The .44 Colt conversion finally feels done!

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 16, 2018

This gun has actually been finished for some time- but all my attempts to load proper ammo for it... well, let's just say they were not what one would hope for. Heel-based bullets have problems, and I tried everything but the right solution to solve them. Finally caved and bought a custom collet-crimp die from Old West Bullet molds and tried it out. Works a treat- and the ability to load proper ammo disposed of the niggling feeling that the gun wasn't really finished.

Off to the range later this week to test it out, but I'm pretty confident it will be fine. That's good news, because I have at least one- possibly two- .44 Colt projects coming up. In the meantime I finally get to properly enjoy this one!

harleyjeepster · Jan 17, 2018

That is a fine looking piece. Let us know how it shots.

BSA1 · Jan 17, 2018

Bring me up to speed. Why heel-base bullets?

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 17, 2018

BSA1 said:
Bring me up to speed. Why heel-base bullets?

Basically for the same reason the original cartridge-conversions did- cap-and-ball .44s had a .45 caliber bore, but no room for a .45 caliber case when you drill out the cylinders. Uberti and other companies making modern reproductions of conversion guns use slightly larger cylinders to accommodate modern cartridges- Kirst uses a five-shot cylinder in their drop-in conversions. Since I am using the gun's original cylinder I face the same constraints that they did when they first did these conversions- so I am stuck using the same cartridge.

45 Dragoon · Jan 17, 2018

Very nice MTP!!

Mike

chicharrones · Jan 17, 2018

That thing's got style. :thumbup:

bannockburn · Jan 17, 2018

Tinker

Very stylish! Love the shape of the grips too!

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 17, 2018

Thank you! It shoots well too...

WestKentucky · Jan 17, 2018

But now that rammer has no purpose. It is such a sad lonely little rammer than needs to feel loved.

The Evangelist Cowboy · Jan 18, 2018

Michael Tinker Pearce said:
This gun has actually been finished for some time- but all my attempts to load proper ammo for it... well, let's just say they were not what one would hope for. Heel-based bullets have problems, and I tried everything but the right solution to solve them. Finally caved and bought a custom collet-crimp die from Old West Bullet molds and tried it out. Works a treat- and the ability to load proper ammo disposed of the niggling feeling that the gun wasn't really finished.

Off to the range later this week to test it out, but I'm pretty confident it will be fine. That's good news, because I have at least one- possibly two- .44 Colt projects coming up. In the meantime I finally get to properly enjoy this one!
View attachment 775157

Why not just shorten .44 spl brass?

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

The Evangelist Cowboy said:
Why not just shorten .44 spl brass?

I do- I shorten it to length and turn down the rims to spec. But this is the original .44 Colt, not the modern cartridge called that. Cap-and-ball Colt and Remington revolvers are actually .45s- it's a 19th century thing. So the original uses a .451" Heel-base bullet, which requires a special tool to crimp properly because it has to reach around the bullet to crimp the throat of the cartridge.

I tried any number of unsuccessful work-arounds before caving in and buying this die. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble!

ray15 · Jan 18, 2018

That's a good-looking crimp. $50 actually seems kind of reasonable from an antique ammunition perspective.

Franky50 · Jan 18, 2018

What a nice revolver! It has an attractive shape and I see it shoots well. Congratulations!

Pelo801 · Jan 18, 2018

Ver nice looking revolver. Those grips are super stylish. Id like to see a picture of the bullet itself, if you can.

Zaydok Allen · Jan 18, 2018

WestKentucky said:
But now that rammer has no purpose. It is such a sad lonely little rammer than needs to feel loved.

I spent several years as a single male, and I cant tell you how many times that exact statement came to mind.

Nice conversion MTP! I think this is one of the most attractive guns you've posted so far, and the info you shared about the cartridge and gun limitations is interesting. I've never seen a crimp quite like that before.

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

460Shooter said:
I've never seen a crimp quite like that before.

I hadn't either- not outside of a museum, anyway! They stopped making this ammunition before WW2. Now it's just Cowboy action shooters and weirdos like me making this stuff.

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

Pelo801 said:
Ver nice looking revolver. Those grips are super stylish. Id like to see a picture of the bullet itself, if you can.

I'll take a picture of one when I get in the shop later.

I'm planning on doing another one of these in .44 Colt- this one uses a five-shot Kirst gated conversion in .45 Colt-

1KPerDay · Jan 18, 2018

What keeps the cylinder pin from coming out now?

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

1KPerDay said:
What keeps the cylinder pin from coming out now?

Same as when they were cap-and-ball- the loading lever.

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

Pelo801 said:
Id like to see a picture of the bullet itself, if you can.

Here's a picture of the bullet-

1KPerDay · Jan 18, 2018

Michael Tinker Pearce said:
Same as when they were cap-and-ball- the loading lever.

Okay... so... what keeps the loading lever from dropping? You've sawn off the front latch.

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 18, 2018

Because there is a retainer built into the levers that engages the cylinder-axis pin- here's some detail pics:

kozak6 · Jan 19, 2018

What a cool project. I like that scallop on the grip.

It seems like most heeled cartridges are crimped right at the very lip of the case mouth. Do you think that's just to save brass, or do you think there's another reason behind it?

Michael Tinker Pearce · Jan 19, 2018

kozak6 said:
What a cool project. I like that scallop on the grip.

It seems like most heeled cartridges are crimped right at the very lip of the case mouth. Do you think that's just to save brass, or do you think there's another reason behind it?

If you crimp like I did you run the risk of the lip of the case jutting out and catching on the edge of the cylinder, so it's better to crimp right at the edge. My brass is slightly too long.

If1HitU · Jan 19, 2018

That revolver is in a it's own class. :thumbup:

The .44 Colt conversion finally feels done!

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