Old Octoganal .45 Colt Barrel Changed to .454???

[Lawful Larry]

I won the bid on a .45 colt 10" oct. barrel with a T/C 2.5x scope.  I am a .45 Colt freak and am waiting for my latest acquisition.  

However, a friend of mine had put a little twist to my situation.  He said I should look to have the barrel changed to a .454.  This sounded like it may be a good idea, but can I do this to an older barrel?  Is there anyone out there that does this work or can a good gunsmith do it?

[Lone Star]

This is a TERRIBLE idea!!  Not only is the .454 loaded to dangerous pressures for the Contender frame - have you ever seen the barrel walls on that octagonal barrel?  My 15 year-old barrel measures only 0.051" thick at the muzzle, thinner than a shotgun barrel.  Regardless of the frame strength issue, I'd worry about splitting the barrel with .454 pressures.

I really like my .45LC octi, and it shoots standard .45LC loads (250@850 fps) surprisingly well.  But it is extremely light in weight - with the thin barrel and large hole this isn't surprising - and recoil is "stout" for such light loads.  Good for carrying, but you may want to consider rubber grips if you don't have them.  Enjoy your new purchase!

[AfricanHandgunner]

Ditto to what Lonestar said.  BAD idea!! :eek: If you really want a 454 Casull single shot, you are going to have to buy an Encore.

[Lawful Larry]

Thanks for the reply.  Relax, this is why I ask the question.  A lack of knowledge can be a dangerous thing and this proves it.  Thank you for enlightening me on the older .45 Colt barrel.  Without questions, one stays in the dark without knowledge.   :wink:

I am no fan of the .454 and didn't think I would ever try to do this.  I will be glad to shoot the old lady with nice .45 Colt loads.  

[Graycg]

Believe it or not, I've seen what firing a 454 in a 45-410 barrel will do and while it didn't explode, it wouldn't lock up for a second shot....stretched the frame all out of whack with only one shot.  Saw that at the Texas City  Texas City range in 1985 sometime.  Good thing it wouldn't lock up, because the clown trying to do it seemed pretty determined to make it go a second time.

regards,
 graycg

[Lawful Larry]

Larry,

so your the one who won it huh?  i wanted to bid on it, but i was away from home and couldnt get to a computer to bid before it ended.

well, you already know that the .454 is a bad idea on the Contender frame, so i wont bother you with more of that.

if you want to sell that 2.5x scope and mount, please send me an email to the address below as that was really all i was wanting out of that auction.  i love them rail mount RP TC scopes...

I'll let ya know after I get my new acquisitions.  Looking forward to them.  I am hoping to put many rounds through that .45 Colt barrel.  

Thanks