.455 to .45acp cylinder swap

[gaucho1]

I have a very worn, functional .455 handejector with an
uncut cylinder. I posted earlier about cutting it for moonclips
and learned that the cylinder is not suitable for acp pressures.

I am asking about the feasibility of installing a 1917 cylinder
without major modification to the gun. Hopefully easily
re-convertible to original .455.

Thank you for your help

John

 

[john traveler]

Gaucho,

While I do not have a .455 cylinder, I am reasonably sure that a M1917 cylinder will fit in the frame window of a .455 S&W. The reason is that the .455 chambering was the direct predecessor of the M1917 as manufactured for the US Government.

The only proviso is that you get the cylinder with a matching extractor rod with internals, and also a crane fitted to the frame. it's a PITA to keep removing/replacing the original crane to replace cylinders.

The downside to your proposal is that the M1917 cylinder will now have excessive clearance to the frame lug. If you can live with that, AND the replacement cylinder times, headspaces, and b-c gap is correct, you now have a .45 ACP shooting revolver.

A lot of trouble to get a .45 ACP gun, but it is better than cobbling up your original .455 cylinder.