Short Chamber in Open Top

[Crow Choker]

Marshall Will, The method described by Pettifogger in his guides and the method used by 45 Dragoon are both effective, but require some metal work to get them to work. Sometime ago I bought a dozen of the Dillon brass buttons prescribed by Pettifogger with the intentions of doing my cap and cartridge Colt open top style guns with them. So far I haven't done it, but went the easy and cheap route of using washers to fill in the arbor space.

I bought three thickness's of thin brass washers of approximately the same diameter of the arbor and used what ever combination was needed to fix the arbor issue. Some say it is to easy to lose them when ya take the Colts apart. Some truth to that, but if ya take precautions, it isn't a problem. I smear a bit of grease on the washers and the end of the arbor and when I take a OT Colt apart, the washers either stay in the barrel arbor hole and/or on the end of the arbor. Ya just gotta remember when taking the Colts apart to watch for them and take note how many are needed for that particular Colt so you get the needed number back inside when reassembling-haven't lost any yet. I tried using the split washer method some have prescribed, but didn't like it as when you reassemble putting the wedge back in its hole, things aren't lined up as they should be with the arbor and barrel wedge slot and you have to compress the split washer when you drive the wedge in. I don't believe it is as effective as using a combination of brass washers.

This system is not as good as the permanent fixes (Pettifogger/45 Dragoon) in that you don't have to watch for the washers, but IMO works just as well in filling the gap and tighting the Colts up. Has worked for the last 3 1/2 years for my Colts. One of these days I hope to get at using the Dillon buttons.

[45 Dragoon]

Thanks Crow Choker,  I'm probably not worthy being mentioned with Pettifogger but thanks anyway!!!
  The one thing to think about fixing the arbor length (leaving the arbor "proper" length as is)  is that fitting future barrels (by using "spacers" in the arbor hole) would be more "conducive" to options or differing barrel lengths.  Also, leaving the arbor "as is" allows the use of a 1/4" set screw as an adjustable bearing for the wedge "placement". It allows for wear/holster interference adjustment (how far the  wedge sticks out).  I have found that JB weld is suitable for a single spacer but as far as" stacking " shims, it allows for compression of the epoxy. A single spacer is the preferred method. Adjustment of the forcing cone of additional barrel assemblies may be necessary .  .  . 
  I believe it lends itself to be the most accurate setup of all which is why I use it in my service. Major thanks to Pettifogger for the information of "what the problem is" and a "how to solve the problem!"  et al. !!

Mike

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, CC, 45D. I appreciate the additional information here.

[Hoof Hearted]

The easiest way to grind a chamber reamer is to bevel from the throat to the chamber and this design works well to keep from having Lead  buildup in this area (this is the norm unless a rimless cartridge is the chambering).
Obviously your cylinder is short chambered and even though crimped rounds will chamber accuracy will suffer.
I have an ?
?adjustable? reamer that I made precisely for the purpose of correcting these issues. Feel free to contact me privately if you?d like to discuss.

Eta:
Why the hell does this forum change quotes and apostrophes into question marks?

[dangt]

Thanks, Hoof Hearted,  I'll keep this option in mind.  As I wrote earlier, I already purchased 100 rounds of 44 Colt Starline cases and I currently  have plenty of 44 Russian brass in stock. Since ALL my ammunition is handloaded, I wont find it inconvenient to load separately for this gun.  Actually, I  had the preconceived notion that I would be keeping my hotter 44 Special loads out of this gun when I bought it.

Thanks to all who responded to my post.  The post by Coffinmaker suggests there are lots more 44 Ubertis out there with irregular chambers.