Latest 1851 project

Hoof Hearted · February 13, 2009, 06:41:54 PM

Just completed this one

It started out life as a Uberti "London" model in their "Charcoal Blue" finish.
Not wanting to disturb that finish (which was starting to age nicely), I made a dovetail filler to replace the rammer catch and installed a Kirst ejector. The cylinder is the R&D Richards style.

I TIG welded the hammer face to eliminate the "notch" (this notch raises burrs on both sides of the firing pin causing it to stick) then rehardened with Kasenite.
I also stripped and refinished the grips in a lighter color because they had such nice striping that I didn't want to hide. Followed by a light coat of tung oil.
Fixed all of the buggered screw heads and reblued them, then cleaned up and lightened the action.
I think it turned out pretty nice

Leo Tanner · February 13, 2009, 07:13:56 PM

Beautiful. One of these days I'm going ta buckle down an do one. The way you dealt with the catch looks smooth. The gate looks great too. Happy shooting, it's wonderful.

Sgt. Jake · February 13, 2009, 07:44:35 PM

Hoof Hearted Very Nice,I LIKE. Adios Sgt.Jake

Johnny Reb · February 14, 2009, 11:31:56 AM

Great work Hoof Hearted!!

As those who work on their arms know, it's an art that comes from within.

I bet that action work is great!

Blessings

Hoof Hearted · February 14, 2009, 03:07:30 PM

Thanks ya'll

It is important to notice that the Kirst RM style ejector works fine with ANY gated conversion cylinder and only required minor fitting on this pistol! It's retained by the rammer pivot screw.

HH

Leo Tanner · February 14, 2009, 03:24:15 PM

That is a slick set up. What was involved with the gate installation?

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 14, 2009, 03:27:13 PM

Looks nice, great job on the conversion.....but I don't care for the generic Kirst ejector housing...it isn't anything like the originals.

Bill

Hoof Hearted · February 14, 2009, 04:39:31 PM

Quote from: Ottawa Creek Bill on February 14, 2009, 03:27:13 PM
Looks nice, great job on the conversion.....but I don't care for the generic Kirst ejector housing...it isn't anything like the originals.

Bill

Awwh.....come on Bill, it's a little like the originals

I will agree that it is a compromise, in fact I knew that as well as anyone else (I have many, many conversions). This was an exercise in using "drop in" (well sort of drop in) parts in a clone pistol to get the useabilty of a full conversion. Lots of folks here have R&D conversions and Kirst Konvertors with loading gates and Walt's ejector is simple, sound and very useful.

HH

Hoof Hearted · February 14, 2009, 04:42:12 PM

Quote from: Leo Tanner on February 14, 2009, 03:24:15 PM
That is a slick set up. What was involved with the gate installation?

Leo

It appears that this R&D conversion has you and OCB fooled?
This is just a "mounted" cylinder that they sell in kit form. You use a drilling/tapping fixture to locate where to drill and tap the frame then apply a dollop of locktite to two allen head screws and tighten her down!
Of course you have to cut the loading trough...........

HH

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 14, 2009, 05:09:22 PM

Quote from: Hoof Hearted on February 14, 2009, 04:42:12 PM
Leo

It appears that this R&D conversion has you and OCB fooled?
This is just a "mounted" cylinder that they sell in kit form. You use a drilling/tapping fixture to locate where to drill and tap the frame then apply a dollop of locktite to two allen head screws and tighten her down!
Of course you have to cut the loading trough...........

HH

Sorry........but I've done enough REAL conversions to know the difference.....just made the comment that you did a good job. When I do a 1851 conversion I make a concave recoil ring as on the originals and per McDowell's book.

Bill

Leo Tanner · February 14, 2009, 05:12:11 PM

Ahh, I should have read closer to your previous posts. My brain was set on RM. The ejector did fool me a bit.

Again, I likes it

Ace Lungger · February 17, 2009, 04:50:35 PM

Where can I go to read about doing this. H.H. do did a AWESOME job on that gun! I new they made a couple different ones, but I couldn't see the big advantage if you had to tear down to reload! Yours has a gate, so it is like my 72's. I would like to learn more about this, I have a Pair of 1851 Navy US Marshalls in 44cal, that i would love to have as cartidge pistols!
Thanks
ACE

Hoof Hearted · February 17, 2009, 04:54:45 PM

Quote from: Ace Lungger on February 17, 2009, 04:50:35 PM
Where can I go to read about doing this. H.H. do did a AWESOME job on that gun! I new they made a couple different ones, but I couldn't see the big advantage if you had to tear down to reload! Yours has a gate, so it is like my 72's. I would like to learn more about this, I have a Pair of 1851 Navy US Marshalls in 44cal, that i would love to have as cartidge pistols!
Thanks
ACE

Ace

As I'm sure you know, the 1851 in 44 calibre is a "fantasy gun". There's a chance that the 1860 cylinder would fit but it will be manufacturer sensitive. Figure out which company made your pistols and the check with Kirstfor their pricing or Midway for R&D.

HH

Ace Lungger · February 17, 2009, 05:57:56 PM

H.H.,
The trading co. has them, but after I saw the cost,

I would have $800.00 in each gun

I quess that is the price you have to pay if you want to play with the big boys!

Thank you so much!
ACE