Converting 45acp to 45LC by changing cylinder.
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The .45 ACP cylinder is shorter than the .45 Colt, and the 1917's forcing cone (barrel shank) is longer to match. I think the cylinder for the ACP is too short to be rechambered to .45 Colt also. The conversion will work in the opposite direction (longer to shorter round) with two different cylinders in a gun originally in .45 Colt.
Hello 1911A1,
It can be done but there are steps you might not have thought of. Model 25-5 and newer .45 Colt cylinders are longer than 1917 cylinders on both ends. Cylinders from the Model 25-3 Commerative and earlier .45 colts are only longer on their rear ends but I presume you don't have one of them. The stud on the left side of the frame that the ejector rod pushes the cylinder back against would have to have metal removed so it doesn't block the .45 Colt cylinder from opening. The rear end of the barrel would would have to be shortened, preferably in a lathe, then its forcing cone would need to be recut. On the positive side that removes the errosion wear and the your new .45 Colt starts life with a fresh rifling lead.
I assume you have a 1917 that has no collector value left and that you have read up on oversize .45 Colt cylinder throats. If not, you might want to reconsider your project.
I like sporterized military guns that were tastefully altered back when the resulting gun saved money compared to buying a new gun. That was a long time ago. Today it makes more sense to sell the gun that isn't what you want and shop the used market for what you want.
Best Regards,
Gil
It can be done but there are steps you might not have thought of. Model 25-5 and newer .45 Colt cylinders are longer than 1917 cylinders on both ends. Cylinders from the Model 25-3 Commerative and earlier .45 colts are only longer on their rear ends but I presume you don't have one of them. The stud on the left side of the frame that the ejector rod pushes the cylinder back against would have to have metal removed so it doesn't block the .45 Colt cylinder from opening. The rear end of the barrel would would have to be shortened, preferably in a lathe, then its forcing cone would need to be recut. On the positive side that removes the errosion wear and the your new .45 Colt starts life with a fresh rifling lead.
I assume you have a 1917 that has no collector value left and that you have read up on oversize .45 Colt cylinder throats. If not, you might want to reconsider your project.
I like sporterized military guns that were tastefully altered back when the resulting gun saved money compared to buying a new gun. That was a long time ago. Today it makes more sense to sell the gun that isn't what you want and shop the used market for what you want.
Best Regards,
Gil
Thanks for the answers. I didn't know it would require that much modification. I had hoped it would have been similar to Ruger's 22/22m,
9mm/38 and 45acp/45LC convertibles even though the rugers were all single action.
Why am I reminded of the song by the Oak Ridge Boys
"Lovin two women is like a ball and chain, the pleasure is not worth the pain.?
9mm/38 and 45acp/45LC convertibles even though the rugers were all single action.
Why am I reminded of the song by the Oak Ridge Boys
"Lovin two women is like a ball and chain, the pleasure is not worth the pain.?
Get a non recessed N-frame cylinder in .38 or .357 have it rechambered to .45Colt this is the same basic length as the 1917.
"Hey fellas, I was wondering if anyone else has thought about replacing a 45ACP cylinder with a 45Long Colt cylinder. on a 1917. Bullet diameter is the same. Anything against it? Why would it not work?"
Yup. If you read old gun magazines from the '50s, this was discussed many times. Starting in the 1970s, I read on this subject many, many times.
Another sticking point in this conversion is the frame lug, which keeps the cylinder from sliding rearward. The one on the 1917 revolvers is thicker than those found on revolvers chambered for rimmed cartridges, due to the extra headspace required for the clipped rounds.
There was an article in an old Gun Digest that featured a dual cylinder 1917. The .45 Colt cylinder for this revolver had a groove turned on the rear of that allowed the use of the 1917 frame lug.
Many .455 S&W revovers were rechambered to .45 Colt. The limitation here is that these cylinders are short. Factory .45 Colt rounds are fine, but handloads using Keith bullets have to be deep seated in order to fit.
A rechambered .455 cylinder with a groove on the rear for the frame lug, fitted to your 1917, seems like your best bet.
Yup. If you read old gun magazines from the '50s, this was discussed many times. Starting in the 1970s, I read on this subject many, many times.
Another sticking point in this conversion is the frame lug, which keeps the cylinder from sliding rearward. The one on the 1917 revolvers is thicker than those found on revolvers chambered for rimmed cartridges, due to the extra headspace required for the clipped rounds.
There was an article in an old Gun Digest that featured a dual cylinder 1917. The .45 Colt cylinder for this revolver had a groove turned on the rear of that allowed the use of the 1917 frame lug.
Many .455 S&W revovers were rechambered to .45 Colt. The limitation here is that these cylinders are short. Factory .45 Colt rounds are fine, but handloads using Keith bullets have to be deep seated in order to fit.
A rechambered .455 cylinder with a groove on the rear for the frame lug, fitted to your 1917, seems like your best bet.
DRB
Member
Actuallly the .45 Colt takes a .454 dia bullet the .45 auto is .452 at least at one time, now most .45 Colts barrels are probably .452. Not that it maters much but that is why the .455 rechambered to .45 Colt can be very accurate they have a .455 dia bore. Cast bullets sized to .454 work well in them.
The 452423 bullet cast from wheel weights will weigh approx 252gr. This will fit the [short] cylinders. I have an M-28 fitted with a 1955 cylinder, and the original cylinder rechambered to .45Colt with a 1955 frame lug, and a relief cut in the original cylinder for the frame lug. It is definetly a convertible. 9gr Unique works well in the longer case.
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