Customize a revolver?

[Liberty Sanders]

I have a S&W 2nd Model Hand Ejector in .455 Webley, one of the WWI contract guns for either the Brits or Canadians.

I'm considering the idea of converting it to make it an EDC.

Can a smithy here give me a ball park figure as to what it would set me back to:

1) Shorten the barrel to 3.5" and install a ramp sight

2) Bob the hammer

3) Remove the lanyard swivel

4) Convert it to .45 Colt.

I'm having a hard time making up my mind as to whether to do this to an historic revolver. But as it stands now it's a safe queen. A .45 Colt Hand ejector with a 3.5" tube would make one hell of a classy carry gun.

 

[Leadeye]

Shop around on Gb, I've got a Colt like this, but the work was done a long time ago. Cut downs can usually be had pretty cheap.

 

[indyartisan]

No idea on the gunsmith cost but why not.

 

[drillsgt]

I have a S&W 2nd Model Hand Ejector in .455 Webley, one of the WWI contract guns for either the Brits or Canadians.

I'm considering the idea of converting it to make it an EDC.

Can a smithy here give me a ball park figure as to what it would set me back to:

1) Shorten the barrel to 3.5" and install a ramp sight

2) Bob the hammer

3) Remove the lanyard swivel

4) Convert it to .45 Colt.

I'm having a hard time making up my mind as to whether to do this to an historic revolver. But as it stands now it's a safe queen. A .45 Colt Hand ejector with a 3.5" tube would make one hell of a classy carry gun.

I'm not sure who in IN would even do that?

 

[Latewatch]

Depending on the condition and originality of your Smith, you'd probably be better off selling it and buying something else. Smiths in the original .455 caliber bring a substantial premium over guns that have been converted to 45ACP or 45 Colt. Don't know what a gunsmith would charge but quality work would not be cheap.

 

[jcj54]

Converting S&W hand ejector in .455 to .45 Colt will require a new cylinder as the existing cylinder is too short. Also, the hammer is light by post WW2 standards and results in misfires when bobbed, requiring a heavier hammer spring which increases trigger pull. I have one of these which was converted to .45 acp by facing the back of the cylinder, had the barrel shortened, and hammer bobbed. I am searching for a pre ww2 hammer because postwar ones don't fit. I tried a heavier hammer spring, but when it reliably sets off rounds the trigger is unpleasantly heavy.
My suggestion is find a 25-5 and have the barrel cut down.

 

[Bosshoss]

Converting S&W hand ejector in .455 to .45 Colt will require a new cylinder as the existing cylinder is too short. Also, the hammer is light by post WW2 standards and results in misfires when bobbed, requiring a heavier hammer spring which increases trigger pull. I have one of these which was converted to .45 acp by facing the back of the cylinder, had the barrel shortened, and hammer bobbed. I am searching for a pre ww2 hammer because postwar ones don't fit. I tried a heavier hammer spring, but when it reliably sets off rounds the trigger is unpleasantly heavy.
My suggestion is find a 25-5 and have the barrel cut down.

Bobbing a hammer doesn't cause misfires in a centerfire revolver using modern primers. In fact it reduces them with the same hammer spring and yoke screw length.
That is the reason that competitors run bobbed hammers in their revolvers with very light double action pulls.
Many things cause misfires like endshake or hammer is rubbing on something when it is falling and slowing it down.
On your gun if the back of cylinder was faced off for moonclip clearance it might have had a little to much removed and excessive headspace is causing misfires.

 

[Slow Hand]

Converting S&W hand ejector in .455 to .45 Colt will require a new cylinder as the existing cylinder is too short. Also, the hammer is light by post WW2 standards and results in misfires when bobbed, requiring a heavier hammer spring which increases trigger pull. I have one of these which was converted to .45 acp by facing the back of the cylinder, had the barrel shortened, and hammer bobbed. I am searching for a pre ww2 hammer because postwar ones don't fit. I tried a heavier hammer spring, but when it reliably sets off rounds the trigger is unpleasantly heavy.
My suggestion is find a 25-5 and have the barrel cut down.

the cylinder will work. But not with all bullet designs. I have one that has been rechambered and it will fit most RNFP bullets in it. I like the old Keith design 454424, so I load mine into 45 S&W cases for plenty of clearance and also to make sure I never get a hotter loaded round into the old gal.

 

[Slow Hand]

 

[Slow Hand]

this is one I bought already rechambered and reblued so I wasn’t worried about value. I cut it down to 4” and mounted a front sight to it. I shoot it with basically .45 acp load data in .45 S&W cases. I really like the 454424 SWC bullet but for plinking it shoots as well with a case 200 rnfp from a Lee six cavity mold.

 

[Walking Bear]

Hamilton Bowen took 38/44 and converted them to 45 Colt it was a super EDC. The cost of them made it unreasonable. I say go for it. Guns should be what you want it to be. Good luck