Originally Posted by
contender1
MrWolf,, a Ruger Blackhawk is a single-action revolver,, the OP is wanting to do this in a double action design. DIfferent revolver designs.
For the OP.
I would look LONG & HARD at the cylinder, with attention to the chamber wall thickness. Specifically,, the latch notches. That's the thin section of a chamber.
When stuff like this gets discussed,, I often ask; "What about the future? Who's kids are going to inherit this gun & what loads will they use in it? Who's going to be liable,, or better yet,, who's kids are going to get injured or killed?"
I recently found a different, kinda new gun forum. Seeing all the new, uneducated gun owners comments is SCARY. Some of the things I see people posting about what they do where handloading is concerned,, or what they want to do to firearms,, makes me think we'll be seeing all kinds of firearm related injuries & even deaths in the next few years.
There are reasons custom gunsmiths like Clements, Linebaugh, Bowen, Tyler, Gallagher, and many other KNOWLEDGEABLE smiths won't do certain things.
I teach shooting, reloading, & hunter safety. One of my teaching aids is a blown up Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum. The cylinder has 2 chambers blown apart. One still has part of the brass stuck in it. The topstrap has buckled upwards enough to be completely broken through. But the best part is one chamber SHOWS the thin walls where the latch notch is/was.
If you persist in your idea of using a Colt,, here's what I'd do.
Using PIN gauges,, check the internal diameter of each chamber. Next,, using a pin head depth micrometer,, check the depth of each cylinder notch. Follow that with a measurement of the wall thickness of each chamber on the outer edge.
Using those 3 dimensions,, you can get an idea as to the chamber wall thickness under the notches.
Then subtract 1/2 of the diameter needed to get the chambering you desire. That will give you the amount of wall thickness left.
Lastly,,, look up the highest SAMMI specs for .41 Long Colt in relation to pressure.
Then ask yourself; "Can this be done safely for my kids to enjoy?"