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Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 (Read 8895 times)

S99VG Oldtimer Offline Posts: 514 Location: CA Joined: Feb 1^st, 2020	Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Sep 14^th, 2021 at 4:26pm	Print Post
	I’ve been trying to find a centerfire breech block for a 044 1/2 and have not had much luck. As I understand it, the 044 1/2 breech block is just as tall as the 44 1/2 but 1/8-in more narrow. Looking at CPA the breech block does not appear too complicated but I am not a machinist. Can you thin a 44 1/2 breech block down to fit a 044 1/2 or am I over simplifying the problem? Thanks


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Dellet Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1303 Joined: May 19^th, 2017	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #1 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 6:15pm	Print Post
	Yes, it could be done. Probably should not be used for anything other than a rimfire. The opposite of what you're trying to do. What gives the 44 1/2 it's strength is the mortise that the block slides in. The 044 1/2 block has the same depth of mortise in the frame. The skirts on the block, for lack of better term, are the same thickness for both blocks. So both the internal and external dimensions are smaller. You end up with about half the surface area of contact of the skirt in the mortise. There is also a difference in the radius at the bottom of the skirt, but there is enough material on the 44 1/2 block to match the 044 1/2. Once the block is fitted, you will need to modify a 44 1/2 link to fit the 044 1/2 lever, or bush the 44 1/2 block to fit the 044 1/2 link. If you are re barreling at the same time, the headspace won't be an issue. Otherwise plan on having to adjust headspace. Hopefully if ll that works out, then the lever will drop far enough to extract a case. If not then more work to the link or depth of the block will be needed.


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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2107 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #2 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 6:17pm	Print Post
	I would probably say no to narrowing a 44 1/2 block. I say this because the two legs measured .144 inch thick each, this measurement came from an original and I believe they would get to thin. More than likely the narrowing was done between the legs but I don't know that for sure. As far as machining? Yes, anyone with machining skills and equipment could do it but lots of steps involved. They would just need some measurements if you don't have an original to go from. The photo show the legs on an original and and a block I made for a scratch built gun I am working on yet. bob *I see dellet answered also with some good advice and is familiar with both so use my info as you need.*
	« Last Edit: Sep 14^th, 2021 at 6:24pm by bobw »
	Robert Warren
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Sure shot Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1168 Location: East central Iowa Joined: Jun 22^nd, 2020	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #3 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 7:41pm	Print Post
	Here is a 44 1/2 breech block next to a 044 1/2 breech block both .22 rf for comparison.


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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2107 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #4 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:28pm	Print Post
	sure shot, looks like the 044 might have slightly narrower legs along with the narrower inside. Is that what you see also? Bob

	Robert Warren
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gnoahhh Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1063 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Joined: Mar 31^st, 2010	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #5 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:42pm	Print Post
	To take it a step further, why is there hesitation on the part of some gunsmiths to weld shut a rimfire firing pin hole to facilitate a centerfire firing pin? That would be the simple solution in the course of converting a rimfire 044 1/2 to centerfire.


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Sure shot Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1168 Location: East central Iowa Joined: Jun 22^nd, 2020	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #6 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:47pm	Print Post
	bobw wrote on Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:28pm: sure shot, looks like the 044 might have slightly narrower legs along with the narrower inside. Is that what you see also? Bob Yes, the thickness of the “legs” is slightly thicker on the 44 1/2 block. I’d measure them but my dial calipers are at the shop at work. The 044 1/2 uses a narrower link and extractor also. I personally don’t think it’s possible to mill down a 44 1/2 breech block for use in a 044 1/2.


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S99VG Oldtimer Offline Posts: 514 Location: CA Joined: Feb 1^st, 2020	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #7 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 9:09pm	Print Post
	Thanks for all the information and great pictures. What got me going on this was a conversation I had with Gail at CPA yesterday. She said that they don't do breech bolt conversions nor consider it a safe practice. That was a bit of a buzz kill because I have a 044 1/2 in 25 Stevens RF that I had planned on converting to centerfire. Now I'm not too sure. Perhaps I should leave it as a rimfire only and explore the possibilities of cartridges in that league.


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John Boy Ex Member	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #8 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 9:33pm	Print Post
	VG … there is plenty of info on several websites for making or buy rechargeable 25 rf brass …


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S99VG Oldtimer Offline Posts: 514 Location: CA Joined: Feb 1^st, 2020	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #9 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 9:37pm	Print Post
	Quote: VG … there is plenty of info on several websites for making or buy rechargeable 25 rf brass … Yeah but my barrel is about pizza box at 50-yard accurate. Its old and worn. I could reline it to 17 Hornet.


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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2107 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #10 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 10:07pm	Print Post
	Sure shot wrote on Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:47pm: bobw wrote on Sep 14^th, 2021 at 8:28pm: sure shot, looks like the 044 might have slightly narrower legs along with the narrower inside. Is that what you see also? Bob Yes, the thickness of the “legs” is slightly thicker on the 44 1/2 block. I’d measure them but my dial calipers are at the shop at work. The 044 1/2 uses a narrower link and extractor also. I personally don’t think it’s possible to mill down a 44 1/2 breech block for use in a 044 1/2. Thanks, No need to measure for me, just knowing the 044 leg is narrower is good enough for me at this point.

	Robert Warren
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Dellet Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1303 Joined: May 19^th, 2017	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #11 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 10:18pm	Print Post
	Everything on the 044 1/2 is basically .125” narrower except the extractor which is .050” if I remember right. The legs on the 044 1/2 are .020” thinner than the 44 1/2. With the 044 1/2 being .125”. If you were to reduce the width of the 44 1/2 block to fit the 044 1/2 frame, the legs would be .080” thick. A 30% reduction.


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Bulseyetom Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1025 Location: Santa Maria, Ca Joined: Oct 31^st, 2010	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #12 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 10:23pm	Print Post
	My 044 1/2 is a 218 bee and it shoots great with moderate loads. What would it take to modify the rimfire block to centerfire? Were the blocks machined the same except for the firing pin hole? Dumb but happy. Tom


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JLouis Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 10625 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2009	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #13 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 10:39pm	Print Post
	I would ask Gail at CPA.

	" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
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S99VG Oldtimer Offline Posts: 514 Location: CA Joined: Feb 1^st, 2020	Re: Can a 44 1/2 Breech Block be milled for a 044 1/2 Reply #14 - Sep 14^th, 2021 at 11:41pm	Print Post
	JLouis wrote on Sep 14^th, 2021 at 10:39pm: I would ask Gail at CPA. I did


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