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Switchable Caliber DW Revolvers
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Bullwolf
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December 10, 2012 - 10:01 pm
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I noticed a fascinating post on the Cast Boolit forums today about switchable caliber Dan Wesson revolvers. There are some interesting pictures included in the post as well.

Link below

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?174453-Dan-Wesson-Switch-Calibers

A gentleman there has created a few custom switch caliber, or convertible Dan Wesson revolvers.

For example 414 Supermag to 385 Supermag.

45 Colt to 44 Magnum.

and even 32/20 to 357 Magnum.

I figured it was definitely worth a look, and that all the Dan Wesson forum members would be interested in it as well.

 

- Bullwolf

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rwsem
SOWELA (Southwest Louisiana)

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December 10, 2012 - 10:17 pm
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Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....

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missionary5155
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December 11, 2012 - 5:51 am
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Good morning

Was just headed over here to DW to post the same info.

There really are no "Switchable" calibers unless you want to do the extra work involved.

DW purposely made the frames with different threads (pitch / diameter)  so owners would not inadvertantly mount a 41 mag barrel on a 45 Colt frame.  I have pondered this possibility myself and have tried to take steps to insure I will not do so with my switch caliber applications.

Basicly cylinders will interchange within the frame size they were designed.  Realize some "fitting" may be required and it can be taxing.  It is the barrel adaption where you have to have access to a lathe of good quality. 

A nice option in making your own barrels is you can change to a faster rifling pitch.  A 1-16 pitch makes for a better heavy cast bullet barrel at moderate velocity.  EWK has the same idea with the 1-12 twist barrels in 357.  With the faster twist it is an easy chore to stabalize a 200 grainer on a 8" barrel without having to have the velocity (read chamber pressure) at the upper peaks of sanity.  I will keep bugging him to finally produce a series of 41 mag barrels in 1-12 twist.

So why the switch calibers anyway ?

Grew up in farm country where "make it yourself" was the way of life.  Has carried over and here comes the DW system with "do it yourself " written all over it.  We routinely change barrels and remove cylinders.  So when I missed out on the 414 SM it was a natural to make my own on my 375 SM frame.  Then I wanted the 45 Colt but the 32-20 was more important to get done first. 

Well I have 4 pictures and I cannot get them to upload ?   Gonna try my 19/32 spanner on this computer in about a minute.

The link that Bullwolf supplied will get you to the pictures... where is my 19/32...

Mike in ILLproud-to-be-an-american

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Charger Fan
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December 11, 2012 - 7:30 am
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Nice work on those, it looks like they all turned out very nice. Who made the 414 cylinder for you, DW or someone else?

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missionary5155
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December 11, 2012 - 8:57 am
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Good morning Charger Fan

The 414 SM cylinder came from CZ/DW.  If memory still serves it was a left over that was in stock.  Was purchased around four years back by a FFL I know.  So far that one required the most actual hand fitting.  One day I will get it blued or coated.  The chambers were nicely finished and ready to shoot.

Mike in ILL   proud-to-be-an-american

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