questioning the convertable concept...?

[poules'deau]

Been reading the posts and I must say it's quiet simple (to me that is) why people have/want/buy convertibles......economics.  How else can you get two guns for less money?  Lots of folks like the idea of using the same platform for different cartridges.  Interestingly, I didn't see anyone list the 44Special/44-40WCF convertible, a particular favorite of mine.  How about the 38WCF (38-40) and the 10MM/40S&W ?  Here, you can use 3 cartridges with 2 cylinders and one platform.   The 45 Colt/45ACP makes a lot of sense in that 45 ACP ammo is abundantly cheap but not available in the heavier slugs offered in 45 Colt.   With the 454 Cassul and 45 Colt, power differences alone justify the convertible concept.

Convertibles are a handloader's dream.  They allow one to gain experience with a wider range of cartridges and loads in the most economic manner possible. 

Are convertibles necessary?  No.  Are they useful?  You bet.

Jim

[Swampman]

The 44-40WCF and 38WCF (38-40) are only cartridges I would choose if I had no other choice.  If my grandpa left me an original Colt in one of these chamberings I'd shoot it.  The .44 Magnum, .44 Special, and the .41 Magnum beat the pants off either for any use because you can use carbide dies and the brass isn't as thin as paper.  The 10mm is a fine obsolete semi-auto round.  If shooting obscure obsolete chamberings in revolvers that are really to big heavy for these under powered cartridges is your bag the convertibles are completely logical.

[sui generis]

And, several years ago, a distributor had Ruger make him a run of .32Mag/.32-20 convertibles -

I'm not sure why I did'nt get one  -

Have a .9mm/.357 which is my bullet puller of choice for reloaded 9mms that are a little tight in the gage -

Recently got a .45SC(ACP)/.45LC and had it out yesterday for the first time -

I think we're going to drop back to the 'standard' LC loads instead of the 'Ruger/TC' ones 

Me and Arthur(itis) don't like to shoot the real heavy stuff anymore.

[LEO]

I have two of the single six convertables one blue and one stainless in 5 1/2" which I really like.  They do shoot to different points depending on whether the 22 mag or 22 lr cylinder is in place but they also shoot to different points of aim with different brands of ammo this is all remedied by the adjustable sights.  I had a 45 convertable but sold it, nothing wrong with it, someone just wanted it worse than I did, the reason it made so much sense to me was at that time I got free 45 a.c.p. ammo and no matter how inexpensively you can reload 45 colt ammo it still isn't free.  So most of the rounds through that revolver were 45 a.c.p.

[moxgrove]

kywdwrk, The 41 mag and 40 S&W are not interchangeable diameter wise or the 38-40 41 mag combo. 38-40 and 40 s&w 10mm auto are all .400 cal 41 mag is .410 .

[moxgrove]

One fun thing about the convertible is that pistol magazines make great speedloaders. A buddy has the 45 acp and uses a paraord double stack mag. two cylinders full in one package and it is pretty slick. He ejects a spent case and pushes a fresh from the mag right in. It was a bit awkward when I tried it, but he is really fast.

[Slufoot]

Hello poules deau,
You wrote,
" How about the 38WCF (38-40) and the 10MM/40S&W ?  Here, you can use 3 cartridges with 2 cylinders and one platform. "

In a single action revolver the auto cartridges headspace off of the case mouth. If you had a cylinder chambered for the 10mm, the 40S&W would not headspace. It would slide too far into the chambers of the cylinder.

If you had a double action revolver chambered for the 10mm then you could use moon clips and would then be able to use the shorter 40S&W cartridge. The moon clip acts as a rim and lets the cartridge headspace like a rimmed cartridge.

If you did have a single action that was able to use moon clips, you wouldn't be able to eject the cases in the traditional manner. It would be necessary to remove the cylinder to unload and load.

Good Shooting!
Slufoot

[poules'deau]

Slufoot,

You are absolutely correct.  Good eye.

Jim

[Tom W.]

I have a Ruger .45 Colt /.45 a.c.p. convertible. I use it for plinking and whatever suits my fancy at the time. I'll shoot the .45 a.c.p. cylinder because some days I don't feel like chasing brass from my Government model. It's also a good way to use up loads that the pistol doesn't like.

[Kmrere42]

Having a convertible in 9mm/357 I am having a lot of fun with the cheap walmart ammo.  I would like to see another one of the 32h&r/32-20 blackhawks.  I would add extra cylinders in 7.62x25 and in 30 carbine.  The ideal bore size would be .310 - .311.   Does anyone know if there is enough metal in the cylinder to do a 5 shot 7.62x39 ??


Convertables rock ....!!!!.....   




Paul

[RNettles]

+1 on the "Convertibles Rock"... I'll be getting the .45 convertible soon... Love the .357/.38/9mm so far...

[Win 73]

Kywoodwrkr,
     Swampman is right. Several years ago Ruger made a special run of Blackhawks for a firearms distributor called Buckeye Sports. These convertable Blackhawks were blued and came in 38-40 Win. and 10mm.
They also had Ruger make them in 32-20/32H&R Mag.

Good Shooting!
Slufoot

I have one of the 10 mm/.38-40 convertibles.  I bought it because I have an 1873 Winchester in .38-40.  I had always wanted a single action revolver as a companion to the '73 but just couldn't justify the cost of a Colt.

Since I don't reload, I usually shoot the 10 mm instead of the .38-40.

I also have a .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible.  I shoot the ACP more than the Colt.

[georgeld]

Had a welding instructor once that told some of us:

"Some of you a/ho's can't be taught, some can't understand if they're shown and explained
all day and night too".

IF it aint' for you, do something else and let those of us that can/do alone.
Make's life much happier for everyone.

Same deal works for taste in women, cars, trucks, kinda games you play too.

George

[Old Griz]

If you have a 45 colt, why shoot the ACP or vise-versa?

As a new .45 Colt owner I have one reason. Finding .45 Colt ammo in something other than reduced Cowboy loads isn't easy in many places. Sure I know you can order some stuff through the mail, but if you just walk into a sporting goods store (Bass Pro, etc.) you might not find any regular factory loads. And a place like Walmart isn't going to have any at all. (Come on guys. Don't get mad at me - you know it's true.) So if you realize that you didn't pack the Colt ammo, you can always find .45 ACP. Also, if you need self-defense ammo, again, it's easier to find it in ACP than it is in Colt.

And ACP ammo is a lot cheaper!

Just another couple of reasons to be able to shoot both.