6 shot kirst versus 5 shot kirst for 58?

[brichmets]

I am considering purchasing a kirst konverter for a 1858 Remington. I noticed that the .45 LC is a 5 shot and the .44 Remmie Special is a 6 shot. Considering both cartridges are comparable as I will be under 1000 fps I was leaning towards the .44 Special. So for those with experience, do you think there will be more timing issues with the 6 shot Special converter than the .45 LC? Do you think it will be significantly weaker as the wall are not as thick? I am using a Pietta so I realize some fitting will be required. Thanks for the wisdom.

 

[BHP FAN]

I've had both, and there were timing issues on the five shot.I like the .45, as that's the bore size.You'd have to load heel base bullets, or hollow based to get the .429 to ''bump up'' to the barrel size. Keep in mind that in the black powder revolver world a ''.44'' cap and ball revolver uses a .454 ball.

 

[brichmets]

I see. So in order to use hollow based bullets you would have to make your own? Either way I think I will stick with the .45 LC as ammo choices are more plentiful and easily accessible. How difficult is fixing the timing? I saw some people did some sanding to get the cartridge to fit.. did you have to do this as well?

 

[BHP FAN]

Most are a drop in fit.[I've had three, and only one needed fitting] If you get the .45 I doubt you'll have a problem, but when I had one that needed fitting, I sent it to Kenny Howell, and it works slick now.

 

[brichmets]

Good info, thanks.

 

[BHP FAN]

no problemo, pard!

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Most are a drop in fit.[I've had three, and only one needed fitting] If you get the .45 I doubt you'll have a problem, but when I had one that needed fitting, I sent it to Kenny Howell, and it works slick now.

Kenny Howell "fit" a Kirst conversion for ya?
hummph............

 

[ClemBert]

Most are a drop in fit.[I've had three, and only one needed fitting] If you get the .45 I doubt you'll have a problem, but when I had one that needed fitting, I sent it to Kenny Howell, and it works slick now.

How do you know it works slick now? Did Kenny hold it up to the phone and rotate it so you could hear it?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[wittzo]

Another thing you want to think about, my 6 shot .45 Colt cylinder doesn't have any safety notches, so I leave the hammer resting on an empty cylinder. Does the 5 shot cylinder have safety notches, or will you have to load 4 shots to rest the hammer on an empty cylinder?

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Another thing you want to think about, my 6 shot .45 Colt cylinder doesn't have any safety notches, so I leave the hammer resting on an empty cylinder. Does the 5 shot cylinder have safety notches, or will you have to load 4 shots to rest the hammer on an empty cylinder?

The current 5 shot Kirst cylinders are safe to carry with all five loaded. They actually have a staggered pattern leaving a safety area for the hammer to rest on. Think of this as a "6 shot that only accepts 5 rounds" and you'll get the idea!

 

[BHP FAN]

Sorry about the confusion, the OP said ''Kirst'', and I heard R&D, I have both. No, mr. Howell didn't work on my Kirst, he worked on my R&D. And I did finally get it back, and it does work ''slick''. The Kirst works nice too, but I wish I'd waited until they came out with the ''gated'' version...oh well, it looks original.Oh, and Hoofie, we were both wrong...the .36 with the Kirst? it's an Uberti.