31 mold

Folks seem convinced that the small handles must be inserted into dowels or some other insulator needs to be put on the handle because they get very hot.

In a thread about chainfires, 44 Dave said, "50 years ago, under size balls cast with brass mold in a cased set. They were greased with Crisco but may have moved from recoil." --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-revolver-whats-it-like.823861/#post-10597415

Also: "When I got my first revolver, an 1860 Replica Arms cased in the '60s. I cast balls and conicals with the brass mold in the case. Yes they were under sized and even with Crisco all over things I still got chain fires." --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ngerous-is-a-chain-fire.808020/#post-10325488

McGunner said, "I basically cast a 00 in my brass .31 cal. mold, along with a 60 grain conical. They fit my .31 pocket Remmy." --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/buckshot-mold.704644/#post-8762993
And, "I weighed the conical, 60 grains on the nose IIRC. I'd have to measure it for diameter, never did, shoots decent. It is hard to load, though, not much room under the rammer for it even when seated down past the bottom part which fits into the chamber." --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/does-anybody-here-own.702831/#post-8737337

Robhof said, "I also used my brass mold that came with one of my guns, I sharpened the edge of the sprue cutter with a dremel, using a diamond ball head and going carefully, I also did the broom handle and hose clamps that I still use."

And busyhands said, "I cast with my Remington pattern mold, I don't have anything bad to say about it. It's pocket sized, makes some decent plinking ammo, and looks pretty darn cool. I don't smoke the mold, I use some really hot lead, and I can actually get pretty decent conicals with it. You do have to tweak it a little when you get it though to make the two halves of the mold line up."
I have also heard about other members here putting empty .410's on the handles to make them easier to hold, that could be very useful.--->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-that-come-with-a-pistol.672824/#post-8347141

AJumbo sxaid, "My experience with them has been about 15% positive, but they will produce balls that will go downrange; since you're asking about a .31 mold, I think you're going to be using the balls in a "belly gun" where accuracy isn't the biggest concern. The molds get really hot, really fast, and some of them were made of such awful brass that they warped after the first use."

And Scrat said. "You have a very small window to work with before the mold gets to hot. Same time you do not need to smoke a brass mold as brass has a natural lubricant. Meaning the lead will not easily stick to it like on other casting molds." --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/brass-bullet-ball-mold-question.669791/#post-8307708

Slowfuse..as much as id like to say to have a go at it as i feel it is worth a try and all...i feel you wont get the results you are looking for. I dont say this to be negative...i just feel that u may not get the results ur looking for. Id perhaps look into an inexpensive lee mold or if you feel like investing a lil less than 100 bux you can get a custom mold from accurate molds. I too once thought about investing into one of them old timey original molds but they arent produced with accuracy and are more for looks in a cased set. Ive read so many complaints on how bad the quality is and that its hit or miss and usually a miss when it comes to the dimensions being accurate. Im sorry man, wish i could really give you some positive feedback. My only experience is with one in .36, i only made bees wax castings but the balls werent perfectly round and it left a seam around where the two halves met. I didnt waste my time with any further experimentation.

SlowFuse said:

Thanks for the input. I got this on a cased set as you mention. Never saw one up close.

Everything accessory-wise in the set seems a little more like a prop than useable.

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What make, model and features did you get?
Is it an ASM Colt?

An ebay seller has a NOS brass .31 ball and bullet mold that was made in the USA for FIE before they went out of business in 1990.
The price is $24.99 plus $8.15 shipping and it has 1 bid.
eBay item number: 11424237183 Seller's name is FJX --->>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vitg-NOS-F...371831?hash=item1a996040f7:g:T50AAOSwERhdbYPf

What makes them desirable despite their shortcomings is that they seem to be the only reasonably priced ,31 conical molds.

For round ball, Lee makes a .319 2 cavity mold, but for conical you're pretty much out of luck and I question with how oversize the Pietta .31 pocket revolver chambers are if any of these .31 molds would work for it. Don't know about the Uberti 1849's.

I think the only real solution for conical is have Lee make you a custom mold.

I have one of those in .36 cal. It came with my Euroarms Model 51 Colt brasser. I wrapped paracord around the handles and it works pretty good ... a lot better than using 2 potholders.

I have a Uberti 49 pocket pistol the lee .319 balls work in my gun but they are on the small side. Track of the Wolf sells larger balls I think they are .322 that are a better fit. Here is a link to a guy that sells molds that are made from bullets found on civil war battlefields. He is out of stock on 31cal molds right now just keep an eye out he will be getting more in stock. http://erasgonebullets.webstarts.com/store/product/-31-baby-dragoon I have his Richmond 36cal mold I am very happy with it.

Mike

SlowFuse said:

That's exactly who made this one, FIE Miami.

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FIE = Firearms Import and Export of Miami, FL.
Long gone.
They imported from a number of different Italian manufacturers.
You may or may not find a makers mark somewhere on the gun.
PR and GBL often were on the butt grip strap with the FIE marking.
Others like Armi San Paolo marked under the barrel.
If you find the mark and do not recognize it, some one here will probably be able to help.
It is not too important unless you ever need to track down replacement parts.

Sorry!!! I guess I need to read more carefully, I thought you meant the 1858 was marked FIE but now see it is the mold that was marked that way.
Many of the case type molds were made by Euromanufacture in Italy.
Their guns have a double diamond logo.