Rossi 92- can a 44 mag be re-barreled to 45 colt? parts swap

[kokopelli]

I'm sure Nate would know specifics for sure about this:

If I have 2 Rossi 92's, -both stainless 16" -one in 44 mag and one in 45 colt...the 44 model is in the configuration I want, ie. pre-safety w/ saddle ring and large loop vs the 45 colt w/safety, w/o SR and LL....what would it take to make the 44 mag version 45 colt?
Just a barrel swap? ....or would there be more to it- bolts are different, carrier...?

[Buck Elliott]

New barrel. Fit new .45 Colt cartridge guides.. Maybe modify carrier nose..

[wm]

seems like it would be more cost effective to sell the 44 mag and buy a 45 Colt

Wm

[Buck Elliott]

Swap barrel, guides and carrier from one to the other..

[Griff]

Probably would not even need to change the guides or the carrier.

[kokopelli]

Probably would not even need to change the guides or the carrier.

that's what I'm thinking...I know the shell holders on a reloader are the same...

[Griff]

Probably would not even need to change the guides or the carrier.

that's what I'm thinking...I know the shell holders on a reloader are the same...

No, they're not. But, they are close. The rim diameter on the .45 Colt is .512±.012 and the .44RemMag is .514±.010, and while they can often be interchangeable, RCBS calls for a #20 shellholder for the 45Colt and a #18 for the .44M.

[kokopelli]

Huh. I would trust the RCBS then, (better quality) but my Lee uses the same number 11 for both

[AJMD429]

The ONLY part required for the change on my Marlin 1894 was the barrel. I realize the Rossi is an entirely different design though.

NKJ will know for sure.

[Buck Elliott]

Try running a DUMMY .45 COLT round thru your .44 Mag carbine.. It shouldn't fit thru the .44 cartidge guides..

[kokopelli]

Try running a DUMMY .45 COLT round thru your .44 Mag carbine.. It shouldn't fit thru the .44 cartidge guides..

well, I don't actually have the 44 mag example, but I found one for sale, and if it is do-able, I want to buy it for the swap then sell the 'new' 44 mag.

[AJMD429]

I'm sure Nate would know specifics for sure about this:

If I have 2 Rossi 92's, -both stainless 16" -one in 44 mag and one in 45 colt...the 44 model is in the configuration I want, ie. pre-safety w/ saddle ring and large loop vs the 45 colt w/safety, w/o SR and LL....what would it take to make the 44 mag version 45 colt?
Just a barrel swap? ....or would there be more to it- bolts are different, carrier...?

What about just installing a saddle-ring, swapping the levers out, and putting in NKJ's safety-delete button...? You could install the safety-delete button and swap levers in twenty minutes or less, for just the small cost of the 'button', and then from what I understand you just have to drill two holes for the saddle-ring stud (depends on kind of stud I suppose), then it 'rivets' I place I believe. Even if you have to pay a gunsmith for that part, it would cost less than the barrel-swapping.

That might be the least cost, least work, and least likely to mess anything up, since the only 'irreversible' thing you would be doing is installing a saddle-ring.

[kokopelli]

I thought of exactly that, but:

1. can't find a stainless steel add-on saddle ring anywhere
2. having my lever enlarged by Mule lever will run me $105 (which isn't bad)
3. I've put the safety plug in from Stevez, and it works, but it still bothers me; another option is send in the bolt to him to have the 'fitted' one pressed in at $85 -if I remember correctly

so if I could find a SS saddle ring to install, I'm then looking at minimum of $200 and I'd still have a plugged safety staring me in the face, laughing at me...mocking me...

If I bought the 44 mag and swapped barrel/parts, ( I believe I could swap barrels myself, as well as cartridge guides or other/all internals- I'd have a pre-safety configuration I want, sell the newly created 44 mag and maybe lose $50 bucks on the high side...$50 bucks well spent to not have that stupid safety. Plus I like a project.


Or...I'll go ahead and sell this one and hunt down the 16" SRC large loop in 45 colt...

[AJMD429]

Plus I like a project....

Ahh... the truth comes out...

The mark of a true Levergunner...

[kokopelli]

Plus I like a project....

Ahh... the truth comes out...

The mark of a true Levergunner...

pretty much! I had this thing apart, de-burred and polished, de-safetied, Gunslinger springs installed, refinished the nasty taurus stock before I've even shot it!

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I thought of exactly that, but:

1. can't find a stainless steel add-on saddle ring anywhere
2. having my lever enlarged by Mule lever will run me $105 (which isn't bad)
3. I've put the safety plug in from Stevez, and it works, but it still bothers me; another option is send in the bolt to him to have the 'fitted' one pressed in at $85 -if I remember correctly

so if I could find a SS saddle ring to install, I'm then looking at minimum of $200 and I'd still have a plugged safety staring me in the face, laughing at me...mocking me...

If I bought the 44 mag and swapped barrel/parts, ( I believe I could swap barrels myself, as well as cartridge guides or other/all internals- I'd have a pre-safety configuration I want, sell the newly created 44 mag and maybe lose $50 bucks on the high side...$50 bucks well spent to not have that stupid safety. Plus I like a project.


Or...I'll go ahead and sell this one and hunt down the 16" SRC large loop in 45 colt...

If the older 44mag gun is a pre-safety one of the problems you will run into is the barrel threads. The pitch is the same but the diameter are different. The better option is to re-bore to 45 cal.
As for feeding the 44 guides will need to be thinned to allow the bigger 45lc dia. to pass through.

[kokopelli]

well, that's that!

What about the bolts? -Are the bolts the same, except for the hole in it for the safety? -on a pre and post safety, same caliber.

[gak]

Others have given a pretty good array of ptions, including the OP"s own. A few thoughts -
- Early .44 stainless in either 16" or 20" are pretty rare beasts (I think I found what I swear is the only 20" Interarms SS .44 in the country - for a friend several years back--of all places in a Pennysaver 2800 miles away (Google is your friend); Steve Young/NKJ has said "they're out there" but ours is the only one I've ever seen with a lot of looking over the years) - meaning you'll likely have a quick buyer.
- Try Steve and M&M--or put a WTB here in the Classifieds--for a saddle ring and staple/stud; yes SS ones are hard to come by. Lots of folks don't like the rings (I do) and remove them, but they're most often the blued ones. Steve used to sell the loop lever - not sure about SS but worth inquiring. Also find the Rossi parts diagram (or just call them) - I believe the ring is an identified part that (theoretically) could be ordered. Steve would know about this possibility (or no) as well.

[3leggedturtle]

I love my 16" SS Puma 45C but hate the egg-shaped chamber. My 357 Puma don't have that problem. If you do your project get a "custom" barrel and have it chambered the right way. I don't like having to keep my brass separate for my two 45's.

[gak]

Kokopelli - just PM'd you about a possible part source or route for your project. We can post resullts if pans out, but for now probably too much of an indirect/ c***shoot link to be overly public about