45 Colt build

[torizus]

I have a factory S&W "1950 45 Cal" 5" barrel along with hammer, trigger and internals.
I am planning on using an N frame from what I have on hand.
My question is that one possible donor is a 1917 Brazillian (1937) in relatively good condition, should I be concerned with frame thread fit as opposed to a post war N frame ?

 

[steelslaver]

The barrel threads are the same. I am not sure the "short throw" hammer and trigger from a 1950 will work in a 1917 frame, maybe as a complete set.

I have made a 1917 and a Brazilian into 45 colts using cut down 1950 barrels, but I also milled the frames for adjustable sights.
If you use a 25-5 or later 45 colt cylinder you will need to trim the barrel shank back about 1/8" and touch up the forcing cone as well as file the frame lug back as the rimmed cylinders are about .035 longer to the rear than the clip ones

 

[torizus]

Thanks Steelslaver
Any and all info helps, I have been contemplating this project for a few years now and the frame choice has always been my excuse to put it off.
Those examples look great !
More inspiration to complete my bucket list,

 

[steelslaver]

By the way. The rib on top of the 1950 barrels come in a bit high to match the rounded front portion of 1917 type frames. The best fix for that is the mill a shallow slot in that portion of the frame and use soft silver solder to install a short piece of an old rib or sight tang to match the barrel. If you kept the fixed sights I would just us a piece of metal

 

[torizus]

That was a point in the project I had also considered, the sight line , depending on which frame i used, if I recall a 28-2 donor frame appeared to have a slightly different contour.
I did not put a priority on it as the aesthetic issue was not as critical as the main goal of having a 5" barrel. Now, thanks to you, I know how to get around that part too.
Knowing that the barrel to frame fit is viable, and the sight line is also doable, my next concern is the part fit of center pin , extractor etc..

Now I can't wait to get to the summer home where the whole project is and choosing a frame. Seems somewhat crazy as I have several 45LC but the only 5" are the SSA Colts or 5.5 Rugers. S&W are 4 or 6". That 5 sure seems nice.

 

[steelslaver]

Oh, later model adjustable sight frames work realwell.
Here are a couple premodel 28 wearing a late model barrels
5 screw pinned and recessed 45 colts (I make my 45 colt cylinders by reaming 44 mag cylinders)

Here is a Brazilian converted to a 45 colt revolving carbine

 

[steelslaver]

Here is a 5" 45 colt made for an 8 3/8" 25-5

and here are a 5" and 4" stainless one made from 629-1 frames with a reamed cylinders and acp barrels

In other words you can have S&W 45 colts in any length and flavor you want
In fact here is a picture of a cylinder from a scandium alloy 2 1/2" barreled 325 modified to correctly head space and fire both 45 acps and 45 colts

 

[BlackAgnes]

Here's my Bowen conversion to .45 Colt on a Model 28.

Tim

 

[jack the toad]

The revolver carbine looks nice. Is there some sort of flash guard for end gap or is it not a problem?

 

[steelslaver]

Gap blast is not a problem. Your elbow is bent down and below the bottom of the frame and the blast can only go out the sides. Think of the middle of your arm as being in the shadow the frame below the cylinder. I have never shot it with a bare forearm though. Your face does end up closer to the gun than when you hold a revolver in any normal manner and I have felt light powder specking. Nothing painful just barely noticeable. I wouldn't shoot one without glasses. But firing guns without eye protection is ill advised anyway.

I figure it for being the perfect heavy cover white tail gun. No safety needed mount and fire a heavy bullet.

 

[steelslaver]

PS the 325 was modified by reaming a 45 acp cylinder to 45 colt depth then fitting it with a 45 colt extractor Then the tips of the star arms milled flush to the acp cylinder face. That way 45 acp work and head space in 1/2 moon clips and the 45 colts head space correctly by the rims sitting on the inner part of the extractor.

When I conceal carry one of my 325s I carry my reloads in 1/2 moon clips. They don't have the bulk of full moon clips or speed loaders, but with practice you can reload considerably faster than loose rounds