BP revolver for a newbie

[Dick Dastardly]

On the revolving rifle issue, I believe you can get a Kirst Konverter cylinder for one.  That way the cross fire issue isn't a concern.

DD-DLoS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy, grymster2007!

Welcome to the fun!!!

You started out asking about the kits.  IF the kit you (may or not) get is a steel-framed gun, the conversion cylinders SHOULD safely work.  The key here is safety.   NEITHER manufacturer will put or recommend their cylinders on a brass framed gun.  They know what they're talking about.  The brass framed 1851 style guns, while attractive, and authentic for Confederate use (... EXCEPT the brass frame Remingtons - they NEVER existed) - they will not withstand the regular diet of full powder/power BP loads, let alone smokeyless!  As for Uberti vs. Pietta, ya better go to a match and see/shoot/handle them yerself.  Both companies make fine products.  The older Piettas haven't got the best reputations, but their newer guns seem to be fine.  I have both Uberti and Pietta guns.  I've had a WONDERFUL 1860 (Uberti) Colt since 1975 and have an 1851 (also probably Uberti - it has been modified and no longer says - "de-farbed" is the term) as well as an 1858 (Pietta) Remington NMA.  As of a week ago, I'm now the PROUD owner of a REAL (USA made) 1848 Colt, 1st Model Dragoon.  It's a work of art!   

The Treso or TRM nipples are also a really good item(s) to get.  See Thunder Ridge: $20 a set, plus shipping (less than $3)  http://69.5.8.138/parts_nipples.htm These folks are good and FAST.  I ordered the Treso nips for my Colt last Tuesday afternoon and with the help of the Post Office, installed them on my gun Friday, late morning! 

[Major 2]

I know for a fact you can drop in a conversion cylinder... I've done it.
Uberti is only maker of the Carbine.
If you cup your forward hand under triggerguard it is well balanced, and will solve the issue, if shooting C&B.


I'm an 1860 fan and have had a few with shoulder stocks, I like the the idea the stock is removable.

[litl rooster]

Nope. You're hosed.

The bleeding never stops

[grymster2007]

It would be tight, but the frozen sausages that pass for my fingers might clear the end of the cylinder on the carbine, if I cup my forward hand under the trigger guard.

The carbines are still only ~$430, but I'll be waiting a bit for one of those. I want to get an 1858 revolver and play around with it for a while.

Cabela's has what I think is a Pietta for ~$200. It sounds like the Pietta is roughly equal to the Uberti in quality, so I'll probably go with that one in the next few weeks. I don't think I'll be able to wait for a CAS event.... just gotta have one of these! Besides, if later I find something I like better.... well I'll just have to have one of them also!

It seems the Rugers get considerable support here, but I think the wife would frown on that kind of outlay at this point. She wants us to retire in the next 3-5 years, so "squandering money" on guns is not currently real popular with the little lady.

grym

[litl rooster]

It would be tight, but the frozen sausages that pass for my fingers might clear the end of the cylinder on the carbine, if I cup my forward hand under the trigger guard.

The carbines are still only ~$430, but I'll be waiting a bit for one of those. I want to get an 1858 revolver and play around with it for a while.

Cabela's has what I think is a Pietta for ~$200. It sounds like the Pietta is roughly equal to the Uberti in quality, so I'll probably go with that one in the next few weeks. I don't think I'll be able to wait for a CAS event.... just gotta have one of these! Besides, if later I find something I like better.... well I'll just have to have one of them also!

It seems the Rugers get considerable support here, but I think the wife would frown on that kind of outlay at this point. She wants us to retire in the next 3-5 years, so "squandering money" on guns is not currently real popular with the little lady.

grym

Guns is better than Life Insurance

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Guns is better than Life Insurance

So TRUE!!!!!    More fun, too!

[grymster2007]

I ordered the 5 ½" barrel version of the 1858 New Army 44 from Cabelas the other day. I'm thinking of ordering an R&D conversion cylinder soon. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with "cowboy" loads through the conversion cylinder, but ran across this from Buffalo Bore's site:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#low45

255gr. Gas checked soft cast bullet?(1000 fps  M.E.566 ft. lbs.)

200gr. JHC (Speer low velocity Gold Dot)?(1100 fps M.E. 537 ft. lbs)

Both of these 45 colt loads are designed to be a heavy loading, yet be within standard (SAAMI) pressure. As such, both of these 45 colt loads are safe and recommended to be used IN ANY post-war 45 colt that is in normal working condition. ANY post-war means ANY post-war, so please take my word for it... These loads will turn your Colt SAA or clone into a powerful carry gun.

And then this from R&Ds site:

http://www.randdgunshop.com/warranty.html

Use only factory loaded 'Cowboy' ammunition in the conversion units. Only lead bullets are to be used in the R&D conversion units, DO NOT USE JACKETED OR SEMI-JACKETEDBULLETS in any R&D conversion cylinder! The only ammunition recommended by R&D Gun Shop, Inc. is the 'Cowboy Loads' by BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION (smokeless) and GOEX/Black Dawge Cartridge (Black Powder).

Any of you fine folks have an opinion?

[Tequila Jim]

For clubs in the northern Calif. area try www.californiagunslingers.com
                                                       Regards, TJ

[Marshal Will Wingam]

NOTE: OFFICIAL OPINION FOLLOWS.

With the conversion cylinders, it's a good idea to heed what Kenny is saying regarding what to put through them. I read one article where a Remington copy with a conversion cylinder was tested with proof loads. After about 100 loads, the frame was stretching to the point where it would start causing problems. Remember these guns are black powder guns and softer steel. The brass frames are way softer than that and more apt to break than stretch.

In my conversions, I load and shoot Adirondack Jack's Cowboy 45 Specials. They are a much better load for the BP frames and I don't worry about stressing the guns any. Not only that, but the C45S has less airspace in them for the powder used than 45 Colt or Schofield loads and burn more accurately. They are much like the .46 Rimfire rounds that were what some of the conversions used. Plenty of oomph and great accuracy. Loads of fun to shoot with a 205 grain bullet in them.

A second good choice for the conversions would be Schofield loads. Those are a good round, too. Easy on the guns and still able to send a 200-255 grain bullet downrange nicely.

I've found that when I load long 45 Colt rounds, they are less accurate when loaded lighter to be easy on my guns.

[grymster2007]

Adirondack Jack's Cowboy 45 Specials

This looks like a good alternative to the 45 Colt. I'm asking Santa for a loading press setup. Would this be a good cartridge to load at home? Dies, brass available, etc.?

While looking for my New Army 44 I ran across the 1863 Remington Pocket and I think I gotta have one of those too. I see one can get a conversion cylinder for it and shoot 32S&W. Can those be loaded at home also?

One of the reasons I like shooting cartridges is that the two ranges that are by far the closest to me are indoor and I don't think they'd appreciate me shooting BP.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

grymaster2007

While the 45 Cowboy Special seems to be a great round, finding cases will be spotty.  However, I think they can be cut down from 45 Colt or 45 S&W (Schofield) cases, so wherever you can find components for one, then you'll be set.  It's not a real common caliber (yet) but Adirondak Jack put a lot of work into it and it's proving to be a good performer.

32 S&W?  No problem.  Again, you'll do some looking to find components, but when you find a source you'll be set.  The way it's going in SOME places, it's getting harder to find BP itself, than some of the components.

The most common stuff you'll find is for 38 Spl, 357, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and in rifles, 223.  Do ya notice that with one exception, NONE are particularly Cowboy related?  You'd better resign yerself to mail-order. 


Yer mileage may vary   

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Loading the Cowboy 45 Special is a breeze, just like all other straight cases. you can get the brass directly from Jack at http://www.cowboy45special.com/cowboy45brass.html. I would hesitate to cut it down because cut down cases don't have the proper taper at the bullet end where the ones made by Jack do have it. You can load with 45 ACP dies or, like I did, grind a bit off the end of a Schofield crimp die and use the Schofield dies. The reason I cut the die off was because I couldn't get it to get low enough to crimp the C45S cases. Either way works fine. Most people use the ACP die set but I just like the roll crimp of the revolver cartridge dies.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

Marshal Will has given you the low-down on the ease of loading and a great hint 'bout gettin' the cases from AdJack.  ('Member whut I said 'bout mail order?  )  At least he's trustworthy so ya don't have any worries thataway!