Convert Barrel from .45 ACP to .455 Webley Caliber (1911 Pistol)

Loyer

Loyer

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Does anyone have any experience in doing this ?

I believe only a small .535 " dia clearance groove needs to be machined out of the existing .45 ACP barrel "hood".
Any prints available to take to a gunsmith ?

The .455 Webley barrel is impossible to find at a decent price.
 
Not ever hearing about such a gun I did a search. From the sounds of the factors outlined in this video I found there's more to it than just a small groove.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ZETYMkP8E

I would think that the big one will be how tight the chamber is. You could very well end up with the cases sticking badly in the .45acp chamber unless it's on the loose side of acceptable for .45acp. Then there's the issue of the different magazines and the need for special semi auto brass. The revolver cases won't work due to the rim diameter and lack of an extractor groove.
 
Thanks for the response BCRider. By the looks of the two cartridge sizes I don't think those few thou will hurt me. Of course I will need to verify this by inserting .455 brass casing.

I can also calculate the clearance diameter I need to cut into the hood but can only estimate the width of the groove and the grooves exact location. Finding a machinist who will do the job is also likely to be tough.
 
m39a2 said:
Unless you have a large supply of .455 Webley Auto ammunition or brass I'm not sure why you want to do this?
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I collect pistols from WW1 and WW2 . I have a .45 Remington Rand and now have a very old and worn .455 RAF Colt. The barrel and magazine is currently not correct to the original .455 design and replacement .455 barrels are extremely expensive..

 
oneadam12 said:
IS there some reason you can't reverse engineer this from the existing worn barrel? Or does it not function with .455 ammunition?
Click to expand...

I have only a new .45 barrel. I am trying to find out if anyone has ever changed a .45 barrel into a .455 webley barrel. The .455 has a 1/2" dia rim at the base that needs a clearance gap.

A .45 will work in a .455 but a .455 will not work in a .45 barrel because of the larger rim
 
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What about the difference in case length ? Will a .455 still seat in far enough ? I understand the 1911 pistol ( .45 ACP and .455 Webley) uses the extractor to determine how far into the barrel the cartridge goes in.
 
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