Kings6's Old FT 44

[AxeHandle]

Okay dudes.. Here is the pig in a poke that Kings6 insisted that we trade for sight unseen.... Won't argue that it isn't a safe queen candidate but it is one solid old gun..... With a S&W ribbed 45 barrel it will make one fine minimum spec chamber 45 Colt. Perhaps a grip frame change and a little CLC magic too...

[kings6]

I obvioiusly knew it was in better shape than the OM 41 but if a guys is asking someone to buy a gun sight unseen, you don't want to disappoint them. Other than some marks on the barrel, the gun is in pretty good shape. Sure blueing is missing but a few hours in the vinegar and all the blueing would be gone so a guy could start over from scratch. Glad you weren't disappointed Axe. Your plan is real similar to what I was going to do with it. It was slated to go back to David Clements in 9-10 months and get converted to 45 Colt and the Clement #5 grip frame that is tucked away. The only trouble is if I did that, it would delay me finishing my "quest" that much longer. Now I can concentrate on getting the last gun started on the journey. Something by John or Dustim Linebaugh will wrap up the goal THEN I can look at moving forward on a few more ideas kicking around in the back of my head.

[AxeHandle]

Bottom line from here: Got any more like 'em .... Send them on down... ;D

[c.r.]

I think the S&W barrels give a little "refinement" to a rugged 6 shooter. Gives them a change of character that is awfully easy on the eyes.

Axe, Maybe i'm taking your post a little off track and if so, feel free to tell me to go fly a kite

BUT............

Would you mind expanding a litte on why you (or anybody else) like the tight chambers so much?

I was speaking w/ a smith the other day, and during our discussion, I brought up a possible projec t using a 44 cylinder one (or maybe both) of my 45's in the future.

My perception of his main reason for likeing the tight chambers is because when he does a tight chamber project he, line bores the cylinder. Allowing everything to line up better...............That makes perfect since to me and I understand that benefit.

What exactly are some add'l benefits? I would think it would be better on the brass. ya know.........not expanding so much and then being sized back down repeatedly after firings and reloadings. Does it help the cartridge be a little more efficient?

Just trying to pick y'alls brains a little on this.

In my mind, for the expense and if the project allows the use of a factory cylinder, it's a pretty reasonable cost.

Thank you sir,
C.R.

[Aggie01]

C.R. you got it right on tight chambers working the brass less.

you can also think of an extreme example - with a .484 chamber and a .454 throat, a cartridge with a .452 bullet and .479 body can acually lay in the chamber CROOKED by a few thousandths.

That being said, I talked to John Linebaugh last week, and he said he is typically no longer doing tight 6 shot .45's, the recent rugers have reasonable chamber dimensions, but the throats are still tight. A tight chamber is a big gain from a .489 chamber, but not so much if the chamber is already MINIMUM spec.
( I see a lot of folks <points at Axe> who say minimum when they probably mean "tight")

from customsixguns.com: (bold added for emphasis)
"Standard SAMMI specs for .45 Colt is .484 minimum to .489 maximum diameter. Our reamers cut a .480 chamber."(Tight) Average 45 Colt case dimensions are .476 diameter. "

My dies and bullets are building at about .478 for my 454 and 45 loads.
With a max SAAMI chamber, they could grow by .010 - thats a lot of brass working. Judging by the ol' calibrated eyeball, there isn't anymore slop in the chambers of my .45 New Vaquero and .45 Bisley than in my FA 454/45. I'll be using the factory cylinder for my S & W Barreled .45 Colt.

[AxeHandle]

Some of the gun writers will randomly be critical of SAAMI Colt chambers. While we have the quantitative fact of the dimension difference I have not ever seen any objective data to indicate that it is a real issue so far as case life or accuracy. On the other hand we have quite a few forum members who have documented exceptional case life with 45 Colt brass in their stock chambered guns.... I have not personally experienced short case life with factory SAAMI chamber 45 Colt revolvers.. However my excursion off into 454s and custom tight chambered 45 Colts and my close ties to some bench rest rifle shooters makes it pretty simple to me... Make mine minumum spec. Keep in mind that this means 454 NOT 45 Colt size dies...

[c.r.]

Jun 6, 2009 18:49:59 GMT -5 Aggie01 said:

That being said, I talked to John Linebaugh last week, and he said he is typically no longer doing tight 6 shot .45's, the recent rugers have reasonable chamber dimensions, but the throats are still tight.

Mr. Clements made that same reference during our converstion, almost word for word when I spoke to him.

Thank y'all
c.r.

[kings6]

John told me the same thing a few weeks ago. He said the Ruger 45 cylinders are coming out so much better that he'd recommend shooting it first then just having an action job done if a guy wanted to stay with a 6 shot. My original question was about lineboring a Max cylinder to a tight 45. Remember, this is coming from one of the initial pioneers in modern, high performance 45 Colts.

[Aggie01]

Axehandle, do yourself a favor, and if you go with the grip frame change, look at Power Custom's setup - #5 grip frame, OM bisley hammer and OM wide trigger.

If you want to shoot loads hot enough that tight chambers matter, I guarantee that you can put loads in a full size .45 Colt that will HURT with an XR3.

Once again, only trying to help.

[AxeHandle]

This 40 year old war horse has finished its years as a magnum. It won't ever have to worry about heavy loads in my hands...

[nobearsyet]

Reblue it and strip the anodizing of of the grip frame, put on a steel ERH, tune the trigger to 2 lbs, fit up a nice set of plain walnuts and call it your Skeeter Skelton tribute 44 Magnum as it will be the exact (well, not exact, I don't think Bar twants to part wit hdad's old gun, but real real close) gun Skeeter used to carry for just about everything according to Bart

[paul105]

Hey Axe, if you change out the grip frame, I'll buy the XR3 from you if you want to get rid of it.

Paul

[AxeHandle]

Anytime I unload any parts you guys can be sure I will offer them here first....

Yo NBY! In '61 FT 44s came with steel EJRs! 40 years makes for a pretty good trigger job too!

[nobearsyet]

What does it pull at ?

[wickerbill]

Yep, that's how mine started out. Now it's a 45colt/45acp. John does good work turning a sow's ear into a silk purse.

Bill