Converting a Pietta .44-40 to .44 Special

[9245]

Is it possible to fit a .44 Special cylinder to a Pietta .44-40 SAA clone?  If so, where can I get the cylinder?  Will Colt or Uberti cylinders fit?

Is this something I can do myself or would it be a gunsmith job?  If so how many hours of work would be reasonable?

My goal is just to get the ability to swap to cheaper ammo for range time while retaining the ability to use .44-40 by just swapping the cylinder back.

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

Is it possible to fit a .44 Special cylinder to a Pietta .44-40 SAA clone?  If so, where can I get the cylinder?  Will Colt or Uberti cylinders fit?

Is this something I can do myself or would it be a gunsmith job?  If so how many hours of work would be reasonable?

My goal is just to get the ability to swap to cheaper ammo for range time while retaining the ability to use .44-40 by just swapping the cylinder back.

 Uberti cylinders definitely won't fit Pietta's; they're larger in diameter. Hard to say about the Colt's.

 I have fit a few cylinders to Uberti's (.44 Special to 44-40) and it really is no big deal. If they won't fit in the revolver frame, it's usually just a matter of working down the face of the cylinder bushing.

 VTI doesn't show any .44 Special cylinders so I reckon your only hope would be to buy a .357 cylinder and have a 'smith rechamber it to .44 Special.

  FWIW, the .44 Special is my favorite handgun cartridge. It's a very accurate cartridge and can easily be handloaded up for hunting.

[Coffinmaker]

Well, you're actually thinking in the right direction.  there are a couple of possibilities.  First up is to contact VTI Gunparts and inquire if they can special order a cylinder for you.  Next folks to contact would be EMF.  EMF is wholly owned by f.illi Pietta.  Ergo, I would also check in with EMF and ask after a special order 44 Special Cylinder.  Failing those two options, you could order a 357 cylinder and have it chambered for 44 Special.  There are also the possibilities of a 44 Spl cylinder from Cimarron or Taylors.

The cylinder will be delivered with a new Bushing and will most likely need minor "fitting."

[Abilene]

Pietta doesn't make anything in 44 Special as far as I know.

Like CHT said, it's easy with an Uberti.  I have a Thunderer with 44 Spcl and 44wcf cylinders.

[Coffinmaker]

There is also a very very good chance, IF you can find one, a Colt 44 Special cylinder will work in a Pietta with minor fitting.  Twould be the same minor fitting required for a new Pietta cylinder.

[RoyceP]

To chamber a Pietta revolver for 44 Special will cost you some bucks. First you have to buy a 357 Magnum cylinder. That might mean ordering one from someone like Cimarron. Then you would need to drill the cylinders to a size where the finishing reamer would work. Like this one for example:  https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/bore-barrel-tools/reamers-cutters/pistol-chambering-reamers/

Then you would need to carefully ream the cylinders for the 44 Special - yes I know the reamer is made for 44 Magnum but it can be used for 44 Special too.

Then you would have to machine the removable bushing to fit your revolver. This would involve using a lathe.

All in all it might be cheaper to just keep using 44 WCF ammunition?