.455 Hand Ejector 45 Colt

[Plutonius]

I recently purchased a 455 hand ejector 2nd model off of Gunbroker. It has been modified to shoot 45 Colt via counterbore of the cylinder. Would the below loading be hard on the ol` girl. I don`t think 45 Colt has too much of a pressure difference vs original 455 Webley.

255 Grain FMJ
887 FPS

 

[steelslaver]

While I don't think the load is to hot or would blow it up, I would recommend lead bullets and what they call cowboy action loads. Mild and easier on the bore than jacketed. Probably less expensive too. I have a a 455 triple lock that has been converted to 45 colt. You have to remember that although the were very well made, they are about 100 years old. Steel and the heat treating have gone a ways in that 100 years.

I am going to go with 225 cast bullets at about 800fps. I could crank it up a bit but why? I am sure it would kill something like a deer no problems, but, I will only ever punch paper or plink with mine. If I want more power I have other guns.

Enjoy your old timer.

 

[glowe]

Keep them on the bottom end of any published 45 Colt reloading tables and you will be fine. Whenever I get a new-old S&W, I start with the minimum loads and usually stay there unless the speeds are too slow or accuracy is poor. Remember it does not take much power to get through a piece of paper, which is the only thing I shoot with these vintage guns.

Anything around 750 fps is an more than adequate for target shooting. I also have a mould for 200 grain .454 RNFP that works great for plinking. If you do not reload, check the velocities, pressures, and bullet type/weight of what is out there to find the kindest load. Your gun will thank you. No stress - no mess.

 

[DWalt]

I would not use FMJ bullets - no point to it, and will increase bore wear on the softer steels of that day. Best to use 0.454" - 0.455" cast bullets. 6 grains of Bullseye makes a reasonable load in .45 Colt.

 

[Plutonius]

Finally got the ol` Girl. She is rough and ready but shoots true. I use cowboy action 45 LC with hard cast lead bullets (750FPS, 200GR).

 

[glowe]

Nice old warhorse. Interesting that the original 455 stamping still remains. Most are stamped over or the last "5" is obliterated. Maybe you will run across an original cylinder some day.

 

[Plutonius]

Nice old warhorse. Interesting that the original 455 stamping still remains. Most are stamped over or the last "5" is obliterated. Maybe you will run across an original cylinder some day.

Not too concerned since the cylinder is matched anyway. It was a decent conversion. They just counter bored the cylinder and the markings on the back of the cylinder are still intact. I think it could still shoot the original 455 if need be.

 

[old tanker]

May not need it

Nice old warhorse. Interesting that the original 455 stamping still remains. Most are stamped over or the last "5" is obliterated. Maybe you will run across an original cylinder some day.

If the .45 Colt chambers were expertly cut it will still chamber the .455 Webley. The Webley rim is thinner, but larger in diameter than the .45 Colt. I have a Colt New Service that was originally chambered in .455 Eley and was modified that way. It will chamber and eject either cartridge.

 

[DWalt]

For any shooter-condition .455 revolver (S&W or Colt), I just cannot consider a properly-done conversion (recessed chambers) to .45 Colt to be undesirable.

 

[Plutonius]

Just got done shooting some original .455 Webley out of here and she shoots right to POA.

I also got this lettered:

"We have researched your Smith and Wesson .455 Hand Ejector Second Model, Canadian Government Contract, caliber .455, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with butt serial number 728XX was shipped from our factory in July 29, 1916, and delivered to Canadian Government, Ottawa, Canada. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, blue finish, butt swivel, and checkered gold medallian grips.

 

[DWalt]

Could have been part of the 6,000 shipped to Canada starting on July 22, 1916

 

[Hondo44]

Beautiful.

Very interesting, that's a bit of a shipping date anomaly compared to the usual list of shipping dates. Wouldn't it be awesome if it had been one of the 724 manufactured for the Canadians, chambered in 45 Colt, presumed for the RCMP.

Canadian military shipments of 14,500:

-1500 Shipped after Aug. 1915
-850 Shipped December 24th, 1915
-150 Shipped March 31st, 1916
-6,000 Shipped July 22nd, 1916
-6000 Shipped February 10, 1917

 

[DWalt]

Unfortunately, there are apparently no existing records showing the SNs of the storied Canadian second Model revolvers in .45 Colt. And many military .455s had the same conversion performed after the war.

 

[Plutonius]

Beautiful.

Very interesting, that's a bit of a shipping date anomaly compared to the usual list of shipping dates. Wouldn't it be awesome if it had been one of the 724 manufactured for the Canadians, chambered in 45 Colt, presumed for the RCMP.

Canadian military shipments of 14,500:

-1500 Shipped after Aug. 1915
-850 Shipped December 24th, 1915
-150 Shipped March 31st, 1916
-6,000 Shipped July 22nd, 1916
-6000 Shipped February 10, 1917

Nice thing about a letter. I had no idea it was a Canadian contract.