COLT SAA 1st Generation 357 MAG

[bobs]

I've found a 1st generation (1904) Colt SAA that has been converted to 357 Magnum. I question if the 1st generations could handle the pressure from a 357???? I assume it has a late 1st or second generation cylinder and barrel, but I concerned about the frame. Any one have experience with this type of conversion?

[UtopiaTexasColt45]

Very interesting question. I have been reloading for .357 magnum for over 30 years and loads can reach pressures in the 42,000 cup range where as .45 Colt pressures reach cup pressures as high as 14,000 which is a lot lower. There are some CB loads for the .357 magnum as low as 9,000 cup but I would imagine that to be a really aenemic load.

[Jim Martin]

I've found a 1st generation (1904) Colt SAA that has been converted to 357 Magnum. I question if the 1st generations could handle the pressure from a 357???? I assume it has a late 1st or second generation cylinder and barrel, but I concerned about the frame. Any one have experience with this type of conversion?

I've had an experience similar to this conversion but it was done in a blk. pwdr. frame,back in 1951 a friend of mine bought a late 1880 .45 colt & sent it to Colt & they converted it over to smokeless w/a new bbl. & cyl.-he shot it for quite awhile w/the equivilant of factory loads & brought it to me years later for me to re-build the action.While inspecting the gun I noticed a small crack in the front of the frame running from the base pin detent screw to the base pin hole,I pulled the base pin & the crack continued from the base pin hole all the way to where the bbl. was screwed in the frame, this was caused by excessive pressure from the smokeless rds.. As Utopia Texas Colt45 said the pressure is way higher than it should be on the older frame. A side note about the metalurgy of the older Colts,Colt converted to smokeless in 1897 or '98 but they really didn't get the metalurgy totally right until 1912 so when shooting these older Colts it's best to shoot a mid-range load in them to help avoid stress.

[bobs]

If my math is right, the area of a 45 bullet = .159", a 38 or 357 would be about .1000". At 14,000 psi, the force for a 45 between the bullet entering the barrel and the cylinder would be about 2226 lbs. A 38 special at 17,000 psi would be about 1700 lbs, and a 357 mag at 40,000 psi would be about 4000 lbs. I don't think I would trust any older SAA's for conversion to 357 mag until after Colt came out with them after 1935 (?). So I think I answered my own question.

PS: I know it's not quite this simple, but the energy of the 357 is about twice that of a 38 or 45.

[moosedog]

You might have one of Elmer Keith's old guns.
If it was mine, I would shoot 38 Spls thru it.

[wolfbait]

When Colt started making the .357 they quit putting the fouling cutout on the inside top of the frame. They felt the frame was too weak there for the Magnum pressure. The SAA topstrap is very thin where the fouling cutout is on earlier SAAs.

[therevjay]

I imagine whether it's safe or not depends on the build date. (type of alloy, heat treating, etc.) The factory did chamber 1st. gen.SAA's for .357 mag.

If there's any doubt, I'd stick with .38SPL.

[Frank V]

I think I'd call Colt & ask them. I'd give them the serial # on the frame & if there was one on the cylinder as well as the markings on the barrel. They might give you the peace of mind to either shoot magnums or specials. Colts are worth a lot of money even late 3rd gen. guns, I would error on the side of caution if it were mine or I was thinking of buying it.
Frank