Howdy,
I have consecutive Cimarron Navy frame Open Tops in 44 Colt. Love shooting them! Their innaugural CAS debut will be in two weeks. Been workin' on the 44 Colt in 44 Special rifle problem like a lot of you.
My 44 Special 92 doesn't like to feed 44 Colt as the smallish rims jam in the slots in the rails sometimes. Okee dokee, most of the time and I know I need a '66 or Henry. To fix the "problem" I simply trim 44 Special cases to 1.09" - 1.1" 44 Colt length. Load using 44 Colt data of course, and seat the bullet to 44 Special length. I tailor the load to the OTs, the rifle has a rear site to adjust. Just don't forget these are 44 Colt length cases appropriate for 44 Colt, not Special loads. I keep 'em mild.
One other caveate, 1860 conversions with rebated cylinder/frame probably won't accept 44 Special rims. That's what Cimmaron told me; That's why the "new" 44 Colt has the small diameter rim. 44 Special/44 Mag cases wouldn't fit in the rebated cylinder without skipping chambers. One I tried sure wouldn't. They also told me that the 45 Colt OTs didn't pass proof. Not that I wanted a 45 Colt.
I'd like to ask questions so want to join STORM. Or do I need to shoot my OTs at a match first?
Thanks
BB