45 colt to 45 auto

B

bigboredave

Inactive
I have blackhawk revolver in 45 colt and want to be able to shoot 45 auto out of it. I know ruger offers a convertable model that will shoot both 45 colt and auto. If a purchase a extra cylinder from ruger, will I be able to install it without sending it back to ruger for work? I am not sure what is involved. thanks
 
If it anything like my Ruger .22/.22mag you will just pull the retaining pin, then the cylinder spindle and switch cylinders. It took less than 20 seconds after some practice. I would have bought some spare cylinders to carry as speed loads if I could have.
 
When installing a new cylinder in a revolver (even if in the same chambering) there is often a bit of fine tuning to insure each chamber indexes correctly and some other skilled labor in the fitting.

Most manufacturers will do this for a reasonable charge - but you do have to ship them the gun. A compentent gunsmith can also do the work - if he/she can get the cylinder. Many (most?) manufacturers restrict the sale/installation of certain parts to their inhouse staff.

Ruger will probably be happy to install a .45 ACP cylinder in your Blackhawk. They probably won't do a .45 Winchester Mag cylinder for you.

They (Ruger) used to have a convertable cylinder for the .357 Blackhawk - but I haven't seen one of those in years.

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Jim Fox
 
Ruger will not sell you a cylinder that the gun is not marked for. I was buidling caliber conversions and dual caliber Blackhawks and Vaqueros in my custom shop, Gunslingers from .22 Hornet to .50 AE, including the .45LC/ACP and .44MAG/WCF.. However due to the high cost involved in the dual caliber conversion it is actualy more cost affective to simply purchase another gun when one is available in the caliber you are desiring. As is the case with adding the .45 ACP cylinder to your current gun. Ruger recently re-released the dual .45 caliber Blawkhawk and has had the dual .45 caliber Vaqueros availabe for a couple of years now. A good used example can be purchased for less than the cost of purchasing and fitting an auxillery cylinder and dealer cost for a new Blackhawk convertable is $273.95.
Plus this gives you a good excuse for getting a new gun. :D

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Gunslinger

We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.
 
I have a Blackhawk that came with both the .45 Colt and .45ACP cylinders. They are both numbered for that particualar pistol. I believe you will have to send your pistol to Ruger to time the cyinders properly. Once that is done, it's about a 10 second project to swap the cylinders.
Good luck.
Bill
 
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