converting winchester 1907 & 1910 rifles

[kevin.303]

i see these old semi auto carbines fairly regularly, usually pretty cheap too. chambered for such moldy oldies as .32WSL, .351WSL and .401WSL. i was wondering what the feasability would be of converting one of these to a pistol cartridge. can it be done?

[iiranger]

I think that the .30 Carbine was supposed to be derived from the .32 WSL...(worked at 2.5x the pressure...)  Bottom line, these were "LOW" pressure rounds. Like .45 Long Colt, .32/40, .44 Special, etc. and the action was straight "blow back." That is why they are heavy. Heavy breech bolt. And the brass was "semi rimmed"... Sure, you could recut, but for what? .38 Special? Little hot. 10 mag, --way too hot. .40 S&W probably a little hot. If you must, I would be more inclined to find some brass and shoot as is, so as to not alter any collector value... Old West Scrounger has them back in production, I think.  I have read that they were very popular with law enforcement, heavy bullets, fast repeat shots... (I got my badge just after they sold them off to go to .30 Carbines...). But not a great hunting rifle at any distance... your bucks. happy trails.

[gunnut69]

Carbine Williams converted one of them into gas operation while serving time in prison. His work later resulted in the design of the M1 Carbine of WWII fame. He was released and made many further firearms developements.. Not a great idea to convert them though. No real reason..