Conversion cylinder in .44-40?

[Story]

Greetings.
Has anyone tackled lining or otherwise converting a Kirst cylinder to .44-40?

Yes,  I'm well aware of the bore issues ( .427 for the .44WCF vs. .454 for the Colt .45 ) unless one uses balloon head projectiles.

So, anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

[3Fingers_Murphy]

Greetings.
Has anyone tackled lining or otherwise converting a Kirst cylinder to .44-40?

Yes,  I'm well aware of the bore issues ( .427 for the .44WCF vs. .454 for the Colt .45 ) unless one uses balloon head projectiles.

So, anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

I'm a little slow, I've never heard of a balloon head projectile.     There is a balloon head case. http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellf.htm How would that help you? 
Murphy

[Abilene]

I have not heard of anyone doing a Colt's conversion in 44-40.  I'm thinking that even if you could get a cylinder made or rebored, you might have a problem with the rims (larger diameter on 44-40 than 45 Colt) overlapping.  If Raven ('smith at Kirst) doesn't see this and chime in, try sending him a PM, he would know.

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[Raven]

Greetings.
Has anyone tackled lining or otherwise converting a Kirst cylinder to .44-40?

Yes,  I'm well aware of the bore issues ( .427 for the .44WCF vs. .454 for the Colt .45 ) unless one uses balloon head projectiles.

In the Colt's it is not feasable for several reasons foremost being the barrel.....You cannot line it unless you have a Centaure and You will find major difficulties loading a large enough healed bullet in the .44-40 besides the case wall at the mouth is very thin.

The only Kirst Konverter that would be possible to convert to .44-40 in both Walt's and my opinion would be a Remington. We would need to start with an unchambered 5 shot cylinder and chamber for .44-40 and we would need to make a barrel for the gun. You would be looking at $800 for the cylinder and the barrel would be extra.

And just to answer the unasked question....we will not be offering Kirst Konverters in .44-40 on anything but a one off basis.
If you want .44-40 buy a SAA or S&W Schofield

Raven
AKA Jay Strite
Kirst Konverter LLC

[Story]

you might have a problem with the rims (larger diameter on 44-40 than 45 Colt) overlapping.  

I slipped factory .44-40s into the Kirst .45 LC cylinder and that wasn't an issue.

[Story]

I'm a little slow, I've never heard of a balloon head projectile.    

The term is usually associated with .22LR or .476 Webleys. You'd know it better as 'healed'.

[Story]

The only Kirst Konverter that would be possible to convert to .44-40 in both Walt's and my opinion would be a Remington. We would need to start with an unchambered 5 shot cylinder and chamber for .44-40 and we would need to make a barrel for the gun. You would be looking at $800 for the cylinder and the barrel would be extra.

And just to answer the unasked question....we will not be offering Kirst Konverters in .44-40 on anything but a one off basis.
If you want .44-40 buy a SAA or S&W Schofield
 

Duely noted, and thanks for that professional assessment.

And I'll want what I want.  

[Abilene]

...If you want .44-40 buy a SAA or S&W Schofield ...

or an Uberti '58 Remington conversion 

But I agree, it just wouldn't be the same.

[Raven]

I slipped factory .44-40s into the Kirst .45 LC cylinder and that wasn't an issue.

You can slip them in there but definatly don't fire them.

We all want what we want.....but you might only get what you need..........I think the Rolling Stones said something to that effect

Thanks Abilene! I forgot.......but technicaly it's not a conversion. The cylinder diameter is larger and the barrel bore must be .427 or thereabouts. and you cannot install the parts in a percussion revolver without some modifications to the gun besides the loading groove


Raven

[Story]

You can slip them in there but definatly don't fire them.
 

How's that?
The rims don't overlap, as you suggested they may in your original post.
The firing pin will come into positive contact. That'd indicate a strong probability of said cartridges going bang, on a reasonably consistent rate.
So where doth the problem lie?

[Hoof Hearted]

Yes,  I'm well aware of the bore issues ( .427 for the .44WCF vs. .454 for the Colt .45 ) unless one uses balloon head projectiles.
 Anyone?

Well since you ask anyone...........

I would think that the projectiles in most "balloon head cases" would have been "heeled" or heel base bullets.

[Raven]

You can slip them in there but definatly don't fire them.
 


How's that?
The rims don't overlap, as you suggested they may in your original post.
The firing pin will come into positive contact. That'd indicate a strong probability of said cartridges going bang, on a reasonably consistent rate.
So where doth the problem lie?

First off I was speaking of Kirst Systems overall.
Yes the cartridge goes in and yes the firing pin aligns and then when you fire them the already thin  case mouth will expand .025 iof an inch to fill the .45 Colt chamber. If the cases don't rupture when you do that they most definately will split when you resize the to .44-40. Personaly I don't want to be around when you try this experement. For safeties sake DON'T DO IT!

Raven

[Story]

First off I was speaking of Kirst Systems overall.  

Ah, I see what you did there : you extrapolated my comment. I thought you had some conceptual issue on why it wouldn't fire.

Quote from: Abilene on March 18, 2012, 03:20:54 pm
you might have a problem with the rims (larger diameter on 44-40 than 45 Colt) overlapping.  

I slipped factory .44-40s into the Kirst .45 LC cylinder and that wasn't an issue.

Never had any intention of firing a round in a weapon not chambered for the same and your assumption of the least common denominator of experience (particularly on the interwebz) is probably prudent, but you can fear naught.

Bottom line - the .44-40 rims don't overlap in a Kirst cylinder. The .44-40 overall length with flat nosed slug is suitable for the OAL of the Kirst cylinder.

Too bad Kirst won't offer them in this caliber.