Insane antique gun cross-plant and restoration. How to reproduce it?

[u/Sad-Stop-2401]

Someone (in CGN) took a busted Webley MKII frame and MKVI cylinder and barrel assembly and made this unholy Webley MKII***. It has MKVI Cylinder and barrel assembly so it can withstand nitro-based ammo (or at the very least a cordite alternative) and since frame is the gun so it is fully legal and antique. To top it all, they got new grip made locally.

They also made speed loaders using .410 speed loaders with central post removed.

I also wish to do the same and have some doubts. Can someone with knowledge in antique restoration help me with following questions?

1. They mentioned they used part of MKVI cylinder cam system. Can someone elucidate what it will amount to? I believe they had to put the cam that rotates cylinder from MKVI to MKII.

2. They mentioned they had to cut new forcing cone and CNC a new ratchet star. Why will a new forcing cone be required? I thought forcing cones forces bullet from cylinder into barrel. That should be a part of barrel assembly, right?

3. Also CNC a new ratchet star. Thats for timing and extraction, right? so they had to make a new one. That sounds a bit worrying. Because it controls timing.. Has anyone here done something similar and what was your experience?

I tried communicating with them but they are maintaining radio silence. Perhaps for a good reason.

[u/Strong_Mayhem]

https://giphy.com/gifs/DmwWIaVmFdlrOew9LM

[u/TheRealTwooni → u/Strong_Mayhem]

https://giphy.com/gifs/tnYri4n2Frnig

[u/escv_69420 → u/Strong_Mayhem]

Hahahahahahaha

[u/Possible_Jellyfish69]

I don't know how to do this conversion, but I have an mki** and have read quite a bit about Webley revolvers. In general, each barrel/cylinder was hand fitted to each frame, so they are not easily interchangable between different guns, even if you are not trying to do a ** conversion. This is the first time I've heard of someone doing it successfully on a gun that was not converted by the arsenal.

Unless you already have a broken mki or mkii, or can buy one cheaply, this probably doesn't make sense to do. A working mki or mkii is about $4k, and it would be pretty wild to attempt this type of conversion on such an expensive gun. Also, unless you're a skilled gunsmith, the gunsmithing fees would likely be substantial, to the point that it would probably make more sense to save up to buy a working webley.

You can already use smokeless in an unmodified mki or mkii, you just need to use Fiocchi 455 (they are not 850fps, contrary to what the box says) or handloads of comparable low pressure/velocity rounds. You should not shoot factory .45acp out or a shaved mkvi or mki/ii** anyway, as that is too much pressure.

Lastly, I have modified the speedbeez .410 speedloader to work with 455 Webley too - it does work well.

[u/sydeburn]

Chamfering a forcing cone is normally done for accuracy, Brownells sells an 11 degree cutter for the purpose. Probably just done while the gun was apart.

On a Webley the ratchet star and ejector are spring loaded and separate from the cylinder, as someone who has spent hours at gun shows hunting junk bins for one, it might be faster to cnc a new one.

[u/Some-Owl8102]

needs the pritchard bayonet and its set 

[u/BowFella]

As far as I know it takes more than just a cylinder and barrel change to make a revolver handle higher pressures. The frame also needs to be made of a stronger metallurgy to withstand the extra stress that a higher pressure round will put on it. I dont see it blowing up, but I can see a smokeless round still throwing off the timing and causing the frame to stretch over time. If not immediately.

[u/Background-Way7794]

So, i run a few of these. Right now a popular conversion is making a .455 web to run .45 ACP, this is done by turning down the rear of the cylinder and using full moon clips. Fine, most folks in the Webley space know this.

The conversion here, using a later mk barrel and cylinder for higher pressures will eventually catch up with you if you intend to run hot loads. the MK2 frames are tough, yes, but the hinge and backstrap lock will start to spread after a while... and at some point, they may start to unlock under load ( this can be exciting, ive witnessed another shooter with a worn out Web have this occur.. it was...neat.

Once you re-index the hand, ratchet and cylinder stop. sure, it will most likely be ok, but as others have mentioned, if you dont have the gunsmithing experince, this is going to be costly.

if i can make a suggestion? why not get brass and reload ?