being safe to do so? Absolutely! the nominal .002" difference in bullet diameter won't cause any problem whatsoever, and the SAAMI MAP for the .44-40 is around 15,000 PSI and the .44 Magnum 36,000 PSI, there is hardly a pressure issue!
Many years ago I built a convertible Ruger Super Blackhawk, .44 Magnum/.44-40, by obtaining a spare cylinder and running a .44-40 reamer into it. All that was done was the last 1/8" or so at the base of the chargeholes were slightly enlarged, not even far enough to get to the front of the case web. In all actuality the .44 Magnum was still perfectly safe to shoot in the modified cylinder and I could have saved the cost of the second cylinder! The gun shot perfectly well with .44-40 and standard cast .427 bullets (Lyman 42798). Since the front of the chargeholes was a little oversize it should have been hard on brass, but in several loadings I never experienced so much as a split neck. Why? Just because I wanted to have a .44-40 to shoot instead of my 3rd Model .44 DA Frontier.
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There has been a bit of variation in 44-40, both long ago and more recently. The old standard was for a nominal 0,427 bullet. A case sized for 0,427 bullet does have a slight "step" between neck and body of case. Most modern 44-40s use 0,429-0,430 bullets and that ""step" is much less, making 44-40 more of a tapered case cartridge than anything I would ever call "bottleneck". Generally, diameter of head area on 44-40 case is larger than 44Mag chambers, so, most likely a no go.
Another area where 44-40 is different than 44 series of straight-walled cases in neck. 44-40 brass has thin necks, typical of BP-era rifle cartridges (such as 38-40, 32-20, 25-20 etc.), 44 series of straight-walled cases have rather thicker brass, typical of BP-era revolver cartridges (such as 45 Colt, 44 Colt, 44 Russian, 41 Colt, etc.).
Although, should 44-40 factory ammo, loaded with 0,427 lead bullets, be fired in a 44 Mag chamber, expect severe leading as powder gasses lead by the undersized bullet. This in common with 0,427 lead bullets fired in 44-40s with 0,429-0,430 cylinder throats and bores.
Niklas
Another area where 44-40 is different than 44 series of straight-walled cases in neck. 44-40 brass has thin necks, typical of BP-era rifle cartridges (such as 38-40, 32-20, 25-20 etc.), 44 series of straight-walled cases have rather thicker brass, typical of BP-era revolver cartridges (such as 45 Colt, 44 Colt, 44 Russian, 41 Colt, etc.).
Although, should 44-40 factory ammo, loaded with 0,427 lead bullets, be fired in a 44 Mag chamber, expect severe leading as powder gasses lead by the undersized bullet. This in common with 0,427 lead bullets fired in 44-40s with 0,429-0,430 cylinder throats and bores.
Niklas
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feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Okay, I have a question/observation. I have a texas wagontrain 544 commemertive. Its a safe queen. I am not for sure but THINK it is the very same bore as the 44 mag. I also own a 5" model 29-2. You can hardly tell the two apart except for a slight differance in clyinder length. I have heard a number of people here wishing for a 5" 29. If I wanted a 5" 29, I would consider buying a 544 wagon train, and getting a model 29 clyinder. You might have to shave and throat the back of the barrel is all. I just havent really looked hard and compared the two clyinder lengths in 20 or 30 years that I have had the pair, but belive it would be doable.
Spotteddog
Member
To the O/P and the latter poster's, yes, they ARE correct and I was INCORRECT when I stated the .44/40 being .421". That was meant to say .427". Apologies for the confusion. But I'm still glad you asked before doing so!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Seems to me I read somewhere that smith & wesson uses the same barrel size for 44-40, 44 mag & special. Techicaly they might be fudgeing a little if so, but it works in colt single actions too, you can get both clyinders with a gun.
