Author Topic: turing 41 into 44 ????? (Read 629 times)

bayrunner · « **on:** May 03, 2003, 07:13:26 AM »

Hi Guys____ Need help,I have a nice Blkhk. 41 Birdshead, steel ejecter rod,free wheeling cylinder,and am thinking of turning it into a 44 , is it possible, while keeping expenses down(having it bored,etc.)Reasoning is availability of componets(reloading etc.)I hate to sell it and get a 44, since I already did extensive alterations.What do you guys think.I'll be interested in your responses.THANKS BAYRUNNER

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2003, 10:13:03 AM »

I assume your speaking of a conversion to the 44 Special.. The magnum generates too much pressure for the stock cylinder. It would be possible but pretty expensive. Might be cheaper to simply buy a new BlkHk and work it over.. A conversion to 44 mag might be possible but would entail a custom cylinder and would NOT be ecconomical!! It's as easy to cast 41 bullets as 44 and they use less material to boot. I've always kind of liked the 41.. It always seemed it did everything the 44 did with just a bit less fuss... If your really interested contact Gary Reeder of Gary Reader Guns... He addvertises in the gunrags and is something of an expert on these kinds of conversions.. Good luck from the gunnut69

Flint · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2003, 06:38:41 AM »

In a single action the easiest caliber conversion is to change the barrel and cylinder. You can get barrels at Gun Parts or Brownells, or even Ebay, Ive seen Ruger parts there quite often, everything but the frames. A new barrel may be a better way as it will not have been shortened to fit the gap to a cylinder yet. If you want 44Mag, get a SBH cylinder, if you want 44 Special, you'll have to rebore your 41 chambers.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2003, 09:07:34 AM »

I checked and can find no reason the SBH parts would not work! I assumed the SBH frame would be larger but can not find any data to support that assumption. The SBH cylinders do lack flutes but otherwise seem to be the same as the BH parts. Barrels were listed at $50 with cylinders at $62.50(none or limited quantity on hand) in GunPartsCorp(Numeric) catalog. As always I should remember to NEVER assume... Thanks Flint for catching my error. from the gunnut69

Flint · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2003, 06:42:04 AM »

The Old Model 3-screw revolvers had two different sizes, the 357 and the 44 frames. 30 Carbine and 45Colt were on the 44 frame. The New Model Rugers, since 1973 are all on the same frame. The cylinder of a 357 may be shorter, but the barrel extension matches it, the frame is the same.

bayrunner · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2003, 04:25:31 PM »

Thanks for responses guys_____So what you guys are saying ,if Im understanding you correctly is,even though the cylinders are not the same size(44 longer), it can be done,but the easiest way would be to use a 44 cylinder an a 44 barrel, then you can tighten it to correct gap. Is that about right>THANKS BAYRUNNER

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2003, 04:10:51 AM »

Bayrunner- That's about it. If you have a New Model blkhk the parts will interchange. Install a 44 barrel and cylinder and away you go.. I still believe though that the 41 would quite nicely. Pick up one of the Marlin lever guns and you would have a great combo! Whatever you choose good luck from the gunnut69!