Webley MK Revolver- How to Tell if Its Been Converted to 45 ACP
- Thread starter JesperA
- Start date
To convert a .455 to .45 ACP, the cylinder is set up in a lathe, and faced off, to increase the gap between the cylinder and the breechface. This makes room for the half moon clip, or the .45 Auto Rim cartridge's rim. From the photo of the left side of your revolver, it would seem unlikely that this was done. When a .455 cartridge is placed in a chamber, how much space is there between the cartridge case head and the breech face? If there is a substantial gap, the revolver has been converted; if the gap is slight its still .455.
Thanks for the info! Thats the million $ question. The revolver is pre 1898 so I am planning to import it as an antique. The seller is unsure if its been converted to take 45 acp. I just don't want to try and bring it in and get seized by customs.
-J
-J
Well i would say YES its been converted look at the extractor closely you can see by the lenght of it that its had metal removed. That picture of the whole gun is at an angle from the front so it can fool you as to the gap at the back of the cylinder but look at the back bottom of the cylinder and you can see the cylinder frame gap is quite noticeable.
I can see fresh exposed metal on the extractor. And i have had several MKIs and this gun looks altered to me, It is 45 acp.
But as Tiriaq says it dont mater you can still import the gun there just not as colectable but make decent shooters if you load the 45 acp corectly and stop gas escapeing as 45 acp case is smaller in dia than the 455 webley case.
Theres a little trick to that, Most guys that shoot the converted ones arnt getting the preformance they should be
I can see fresh exposed metal on the extractor. And i have had several MKIs and this gun looks altered to me, It is 45 acp.
But as Tiriaq says it dont mater you can still import the gun there just not as colectable but make decent shooters if you load the 45 acp corectly and stop gas escapeing as 45 acp case is smaller in dia than the 455 webley case.
Theres a little trick to that, Most guys that shoot the converted ones arnt getting the preformance they should be
Having read buckbrush's and dingus' comments, I dug out a Mk.VI .455 cylinder. Both made valid observations. Why not just get the owner to try some .45 ACP case in a clip, and see if the revolver will close? If it is conerted, the value will be afected. Probably shouldn't be fired with standard ACP cartridges. Appropriate handloads would be best.
