I recently purchased a an antique colt SAA in .41 cal from the USA. Ive been contemplating having the gun converted over to .22 magnum before having it shipped into Canada. Do you guys think I will have any grief with customs since the .22 magnum is not an obsolete antique caliber even though it is not specifically listed as not being antique like the .22 LR? What is the governments current policy on importing antiques converted to modern calibers? I know alot of guys convert the .45 long colt guns to .45 ACP for example in the USA and import them (I have two SAA antiques in .44 special ) Im assuming the colt BP frame can take the force of a tiny .22 magnum with a new smokeless cylinder and barrel? Any thoughts?
Antique Colt SAA .22 magnum
- Thread starter gutinater
- Start date
- Location
- Alberta, let freedom reign!
I want to do the same with .32 long rimfire. Any chance you could save the grief and do the conversion here? Who you doing the conversion with?
- Location
- Alberta, let freedom reign!
Not too sure. I just posted in the gunsmithing section, see if I get some responses.
i did one Years ago. Worked Real nice and the guy i sold it too has close to 2,000 Rds out of it. you can Still buy .22 Mag parts for your gun Also Firing Pin Will have to be Changed & Frame Modified
And Yes All SAA Frames Will be fine with .22 Mag's
And getting the Letter will be fine.
& a good gunsmith will charge you $1000-1500 for the Work And parts to do this!
Or you can pay a smith $750 and have it changed over to 38 spl! Much cheaper to shoot and Lots of Power in that rd also.
And Yes All SAA Frames Will be fine with .22 Mag's
And getting the Letter will be fine.
& a good gunsmith will charge you $1000-1500 for the Work And parts to do this!
Or you can pay a smith $750 and have it changed over to 38 spl! Much cheaper to shoot and Lots of Power in that rd also.
Haveing to alter the frame as starpuss points out for the rimfire hammer to work is why this is a bad idea.
38 Sp or 44 sp would be a better choice.
nothing wrong with 41 Lc either once you buy the components.
The SAA colts in 41 Lc are rare and id not be changeing one to anything leave it as 41 Lc it will always keep its value.
If you want to do or have to do a Rimfire conversion do it on a less expensive gun like a Colt DA 1892 or french 1892
If you look at whats involved in the frame change for the rimfire fireing pin to work you might change your mind.
38 Sp or 44 sp would be a better choice.
nothing wrong with 41 Lc either once you buy the components.
The SAA colts in 41 Lc are rare and id not be changeing one to anything leave it as 41 Lc it will always keep its value.
If you want to do or have to do a Rimfire conversion do it on a less expensive gun like a Colt DA 1892 or french 1892
If you look at whats involved in the frame change for the rimfire fireing pin to work you might change your mind.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I'm with dingus, - leave it in .41LC and find some other oddball rimfire to convert to .22 mag.
Even if you have to replace the barrel or do other work to it that would be the easiest and more satisfying route in my opinion.
Even if you have to replace the barrel or do other work to it that would be the easiest and more satisfying route in my opinion.
Stay Away from them OddBallz Rimfires They will not Last And are Dangerous when changed over to .22 mag , Best Bet would be a good Cheap French 1892 , Long Cylinder Webley or What ever has a long cylinder and Locks up 100%.. Sure it Will be a LOT more work (frame and hammer need LOTS of work., But it's worth it if you want a Safe Gun to shoot
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Good point Starpuss.
I had in mind one of the beefier .38 or .41 rimfires revovlers but can see how there would be a temptation to convert one of the smaller .32's and create something that may have issues.
I had in mind one of the beefier .38 or .41 rimfires revovlers but can see how there would be a temptation to convert one of the smaller .32's and create something that may have issues.
