How could I start this project??? (50cal sixshooter)

**PirateSteve** · September 17th, 2009, 03:36 PM

Okay...going off the deep end here....

I've been really slow at work and I've been thinking of how to go about designing and then having built (I'm no gunsmith) a custom single action revolver in a mild to modest 50 caliber round. My basic idea is to do something similar to Guncrafter Industries 50 GI 1911, but for a single action. I'm thinking something along the lines of 500 S&W Magnum cases cut down so the overall length of the round will be the same as the 45 Colt, with rougly the same chamber pressure as the 45 Colt, using 300+gr bullets. Maybe this is only a pipe dream, and I'm sure there are reasons why it'd be more practical to have a heavy 45 Colt, or something like that, but I think it'd be a neet lil cartridge, especially in a smaller single action revolver (3 1/2" to 4 5/8" barrel range)

Any thoughts from those more experienced than I (that probably includes everyone able to read this!)???

**knight0334** · September 17th, 2009, 04:15 PM

There are already shorter 50cal handgun cartridges, any of which you could down load to powderpuff levels. Have it be known though, all of which are 5 shooters because of the size of the shells. Nobody makes a receiver big enough for a wheel that holds 6. You would have to make your own gun entirely from scratch to fit 6.

500 Linebaugh (the shorter one) .510" bullets
500 Linebaugh Long/Maximum .510" bullets, not the typical .500" used by S&W and in the WE below
500 Wyoming Express
50 Special (shorter 500S&W)

If you want a single action 50cal that isn't a 500S&W, look up Freedom Arm's 500WE, and any of the Linebaugh($2300 for conversion alone) and Bowen custom guns.

**PirateSteve** · September 17th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Well, that would certainly make my job a whole lot easier!

Thanks for the info! I'll be doing some research.

**knight0334** · September 18th, 2009, 11:01 AM

For a 5 shooter, Ruger's Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, the old style Vaquero, and old style Bisley are candidates for a conversion. There are a couple S&W double actions too.

Expect to pay $1500-$3500 to do a conversion on your pistol. More if they supply it.

**PirateSteve** · September 18th, 2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the great info. I might look at trying to do it with an old Vaquero, since I'd like it to have the look of an old traditional Colt if possible. I think the 500 S&W Special would be a good candidate, but I'm only just starting to research it.

**knight0334** · September 18th, 2009, 03:03 PM

The 500S&W Special still might be a tad big for the production frames. ...not sure on that though. Its still a long cartridge, typically meant for the X-frame S&W's and the other big guns chambered in 500 S&W Mag as a more managable load.

The Linebaughs and WE do fit the regular production frames.

EDIT: Yep about it being too big, except for X-frames, BFR's, and Raging Bulls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S&W_Special