Ruger 44 Special

[45-70 Chevroner]

Is the cylinder of the 44 special in the Ruger Black Hawk long enough to rechamber to 44 Mag? And or would it be better to replace the cylinder with a 44mag cylinder? I forgot to mention that it is a Beasley.

[rkrcpa]

I don't believe it would be long enough for most bullet choices. I'm certain I would not try it, the cylinder is considerably smaller and most likely not up to the pressures in a 44 magnum.

[onelight]

It's long enough but not sure it's a good idea. The the flat top black hawks are the same frame size as the new style vaqueros the first style vaqueros were a bigger gun like the full size black hawks.
Here is an artical by Gun Blast with a chart showing cylinder dimensions .
https://gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

there are also side by side pictures of the cylinders

[45-70 Chevroner]

It's long enough but not sure it's a good idea. The the flat top black hawks are the same frame size as the new style vaqueros the first style vaqueros were a bigger gun like the full size black hawks.
Here is an artical by Gun Blast with a chart showing cylinder dimensions .
https://gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

there are also side by side pictures of the cylinders

Thanks, that was my thought. I just wanted to verify it.

[Barbaroja]

44 special blackhawks are much harder to come by than 44 mags I’d imagine you could find someone who would want to swap. Or just sell and get a 44 mag.

[Alferd Packer]

If you really want a 44 special with a .44 cylinder, I would recommend sending it to one of the gunsmiths like Linebaugh and have him make a five shot cylinder for you along with align boring the barrel and cylinders.
Maybe a frame heat treatment as well.
Then your special size shooter will be able to handle .44Mag stress.
All IMHO.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Thanks guys.

[Three44s]

If you run that Ruger appropriately you will get plenty of performance as a 44 Special and never miss a 44 Mag unless you go to Grizzly Country, IMO

If you just want a 44 Mag then just buy one. For the price of changing your current revolver you can just own two revolvers ..... keep your Special and also own a magnum as well.

Three44s

[onelight]

If you run that Ruger appropriately you will get plenty of performance as a 44 Special and never miss a 44 Mag unless you go to Grizzly Country, IMO

If you just want a 44 Mag then just buy one. For the price of changing your current revolver you can just own two revolvers ..... keep your Special and also own a magnum as well.

Three44s

What he said :)

[Ben]

If you just want a 44 Mag then just buy one.

I'll 2nd that !

[white eagle]

I went out of my way to find a Ruger Flattop in 44 special
For me it is the best shooting 6 gun I own including my 44 magnum
to change it would almost be a crime,the 44 special will do all the mag will
do but with less powder and pressure. The only advantage I see in the mag is
being able to handle heavier boolits

[onelight]

I am with you white eagle my 44 special flat top Bisley is my favorite , I would rather shoot it than my 44 mag or 45 colt . I like them to but notice they don't go to the range much since I got the 44 specials.

[oldhenry]

I have a .44 spec. flat top Bisley, a 3" .44 spec. SS GP100 & a 5" .44 spec. blue GP100. At my age (81)I don't need a .44 mag. .

[Martin Luber]

You don't know if the metallurgy is adequate. K frame 38 s for the most part are not suitable for 357 even though there are 357 k frames, they are special.

[NicMc]

Love my flat top 44 special even more than my 44 mag super. Which is saying something. Perfect for my location.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I get what you guys are saying and will leave it as is. Actually I already have a 44mag in a 4 Screw pre 29 Smith & Wesson. I think my question was more of a curiosity as to whether it could be done. I forgot to mention that the 44 Blackhawk is a Beasley 44 Black Hawk. All I have to do is get some 44 special cases, and look up some good loads. Thanks for all your thoughts.

[Iwsbull]

You are going to love that revolver, I have it in the short barrel version and it is great.

[DougGuy]

Also, there is the O barfo EO of 2016 making conversions like this from simple gunsmithing to "manufacturing" complete with a $2200.00 annual "fee" which BATFE can also go after anyone who does one of these jobs retroactively. Anything that enhances the weapon, makes it more accurate, gives it some feature it didn't come with from the factory, yada yada yada....