model 3 44 Russian

[bandit86]

If somebody were to remove the top break and cylinder of an old model 3 and replaced it with an Uberti new model number 3 (the replica) -assuming it fit- it would still be an antique because the frame is antique, but could the old frame take the extra power of the new top break and cylinder? Would the 45 and 44 Russian top parts interchange making a caliber change that easy?

 

[sunray]

If you could get just the "upper" it'd require fitting by a smithy. Very much doubt a 100 plus year old BP frame could handle the pressures of a modern cartridge.
Whether it'd still be an antique is an interesting question. The frame doesn't require registering, but it stops being an antique if the chambering is changed to a non-antique approved cartridge. I think.
This is the part of the FA that applies.
"...and that has not been re-designed to discharge such ammunition..."

 

[tokguy]

I have an 1858 Remington with a new BBL and cylinder.
The weak spot was where the BBL threaded into the frame...
Generally, treat them like the antique they are and they'll keep shooting fine. You can't replace everything; and there is always a weak spot.
IMO
Stay safe

 

[Goldfish]

I wouldn't mind figuring out if the Uberti barrel and cylinder fit as well. Although, I think one would have some explaining to do if a mounti is checking out the Uberti name on the barrel and your busy telling him otherwise...

 

[burnt_servo]

a few years ago I bought up a bunch of s&w parts and was seriously looking at this .
my memory is a bit fuzzy right now , but I want to say the latching mechanism may be different enough that it wouldn't work .

I also want to say that along with the different length in cylinders they made different lengths of frames .

so if the swap has a chance of success you will need a long cylinder gun . ........

and if the swap did work , it would have to be looked at as a source of new parts and not in a way to hot rod a old revolver . the design does not lend itself to be overly strong .

dingus may have more information about this .......

something else to think about , if this was a easy swap to do , guys would be doing it already as the modern versions of the guns have been around for awhile now .

 

[tiriaq]

If you could get just the "upper" it'd require fitting by a smithy. Very much doubt a 100 plus year old BP frame could handle the pressures of a modern cartridge.
Whether it'd still be an antique is an interesting question. The frame doesn't require registering, but it stops being an antique if the chambering is changed to a non-antique approved cartridge. I think.
This is the part of the FA that applies.
"...and that has not been re-designed to discharge such ammunition..."[/QUOTE]

That refers to the cartridges listed on the not antique list.
You cannot alter a revolver to .38S&W, .38-40, .44-40, .45 Colt, et al. and retain antique status. If the cartridge isn't on the list, then there isn't a problem.

 

[bandit86]

If the chambering remains the same then nothing changed other than it has a new cylinder and barrel. It still shoots 44 Russian but now I wouldn't worry about the cylinder blowing out or the barrel coming apart. An stronger aftermarket latch on the bottom would ensure the rifle is safe to shoot yet it should remain an antique.

Interesting analogy, but A 32 Ford is a 32 Ford. You can put on a fiberglass body, change the frame out to a modern frame, install a supercharged 460 big block and 20 in aluminum rims and even though nothing but the title says it is still a 32 Ford it still is because the serial number on the dash (or frame) says it is. If you take a 1984 fiero, put on all the exactly same parts as you did to the 32 Ford it is still a 1984 Fiero. Take the 1984 Fiero and go buy a fiberglass Porsche body it is still a 1984 Fiero even though it looks identical to a Porche.

Please don't flame me out, I don't want to destroy an antique, these are hypothetical. (And no way I would try it, I don't think the risk and legal trouble is worth it)
Technically as long as somebody was to install never parts the firearm could be changed to almost all newer design, as long as the serial number says it is the old antique shooting the same old caliber. Maybe even cut the frame in half and install the cut off bottom half of a newer firearm as long as 51% of the frame is original it is original. It's no different than cutting out rusty parts and replacing with newer parts one bit at a time, because the finished product would look the same and chamber the same caliber. It is not home made, it is repaired.

 

[H Wally]

If you could get just the "upper" it'd require fitting by a smithy. Very much doubt a 100 plus year old BP frame could handle the pressures of a modern cartridge.
Whether it'd still be an antique is an interesting question. The frame doesn't require registering, but it stops being an antique if the chambering is changed to a non-antique approved cartridge. I think.
This is the part of the FA that applies.
"...and that has not been re-designed to discharge such ammunition..."

Hey Sunray,
in no way disputing your correctness, but for the sake of making sure the RCMP don't get an inch with their BS policy changes, I'd note that your quote is from their web page "faq"... and not the actual law, namely:

other than a handgun designed or adapted

http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/regu/sor-98-464/latest/sor-98-464.html

I know it's a small thing, but re-designed is the RCMP's word, not law, and it's the basis for a lot of their current and upcoming harassment of our community, so well worth making sure we don't end up believing their BS.

 

[bandit86]

Anybody try shooting the 44 Russian in a rifle? What sort of velocity would it achieve