Colt Model P 3rd Gen cylinder conversion from a 44-40 to a 44 Special

[Pappy Myles]

Howdy All,

Here's a question I have.  I've come into possession a pair of 3rd Gen Colt P's in 44-40, 4 inch barrels.  I've have a trigger job done on them plus some other things. I really do like them and they shoot very well.   The only thing I don't like is the reloading a 44-40 is a tedious pain in the neck (oh I'm a little high in my estimation where the pain is.....) to reload.  Esp on a progressive.  But I do like the cartridge.......

I was thinking as I was looking over gunbroker, I've seen some colt models that have a conversion cylinder to 44 Special.  I was thinking, "Self, why don't you get a pair of cylenders made for 44 special for the pistols"  The barrel does slug out around .427 and I use Lymans 427666 mold.  That bullet works well with both my pistol and my uberti 73 in 44-40.

I was thinking for simplicity sake, to see If I could find, or have made a pair of 44 spec cylinders that would just drop in.

So I wanted to throw this out to the forum and get some feedback on the idea.

[Shotgun Franklin]

You'd not be the first to do this. If you load the same bullet in .44 Spl as in .44-40 I don't see where there any problem?

[Pettifogger]

I bought two .44 Special cylinders from Colt for my .44-40s so I could shoot .44 Russians.  They were not straight drop-ins.  It appears Colt has left some extra material on the ratchet and the removable bushing so the head space can be set.  Once adjusted, of course, they drop in and out of the guns just like the .44-40 cylinders.  Only takes a few minutes.   However, it is best done with a lathe.  If you are good with files and can keep surfaces square you can do it with a good quality file.

[Fox Creek Kid]

P.M., the 44-40 is really not that hard to reload for IF you are using the correct method.  As I'm sure you know, there is no carbide sizing die for BN cartridges, but most don't need one. In fact I NEVER resize as all my chambers are pretty much standardized.

1.  Deprime BUT do NOT resize.

2.  Reprime and lightly bell case mouth.

3.  Drop powder & seat bullet to correct depth but do NOT crimp!!

4.  Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Steps 3 & 4 will eliminate any bad reloads, e.g., crumpled case necks.

[Pappy Myles]

Thanks Fox Creek,

I really don't have any issues on reloading, just not as fast as a straight wall and kind of a pain.     I have an older RCBS piggy Back II using Cowboy dies.  Lube size/deprime, reprime slight neck expand, powder, seat bullet, with a very light crimp, wipe lube off.  I found, through trial and error, that if I resize and slightly crimp, they work well in both the Model P's and my uberti 73.

[Drydock]

There are any number of smiths out there who will do this.  Eddie Janis will take a .357 cylinder and rechamber it, with the throats cut to match your barrel.  Colt custom will do the whole job as well with their stock .44 spl cylinders.  The .357 cylinders seem to be the easiest to find for conversions like this, if done outside the factory.