I am negotiating to get a Marlin 1894CL in 25/20

[Chuck from arkansaw]

Would it be possible to fit a super single six with a .25 cal barrel and have a .22 cylinder reamed out to 25/20? It seems to me it would be at least as much fun as one in .32 H&R.  I gave up on the handgun/rifle in same caliber concept as being too heavy to tote both, but this seems like a real natural. Has anyone shot a 25/20 in a revolver?  How practical is it?

[C A Plater]

I don't thnk it will fit in the single six.  I don't think the frame is long enough to accomodate the round.  My factory loads measure 1.580" and that is longer than the frame opening of my single six by about .020".  I have seen a custom built .25-20 using a .357 Ruger Blackhawk as a basis, however.   I believe the revolver used a Bowen cylinder and new barrel of course.   I think is was in a issue of Handload or Rifle magazine a couple of years ago.   I thought about doing one my self but other projects and lack of $$$ kept me from starting it.  I did get a Contender barrel in .25-20 though and it is one sweet shooter.   It's still on my long term to do list but first up is to finish the rechamber of my Ruger .22 Bisley to .22 mag. and a Ruger .45 Colt that I want to get Bisleyed and color case harden the frames first.

[Blackhawk44]

As suggested, the Single Six is too small.  The body of 25/20 is larger in diameter than the 32 H&R.  Bowen, Linebaugh, and Reeder use a blank cyclinder from Bowen that's $300 at gunsmiths' cost and it only fits the late model frames (44/45 frame).  This piece needs to be built on the pre-73, "old" style frame (a true 357 frame).  I guess you could take and turn that cyclinder down and face it off until it fits that frame, but we are talking lots of machine hours.  I've had the same idea for some time because I remember when Christie's Gun Works in Sacramento( I have a reward if anyone can find them) used to sell extra cyclinders for Colt SAA's.  I have one their 45 ACP's for my Colt, rough machined on the outside, but shoots great.  They used to list 22 Hornet, 25/20 and the likes.  Can't get it out of my head.  Like the last fellow, I got one of the T/C barrels.  Great fun with either open sights or red dot.  Death and destruction on jackrabbits.  Full rifle speed with factory loads in a 10" barrel.  Average 1386fps for Win jacket factories.   Runs the same out of my CL.  BUT, (memory just kicked in) in the 60's I had seen where Frank DeHaas and others had the chambers in the cyclinder RELINED and rechambered to smaller calibers.  Then you could either reline or replace the barrel...  Nothing cheap about us!

[Chuck from arkansaw]

Yes, it looks like a 3 screw blackhawk is the only solution.  I have wanted one in .44 special for ages, and I guess I will have to put another 3 screw on my want list.  Cylinder inserts ala .22 jet should work.  Bore a cylinder through, machine headed inserts, and press fit into the cylinder.  Install a .257 barrel and it is a done deal.  I wonder if setback would be a problem with the .25-20 case?  Cylinders for the old 3 screws in 9MM or .357 arent too hard to come by, so it shouldn't cost too much. Getting the barrel threaded, machined for a forcing cone, and setting cylinder gap would be the hardest part of the project.

[Lloyd Smale]

John Linebaugh has built at least one single six in .357 mag. by opening up the frame window some. It probably could be done but the cost would be extreemly high. Youd not only need the frame opened up but youd need a 5 shot cyl. You also would probably be limited as to how hot you could load it in such a small frame. I know bowen does them on .357 frames.

[Chuck from arkansaw]

Have also found dies and a bunch of components at a real bargain price.
My Idea of a single six .25-20 came from reading about some conversions to .38 special a few years back.  Anyone have one they can put some calipers on? What is the overall cylinder length and the frame opening width?

[Lloyd Smale]

I have a 5 shot .41 special being built on a single six I know that works and I also know that the gunsmith has been working on a .44 special. When it comes id be glad to measure it up but i have no idea when that will be. Another option to consider is a model 15 smith. I know they have been rebarreled and cyl replacement to make 25-20s Bowen will do it for sure.