TK Custom Schofield Conversions for .45 Colt cut for moon clips and .45 ACP?

[Virginia Gentleman]

Anyone have one of their Schofields or other S&W break tops converted to take .45 ACP in a moon clip and still be able to fire .45 Colt?

[Virginia Gentleman]

Would the higher pressure of .45 ACP be a concern in the modern Schofield?

[Abominable Bill]

I'm not much of a fan of moon clips; but for anyone with a yen for added versatility I guess it is a solution.
I would instead just get some Cowboy 45 Special brass and load up reduced loads that way.
My present CAS loads are using APP and grits for filler which provides me with a reduced load in my 45LC brass.
Works fine for me.

[St. George]

It's another way to waste money, I suppose...

Use .45 S&W or cut down .45 Colt, if you want something different - but permanently altering it isn't the best of ideas.

The Schofield isn't really a 'shoot-fast' sort of revolver.

Scouts Out!

[Pettifogger]

What would be the point or purpose of such a conversion?

[rdstrain49]

I watched the "Gunblast" youtube video about this conversion.  My thoughts: First, the guy doing the video proves he knows little of the No 3s when he flips the weapon shut, better suited to the movies than real guns.  Second, the conversion, interesting but not for me.  Just my thoughts after shooting No 3s for over 50 years.

[ammodave]

I've used moon clips with my S&W 625 and I'm not a big fan.  If you want a rapid reload on a Schofield you can always use a modern speedloader (I'm pretty sure the 44mag reloaders will work).

[pony express]

I don't see how you could use both .45 ACP with moon clips and .45 Colt in the same cylinder. When you shorten the cylinder to accept the moon clips, then the .45 Colt rounds wouldn't headspace anymore. You'd have to use .45 Auto Rim for single round reloads.

[Tall Dark Slim]

Considered it and didnt do it.

1. Will never be fast. You can't pin the trigger back and thumb the hammer on the uberti.
2. Reloads are atrociously slow compared to a 625.
3. You will need protection for the hand that has to touch the barrel after the first few reloads. 
4. The 180 violation risk is increased as is sweeping yourself. Even with the gun in a visibly unfireable condition, you can still be sent home.

Look up Cherry River...he plays USPSA with a Webley. Interesting stuff. He is decent.

[Bibbyman]

The advantage I see is that you add the versatility of firing the 45 ACP that is less costly than 45 Colt or any other 45 case mentioned. It makes perfect sense to me if you have a ready source for 45 ACP ammo or brass. 

[St. George]

Brass in .45 S&W isn't that expensive, and can be made from .45 Colt, if need be.

Scouts Out!

[Virginia Gentleman]

I am curious if anyone thinks the higher pressure in a .45 ACP would cause problems with the Schofield since it is a breaktop?

[Blair]

VG,

It is not something I would do to one of my repro S&W revolvers. However, I believe the strength is there in the repro's.
There are alternatives other than to go with this modification.
I would suggest checking them out first.
My best,
Blair

[Coffinmaker]

Since this thread started, I recently had the opportunity to play with a Uberti Schofield that had the TK modification for Moon clips
and to also allow chambering of .45 Colt cases, .45 Schofield cases or Cowboy 45 Special cases.  I personally think the Schofield
with 3 1/2 inch barrel is uber cool, and a good friend who shoots Classic Cowboy with a pair of short barrel Schofields regularly
cleans my clock with em.
Were I to own a pair of Schofields, they would be on the way to TK as soon as the action work was complete.  I think being able
to run .45 ACP cases in Moonies is just plain nifty.  Reduced capacity cases for reduced loads are much much more efficient than
powder/filler in large capacity cases.

Now to the OP's original question.  NO.  I do not think firing factory 45 ACP cartridges in the Uberti schofield would be detrimental to the gun.  The hinge pin is a monster and spreads firing loads over a large area.  No issue.  The cylinder is sufficiently robust for 45 ACP
cartridges  NO issue.  The firing stresses are close enough to the center axis of the cylinder/barrel hinge, the stress on the latch is
minimal.  No issue.  Would I.  Probably not.  The Schofield is not double action, therefore doesn't fit the established criteria for a
good CCW firearm.  You could ..... I just wouldn't. 

For us, playing the CAS game, the principal advantage is the efficiency of a reduced capacity case for reduced recoil and powder consumption.  Which, can also be accomplished by using Cowboy 45 Special brass, or a home made (I do that) equivalent.  So ..
it will take a while to amortize the cost of the TK modification.  So ..  If we can create our own equivalent of the C45S case and
eliminate the need for 45 ACP brass ........ why bother???  BECAUSE IT"s UBER KOOL!!!!  That's why.  Better''n slice bread ... you
betcha.

Coffinmaker

   

[Virginia Gentleman]

This is what I suspected since the Uberti engineering improvements and superior steel to that of the 19th century.  If I had this done to my gun I would make low pressure heavy bullet .45 ACP loads that would basically be like launching a .455 Webley/Eley out of a modern Schofield.  I would not feel undergunned in a self defense situation with this combination.  I would use .45 Auto-Rim brass for carry in the gun to keep the hammer down on an empty chamber with a few moon clips in my pocket.

[Coffinmaker]

Nope.  Won't work.  The TK mod leaves a "ledge" on the cylinder so 45 Colt cases will still headspace.  45 Auto Rim would also head space on this ledge.  Way too thick and would not allow the gun to close up.
Best bet.  Do the TK mod.  Uber cool.  Then just run Moonies and ACP Cases.  Or, if your preference is for individual rimmed cases as the
opening load, use Cowboy 45 Special cases or even 45 Colt cases, with the Moonies for that quick reload.

Coffinmaker

[Virginia Gentleman]

That's right, then I would use 1/3 moon clips and leave one empty.