.455 Webley

Woohog1 · Jan 17, 2020

I was gifted a Colt model 1917 revolver. It is stamped .455 Webley. I know it can obviously fire .455 Webley, and limited use of .45 acp 230 grain ball ammo due to too much pressure.

I have looked for .455 Webley ammo, and that stuff is OUTRAGEOUS!!! Anyone out there have any experience with these cool old school revolvers?

Fishkiller · Jan 17, 2020

I had a Webley a while back. I think it was the Mark II, it I recall correctly. The cylinder had been shaved during WWII to accept .45ACP. I shot about 20 round in it using moon clips. No problems. I think that to use .45ACP you need to modify and once that is done, ... Well you cannot undo it and it affects the value negatively. That is about all I know.

Moonpie · Jan 17, 2020

Back when I had one I reloaded for it.
Used .45acp dies and cast lead bullets loaded down.
It worked fine for me.
If yours is cut for moons just use light acp loads.

Woohog1 · Jan 17, 2020

Fishkiller said:
I had a Webley a while back. I think it was the Mark II, it I recall correctly. The cylinder had been shaved during WWII to accept .45ACP. I shot about 20 round in it using moon clips. No problems. I think that to use .45ACP you need to modify and once that is done, ... Well you cannot undo it and it affects the value negatively. That is about all I know.

I'd rather not destroy the value, it's very sentimental, but at the same time being something that I have I'd like to keep it as original as possible.

Woohog1 · Jan 17, 2020

Moonpie said:
Back when I had one I reloaded for it.
Used .45acp dies and cast lead bullets loaded down.
It worked fine for me.
If yours is cut for moons just use light acp loads.

It is cut for moon clips, but I worry about too much pressure from the standard 230 grain ball .45 acp. Wonder if the 180 grain would work better?

Dawico · Jan 17, 2020

Woohog1 said:
It is cut for moon clips, but I worry about too much pressure from the standard 230 grain ball .45 acp. Wonder if the 180 grain would work better?

I don't think that will reduce pressure.

Imported steel cased ammo is known to be weaker than it's domestic brass counterparts.

I'd try that if I really had to shoot it and didn't reload.

Woohog1 · Jan 17, 2020

Dawico said:
I don't think that will reduce pressure.

Imported steel cased ammo is known to be weaker than it's domestic brass counterparts.

I'd try that if I really had to shoot it and didn't reload.

Good to know. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for some at the gun show Sunday, thanks.

I haven't shot it a bunch, but the bit I have, everyone at the range kinda eyeballs it and stares.
I have a soft spot in my heart for old school wheel guns!

motorcarman · Jan 17, 2020

Please don't use 45 ACP or equivalent because you are shooting OVER PROOF loads each time. Use handloaded 45 AutoRim cases.

I have several original and 'shaved' 455 Webleys and I only use a 'spacer/shim' or AUTORIM cases with those cylinders.(I don't ever use 45 ACP or even the cases, MIX-UP?)

http://www.partsforantiqueguns.com/webleymarkvI.html

Unless you are a reloader you are not going to use it as a cost effective handgun.

I use SCHOFIELD brass to make both MKI (black powder) and MKII (smokeless) rounds for the Normal 455 cylinders. A case trimmer and small lathe can be used as well as a hollow base bullet mould to make proper ammo.

just country · Jan 18, 2020

morning, was that used in death wish 3!
justme gbot tum

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