ASM Colt Navy

[John William McCandles]

Will the R&D or Kirst conversions fit an ASM navy?
I can get a deal on one and was wondering about this.

Thanks
JW

[Major 2]

I've seen some (1860's) with R&D's Drop in's
There was some adjustment to get them to run. But no more than I've seen needed for some Pietta's or Uberti's

One I see regularly, is smooth as silk and a Main match gun

[Hoof Hearted]

John

Walt called me this morning regArding an order and I asked him your question. Of course as soon as I did he reminded me that we had done this before!

Here's the skinny:

The Uberti cylinder and the ASM are the same length so no problemo there. BUT the Konvertor ring on the Uberti has a smaller over all circle than the ASM. What this means is the "foot" (flat spot at the bottom that keeps the ring from turning) is too short for the ASM. This can be remedied by silver soldering a shim to the bottom or by tig welding and filing to fit.

What happens here is the ring will turn and the hammer will strike the shoulder of the cut out where the firing pin is located. i have done this before and it's not a problem to fit on the Colt design.

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[Pettifogger]

One thing to consider before doing this.  ASM has been out of business a long time.  ASM's quality control was very spotty.  Some of their guns were very good, others were junk and the cost to fix them is greater than the value of the gun.  The conversion setup is going to cost considerably more than a used ASM Navy is worth.  You might be better off buying a Pietta or Uberti and starting with a better gun.  Their current quality is pretty good and you can get spare parts easily.

[Mako]

One thing to consider before doing this.  ASM has been out of business a long time.  ASM's quality control was very spotty.  Some of their guns were very good, others were junk and the cost to fix them is greater than the value of the gun.  The conversion setup is going to cost considerably more than a used ASM Navy is worth.  You might be better off buying a Pietta or Uberti and starting with a better gun.  Their current quality is pretty good and you can get spare parts easily.

+1  From someone who has owned an ASM factory conversion and ASM percussion revolvers (still have a couple) .

[Hoof Hearted]

All valid points unless you have experience, spares or a friend that works cheap!

[John William McCandles]

Thanks for the replies.
I haven't heard anything else on this from the guy selling it so I'm passing.
I'm trying to get the $$$ together to buy another pair of Cimarron '60 R&M's in .44 Colt and 5 1/2" barrels. I have a pair with 8" barrels and the shorter barrels would be nice sometimes. My 8"ers are the older style so the newer barrels won't fit, done tried that and don't want to part with them either.
Then I may try a converter in a Colt's navy most likely a Uberti.

Regards.
JW

[Coyote Hunter]

Hey JW,

Have you seen some of the pics on this site where they've converted a navy, added the shell ejectors but left on the loading lever..they look sweet, AND DIFFERENT..that's what I like. I hear the balance is nicer with the weight of the loading lever left on too.

CH

[John William McCandles]

Hey JW,

Have you seen some of the pics on this site where they've converted a navy, added the shell ejectors but left on the loading lever..they look sweet, AND DIFFERENT..that's what I like. I hear the balance is nicer with the weight of the loading lever left on too.

CH

CH;
Yes, I've seen them and may try doing a '51 or '62 Navy later on.
I don't think the ASM would be a good investment to do one on, when I do get around to it I'l use a Uberti.

JW