About cylinder swaps?

[Slowhand Bob, 24229]

I have a pair of ER Cimmarons in 44W that I would like to have spare 44Spec cylinders for. My real cartridge of choice would be the Russian and this seems like the way to get there. Would these cylinders be hard t find or really expensive to mate with the pistols? Naturally I would not want to change the timing or otherwise mess up the 44-40s in the process.

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

I have a set of Cimarron New Thunderers in .44S&W Spl with .44WCF cylinders.

One came from the factory as a combo/conversion with spare cylinder...the other was fitted with an unused cylinder purchased off the SASS Classifieds ($60?) that I had Frank Leaman set up for CD Tom to use at EoT a few years ago. All of the fitting & timing was done on the cylinder itself.

No reason the reverse procedure shouldn't work...just be sure to double check the actual bore size when going from .44-40 to .44spl.

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Bob,

What you want to do is actually fairly easy. You should be able to get .44 Spl cylinders either from Cimarron or VTI Gunparts. Each gun will need to have the cylinder fitted individually. Insure you have each cylinder numbered to the gun it is fitted to. If your shooting BP or Subs, the .44 Russian is a real sweete with Springfield Slim's .44 Slim 165 Gr bullet. Carries a lotta lube :-)

 

Coffinmaker

[Slowhand Bob, 24229]

Thanks guys, CC its weird how close we are thinking here. I already use a pair of ERs in 45C with the short 45 specials paired to a '73 in 44W so it seams logical to go that direction with my other set of pistols. VTI does list the cylinders but that does not always mean they are in stock. My fear of waiting for used cylinders to show up is that the meat necessary for fitting might already be used up??? Is this common enough for gunshop smiths to accomplish or should I look for a Colt specialist guy?

[Iron Pony]

Bob I bought 44S cylinders from Taylors to go into my 44-40 Smokewagons. Took Labouche all of about 15 minutes to fit them and they shoot slick. BP Load is reduced by about 1/3 from the 44-40 and with that 165 Big Lube bullet I still get to shoot a proper size bullet and not handicap myself too much. Go for it.