reverse percussion conversion?

[rockdc]

I have a 45 conversion cylinder in my Ruger Old Army, and it's a great combo. Makes a lot of sense.

What about converting a cartridge gun to cap n ball........... would open up a whole new world of fun..... hmmmm.......... anyone have thoughts? Steve T

 

[woodnbow]

I have a 45 conversion cylinder in my Ruger Old Army, and it's a great combo. Makes a lot of sense.

What about converting a cartridge gun to cap n ball........... would open up a whole new world of fun..... hmmmm.......... anyone have thoughts? Steve T

They do something similar in Bonny olde England I believe. Plus the c&b version of the SAA’s made by uberti, pietta and others…

 

[robhof]

I have a 45 conversion cylinder in my Ruger Old Army, and it's a great combo. Makes a lot of sense.

What about converting a cartridge gun to cap n ball........... would open up a whole new world of fun..... hmmmm.......... anyone have thoughts? Steve T

Essentially already done in Europe, many to choose from.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Essentially already done in Europe, many to choose from.

True, but a mystery as to why anyone would want them here. (in the UK, no choice) I believe you have to remove the cylinder to load it. Don't see the fun in it. Or as they say: "what fun is that?"

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello rockdc,

I have a Pietta 1873 Black Powder, which is basically what your asking about.
It's an odd ball, one of their first productions.
It was manufactured so it couldn't be converted to cartridge.
Never say never, I purchased it with those those very intensions.
I have not done anything with it, maybe someday.

AntiqueSledMan.

 

[shootemup58]

How was it manufactured so as not to be converted?

 

[Onty]

Brits are doing that for a while. Here is Czech ALFA converted to C&B, even proofed for smokeless powder. However, caps are 209 for shotgun:

Westlake Engineering - Products

New page

www.westlakeengineering.com

 

[goon]

One of the easiest back and forth conversions would likely be a ‘58 Remington clone set up with percussion and .45 Colt cylinders. I give the guys in the UK props for figuring out how to keep some shooting alive with their conversions too.

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

How was it manufactured so as not to be converted?

First off it has a very large firing pin which is only 1/2 there, sort of a half moon.
Second, at least on their first attempt it has an oversized cylinder so you can't simply drop a different one in.
It is a very neat looking beast, I had planned on bushing the firing pin passage and replacing the firing pin.
I was going to build a new cylinder for it also, but I retired and no longer have access to a machine shop.

AntiqueSledMan.

 

[Ethan Verity]

True, but a mystery as to why anyone would want them here. (in the UK, no choice) I believe you have to remove the cylinder to load it. Don't see the fun in it. Or as they say: "what fun is that?"

Very true! Also, I don't think a full 45 Colt charge worth of powder can even fit in the black powder percussion cylinder, at least not with a conical bullet. So even in those limited shots you get before the PITA reload, it's still not like the full 45 SAA experience.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Very true! Also, I don't think a full 45 Colt charge worth of powder can even fit in the black powder percussion cylinder, at least not with a conical bullet. So even in those limited shots you get before the PITA reload, it's still not like the full 45 SAA experience.

True, the most I can get in a 1860 Colt is a little over 30 grains, under a 207 grain bullet. Which ain't chopped liver, but nothing like 40+ under a 250-255 grain bullet.

But the sad thing is that in the UK, and other places I'm sure, that is their only choice. Considering that we in the U.S. are heading in that direction, however slowly, I hesitate to put them down for allowing it to happen.

 

[CraigC]

You'd have to do some serious modifications to the frame and the hammer to convert a cartridge gun to percussion.

 

[Ethan Verity]

True, the most I can get in a 1860 Colt is a little over 30 grains, under a 207 grain bullet. Which ain't chopped liver, but nothing like 40+ under a 250-255 grain bullet.

But the sad thing is that in the UK, and other places I'm sure, that is their only choice. Considering that we in the U.S. are heading in that direction, however slowly, I hesitate to put them down for allowing it to happen.

It's even worse than that in the percussion 1873 specifically. In a video review I watched on YT the guy could only get 25gr with a wad and round ball into the cylinder, and that was near flush.