ASM 1860 army conversion.....?

[The Black Spot]

I have an ASM 1860 and want to get a conversion cylinder, will either the pietta or uberti models fit an ASM?
Thanks

[Coffinmaker]

I don't actually know, as I haven't tried it.  Some of ASMs guns were actually very close to Colt dimensions.  We're it I, I'd head for a CAS match and find the BP guys and ask to try fit a Howell cartridge cylinder to your gun.  It will either fit and function in your gun, or it won't.  If it doesn't fit, drop the plan.  There are no longer any parts available for an ASM so screwing it up can be serious.  As in instant wall hanger.
Some parts from "others" have been fit to ASM guns but it is a hit and miss thing.  You may or may not be able to fix it, if a modification goes bad.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

While Coffinmaker's suggestion to find someone at a match who has a converted 1860 to try his cylinder might work, I must say that I have never seen a Colt .36 or .44 with a conversion cylinder at a match.  Lots of conversion cylinders in Remmies and Rugers, but no Colts.  I would contact Kirst and/or R&D (or whatever their name is now) and ask them, they will know.  Or send a PM to Raven on this board, he works for Kirst and can tell you.

[Hoof Hearted]

There are three dimensions to worry about:

Arbor diameter
Total Overall Length
Diameter

From there it is a matter of fitting the hand and bolt.
Not a real issue if you have a lathe and parts to work with

HH

[Coffinmaker]

Hey Abilene,

I know your primarily a Cimarron guy, but Taylor's has been selling R&D cylinders for Uberti and Pietta reproductions of the 1860 for a number of years.  I currently shoot 4 Pietta 1860s with R&D cylinders (sorry Hoof) cause the look like a Cap cylinder from 6 feet.
The cylinders are available for 1851 & 1861 - 36 Cal, 1860 44s (.45) and Dragoon.  Mine required minor fitting of the bolt, otherwise were "drop in."
I'm not impressed with the R&D firing pins (soft) but otherwise the function is just fine.  Oh, and minor fitting of the wedge.  If the Arbor dimension of the ASM is the same it just may be possible to use either the R&D cylinder for Uberti or Pietta.  I prefer the Pietta 1860 as the Arbor/Barrel fit is usually correct out of the box.
I suppose I could do a try fit of the cylinder on one of my ASM conversions to see if the Arbor diameter will work.  The ASM conversions I have are actually closer to an 1861 but the Arbors are the same (maybe).  The water table is not rebated so it would just check the diameter.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

Coffinmaker, sure I know about the R&D's and Kirsts, and Cimarron sells the R&D's as well.  I'm just saying that at matches around here I never see anyone shooting them in Colt's, just Remington and Ruger.

[Hoof Hearted]

There is also now the THUER® which is a drop in that does not require porting and it is historically correct in appearance.

But the OP wanted to know if any of these would fit in HIS ASM and I PM'd him telling him that one could be fitted (Kirst, R&D or Thuer®)

HH

[Coffinmaker]

Hey Abilene,

Not trying to poke my finger in your eye and hope you didn't take it that way.  If I came across like that, please accept my sincerest apology.  There are a number of us "loons" here in Pennsyltucky who are shooting Colt pattern reproductions with the R&D type conversion cylinders in 1851 and 1860 type guns.  They work rather well.  I like switching between Cap Guns and Cartridge in the same gun.

For the OP, I swapped my conversion cylinder for a Pietta onto an ASM conversion frame.  The Arbor fit was perfect.  I don't know if anything else will line up as I don't have an ASM Cap Gun to try fit.  It could work out just fine, or be an expensive expirement, leaving a cylinder to peddle.  I'm a bit 'round the bend though so I'd probably try it and see what happened.  Your call.

Coffinmaker

[Coffinmaker]

Hoof,

KOOL.  At one time before I retired, I had all the machines to fix my screw-ups and would go for it just for grins and giggles .  Sometimes I regret selling off my machine tools. 

Do you weld??  I was/am a pee poor welder but I have a pair of barrels that need the front sight dovetail welded up and new front sights dovetailed in or blades put in.  Your phone number start with 845??  Like to give you a call.

Coffinmaker

[The Black Spot]

Thanks all for the replies ! Very much appreciated.