Question on an 1860 army

[shootfromthehip]

I traded for one of these and to be honest i have very vague amount of knowledge on C&B revolvers. I searched the forums and couldnt turn anything up so ill ask :

1) How do i drop the cylinder out of this unit?

2) I would like to convert it (its a case hardened steel frame of .44 cal) and seen midway sells a 5 shot .45 colt cylinder. what kind of work has to be done for this to be installed?

3) If converted must you drop the cylinder to reload it, or is there an open-back design?

Thanks, SWIFT

[shootfromthehip]

Well I figured out the cylinder drop out and decided to go with kirst cylinder and gate setup. Its in .45 schofield which is a little obscure than i would like, i would rather the .45 colt but ill take what i can get. Any opinions on this set up?

[Professor Marvel]

Well I figured out the cylinder drop out and decided to go with kirst cylinder and gate setup. Its in .45 schofield which is a little obscure than i would like, i would rather the .45 colt but ill take what i can get. Any opinions on this set up?

My Dear Monsiuer Hip -

Hopefully Raven or HoofHearted will chime in as the resident experts and bona-fide representatives for the fine products of Herr Kirst...

In the meantime, if you will look here:

http://www.kirstkonverter.com/coltarmy.html

this site will explain the issue - it is one of over-all length based on the cylinder length of the replica. If you do reload, it would be entirely feasible to pick up an inexpensive Lee tool and seating die, and adjust it to seat the bullet deep enouigh to clear, or alternatively cut down some brass by a bit, or just purchase .45 cowboy brass (a shorter new-fangled variant of the .45 colt).

That is about the only economical way to have  a loading gate on the 1860 clones.

hope this helps
yhs
prof marvel

[shootfromthehip]

Well i figure by the cylinder and ring and lift the shells out til i decide which route to take then spend the extra cash on the pushrod. Is it a hard conversion?

[Cherokee Reb]

The conversion is simple....remove the barrel, cylinder, grips, etc. Mask around the area on the frame you will not be grinding just in case you slip, secure the frame in a good vise right side up. Get your dremel, chuck in a grinding cylinder then stare at the frame as you rev the grinder for about an hour.... ....


Once you screw up the courage to lay grinder to metal, it take about an hour or so of grinding and fit testing.

My only problem was getting the timing right since you are changing from a 6 to a 5 shot cylinder.

Check in on the STORM forum and there are lots of folks to help you, Raven and Hoof Hearted immediately come to mind.

CR

[shootfromthehip]

Well to be honest there is a gunsmith in town that i always trade with and he is a BP guy so im sure he could help me get the time straightened out. 

[Coffinmaker]

If you elect to go with the Kirst (Really well made unit) and attack the frame with a Dremmel, keep in mind you will have "manufactured" a firearm without a license.  Perfectly legal for yourself.  Just don't try to dispose of it.  Yours for life.'

Coffinmaker

[Cherokee Reb]

I think the "your's for life" issue was rehashed on the SCORRs forum and as long as you go through FFL when you sell it there is no problem. I has two local dealers research it with the same results.

Later
CR

[shootfromthehip]

I am used to it before wheel guns i messed with AK and  AR rifles so i know the parameters on home built firearms. Wheres the best place to get these "kirst konverters"? from what i could tell the website was sold out.

[Cherokee Reb]

Go to the STORM forum and check with Raven. He has them through his site and sometimes has some "scratch and dent" ones. They are also available through Buffalo Arms although they are a bit more expensive.

CR

[Blackpowder Burn]

Hip,

You can purchase 45 Schofield directly from Starline.  It appears from their webpage that they are supposed to make a run of it in the next week or so.  It's very economical from them, and properly headstamped.

www.starline.com