Just curious if any ‘hobby’ gunsmiths have rechambered a revolver cylinder before. I have a couple projects that I think would benefit from this. One is an old 2nd model HE smith that was originally a .455 and has been opened up to .45 Colt. It’s a decent job but isn’t quite 100%. I have a later .357 cylinder that I was thinking of fitting and rechambering to .45 Colt. Another project that may or may not happen is rechambering a Colt New Service.38/40 cylinder to .45 Colt as well.

I have Nonte’s Pistolsmithing book and need to look at it. Also found this article which I’m
Reading tonight…

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Changing+calibers%3a+revolver+cylinder+reaming%3a+revolv...

Any tips or resources to check out, or a reality check and the name of a Smtoh to do it would be appreciated!

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Colt New service 38-40 revolvers are not easy to come by everyday. I don't shoot the caliber, but I would never rechamber a cylinder for one to 45. There are just too many other options to choose from than that one. As always, your property, your choice since I have no dog in this fight.

20 some odd years ago, Jim Stroh - now retired - rechambered a .38-40 cylinder to .45 ACP for my SAA to make me a convertible and also earlier rechambered a .44 mag Ruger flattop to .45 Colt.

Hamilton Bowen also had a project, at the time, taking ..38 Spl N Frame S&W revolvers and turning them into .44 Spl & .45 Colts

I'd think it'd be no problem for any competent gunsmith

.357 to .45 ACP by Jim Stroh

.45 Colt to 480 Achilles by Gary Reeder

Therin lies the problem…. I’d like to do it myself and I’m far from a ‘competent gunsmith’!

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I shot this group today with black hills ammo. It’s not great but about as good as I expect of myself given all the variables. The gun isn’t in the best of shape, pitting on one side of the barrel and some of the top strap. Since it shoots this decently I should probably just leave well enough alone. Or sell this one and use the money towards a .45 Colt NS!

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I had a Second Generation 5 1/2" .45 Colt ... .460 chamber throats ... .452" barrel. It rarely did that well.

To have a good gunsmith rechamber and fit another cylinder is not so expensive. I would pay the money rather than do it myself. I do some minor gunsmithing on some of my guns, but I buy the proper tools to do the job. The tools for some jobs are too expensive for me to buy for personal use so I go to the experts. Depending on the job, it can be more economical.

With the 2nd HE I would convert the cylinder to .455 and put it back to original