Colt 1851 Cartridge Conversion Options?

[38-56]

I was given a pair of unfired 1851 Navies by a friend a few years back.  From what he told me and what I have been reading, they are 2nd generation 1851s (SN 228XX and 230XX).  I don't shoot black powder and these are beautiful pistols from a good friend, so I was trying to decide what to do with them.  Originally, I was just going to put them in a display case, but that wouldn't really be keeping with my friend's intentions in passing them on to me.  What would be my best options for cartridge conversions?  Everything I have read thus far has been drop-in cylinders for Uberti or Pietta revolvers.  I have read about the tie to Uberti with the 2nd gen. Colts, but don't know enough, yet, to know which parts may be interchangeable.  Thanks for your help.

[Major 2]

The Ubreti drop-in are the one you'd want..I have an R&D drop-in in my 2nd Gen 1860, there was some very minor hand adjustment and it locks up better than the OEM C&B course the gun is 34 years ( I'm the original owner and I've shot it thousands ).
Now in the case of my 1860 ...it is 45 Colt and the .451 bore is correct....

however, in your case the Navy 51 bore  is .375 and the 38 /Special is .357 so either line the barrel or load healed bullets.

I just aquired a 61 Navy, and face the same deliima...

[Fingers McGee]

Uberti drop in and using hollow based bullets would be the best course if you wanted to keep the pistols stock in appearance and able to shoot the BP cylinder.  If you never had any intention of shooting it with cap and ball, and have the funds, a Kirst gated conversion and lining the barrel to 357 would be the way to go. 

BTW, your C series 2nd Gens were made in 1977.

[38-56]

I appreciate the info.  Any idea what the Kirst-Strite conversion would cost?  I see the price on their site for the cylinder and ejector, but not for any other work.  I really liked their Buffalo Bill 1851 I read about.

[Cal Fornia]

I appreciate the info.  Any idea what the Kirst-Strite conversion would cost?  I see the price on their site for the cylinder and ejector, but not for any other work.  I really liked their Buffalo Bill 1851 I read about.

If I had the cash, I'd certainly go for a pair... read the article in "Guns of The Old West", and found it remarkable to read the gun shot 1.5 inch groups (even at only fifty feet).  Would definitely be an interesting gun to shoot, and to own.

[FriscoCounty]

Go for the 'real' thing.  I use

.38 Long Colt  conversion cylinder
Starline .38 LC brass
NEI's .375-171-Heel mold to cast 171 grain, .375 diameter heeled bullets.

Oh yeah, and 18gr FFFg .

[Hoof Hearted]

I can supply a .41 Colt modified Kirst Konvertor (Uberti) which uses inside lubed bullets. No need to load hollow base 38,s or line the barrel...............