No you can not. You would need to find a 44Special cylinder and have it fitted to the revolver to do that. I personally really like convertible revolvers and have done this to one of my 2nd gen SAAs. The cartridge cases are not the same and a 44 Spec will not fit in a 44-40 cylinder.

 

44 WCF was the original cartridge. When Marlin copied it they called it the 44-40 to avoid having to stamp their competitor's initial on every rifle they sold.

 

Without going to my basement and digging out a 44-40 revolver to try, most likely a 44 special will drop into some 44-40 chambers. But other than an emergency situation, it would not be advisable to do so as the case will try to swell to fit the oversized chamber of the slightly bottleneck 44-40. The brass cartridge may not seal and gasses would be pushed backwards. The case could also crack or split.

 

I just tried a 44 Special round in my 44 WCF revolver. It won't fit by about .200". Then I tried a 44 Russian round. It will fit but the 44 Special and Russian bullets are .429" while my revolver has a .427" barrel so it is a little tight. Not sure it would be a good idea to pull the trigger.

 

Correct. Original 19th century 44-40 WCF ammo supposedly used a .425'' dia bullet. Most post-WWII jacketed Remington and Winchester ammo used .427''. Plus, the case necks were notoriously thin.

The .44 Russian/Special/Magnum bullets were typically .429~.430, especially the jacketed variety, and case walls were a bit thicker.

 

It kind of depends on the barrel. Modern revolvers often use the same .429" barrel for both 44 WCF and 44 Special. Older ones of course do not.

 

For safety sake a lot more information needs to be offered. What year was the gun manufactured? Exactly what gun are we talking about? Is the bore .427 or .429, .440 etc. I will admit when I replied I was envisioning a Colt SAA I believe I even eluded to that. I do know over the years manufacture's have changed the bore size, so all of these things need to be figured in. Can it be done or can it be done safely are two different things. Be safe my friends.

 

For safety sake a lot more information needs to be offered. What year was the gun manufactured? Exactly what gun are we talking about? Is the bore .427 or .429, .440 etc.

In my case I am shooting a Uberti Flat Top Target in 44 WCF that was manufactured recently. I bought it new in 2017 and slugged the bore so I would know - it's .427".

 

I have an 1890 Colt SAA .44-40 and an extra pre war .44 Special cylinder That fits great in it. I also have some Pyrodex .44 Special hand loads. 23 grain by BP volume with cornmeal filler, IIRC. I’m hesitant to shoot those .429 bullets in a .427 bore concerning a pressure hike. I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid but that’s something to think about On this subject.

 

Colt did a lousy job on alot of their "44" barrels.. many of you guys would probably be surprised to know what your bores really measure. I've got 2nd gen 44special barrels that measure .424" myself. And went through the motions of slugging 4 others that were the same aand one as tight as .422! I didn't buy them in the end. My .424" 44-special is has accuracy issues being that tight, it shoots lead sure enough, and you'll hit an 18" target in front of you, but it isn't gratifying accuracy.

I am actively looking for a better barrel for that gun. I've wondered how many they turned out of the factory that were that damn tight over the years.

 

So, I did go downstairs to check and currently I only have an original 1875 Remington 44-40 revolver to check. Both the traditional 246 round nose and Keith’s 245 SWC will not chamber enough to let the cylinder spin. A 200 round flat point bullet that I use for cowboy shooting sized to .429 for 44-40, 44 special and unsized in 44 magnum does chamber in it loaded in a 44 special case. All 44 Russian ammo chamberers. No doubt in the late 1800’s, if a 44 Russian was all that was available and it dropped into a 44-40 chamber, it was probably fired especially a black powder cartridge. I am not endorsing that of course. 44 special didn’t come out until 1907.

It’s been fairly well known that colt has used a .427 diameter for its SAA and New Frontier barrels for sometime When chambered for 44 special or 44-40.

 

I haven't slugged any of my barrels, but I do have a Colt SAA 44-40 cylinder that requires .427 bullets. Anything larger in diameter won't chamber.

 

About 40 years ago I had a 3rd generation Colt SAA 44-40. I did not slug the bore, only assumed it was .427 diameter. The only bullets I fired in it was both Remington and Winchester 200 grain .425 sized Jacketed Soft Points. They were extremely accurate for me. I loaded a couple of rounds with .429 sized lead bullets and they wouldn’t chamber by a long shot.

 

Some say 3rd Gen. Colt SAA's used up a lot of old parts and many gun writers talked about how it was pure luck if the chamber throats matched the barrel.

 

I slugged the bore on my Colt New Frontier in 44 Special. It measures .430" and is quite accurate with my handloads.

My Uberti in 44 WCF is a different matter. I initially tried reloading for it using the same .430" bullets. While they fit the cases the loaded rounds would not chamber in my pistol. Buying cast bullets from Matt's in .427" diameter fixed it.

 

Here is a 44wcf/44spl

 

Here is a 44wcf/44spl View attachment 861888

full disclosure 🙃 reason I asked about / will a 44spl fit a 44-40 is. ( I really wanted a 44spl)
I have several boxes of 44spl. I went to a gun store in NM and they had several SAA on the wall for sale ( Cimarron's ). it was an estate sale . well I went through them all looking for the ONE I wanted. they had 45C , 44spl. ,38-40 , 44-40, 357, . they were 1873 model P's , they also had Schofields & open tops .
anyway got to much in a hurry and I chose the one I thought was a 44spl without double checking and I handed it to salesman ,told him that's the one I will buy. did paper works gave him the FFL info and paid. well they shipped it to my FFL and yesterday I picked it up and lo-behold it is a 44-40 ( yes the same one I picked out.) thinking at that time it was the 44spl. DAMN IT 🤬🥴😩 . MY MISTAKE.

so now I have a gun with no ammo in my stash . in my 50 years of buying guns never have I bought one without actually knowing it was the right caliber I wanted.

either resell it or keep and buy the correct ammo . decided to buy the correct ammo and try it out. will get a 44spl later.

must say these cimarrons are well built and purty .this one has all the serial numbers stamped where colt has them on their guns in three places. , its a blackpowder frame. View attachment 861899 View attachment 861900

I think your accidentally did the right thing if you are a sticker for historical accuracy. Does the gun just have .44 WCF on the barrel? If so (and even if it doesn’t) it looks more like n 1870s Colt than a modern Colt does. I would just get a Cimarron .44 Special cylinder for it. I know that’s a hassle, but in the end you’ll have a black powder frame gun that looks old west authentic but can shoot .44 Spls in it and 44-40s if you ever want to later. I only reload .44 Spls of the two but would actually prefer the gun you bought And get another cylinder. I think they have removable bushings so can be made to fit yourself. Especially if they’re .44 Spls had “modern” smokeless frames.

 

full disclosure 🙃 reason I asked about / will a 44spl fit a 44-40 is. ( I really wanted a 44spl)
I have several boxes of 44spl. I went to a gun store in NM and they had several SAA on the wall for sale ( Cimarron's ). it was an estate sale . well I went through them all looking for the ONE I wanted. they had 45C , 44spl. ,38-40 , 44-40, 357, . they were 1873 model P's , they also had Schofields & open tops .
anyway got to much in a hurry and I chose the one I thought was a 44spl without double checking and I handed it to salesman ,told him that's the one I will buy. did paper works gave him the FFL info and paid. well they shipped it to my FFL and yesterday I picked it up and lo-behold it is a 44-40 ( yes the same one I picked out.) thinking at that time it was the 44spl. DAMN IT 🤬🥴😩 . MY MISTAKE.

so now I have a gun with no ammo in my stash . in my 50 years of buying guns never have I bought one without actually knowing it was the right caliber I wanted.

either resell it or keep and buy the correct ammo . decided to buy the correct ammo and try it out. will get a 44spl later.

must say these cimarrons are well built and purty .this one has all the serial numbers stamped where colt has them on their guns in three places. , its a blackpowder frame.

 

Yes, they do make a nice revolver. I recently bought their 1860 Richards Type II in .44 Colt, but it also accepts .44 S&W Russian & Special. I picked up some vintage Remington .44 Colt ammo while it was on order. But it will mainly be fed .44 Special.

I was hoping Cimarron would offer their Model P in stainless with 7 1/2in barrel in .44 WCF with .44 Special cylinder.

 

PS they also had a sharps , open top

 

I would be very careful before buying the IAB Sharps. Before IAB closed their doors they were shipping anything that looked like it should work. I ended up with on that didn’t. The hammer was wrong for the lock so it never would fire. As I did more research on them I found many said IAB stood for Its Always Broke.

 

thanks , ill give them a call Tuesday . might be cheaper this way instead of buying another gun.

I went to Web site and they mention cylinders , might have to send it in to them for fitment. cylinders are 109.00 if I was looking at the right one.

PS , no bushing just a straight pin into cylinder.

 

are you sure a removable bushing isn’t in the center hole of the cylinder but maybe stuck and doesn’t come out easily? I don’t know myself but thought it was mentioned on this forum before that they came out on Cimarrons/Ubertis. . Maybe I’m wrong. If you see the back of The bushing at the rear of the cylinder like a separate piece it can be tapped out. Colt bushings get tight sometimes too.

 

coming out slowly , full of old grease / cruddy stuff . working it slowly not to Marr the finish .
thanks on the tip , I knew that my colts had that but didn't think a lower price SAA Italian job would have the same.

 

If you order a new cylinder from Cimarron it will come with a new bushing. Cylinders are not cheap, you are looking at $185 plus shipping and tax. The new bushing is necessary because a gun smith will have to fit the cylinder to your gun.

 

I'd easily pay that for having a second caliber on the one gun. Well worth it in my opinion.

I'd say the OP did well and may just find the .44-40 a heck of a lot of fun to shoot! Finding the ammo will be tough currently but keep at it. Another benefit of getting the second .44spl cylinder for it.

 

full disclosure 🙃 reason I asked about / will a 44spl fit a 44-40 is. ( I really wanted a 44spl)
I have several boxes of 44spl. I went to a gun store in NM and they had several SAA on the wall for sale ( Cimarron's ). it was an estate sale . well I went through them all looking for the ONE I wanted. they had 45C , 44spl. ,38-40 , 44-40, 357, . they were 1873 model P's , they also had Schofields & open tops .
anyway got to much in a hurry and I chose the one I thought was a 44spl without double checking and I handed it to salesman ,told him that's the one I will buy. did paper works gave him the FFL info and paid. well they shipped it to my FFL and yesterday I picked it up and lo-behold it is a 44-40 ( yes the same one I picked out.) thinking at that time it was the 44spl. DAMN IT 🤬🥴😩 . MY MISTAKE.

so now I have a gun with no ammo in my stash . in my 50 years of buying guns never have I bought one without actually knowing it was the right caliber I wanted.

either resell it or keep and buy the correct ammo . decided to buy the correct ammo and try it out. will get a 44spl later.

must say these cimarrons are well built and purty .this one has all the serial numbers stamped where colt has them on their guns in three places. , its a blackpowder frame.

I have the Uberti Cattleman 44-40's as well. All of my Uberi 44-40's slug .429". If that is your case, then yes...you can find a 44 Special cylinder for it.

VTI Gun Parts have, or use to have some in stock here: Uberti 1873 Cattleman SAA and Target - VTIGunparts.com Online Store You can click "Check Stock" and they will let you know.

If you have any interest in the 44-40 , check this out: Chasing the 44-40 - Chasing The 44-40

 

I have the Uberti Cattleman 44-40's as well. All of my Uberi 44-40's slug .429". If that is your case, then yes...you can find a 44 Special cylinder for it.

VTI Gun Parts have, or use to have some in stock here: Uberti 1873 Cattleman SAA and Target - VTIGunparts.com Online Store You can click "Check Stock" and they will let you know.

If you have any interest in the 44-40 , check this out: Chasing the 44-40 - Chasing The 44-40

Jack,

Could you post a picture of the caliber marking & barrel stamps on that cattleman? I've never seen how Uberti marks theirs, and can't find any good images on the internet to tell.

 

Great prices for the Richards & Sharps.

 

Jack,

Could you post a picture of the caliber marking & barrel stamps on that cattleman? I've never seen how Uberti marks theirs, and can't find any good images on the internet to tell.

I don't have a 44 Special, just 44-40's

 

44-40 is the one I'd like to see

 

I'll send ya one when I get home this evening

 

Here is the Uberti Cattleman, imported by Stoeger

 

Here is the larger frame Uberti "Buckhorn" 44 Magnum, imported by American Arms

44 Magnum with 44-40 Cylinder, 44-40 nickel Starline cases with 44 Special Silvertip bullets