Is it possible to convert a 44sp blackhawk into a 44mag ? Just want to shoot light 44mag loads out of it. Thanks Joe
Is it possible to convert a 44sp blackhawk into a 44mag ? Just want to shoot light 44mag loads out of it. Thanks Joe
Is it possible? Yes
Should you? most likely not. If you were going to live forever and be the only person to ever own the gun would be one thing. But we know that ant happening.
Having said all that i did somthing close.I reamed the cylinders of a 44sp stoping just short of letting a full length 44mag case fit.
Would i ever do it again? NO.
Flame away guys
PAC
light 44 mag loads = heavy 44 sp loads
from the dreams of one mans 44 sp spawned the 44 mag
Hit em'hard
hit em'often
Not a good idea.
Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.
The 44 Special Blackhawk is called a flattop, the frame is lighter that the usual Blackhawk frame used for the magnums, only by a small amount but, enough that you wouldn't want to use it for that.
It would be safer to use a 44 Magnum frame as opposed to the flattop. I like my 44 flattop, it's really nice. It has become one of my favorite pea shooters now!
Ron
In all, the .41 Magnum would be one of my top choices for an all-around handgun if I were allowed to have only one. - Bart Skelton
The frame isn't the problem, it is the diameter of the cylinder and the thickness of the cylinder at the bolt notches.
Interestingly Elmer Keith wanted a gun and load that was in the vicinity of the heavy 44 special/ light 44mag that you speak of. What was placed into his hands was more than he had bargained for.
Anyhow since you can do what you want with 44 special brass why would you want to permanently modify your gun?
I agree, nothing wrong with the special. If you want a mag, just buy one. You gain nothing loading light loads in longer brass.
This looks like the perfect excuse to buy another gun.
Have fun with this stuff.
Big Dale
Thanks for the help I think Ill pass on reaming cylinders . 44s is a pound lighter to carry eneyway!
You can call me a wimp, but 44 Special is all the fun I can stand in a single action frame.
When I want to shoot a magnum it's in a more recoil friendly package.
Jerry
Buzzard's luck!! Can't kill nothin', nothin'll die!!
No, sir, I shoot a 41 magnum, it can seriously dish it out!You can call me a wimp,
In all, the .41 Magnum would be one of my top choices for an all-around handgun if I were allowed to have only one. - Bart Skelton
You can get within shouting distance of 1000 fps with the Special, so I'm not sure what you would gain by rechambering to a possibly dangerous cartridge. somewhere down the line, someone will stick a Garrett Abominable Snowman load in that pistol, with possible damage to the gun and the shooter. I wouldn't do it, and I'll bet a gunsmith wouldn't, either.
"Experience is a series of non-fatal mistakes"
Disarming is a mistake free people only get to make once...
You are better off trading for a Mag if that is what you want.
[The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze
in a ruger flattop you can get within shouting distance of 1200 fps with a 250 cast. Its a level i run most of my 44 mags at anyway. that said im a big 44mag fan and would love a 4 5/8s flattop bisley in 44 mag. My thoughts though go to making it a 5 shot so heavy bullets could be run a 1200 fps.
what are some of your favorite 44sp loads?
ive shot a ton of 250s ahead of 18 grains of 2400 in my flattop. Ive even put quite a few of those loads through my 696 but anymore have backed that gun down to 1000 fps loads. It never gave me any troubles but ive allways been conserned about how thin the forcing cone is on it. Ive also got a 3 screw 357 that clements coverted to a 4 inch 44 spec and its digested MANY of those loads and has even taken a buffalo using them. The ruger mid frames are plenty strong for that load. Another good one is 20 grains of 110. Dont shoot these in a charter bulldog or a tarus though as they will certianly shoot the gun loose in short order.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |