1858 conversion cylinder

delmar · December 12, 2009, 09:19:22 AM

I talked to a guy last week who has a pietta 1858 with a "drop in" conversion cylinder and he told me he had to send it to a gunsmith and have something milled, to make the thing work like it should. Have any of you had a better experience? What brand conversion cylinder was it, and what adjustments did you have to make to make it function properly?

River City John · December 12, 2009, 09:25:27 AM

When I had my Kirst Konversion cylinder in .38 it was truly a drop-in for my Uberti Remington Navy. No work needed and lock up was actually tighter than with the cap 'n' ball cylinder.

RCJ

Doc O · December 12, 2009, 05:45:55 PM

I put Kirst cylinders in both my 58's.
One droped right in the other I had to lap the front of the cylinder but no big deal.
Mine work real nice.

Doc

panhead pete · December 12, 2009, 06:03:24 PM

Howdy All,

I have a Uberti 1858 with an R&D cylinder. It truly dropped in and works like a charm. There is a .015" or so difference between the Uberti and Pietta cylinder lengths. Perhaps he was mistakenly shipped the wrong piece, Although I thought the Uberti was shorter??!! I know most folks have been pleased with the Kirst as well.

Good Luck,

Panhead Pete

Wolfgang · December 12, 2009, 08:27:07 PM

I have a conversion that I bought slightly used and it dropped into my Pietta perfectly. Once in a while someone gets one that needs a bit of fitting.

delmar · December 13, 2009, 07:02:36 PM

Here is an article I found about installing the Kirst Cartridge Konverter.

http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archives/June04/Feature.htm

Steel Horse Bailey · December 15, 2009, 10:58:34 PM

Sounds like maybe he had a mismatch. Pietta gun and perhaps a (mis-marked) Uberti cylinder. I actually thought, however, that the Pietta parts were a touch larger, but ...

Maj.Bull S. Hitter · December 16, 2009, 12:39:29 PM

I didn't see what type of cylinder your friend has.Mine is a Kirst and I had to get the Uberti cylinder for my Armi San Paolo.It dropped right in.Mine is the old type without the safety chamber or whatever it is called.

Daniel Nighteyes · December 16, 2009, 01:05:25 PM

All of my experiences have been with R&D conversion cylinders. Five of the six I've acquired for Uberti NMA's dropped right in and worked perfectly. The firing pins on the sixth were just a tad too long, and hung on the recoil shield from time to time.

Both of the cylinders I got for Pietta NMA's required some fitting.

Marshall John Joseph · December 16, 2009, 04:56:08 PM

I have two Pietta Rem '58's. I bought R&D cylinders from Taylors (at different times) and both needed minor fitting, which Taylors did for free (shipping only) if you buy direcly from them. I was not going to file on a cylinder and lose any warranty protection. Once fitted, they are interchangable between both '58's. I am very happy with them and with Taylor's service. It also gave me an excuse to visit Taylors (about an hour and a half away). I don't think they will allow me back, though. I left drool marks all over the place.

Marshall John Joseph