45 ACP cylinder for Colt SAA New Frontier ..???

[Rollo Tomassi]

1st post.
Does anyone know a source for a cylinder that would allow 45 ACP to be used in 45 Colt New Frontier?
My gunsmith can fit one if I can find one.

It is a 3rd generation with the integral bushing. 1964 gun.

Thanks for any info.

[Outpost75]

Hamilton Bowen used to make cylinder blanks for Colts. They were $250 and still required a lot of machining, fitting and chambering. VERY expensive by the time you get done. I would seek a .38 Special or .44 Special Colt cylinder and have it line-bored and rechambered.

[Rollo Tomassi]

Guess I'll keep chasing 1911 brass.

[mozeppa]

rollo is a good guy ...got him to sign on here...needs a cylinder ...anyone?

[2152hq]

A 1964 Colt SAA would be a 2nd Generation (1955 to 1975)

The New Frontier was mfg'rd in that 2nd Gen time frame from '61/'62 till 1975

A 3rd Generation Colt SAA cylinder WILL fit a 2nd Generation gun and function just fine IF the 2nd Gen Hand is replaced w/a 3rd Generation Hand.

Colt did make 45acp caliber cylinders and they can be found for sale occasionally.
Most people who wanted one took a 357cal cylinder and had it rechambered to 45acp.
357cal cylinders are usually the least expensive of the 2nd and 3rd Generation cylinders available.

Don't rechamber a true .38Special cal 2nd Gen Colt SAA cylinder. They are of too much collector value

Cylinders from the SAA's made by the now closed 'United States Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company' in Hartford will fit.
They made 45acp caliber available.

Some Italian copies of the Colt SAA have cylinders that will fit (with some help!). Not all of them!

There was a company called Christy's in CA back in the 50's and 60's that made cylinders and bbl's in about any caliber you can imagine for the SAA.
Those still showup on Ebay and other places.
These will fit 1st and 2nd Gen guns of course.

Here's one of the best Colt SAA restoration 'smiths around.
He does offer new mfg cylinders and bbl's but I don't think in cal 45acp.
He doesn't list rechambering cylinders either but might be worth an Email inquiry.

http://www.davelanaracolts.com/services.html