Webley Fans -- Have You Heard about This?
- Thread starter Dave DeLaurant
- Start date
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Dave DeLaurant
Member
My Mk VI was made around the same time, but suffered the all-too-common indignity of having the cylinder shaved for .45 ACP moonclips.
I just shoot .45 Autorim brass in it, downloaded significantly. It would be nice to find a spare .455 cylinder/extractor assembly for it, but they seem to be unobtanium and I have no idea how much fitting they would require.
Speaking of missed opportunities, I've seen adverts like this one from a few years before I was born offering ,455 Webley revolvers and automatics for $20.
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mcb
Member
Yeah, I got supper lucky to find an early import that was not shaved for 45 ACP on moonclips. I also got lucky that Graf and Sons had some cheap ammo loaded in Star Line brass. Starline did not have any in stock. Matt's bullet makes a wonderful replica of the MkII bullet and I have been having lots of fun loading a replica of the MkII ammo for my Webley. My goal late this summer fall is to take a few armadillos with the old Webley.
Jim Watson
Member
That .455 Auto would be a rare find now, whether Webley or Colt.
.45Coltguy
Member
That new pistol made in India makes the new Henry handgun look good.
Old Hobo
Member
I'd like to have one, Webly .32. Utilitarian, hmmm .... , maybe. Fun shooter -- definitely that.
I'm no stranger to buying "cute" little handguns. They're sure not for self defense.
I've fired Buffalo Bore .32 Long full wadcutters (hard-cast) in a .32 S&W Hand Ejector with zero problems. However, with a top-break revolver, I'd likely not do this. I know the pressures are kept within spec.s, but nevertheless, I'm no gambler -- especially concerning my eyes and fingers. Regular .32 wadcutters would be a good load, I imagine.
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I'm no stranger to buying "cute" little handguns. They're sure not for self defense.
I've fired Buffalo Bore .32 Long full wadcutters (hard-cast) in a .32 S&W Hand Ejector with zero problems. However, with a top-break revolver, I'd likely not do this. I know the pressures are kept within spec.s, but nevertheless, I'm no gambler -- especially concerning my eyes and fingers. Regular .32 wadcutters would be a good load, I imagine.
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JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
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The top break Webley is a notoriously weak action that is extremely prone to loosening up over time.
Monac
Member
Really? First time I've heard it. The inexpensive top breaks made with malleable iron frames were prone to loosening up, but I have not heard the same about Webleys. In fact, a lot of the 455 Webleys have survived being shot for some time with standard velocity 45 ACP ammo, which constitutes a considerable overload compared to the ammo they were designed for. Cases of them failing catastrophically seem rare. I think you are lumping all top breaks into the same pot, and that makes no more sense for Webleys then for any other kind of firearm.
I should note, though, that the Indian Ordnance Factory revolvers that this thread is about are NOT made by Webley, nor do we know that they are made to Webley standards. Calling them Webleys is like calling a Rossi or Taurus revolver a Smith & Wesson - which would have been quite a mistake in the early days of both companies.
PS - the use of the word "action" in JCooperfan1911's post seems odd to me. "Action" usually refers to the trigger mechanism of a revolver, or the main operating system of a shoulder arm (lever action, pump action, etc.). What he means is the design of the frame. The Webley is a hinged frame or top break revolver, as opposed to a solid frame or a solid frame with a swing-out cylinder, and so on.
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At .455, at least it's not a poodle shooter.....
RevolvingGarbage
Member
So, I’ll give you that a hinged action is less strong than a solid frame. You have to keep loads within specs or you can loosen a latch or otherwise wear a top break out. If you don’t shoot overloaded ammo, a Webley will outlast you and your kids most likely.
Most of the examples that members have on this board were made between 1900 and 1920 or so. Wouldn’t that have given them plenty of time to loosen up?
Mine is undated but was certainly made around the end of WWI. No loose lock here.
Your fudd lore is lacking this time, sensei.
Mine is an Enfield - the seller thought it was a Webley LOL! This one was made during WWII and shoots 380 Revolver, the British version of 38 S&W (not Special).
One of those Indian versions in 38 S&W would sell over here for around $500. If they could maybe build a factory here?
One of those Indian versions in 38 S&W would sell over here for around $500. If they could maybe build a factory here?
mcb
Member
With regards to action strengths, in general top break revolvers are always a weaker design than the solid frame of a single action or modern double action revolver. The hinge and latch are both serious liabilities. That said the Webley version of the top break actions is one of the stronger top break actions that was ever mass produced. The hinge pin is fairly larger diameter and the frame equally thick at that location distributing the forces well and the latch is probably one of the strongest and most wear tolerant designs implemented in top breaks. The Webley is the big fish in that small pond, but it is a small weak pond.
455 Mk II has a Max pressure of ~13,000 psi (using the slightly different CIP transducer measurement system than we are use to with SAAMI transducer methode)
455 Mk II has a Proof pressure of ~17,000 psi (Transducer)
45 ACP has a Max pressure of 21,000 psi (Transducer).
I will let you guys decide if shooting full power 45 ACP in a Webley is good for it.
455 Mk II has a Max pressure of ~13,000 psi (using the slightly different CIP transducer measurement system than we are use to with SAAMI transducer methode)
455 Mk II has a Proof pressure of ~17,000 psi (Transducer)
45 ACP has a Max pressure of 21,000 psi (Transducer).
I will let you guys decide if shooting full power 45 ACP in a Webley is good for it.
