What's the better way to go about it --- buy a MWNN or make one from a C&B/Kirst

[curtism1234]

If you were looking for a cap and ball conversion with a loading lever and you wanted different barrels (cut down, same caliber), what's the better way to go?

The prices appear to be similar when it's all said and done.

The new Man With No Name revolvers come with a dovetail rear. Getting an additional factory barrel could be difficult. 
The cap and ball seems to be a chopjob though, losing the advantage of the factory getting it (closer to being) correct from the getgo.


What would you do?

[Jrw8214]

My vote goes for the MWNN. The conversion job is already done. Plus, the revolvers that are manufactured for cartridge use are alot stronger than the ones that are made for cap n ball. Atleast thats what ive heard.

[Major 2]

+2 on the MWNN
Not sure you will find the price as close as you think....

The Conversion is chambered and the barrels rifled for 38 Spec. NIB

The C&B Barrels will need heeled bullets or you'll need to have them sleeved. ( Gun purchase, conversion kit, sleeving will cost you more combined,over the Base MWNN ....less your doing the labor)


However... while I don't have MWNN , I do have a Richard & Mason, OK no loading lever , but otherwise quite simmlar.
Barrels are offered by VTI  if I ever chose to go shorter.

[curtism1234]

I was thinking the MWNN would win  

Here's a followup question:
Cimmaron lists the MWNN as being chambered in a 38 colt and s&w special
Kirst lists the conversion cylinder as being chambered in a 38lc (which I assume is the same round as the 38 colt)  

So you're saying the bore size of the MWNN is not .375 ?

Aside from not having a rear sight from the factory, will a cap and ball uberti barrel fit on the MWNN?

[Jrw8214]

The bore of the MWNN should be .357. The thing is you can shoot .38 Long Colt in place of .38 Special. Uberti would most likely make the barrel for the most common .38 Special. Whereas the conversion are made to be as authentic as possible so while you can use Specials in them, Kirst and R&D make them with .38 Colt in mind.

[Major 2]

yep ... what Jrw8214 said.

MWNN is .357  and will be chambered for 38 Spec. it will also chamber the shorter 38 Colt.
The converse though, may not be true, Howells (R&D) or Kirsts Conversions might only be reamed for the 38 Colt Round, not the slightly longer special.

As to C&B .375 barrel fitting , maybe  with some fitting but why ?
.375 pill would just rattle down the .375 bore and wing off in some unknown direction down range...

[Pettifogger]

The MWNN is not a conversion.  It is basically the 1872 Open Top with an octagon barrel installed.  The cylinder is longer than the conversions since it does not have the conversion plate.  The conversions will shoot .38 Specials, but you have to use shorter bullets.  As noted, the bore is .357 so it uses standard .38 bullets and is easier to load for than an unlined conversion.  Howell has (had?) two conversion cylinders.  One is throated for .357 bullets and is intended to be used with a lined barrel.  The other is unthroated and is intended for unlined barrels.  I have some Kirsts and they are made for unlined barrels.

[Abilene]

...Aside from not having a rear sight from the factory, will a cap and ball uberti barrel fit on the MWNN?

No, a percussion barrel will not fit on the MWNN.  A barrel made for the '71/'72 Opentop or Richards-Mason conversion will fit (some fitting usually required).  Of course, those do not have loading levers.  Now, Cimarron did have some extra MWNN barrels that were mismarked by Uberti.  They were stamped as .36 Cal and "Black Powder Only" but they are in fact the standard MWNN barrels with .357 bore, dovetail cut for rear sight, and rammer slot.  These barrels would be good for someone who already has an Opentop and wants to make a MWNN.  Of course, if you are going to cut the extra barrel down, then you might not be using the rammer anyway, so you could go with an Opentop (round) or Richards-Mason (Octagon) barrel for the cutdown version.

[curtism1234]

It sounds I'll be going with the MWNN especially that open top barrels (with rear sights) are available in case I have a hard time finding a MWNN barrel with rear sights.

Great, thanks

[Smokin Gun]

The cap and ball seems to be a chopjob though, losing the advantage of the factory getting it (closer to being) correct from the getgo.

I don't know about that...the 1861 Colt Navy by Pietta/Kirst konverted .38SPL I put together is in my opinion better than I'd trust a Distributor to send me... I like it anyway, here's a look see

But true this will be for use with HBWC or Heeled Bullets..unless I do buy a sleeve for it...that don't mind me none



Got some time to kill afore I get to shoot it will this full arm cast on my southpaw good hand.
Had to konvert it as I can load it fastewrwith carts one handed :O)

[edward austin cable]

So the Man With No Name revolver will shoot .38 special? The Cimarron website lists it as being chambered for .38 Colt and .38 S&W Special...I thought I read that the .38 Smith and Wesson Special and the .38 Special were the same round but I have also read that the MWNN revolver won't shoot the regular .38 Special? Im needing some clarifying please
Cable 

[Fingers McGee]

So the Man With No Name revolver will shoot .38 special? The Cimarron website lists it as being chambered for .38 Colt and .38 S&W Special...I thought I read that the .38 Smith and Wesson Special and the .38 Special were the same round but I have also read that the MWNN revolver won't shoot the regular .38 Special? Im needing some clarifying please
Cable 

All I shoot in mine are 38 specials with full cases of either fffg Grafs or fffg Pinnacle.  Cases fall out of the chambers after being fired.  Both pistols are very accurate (well, at least as accurate as I am  )

FM 

[edward austin cable]

Alright thanks Fingers McGee
Cable