Looking to purchase a 51 Navy or Dragoon and convert. Will you help and advise?

[Megabutter]

Greetings shooters!

I want to purchase a '51 Navy or Dragoon and convert it to cartridge fire. I'm doing a lot of research, asking questions and reading up so I only spend the money once. So any help or advice from those in the know would be awesome.

Some considerations:

Uberti, Pietta or other brands. Who's pistol is the favorite amongst owners?

I'm looking at a Kirst Konverter and will need to use factory loads. In terms of safety and accuracy, would it be suggested to go .36 to .38spcl or .44 to .45. If .45, can you use both .45 long colt and .45 acp? What's working the best for you guys?

I love the look of the old Navy's and Dragoons. I would like to keep the original ramrod for the historical look of the gun. Lol, how easy is it to get the shells back out of the pistol after firing?

...or do I just buy an Uberti or other factory convert and be done with it?

Thanks in advance all!!!!  I'm really excited to have found you guys and appreciate your sharing your knowledge.  I'll, of course, read through as many posts as I can as I anticipate your posts.

[Megabutter]

Leaning toward an Uberti Dragoon w/ the Kirst.  Expecting to be able to fire lighter factory loads w/ no problems and expecting a well put together pistol.

Looks like there's more ammo considerations w/ the '51 Navy to 38spl.

How is this sounding?  Anybody?

[Blackfoot Blue]

Hey Megabutter,

I have a Pietta '51 Navy that I put a Kirst Konverter in. I'm really happy with it.Shot it for the first time yesterday.Installation is not hard,just follow the instructions.

I left the rammer on, but will probably get the ejector for the speed of reloading. The casings were sliding out part way, then it took a fingernail to get ahold of the rim and pull them out the rest of the way.Kind of a pain in the rear. An ejector would have been easier.

I'm reloading 38 Long Colt with Hollow Base bullets. There are factory loads that you can buy but they are kind of pricey. Even reloading the hollow base bullets run more than standard bullets, but I guess thats the price you pay.Down the road I'll get the barrel relined for .357.

I know that I could have bought a gun ready to go, but it was fun putting this one together. Is it worth the money that I put into it? Probably not, But I sure had fun and when people ask about it, it feels good to say that I did it myself.


                                                                                                                          Blackfoot Blue   

[Montana Slim]

...or, you could have the cylinder on the 1851 modified to make it a .41 Cal (shooting inside-lubed bullet - NOT the heel-based original factory loads)...then, the barrel does not need to be lined.
Snoop around the forum & you'll se the thread.

Slim

[Hoof Hearted]

Slim is right!

I started this about 2 years ago. Had a reamer made and have don about 20 cylinders or so (I did the ones Kirst is offering).
This was an idea to try to offer another option to the mix with the oversize bore and it works really well.

To save on brass costs I fireform 38 specials to use and Bernie at OLD WEST MOULDS makes the lube/sizer die and the moulds We played around a bit and have a "mid" weight bullet that shoots to point of aim on most revolvers).

Megabutter

Shoot me a PM and I'll explain your options.......
HH