Who uses 1860s with 5 shot R&D cylinders?

Tuolumne Lawman · March 24, 2017, 10:36:32 AM

I am just wondering. I'll have two 1871 Open Tops in .45 Colt for main match guns, but I am thinking of getting an R&D cylinder for my 1860 I have. That would be my back-up gun for matches. I shot one for an article about 10 years ago and liked it. Even though you have to take the barrel off to reload the cylinder, it still takes less dexterity than the tight fitting 1858s.

On a side note, I found reference to Springfield Armory doing an experimental 5 shot, two piece conversion cylinder for Army issue 1860s. I honestly forget what caliber it was, though.

Anyway, post some pics and feedback.

Thanks in advance

Major 2 · March 24, 2017, 11:39:24 AM

I put one on my 2nd Gen. Colt back about 2005 ... the Gun was 28 years old then....and had seen that many years Horseback CW reenacting....

I shot SASS with it ( paired with an OT ) 3 years or so ... then got my Type II in 44 .....

So I still have the 2nd Gen w/ the R&D ....only thing I did was change out the KH firing pins for Smith shop firing pin...
I had read where the KH were a tad soft and would bend....

They never did and I just fixed "what was not broke "

so yeah... the fit was fine ( Uberti ) , minor adjustment to the hand & timing at the onset.... 37 year old gun with a 12 year old cyl.
Go for it ....

Niederlander · March 24, 2017, 12:49:30 PM

Used to shoot two of them as a pair. They worked great! For some reason, I got rid of them (probably thought I needed something else - sheesh!). You'll like it.

Tuolumne Lawman · March 24, 2017, 12:54:20 PM

Thanks, Pard.

I just ordered from Taylor's. They sell a .45 Colt Version. Kenny only sells .45 Schofield on his website now. Now if I can just get my 1858s and .45 Colt R&D cylinders for them sold to defray the cost of: two 1871/2 Open Tops, a Model 1860 and R&D cylinder for it, and an 1863 Remington also with an R&D cylinder. Dang this sport is expensive....

Major 2 · March 24, 2017, 05:53:04 PM

Still a joy to shoot....

Niederlander · March 24, 2017, 06:47:25 PM

Quote from: Tuolumne Lawman on March 24, 2017, 12:54:20 PM
Thanks, Pard.

I just ordered from Taylor's. They sell a .45 Colt Version. Kenny only sells .45 Schofield on his website now. Now if I can just get my 1858s and .45 Colt R&D cylinders for them sold to defray the cost of: two 1871/2 Open Tops, a Model 1860 and R&D cylinder for it, and an 1863 Remington also with an R&D cylinder. Dang this sport is expensive....

From what I remember, they list them as for .45 Schofield, but they'll actually take a .45 Colt if it's not overly long. I used the Lee 250 grain bullet and it was just short enough to work.

Tuolumne Lawman · March 24, 2017, 10:57:49 PM

I shoot Schofield cases anyway. I load a 200 grain bullet over either 7.1 of Unique, or 5.0 grains of Trail Boss. I know the Unique load gives about 1150 fps from the Henry, which duplicates the original 44 rimfire load for the Henry and Open Tops.

boilerplatejackson · March 30, 2017, 12:49:13 AM

I have been shooting a R & D conversion in my 1860 Army for two years now. My cylinder is a 45 long colt, but I prefer to shoot Schofield rounds with a 160 gr Lee cast bullet. I also prefer Trail Boss powder. Accuracy is very good with this load. Since I am shooting a 452 slug in a 450 barrel I prefer the 160 grain slug.

Coffinmaker · March 30, 2017, 09:08:54 AM

Well ........ Actually ....... I have two pair of "Convertible" 1860 Snubbies set up for both Percussion and R&D Conversion cylinders. They work extremely well. The guns are set up so the wedge can be easily pulled for reloading. I are a Card Carrying, Self Proclaimed, Genuine Recoil Wimp!! So, mine are shot with Cowboy 45 Special cases and "massive" 160Gr RNFP bullets. Very accurate. Very mild. Very FUN!!

Coffinmaker

PS: I also have a small dwindling supply of 130Gr "Barnstormer" bullets left that I load for 3 day matches.

Cowtown · March 30, 2017, 04:16:05 PM

What is the trick to setting these up to be able to easily pull the wedge out?

Lefty Dude · March 30, 2017, 04:36:07 PM

Quote from: Cowtown on March 30, 2017, 04:16:05 PM
What is the trick to setting these up to be able to easily pull the wedge out?

Dykem or a black marker pin, and a knife sharpening stone. Stone off the high spots sides for a custom fit. Polish and that is a perfect fitting Wedge.

Slowhand Bob · March 30, 2017, 06:11:04 PM

TL, I actually liked my converted cap and ball guns so much better than the Cimmaron "Modern" conversions that I sold them. Now I want to obtain a pair of cylinders to convert another pair of 1860 Uberti Armies. The actual cap and ball guns just feel so much better/sleeker in my hand than does the larger framed 'modern' conversions by Uberti.

Tuolumne Lawman · March 30, 2017, 08:49:06 PM

I agree about the Uberti factory R/M conversions feeling bigger and clunkier than 1860s, that's why I got Open Tops with Navy grips instead. The original Armi San Marco .44 Colt conversions that came out around 1999-2000 were smaller than the Uberti. They were only available in .44 Colt (Black Hills) with their smaller rims. I don't think those even took .44 Russians!

Slowhand Bob · March 31, 2017, 09:30:36 AM

TL, I have even taken the conversion Process a step further on my favorite pair of 1860s, they now sport Uberti Birds Head grips. After watching Ebay for about a year I am getting ready to give up on the search and buy two new Howell Army cylinders for this pair of Avenging Angels.

Tuolumne Lawman · March 31, 2017, 10:10:40 AM

Quote from: Slowhand Bob on March 31, 2017, 09:30:36 AM
TL, I have even taken the conversion Process a step further on my favorite pair of 1860s, they now sport Uberti Birds Head grips. After watching Ebay for about a year I am getting ready to give up on the search and buy two new Howell Army cylinders for this pair of Avenging Angels.

PICTURES!!!!!