1858 Remmy with Reduced Power Springs – A Report

[Dalion]

After obtaining help, from this forum, with fact that the reduced power springs from VTI were a little short.  I thought I would share my experience using these springs in case some one is wondering about using them on their C&B instead of just for a cartridge conversion. 

I went out to test my pistol to see if it would fail to fire any caps.  After 50 continuous shots without any cleaning, 75 shots since installation of the springs, the pistol never failed to fire. 

The pistol is a Pietta .44 with 5 ½ inch barrel from Cabela's.  It has been deburred. The hammer face has been squared up to impact the cones flat.  The Treso cones have replaced the originals.  I was using 28 grains of Pinnacle powder, .451 ball without any lube, and Remington No.10 caps.

The interesting thing was that half the caps did not fall off the cones when fired.  I had to pull them off with a pair of pliers. Accuracy was the same as with the original springs.  Overall this was a great modification.  Cocking the hammer feels great.

I wonder if this spring would work as well on a stock pistol that hadn't had the other modifications made on my pistol.  YMMV

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Dalion,

In what part of the world do you live?  If you're in the SoCal area, we can find out.  I have a brace of stainless 5.5-inch Pietta 1858's with reduced-power mainsprings that I've only fired as cartridge conversions.  I just don't have the powder, shot and caps to try 'em with the original cylinders.

[Dalion]

Well DN, I'm in Northern California.  I'm part of the Richmond Roughriders posse.

Shootist Dan Novato