1858 conversion question

[Evil One]

I know this could be hollywoodery at its best... but here goes.
While watching Pale Rider the other day, I noticed Preached was using a cartridge conversion.
Something didnt settle with me... so I rewound it and watched a couple more times.
He has a bored thru cylinder without a firing pin cap.
Now... this would seem like the easiest and cheapest way to convert a pistol.
Why is this a bad idea... if it is?
Seems that companies would love to do something easier and cheaper.
New bored thru cylinder and new hammer with properly located firing pin.
Is this a pure hollywood fabrication, or is this an old forgotten conversion?
Anyone know?
Muchas...


Evil

[Evil One]

Found this picture... just in case nobody knows what I am talkin about



Evil

[hellgate]

(Don't quote me but...) I think a fair number of the conversions were .46 (or 44?) rimfire. The cylinder was bored through and there was minimum modification needed.

[Evil One]

The rounds in that pic are blurred... but in the movie you can see that the cartridges were centerfire.
Seems fairly easy to do... from a manufacturing standpoint.


Evil

[Hoof Hearted]

Way too much headspace in centerfire calibers (at least the ones readily available today). I own an original NMA that has had this done. Would be interested if anyone actually has the specs (measurements) on all the aspects of "46 rimfire". By the way this cylinder is "paper thin" beteewn the chambers

[Tabaquero]

Howdy,

From what I've read, Remington and other manufacturers were converting percussion revolvers to cartridge about 1868 or so.
There are a few articles on Eastwood's Remington written by "Sixgunner" (John Taffin). Check out Guns magazine February '08 pg.58 and also SHOOT magazine Vol. 46 pg.19.
For information one modern conversions, check out Armsportllc.com.

Regards

Tabaquero

[Steel Horse Bailey]

One more thing:

With those guns, I think heel-based bullets are used (like present day 22s) which is why the cylinder can be bored straight through.  But I'm NOT the expert on this modification.  I do think that I remember that as Hoof Hearted and Hellgate mentioned, the FIRST Remingtons that were converted were 46 caliber rimfires.