38-40 converted from a 41 Colt cylinder?

DANCESWITHEMPTIES

DANCESWITHEMPTIES

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I figured I'd drop this question in this section before I asked it in the gun smith section: Can a 38 W.C.F. (38-40) be bored out of an existing .41 long Colt 1st generation Colt cylinder? Is there enough meat there to do it? Has anyone done this before? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Is the 38-40 cartridge not larger than 41 colt? They use the same sized bullet and the 38-40 is necked down.
 
Yes, the body is larger & necks down to roughly that of a .41 Colt. Doesn't look like a whole lot would be left remaining if a cylinder was bored out. Probably answered my own question right there, but figured I'd ask the experts.
 
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention there and read it wrong, I though you wanted to go the other way. Yes, you can bore out a .41 colt cylinder to 38-40, the colt saa uses the same cylinder for all it's guns no matter the caliber. Look at the .45 colt and see how thin they get yet are still safe (for specific loads based on age of course).
 
Ok , I have to ask since no one else has yet, curious why you want to rechamber from to a legal antique caliber to a potential restricted (assuming it has a 5 1/2 barrel you mentioned)caliber?
 
No problem... Said gun is actually a post 1897 .45 Colt that should be actually be a 38-40. I have a few different cylinders and barrels, but not one in 38 w.c.f.
Hoping to get it back to it's former glory, as everything else matches on this one.
 
The donor 1st gen. cylinder is one I picked up off of G.B. in unfinished condition & never stamped or on a previous revolver. Figured it to be a good victim...
 
DANCESWITHEMPTIES said:
The donor 1st gen. cylinder is one I picked up off of G.B. in unfinished condition & never stamped or on a previous revolver. Figured it to be a good victim...
Click to expand...

What i would do is offer yours as a trade for a 38 40 then you dont have to buy the expensive reamer and do all that work.
I dont know if you ever seen a factory 38 40 chamber, i have theres a step or two its not a strait case and i bet the reamer is expensive.
you will need to step drill the 41 C cylinder before that reamer can go in and one mistake on one chamber and your cylinder is toast.
 
dingus said:
What i would do is offer yours as a trade for a 38 40 then you dont have to buy the expensive reamer and do all that work.
I dont know if you ever seen a factory 38 40 chamber, i have theres a step or two its not a strait case and i bet the reamer is expensive.
you will need to step drill the 41 C cylinder before that reamer can go in and one mistake on one chamber and your cylinder is toast.
Click to expand...

I would gladly trade this cylinder for a 38-40 1st Gen. if somebody has one?
Trying to keep this as a cheap as possible restoration back to original, or as close as possible...
 
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