Colt gunsmithing question.

[The Trinity Kid]

Hi y'all.  I'm considering buying a Richards-Mason Army barrel in 44 Colt/Russian.  My problem is:  I don't have a frame or cylinder for it..  So, the question is, could a plain BP Army frame be changed to accept a Richards barrel and cylinder? Could the water table on the frame be lowered for the un-stepped cylinder?  I know a loading slot can be added, but.....

Anything helps.

--TK

[Pettifogger]

Hi y'all.  I'm considering buying a Richards-Mason Army barrel in 44 Colt/Russian.  My problem is:  I don't have a frame or cylinder for it..  So, the question is, could a plain BP Army frame be changed to accept a Richards barrel and cylinder? Could the water table on the frame be lowered for the un-stepped cylinder?  I know a loading slot can be added, but.....

Anything helps.

--TK

What you are proposing would cost more than buying a new gun.  ANYTHING can be done if you have enough talent and/or money.  If you are going to shoot smokeless powder remember than the BP frames are not heat treated or proofed for smokeless.  Check the prices for a cylinder and frame. Then add in the cost of your barrel.  It will almost certainly be more than a new gun.  Unless you have the talent and equipment to do the job yourself, it will simply be not cost effective.

[Graveyard Jack]

I'm a little confused because the .44/.45 conversion cylinder is rebated just like the percussion cylinder. Only the .38's would be a straight continuous diameter. However, if the parts will even interchange, you can buy one a whole lot cheaper and easier than you can build one.

[Advertising]

[Seth Hawkins]

I'm not sure that the dimensions for the BP guns and the "smokeless" guns are the same.  I'm not sure the parts are interchangeable.  But I could be wrong.  Abilene would be the one to answer a question like this.  He has ready access to both BP and smokeless guns.

[Abilene]

I'm not sure that the dimensions for the BP guns and the "smokeless" guns are the same.  I'm not sure the parts are interchangeable.  But I could be wrong.  Abilene would be the one to answer a question like this.  He has ready access to both BP and smokeless guns.

I think you are correct, different dimensions.  Otherwise you could just buy an 1860 BP barrel and stick it on a Richards-Mason to make an 1860 conversion with a rammer on it.  But like Pettifogger said, with enough money to modify frames, move barrel pins, etc. anything is possible.

[The Trinity Kid]

What I figured.  But thought I'd ask anywho.   Nobody happens to have an Uberti R-M frame and 44 Colt cylinder they want to get rid of cheap, now would they? 

--TK

[pony express]

What you could do is, buy a complete R-M, and the barrel you found, then shorten the extra barrel, you could have 2 guns in one!

[The Trinity Kid]

That's an idea! of course, some dough would be required for that........ Sigh.  I should go into the pizza business and make some dough.

--TK