Remington 1858 conversion

[sigfan91]

Does anyone have real life experiences with modern replica of Remington 1858 revolver from either Pietta or Uberti fitted with 45 ACP conversion cylinder? I just thought that would be a cool project if it can safely handle factory ammo rather than cowboy ammo.

I know the warning that comes with the conversion cylinder by Howell. It warns against using factory ammo and stresses using lead bullets only.

I looked up load data for 45 LC (very common conversion caliber) and compared that to 45 ACP. It seems that the average 45 ACP pressure is just about at the top of 45 LC level. Average 45 ACP velocity is about 850 ft/s, well below the 1000 ft/s warning from Howell.

What is the purpose of using lead over copper jacket or copper plated bullets?

Has anyone fired more than a handful of factory 45 ACP rounds from a Remington 1858 with conversion cylinder?

[Tom-ADC]

I had a Pietta 1858 with a 45 ACP conversion cylinder, I never shot factory ammo thru it but put hundreds of 225 grain LRN threw it, I believe the instructions state no jacketed ammo, I'm sure factory cast lead reloads would be fine.
Mine was a Krist five round just another reason no jacketed ammo.

[fuegoboy]

Sigfan91,

FYI:

The other thing you need to know is that once you switch cylinders from the black powder cylinder (powder, wad, ball and percussion cap) to a Krist or some other brass cartridge conversion cylinder you are no longer in C&R territory as far as the state of California is concerned.

Think DROS, registration, HGC, etc.

It is now a modern single action revolver. C&R rules and exceptions do not apply to revolvers with a conversion cylinder.

[Tom-ADC]

Sigfan91,

FYI:

The other thing you need to know is that once you switch cylinders from the black powder cylinder (powder, wad, ball and percussion cap) to a Krist or some other brass cartridge conversion cylinder you are no longer in C&R territory as far as the state of California is concerned.

Think DROS, registration, HGC, etc.

It is now a modern single action revolver. C&R rules and exceptions do not apply to revolvers with a conversion cylinder.

Not sure any of that applies as long as the gun itself hasn't been modified like cutting loading port, ejector rod, the Krist type cylinder doesn't change a thing. Now if you were to sell both you can't sell or ship with cylinder installed but okay to sell with cap/ball cylinder installed and conversion cylinder shipped separately.

[saki302]

Not sure any of that applies as long as the gun itself hasn't been modified like cutting loading port, ejector rod, the Krist type cylinder doesn't change a thing. Now if you were to sell both you can't sell or ship with cylinder installed but okay to sell with cap/ball cylinder installed and conversion cylinder shipped separately.

THIS.

Putting the conversion cyl in is no different than making your own 80% lower. Just don't sell one with it installed.

-Dave

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have experience with a conversion cylinder, although it's not exactly what you're asking about. I have a Kirst Konverter for the Pietta Remingtons, it's the "Civil War" version. It's not a straight up drop-in... at least mine isn't. It doesn't index anywhere close to correctly on at least two chambers. You may also find, as I did, that POI of pretty much any acceptable .45 Colt load isn't anywhere close to zero, and there's no way to adjust windage. It's fun to shoot, but I've put mine back in the box and haven't touched it for a long time as I'm not willing to pay extra money to have Kirst set the indexing.

[sigfan91]

Wow both you guys have Kirst? I didn't even know about it until a few days ago during my research. I only knew Howell from looking at Midway.

Any particular reason for shooting lead rather than jacketed or plated?

After running through all the cost scenarios, I might as well just buy a case of 38 special or 357 magnum to run through my Uberti clone of 1873 Colt.

Not that it's a bad thing....

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I used lead rather than jacketed for two reasons: First, "cowboy action" loads recommended as safe for the BP frame by Kirst are all lead to eliminate jacket fragments when used against steel targets. Second, the barrel in the Pietta (and I assume the Uberti as well) is designed for round ball - I doubt that its rifling would get a good "grip" on jacketed rounds and properly stabilize them or that the forcing cone would stand up under their use. YMMV there though.

[sigfan91]

I used lead rather than jacketed for two reasons: First, "cowboy action" loads recommended as safe for the BP frame by Kirst are all lead to eliminate jacket fragments when used against steel targets. Second, the barrel in the Pietta (and I assume the Uberti as well) is designed for round ball - I doubt that its rifling would get a good "grip" on jacketed rounds and properly stabilize them or that the forcing cone would stand up under their use. YMMV there though.

Ah that makes sense. Thank you.

I think with all the hassles of finding the right ammo for a conversion, I'll just buy a few cases of 38/357 for my 1873 clone and shoot the heck out of it.

[Grendl]

I brought an 1858 revolving carbine (Uberti) with the Kirst Konversion cylinder w/ loading gate in 45 ACP to the shoot yesterday at WEGC. We shot a box of 50 commercial rounds (specs were well under 1K FPS). It was a hoot!

I have not modified the recoil shield (yet?) but it took about 30 minutes with a file and stone to get the cylinder to work propertly.

[wild_weasel]

I run an R&D Stainless Steel cylinder from Taylors in 45 Colt on my 5 1/2 fixed sighted Ruger Old Army. I have shot thousands of rounds though this combo trouble free. It is actually cheaper than loading cap and ball.

[sigfan91]

I run an R&D Stainless Steel cylinder from Taylors in 45 Colt on my 5 1/2 fixed sighted Ruger Old Army. I have shot thousands of rounds though this combo trouble free. It is actually cheaper than loading cap and ball.

I saw the prices of a box of 100 caps the other day...$70/100

I just bought 500 rounds of 38 special for $140 to feed my 1873 clone.

[Mutant]

[QUOTE=sigfan91;15243525]I saw the prices of a box of 100 caps the other day...$70/100

............QUOTE]

I just bought 300 at $6.49 per hundred. Walmart has them for a bit over $7 per hundred. Where in the heccl did you get $70 per 100. Were these Napoleon war caps as sold by Christies Auction House?

[anti]

IMO, just pick up a cheap Colt SAA clone such as a Ruger if you want a single-action centerfire. I personally own a Pietta 1851 Navy and I just enjoy shooting it the way it was made. Converting these pistols to centerfire is more than just a drop-in cylinder and it's not that cheap. You're also limited to the type of loads you can shoot out of it as percussion revolvers aren't as stout as modern designs.

I have about 1,500 caps sitting around since I haven't taken the Pietta out shooting in several months. I picked up 1,000 CCI caps at Crossroads Costa Mesa last summer and I managed to find some Winchester and Remington caps at the LGS. Most people seem to think the Remington caps are the best.