R & D Gunshop

[Niederlander]

Hello!
    I understand R & D Gunshop has changed names.  Does anyone know what the new name is?  They've got two of my barrels, and I'd kind of like to get them back.  Thanks!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Try this:

Howell Old West Conversions, LLC
608-676-2518

I think this is an old number, but here's another one:
608-289-3241

[Niederlander]

Thank you!

[Niederlander]

Well, I called this afternoon and they answered right away.  They said they were glad I called because they'd had these barrels done for months, but didn't know whose they were, as they didn't have names on them.  They're supposed to ship them right away.  I can't wait to see them!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad to hear it worked out, pard.

[Thai Fighter]

Please post with an "after action" report when they get in.  Would like to hear everything turn out OK.

[Niederlander]

I just got the barrels today, and they look great!  The sights look a lot like a dovetailed version of an SAA sight.  I shot them a little today, but I need to load some 200 grain bullets to see how they work.  I'll report more when I know more.

[Dirty Brass]

Is this the same R&D located somewhere out near Beloit WI ?

[Major 2]

Yes... Kenny Howell .... re-organized.

After his wife death, and some family Business issues which hurt him. 

[Niederlander]

I think the name of the new company is Howell's Old West Conversions.  They have certainly been very helpful once they found out they had my barrels!

Do you suppose Kenny went on a "three hour tour" that went terribly wrong somehow?  Sorry, wrong Howell.

[Pitspitr]

Do you suppose Kenny went on a "three hour tour" that went terribly wrong somehow? 

I think that was Thurston.

[Niederlander]

Yep!  The Third, in fact.

[Niederlander]

Hello!
    I just got to shoot the 1860's with the new front sights about fifteen minutes ago.  I used a Lee 200 grain round nose flat point bullet at about 750 feet per second, and they are just about dead on for elevation at ten yards.  I'll have to tweak the windage a little but they were very close.  The one downside is that I was using Universal Clays, and it doesn't burn very clean with real light charges.  I'm going to try Red Dot next, as it seems to burn cleaner.  Oh yes, one other thing.  The new fron sights are high enough (.375") that the pistols don't want to fit in my 1860 holsters.  They fit fine in one intended for a Remington.  Overall, this setup is just TOO COOL!

[Pony Racer]

I have bought two more cylinders for another pair of navies i have and am going to have my local smith do the barrels.

This one I am going to have the smith cut down to 5-1/2 barrels but redo the loading lever to keep it on and keep original sights

Then I will mess with some nice grips too - thinking one of the faux ivory but with USCG racing stripes!!

or maybe old traditional USRCM or USRCS with shield

PR

[Niederlander]

I wouldn't mind getting a couple more 1860 Army's with the conversion cylinders.  They have to be cheap, though!  I've always loved Colt percussion revolvers.  I just never cared for cleaning them!