What is the Actual difference .44 colt <> .44 Special?

[Athena Jake]

Forgive me if this information is already on the boards and I have just not found it.

I am curious as to what are the actual physical differences between the .44 Colt chambered cylinders and .44 Special chambered cylinders?

One “could” use the same barrel for both, correct?

I realize the .44 Special cylinders can shoot .44 Spcl., .44 Colt and .44 Russian and that the .44 Colt cylinders can only shoot the .44 Colt and .44 Russian.

Thank you,
Athena Jake

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Well, do you mean the original 44 colt or the new 44 colt? The new & old cases/ammo are shorter than 44 special and the rims are smaller in diameter. The original reason for the original 44 colt as it was designed to be used in the 60' army colt conversions. The rims were small so they would not overlap as cylinder space was tight. The original bullets used for them were a heel type bullet (look at any 22 long rifle round) and they were approxmently a .454 dia. bullet. If you are wondering if you can use & shoot modern factory ammo in a 44 special revolver I say yes, no differant than shooting 44 russian also. WBR 

[Flint]

Wild Ben basically said it.   The modern load for a 44 Colt uses the .429 bullet, so it will fire in a 44 Mag or 44 Special cylinder.  If the overall length is sufficient it will also work in a 44 Special rifle as long as the extractor can get a bite on it.

The cartridge case is 1.06 long, shorter than the 44 special and as stated, the rim is smaller.  I shoot 44 Russian in both 44 Colt and 44 Special cylinders, so I never bothered to tool up to reload the 44 Colt.  It would be one more look-alike case to sort, and the 44 Russian is easier to spot in a pile of brass.

Some 44 Colt chambered cylinders will not accept 44 Russian or shortened 44 Special as the rim recess might be too small, but most cylinders will take the larger rim.

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[Athena Jake]

Well, do you mean the original 44 colt or the new 44 colt?

GAH!  
Looking at the cylinders from the perspective on Pietta or Uberti modern reproduction open top revolvers.  As an example the "1871 C. Mason Revolvers" as sold by Taylor and Company.

Are the cylinders different lengths?

I assume the space allowed in the cylinders of the reproductions for the case rims is the same.
I assume this because the .44 Russian case rims are the same as the .44 Special case rims and the .44 Russian can be used in the .44 Colt Cylinders.
So the only thing left would be that the cylinders themselves are different lengths?

Not having any of these parts in front of me and I am terrible at visualization.

Athena Jake

[Montana Slim]

If a modern revolver is correctly chambered to (modern) specifications for 44 Colt/Russian, a 44 special will not fit (it'd be too long). Now, I've heard of some folks taking a 44 special reamer to their 44Colt/Russian pistola to make them a 44 special. I also understand pistols have been manufactured in 44 special. I don't know if they can load standard length 44 special or if they have to seat the bullet a bit deep.

In short, If it's modern and chambered to 44 special, then 44 Collt and 44 Russian will also chamber.

The cylinders for a Uberti 44 (OT or R-M) are the same length, the difference is in how deep the reamer cut the chamber.

Of course in the old days, the chamber was cut to the size of the cartridge case OD...all the way through and it made no difference. Hence a .357 Magnum may chamber nicely in a .36 caliber cartridge conversion cut with the old-style chamber.

Slim

[Athena Jake]

Ahhhh!   <insert clue bat>

Knowing that it is not bored straight through now makes sense, I could not wrap my head around  "if the cylinders are the same size.. then why the heck...." 

Thank you all for your answers and being patient to explain these simple <now!> concepts.

Athena Jake

[Flint]

Athena, the chambers are bored to fit the cartridge case, then the front of the chamber is bored a hair over the bullet diameter to the throat.  It is for that reason a cylinder can be chambered for 45ACP or 9mm without the cartridge dropping clean through the cylinder.

I have two 72 Opentops, one is chambered 44 Colt and the other 44 Spacial, I shoot 44 Russian in both for convenience.