.41 Colt to 38/40

[Roninrlm]

Greetings All

I have heard so many different tales about converting a Colt SAA in .41 to 38/40. I have a nice 1st gen Colt SAA in .41 that I would like to convert to 38/40. So what's the real deal here.

Richard

[haggis]

The real deal is that you will devalue your gun by a large amount by making the conversion. The conversion is possible in that there is room in cylinder for the re-chamber, and the barrel can be bored and re-rifled to the correct bore diameter. The cylinder requires the necessary tooling which is reasonable, but the barrel is an expensive proposition unless you replace it with a .38-44 barrel. You would be better off financially by selling your .41 and buying a .38-40. Remember, once it's not original, it can never be again.

Buck

[Oyeboten]

Hmmmm...now this has me wondering about converting a Army Special or Official Police to 38 WCF...

That'd be kind of fun I think..!

[Chaffee]

The real deal is that you will devalue your gun by a large amount by making the conversion. The conversion is possible in that there is room in cylinder for the re-chamber, and the barrel can be bored and re-rifled to the correct bore diameter. The cylinder requires the necessary tooling which is reasonable, but the barrel is an expensive proposition unless you replace it with a .38-44 barrel. You would be better off financially by selling your .41 and buying a .38-40. Remember, once it's not original, it can never be again.

Buck

All you need is a .38-40 cylinder. The barrels, I think, are the same.

[nicsco]

That's what I hear Chaffee,you just have to change cylinders and you can shoot the 38-40 out of the 41mag,the barrel will work with either cal.

[haggis]

All you need is a .38-40 cylinder. The barrels, I think, are the same.

You may be right. My comment was based on some cartridge data from the Net. When I checked White and Munhall's book, they list bullet diameter for .38-40 as 0.401" and .41 Colt as 0.406". In that case, fitting a replacement cylinder (as opposed to re-boring the original) looks like a more reasonable option, in that the gun could be put back to original condition with no loss of value.

Buck

[Roninrlm]

Thats what I had planned on doing----replacing the .41 cylinder with a 38/40 cylinder. That way if I ever sold the pistol the new owner would have two choices to shoot. EXPENSIVE .41 Colt or 38/40. I know 38/40 is not cheap new but to reload 38/40 is costing me about $4.00 a box.

Would the pistol need to be taken to a gunsmith to be checked out. Also I slugged the barrels on a 38/40 and a .41 Colt and the OD. was the same on both pistols.

RM

Any ideas on where I might find a 38/40 cylinder? I have one located in Dallas for $125 ???

[swamprat]

Be sure your cylinder is for a 1st or 2nd generation and not 3rd generation, as they require different hands. $125 for a decent 1st/2nd gen 38-40 cylinder is a very good price.

[Chaffee]

I agree with swamprat, $125 is a good deal if it's 1st or 2nd.

[nicsco]

I also agree with swamprat and Chaffee,I purchased a 41mag cylinder from a Colt Forum member in Tx. for $125 and was happy as all get out, so that's a great price.