rebarrel/rechamber SAA

salvadore · January 13, 2009, 05:56 PM

I have a 3rd generation SAA that I have owned for 25 or 30 yrs in .44 spec. chambers are .434+ and barrel is .426+. Am currently shooting 429421 that casts to .434 that actually kinda groups. Anything less I get patterns and leading as you would expect. I would like to screw in a .45 barrel and rechamber my current cylinder. Am I way over my pay grade? What is the drill for this type of job? Thanks in advance for any help on this project.

salvadore · January 22, 2009, 11:21 AM

Ok, failing that, does anyone know where I might find this info? A website or another forum? Thanks.

kraigwy · January 22, 2009, 11:33 AM

A simpler solution would be to slug your barrel, send the slug to a mold manufactor, RCBS, Lvman, etc. and have a mold built for you gun, it will be cheaper and you'll end up with a better more accurate revolver.

Hawg · January 22, 2009, 11:36 AM

You could buy a chamber reamer and rechamber it yourself if that's what you're asking but the barrel job requires a gunsmith unless you have access to a machine shop and you'd have to buy another special tool.

salvadore · January 22, 2009, 02:22 PM

Okie pokie, now I'm getting somewhere. I already know my groove diameter, as stated it is .426+ and my chamber diameter is .434+. I use to have access to a 427098 mold that dropped bullets in access of .434+, but not anymore. I currently have a 429421 mold that drops bullets that kind of fill the chamber, I can push them thru manually with little effort. I would like to get away from this size difference. I could have someone rechamber a .357 cylinder to .44 spec. with chamber at .430 and then have the new cylinder adjusted to my hand and bolt etc.

I thought if I could ream the cylinder myself to .451, or 2 and screw in a .45 barrel I would be done with this pain in the pooper problem. So, what special tools do I need to unscrew/screw in a barrel? If it is too much for me to do the barrel myself, I could send it to someone, but rechambering the cylinder is within my capability if someone would tell me what I need. Thank you.

Hawg · January 22, 2009, 03:29 PM

Brownells sells reamers. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...RING%20REAMERS
Here's an in-depth article on reaming a cylinder. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...g=artBody;col1
Changing a barrel requires a heavy duty vice securely mounted. An action wrench also available from Brownells http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...ARREL%20WRENCH and a pair of hardwood blocks with half the barrel profile in each one but slightly smaller so you can use them to lock the barrel down in the vice securely. You also need a lathe to cut down the barrel to adjust cylinder gap.

salvadore · January 23, 2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks Hawg Haggin.

salvadore · January 23, 2009, 12:00 PM

er...Haggen

James K · January 23, 2009, 02:16 PM

That receiver wrench is very important as the SAA frame is pretty weak and twists easily. IMHO, changing a barrel on one is not a DIY exercise.

Jim

salvadore · January 29, 2009, 11:48 AM

Thanks Keenan, I think you're right.

January 13, 2009, 05:56 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	rebarrel/rechamber SAA I have a 3rd generation SAA that I have owned for 25 or 30 yrs in .44 spec. chambers are .434+ and barrel is .426+. Am currently shooting 429421 that casts to .434 that actually kinda groups. Anything less I get patterns and leading as you would expect. I would like to screw in a .45 barrel and rechamber my current cylinder. Am I way over my pay grade? What is the drill for this type of job? Thanks in advance for any help on this project.

January 22, 2009, 11:33 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	A simpler solution would be to slug your barrel, send the slug to a mold manufactor, RCBS, Lvman, etc. and have a mold built for you gun, it will be cheaper and you'll end up with a better more accurate revolver. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 22, 2009, 11:21 AM	#2
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Ok, failing that, does anyone know where I might find this info? A website or another forum? Thanks.

January 22, 2009, 11:36 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	You could buy a chamber reamer and rechamber it yourself if that's what you're asking but the barrel job requires a gunsmith unless you have access to a machine shop and you'd have to buy another special tool.

January 22, 2009, 02:22 PM	#5
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Okie pokie, now I'm getting somewhere. I already know my groove diameter, as stated it is .426+ and my chamber diameter is .434+. I use to have access to a 427098 mold that dropped bullets in access of .434+, but not anymore. I currently have a 429421 mold that drops bullets that kind of fill the chamber, I can push them thru manually with little effort. I would like to get away from this size difference. I could have someone rechamber a .357 cylinder to .44 spec. with chamber at .430 and then have the new cylinder adjusted to my hand and bolt etc. I thought if I could ream the cylinder myself to .451, or 2 and screw in a .45 barrel I would be done with this pain in the pooper problem. So, what special tools do I need to unscrew/screw in a barrel? If it is too much for me to do the barrel myself, I could send it to someone, but rechambering the cylinder is within my capability if someone would tell me what I need. Thank you.

January 22, 2009, 03:29 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Brownells sells reamers. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...RING%20REAMERS Here's an in-depth article on reaming a cylinder. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...g=artBody;col1 Changing a barrel requires a heavy duty vice securely mounted. An action wrench also available from Brownells http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...ARREL%20WRENCH and a pair of hardwood blocks with half the barrel profile in each one but slightly smaller so you can use them to lock the barrel down in the vice securely. You also need a lathe to cut down the barrel to adjust cylinder gap.

January 23, 2009, 11:45 AM	#7
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Thanks Hawg Haggin.

January 23, 2009, 12:00 PM	#8
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	er...Haggen

January 23, 2009, 02:16 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That receiver wrench is very important as the SAA frame is pretty weak and twists easily. IMHO, changing a barrel on one is not a DIY exercise. Jim

January 29, 2009, 11:48 AM	#10
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Thanks Keenan, I think you're right.