Very Random Question.....

[Calico Kirby]

Ok, from the "Very Random" department, I'm interested in knowing if a COMPETENT, QUALIFIED, gunsmith could take, say, a .38 Special SAA barrel then bore it out and re-cut the rifling for .45 Colt.

 

Like I said, pretty random, but I'm pretty curious about this. Thank you in advance to any who dare pontificate in response.....

 

CK.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Ok, from the "Very Random" department, I'm interested in knowing if a COMPETENT, QUALIFIED, gunsmith could take, say, a .38 Special SAA barrel then bore it out and re-cut the rifling for .45 Colt.

 

Like I said, pretty random, but I'm pretty curious about this. Thank you in advance to any who dare pontificate in response.....

 

CK.

 

Well, I'm not a gunsmith, but it seems to me that with the proper tools, this could be done.

 

Also seems to me that it would be easier to swap out the cylinder and barrel.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Well, I'm not a gunsmith, but it seems to me that with the proper tools, this could be done.

 

Also seems to me that it would be easier to swap out the cylinder and barrel.

...or buy another gun. I doubt the economics would make sense.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Sure. Not all that expensive. Had a .357 mag barrel and cylinder rebored and rifling cut for .44 special back in the late 70's. S&W 28 conversion. Shot well. At the time, think it was a $75 job. Probably twice or three times that now.

 

That said, with the glut of .45 colt revolvers around from folks who have tried and did not like em, it would probably be cheaper and faster to sell the 38 and buy a 45.

 

Good luck, GK

 

 

several smiths who are qualified at pistol reboring:

 

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/110385-re-boring-barrel-who-does.html

[Buck D. Law, SASS #62183]

I know of a feller who can take a Ruger Single Six .32 and convert it to .38 Special, so I don't see why what you're asking about couldn't be done.

[Marauder SASS #13056]

It is definitely impossible.

 

I know, I tried it twice with my dremel tool :D !!!

[Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440]

AAMOF, if ya wanted the the most accurate revolver around, ya take a .38 or a .44 and send it off the Linebaugh or Clements and they would do the job, LINE BORE the chambers so they eggsactly match yer barrel, etc. Thar's how Linebaugh makes his super accurate .45s..... Costs a bit, but what doesn't....

[Will E. Shoot]

It is definitely impossible.

 

I know, I tried it twice with my dremel tool :D !!!

Now that IS funny!

[Flint 976]

I would think that it would be much cheaper to replace the barrel than to rebore and rifle it. Another factor would now have mismarked barrel caliber stamping. Replacing the barrel and cylinder is a fairly common thing, presuming the gunsmith doesn't actually rebore and rerifle the barrel. The new cylinder (unless it's rechambered) would have to be reset for headspace and the barrel set for gap.

[Tom Bullweed]

I found a .45C barrel and cylinder for my OMV in Gunbroker for $150. $50 got the barrels swapped. As a bonus, the gun then shot point of aim. I sold the .357 parts for $150 on Gunbroker. You also find parts on Ebay, but whole guns or receivers.

Bowen, Cylinder and Slide and Sixgun Specialists could all do this work, but I recommend searching for the parts first.

I would only do this on a Ruger. I would return a gun to USFA, sell/trade anything Italian or just buy another Colt (you cannot have too many Colts).

[J-BAR #18287]

My grandpa used to say, "With enough money and a big enough hammer you can accomplish anything..."

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Another factor would now have mismarked barrel caliber stamping.

Any gunsmith who does not restamp a rebore job with the correct caliber should not be paid for the work, as he did not complete his job.

 

Good luck, GJ

[Appalachian Alan]

Looks like you got your answer. Yes it can be done. I remember seeing a gunsmithing class being offered. You had to supply a 38 revolver that during the class would become a 45.

[Calico Kirby]

Thanks to all who answered for improving my education and general outlook on life!

 

CK

[Long Branch Louie]

It is definitely impossible.

 

I know, I tried it twice with my dremel tool :D !!!

 

Marauder, Ya got ta get them stones with the pilot on the end.....

[Red Hooker]

I know of a feller who can take a Ruger Single Six .32 and convert it to .38 Special, ....

Has anybody ou there had this done? How'd that work out for you? I got a RSS .32 with an eye toward doing this, but I found I had trouble enough getting a .32 through the .22 loading gate, let alone a .38.

[Alpo]

I know of a feller who can take a Ruger Single Six .32 and convert it to .38 Special, so I don't see why what you're asking about couldn't be done.

 

Wadcutter only? Single Six cylinder is 1.400". Max cartridge length for a 32 H&R is 1.395". 38 special, however, is 1.550". Don't really see how it would fit in the hole in the frame.