Author Topic: Webleys converted to .45 ACP: Any consensus regarding them? (Read 1249 times)

Big Paulie · « **on:** November 28, 2005, 03:15:16 AM »

Dear Folks,

I have been studying the Webley Mark VI revolvers, and have of course noticed that large numbers of them were converted from .455 Webley to .45 ACP when they were imported into the country. I know that the Webley revolvers were very strongly built, but in view of the large pressure/power difference between the original .455 round and the .45 ACP, I wonder if after all of these years, any consensus (or non-consensus) has developed about the reliability or safety of these converted pieces. As gunsmiths, I wonder if you have seen large numbers of failed, blown or damaged Webley's in the converted form? I know that there can never be a guarantee of safety on a converted piece, but I just wonder if there is a general consensus about these given all of the time that has passed.

Thanks for all responses and information.

Big Paulie

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2005, 08:23:08 AM »

Big Paulie: I have never gunsmithed any of those old Webleys but I have owned a handful and they are a hoot to shoot. They are monster clunkers and I just love'm. Although they are converted from the 455 Webley they should not be considered inferior. Many of those Webleys were converted for war use, issued, retired and sold to importers. As for power pressures - hey, those are old guns. They can handle what they were designed for but they are a top break revolver and those are not designed for hotter loadings. 45 ACP ball ammo works just fine in them with the halfmoon clips. The 45 Auto Rim cartridge is near a reloader's dream. Mike Venturino has recently written up the old 45 Auto Rim. For whatever you would want it for, flatnosed or swc bullets loaded to standard pressures will work fine. HTH. Mikey.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2005, 07:34:32 AM »

The webleys are strong revolvers and were chambered in some rather powerful rounds. They should hangle the 45ACP easily. If your revolver is in good condition I would say moderate shooting with standard pressure ammo should do no harm..

unspellable · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:51:50 AM »

The top break frame is not the weak point. You will blow the cylinder apart before the frame gives way. I've never heard of one of these failing due to pressure of a standard 45 ACP load. The 455 Webley was laoded with a heavier bullet than the 45 ACP to just slightly less velocity so the pressures were probably pretty comparable.

As for reliability, the conversion leaves the extractor star rather weak and prone to breakage. The converted revolver will tend to shoot a bit low since the sights were set up for the 455 load. I have seen 45 ACP bullets go through a Webley and have rifling engraved on only one side.

I consider this conversion a butcher's job. the revolver will work better and prodcue better accuracy with the ammo it was intended to use. I've never understood the rational behind the conversion any way. Back when the Webelys were plentiful on the market Dominion 455 Colt ammo was easily available. (455 Colt is the North American civilian version of the 455 Webley cartridge.) Fiocchi markets the 455 Webley today. The 455 was once a fairly popular round in North America. There are a lot of S&W's and Colts around so chambered. If the Webleys had been left stock, the 455 cartrdige would probably be even more avialable than it is.

In my own case, my Webley Mk VI was stock, I had a closet full of 455 Colt factory loads, brass, dies, etc. I was fat, dumb, and happy (Well, no so fat.) until the burglery. I've not been able to find a stock Webley to replace it since.

unspellable · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:53:43 AM »

The top break frame is not the weak point. You will blow the cylinder apart before the frame gives way. I've never heard of one of these failing due to pressure of a standard 45 ACP load. The 455 Webley was loaded with a heavier bullet than the 45 ACP to just slightly less velocity so the pressures were probably pretty comparable.

As for reliability, the conversion leaves the extractor star rather weak and prone to breakage. The converted revolver will tend to shoot a bit low since the sights were set up for the 455 load. I have seen 45 ACP bullets go through a Webley and have rifling engraved on only one side.

I consider this conversion a butcher's job. the revolver will work better and produce better accuracy with the ammo it was intended to use. I've never understood the rational behind the conversion any way. Back when the Webleys were plentiful on the market Dominion 455 Colt ammo was easily available. (455 Colt is the North American civilian version of the 455 Webley cartridge.) Fiocchi markets the 455 Webley today. The 455 was once a fairly popular round in North America. There are a lot of S&W's and Colts around so chambered. If the Webleys had been left stock, the 455 cartridge would probably be even more available than it is.

In my own case, my Webley Mk VI was stock, I had a closet full of 455 Colt factory loads, brass, dies, etc. I was fat, dumb, and happy (Well, no so fat.) until the burglery. I've not been able to find a stock Webley to replace it since.