I have a recent post about my accuracy issues with my 5.5" Ruger Bisley and have come to the conclusion that the cylinder throats need to be reamed and the barrel needs firelapping. I was going to put this off until I have a bit more cashflow but then I had a great idea. Maybe somebody has a reamer and pilot that they would loan out to me. I would buy one but may or may not ever buy another 45LC revolver. So, does anybody want to save me $85 and loan me a .4525" reamer and pilot so I can accomplish this work for cheap?

I have reamed several cylinders with a .4525" reamer from the local toolmaker supply. I believe it cost around $20. I set the cylinder up in my drill press and put the reamer in the chuck ensuring it was square. Turn it BY HAND with lots of lube, carefuly feeding it with little pressure. worked very well and improved the accuracy.

Don

I would certainly loan it if you want. PM me.

Yes, a decimal reamer (0.452") or a fractional (29/64s, a touch over 0.453") both work well. I could loan one of them to you but we'd spend more on postage than they originally cost. Check with any tool supply house (Grizzley, McMaster-Carr, Wholesale Tool, etc.).

You can wrap some tape (use aluminum muffler tape) around the shank above the flutes till it measures 0.480" or a bit less than your chambers.

Thanks for the replies and the offers. Sounds like Midway or Brownells or whoever, is charging WAY too much for their reamers. I'll check the places you listed. $20 I can justify. $80 I can't.
Would something like this work? http://www.jlindustrial.com/RCT-04520L/SEARCH:KEYWORD/product.html

So it seems that the consensus on 45 Colt throats is that .4525" is the ideal. I have found reamers in .4520" and .4525" sizes. Should I ream to .4520" and then fire lap anticipating the throats to open a bit more during the lapping process or should I ream to .4525 to begin with and not worry about the additional wear that will occur during firelapping?

I tried both 0.452" and the 29/64s in my guns. Couldn't tell any difference to be honest.

You can always take out more, but it's hard to put back :D Start with the smaller one if you're concerned.

I decided that for the cost and trouble of doing it myself, it would be easier to send it out and have it done. I will be sending it to cylindersmith.com and for $38 and about 10 or so days of downtime, I can have the throats done by someone with lots of experience who comes highly recommended on the GBO boards. I'll report back with results in about two weeks hopefully.

I decided that for the cost and trouble of doing it myself, it would be easier to send it out and have it done. I will be sending it to cylindersmith.com and for $38 and about 10 or so days of downtime, I can have the throats done by someone with lots of experience who comes highly recommended on the GBO boards. I'll report back with results in about two weeks hopefully.
Can you tell us how that turned out? I have been considering doing the throats on my Blackhawk also. I've read Marshall's tech notes on it but am debating whether to try it myself or send it out to be done.

Can you tell us how that turned out? I have been considering doing the throats on my Blackhawk also. I've read Marshall's tech notes on it but am debating whether to try it myself or send it out to be done.

The guy on the other board never answered my email and bear season arrived with it not having been done so I am hunting with it as-is. The hunting isn't going so well either. Lots of pressure in the area where my bait is and 2 of the 3 bears that I have on camera have been harvested by other hunters who helped themselves to my bait while I was not there:mad:.

If you decide to do it yourself, I just ordered a 29/64ths (.4531") chucking reamer from JTS Machine for $12.