1860 Army snub nose

electricfactory · Jan 1, 2021

Gentlemen, a robust and sincere Happy New Year to one and all!

Just yesterday I bought this, an Uberti made 1860 Army which someone has aged and removed the barrel banner and I believe the Italian frame markings.

Having picked it up for a great price I'm considering modifying it into this, an 1860 Army snub nose.

I know that the snub nose 'conversion' requires cutting the barrel and re-mounting the front sight, but what else is required ? Have any of you done this operation, how difficult was it ?

I am not completely confident in my own barrel trimming skills.

Bax2504 · Jan 1, 2021

electricfactory said:
Gentlemen, a robust and sincere Happy New Year to one and all!

Just yesterday I bought this, an Uberti made 1860 Army which someone has aged and removed the barrel banner and I believe the Italian frame markings.
View attachment 967023

View attachment 967025

Having picked it up for a great price I'm considering modifying it into this, an 1860 Army snub nose.
View attachment 967024

I know that the snub nose 'conversion' requires cutting the barrel and re-mounting the front sight, but what else is required ? Have any of you done this operation, how difficult was it ?

I am not completely confident in my own barrel trimming skills.

Bax2504 · Jan 1, 2021

electricfactory said:
Gentlemen, a robust and sincere Happy New Year to one and all!

I just picked up a 1860 snubbie from a friend. If you don't want to model yours. I would be willing to part with mine. I'll get some pics and details for ya later if you want.

Happy New Years

Just yesterday I bought this, an Uberti made 1860 Army which someone has aged and removed the barrel banner and I believe the Italian frame markings.
View attachment 967023

View attachment 967025

Having picked it up for a great price I'm considering modifying it into this, an 1860 Army snub nose.
View attachment 967024

I know that the snub nose 'conversion' requires cutting the barrel and re-mounting the front sight, but what else is required ? Have any of you done this operation, how difficult was it ?

I am not completely confident in my own barrel trimming skills.

electricfactory said:
Gentlemen, a robust and sincere Happy New Year to one and all!

Just yesterday I bought this, an Uberti made 1860 Army which someone has aged and removed the barrel banner and I believe the Italian frame markings.
View attachment 967023

View attachment 967025

Having picked it up for a great price I'm considering modifying it into this, an 1860 Army snub nose.
View attachment 967024

I know that the snub nose 'conversion' requires cutting the barrel and re-mounting the front sight, but what else is required ? Have any of you done this operation, how difficult was it ?

I am not completely confident in my own barrel trimming skills.

arcticap · Jan 1, 2021

electricfactory said:
I know that the snub nose 'conversion' requires cutting the barrel and re-mounting the front sight, but what else is required ? Have any of you done this operation, how difficult was it ?

Pocket did it to his Pietta 1851 and posted about making it on the 1st two pages of this thread: --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/i-am-torn-between-2-loves-1860-snub-nose.873164/

Johnny Cremains made a bunch of them out of different models.
The only other thing that he mentioned doing was:

"Willie, it's all done by hand. I crown the muzzle with a Brownells 45 degree hand crowning tool. Everything else is done by eye. Hacksaw, files and sandpaper."

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/avenging-angels-bp-snub-nose-revolvers.753822/

Malachi Leviticus Blue · Jan 1, 2021

I have crowned revolver barrels with a stepless varibit, file, and emery cloth.
Depending on the type of front sight you plan to add that can also be pretty easy.
On the snub nose Remington I did a few years ago, I used an evil Dremel to cut a parallel slot, and soft soldered a slice of a steel washer in place.

Ironhand54 · Jan 1, 2021

I did a round butt grip on my 1851 brasser. No front sight either. Made it more of a belly gun.

IronHand

expat_alaska · Jan 1, 2021

Ironhand54 said:
I did a round butt grip on my 1851 brasser. No front sight either. Made it more of a belly gun.

IronHand

I like the wood very much! Otherwise, I am not a fan of 1851 Navy brasser .44 revolvers but you did turn the front end of the barrel round and eliminated the front pin sight. It also has been defarbed and the cylinder has had the roll mark engraving removed. No proof marks or date code, but I am thinking it is a Pietta manufactured post-2014 because of the grip shape in the wrist area behind the trigger guard/rear of the upper backstrap.

Nice work!

Regards,

Jim

whughett · Jan 1, 2021

I’ve reassured my Colts, none will ever have their barrels bobbed, their levers amputated or their grips redacted. :evil:

ShotgunDave · Jan 1, 2021

I've made a few, and they were fun to build. But they really serve no purpose other than conversation. They're useful for close in work only.

The hardest part is making sure the barrel is straight when you cut it, and making a new front sight. For the Navy style guns, the front sight was easy. It's just a post. So drill a hole part way into the barrel and solder the new post in. For the Army style, it's a little more difficult. I used a Dremel and cut off wheels to put a slot in the barrel. Then fabricate a new blade from brass and solder it in.

The best advice I can give is, take your time and be absolutely certain you want a snubby. Once you cut the barrel, that's it.

Bibbyman · Jan 1, 2021

I found a Dixie Gun Works Yank 51 at one of our toy stores and traded for it. It seems to be remarkably easy to hit with. I was often hitting a railroad plate at 25 step.

Ugly Sauce · Jan 1, 2021

I had a "Yank" once! But it wasn't a snub.

Anyhow, you know, a 6" barrel on a 1860 is a very nice gun, "different" than the long barrel. I'd try that first, then go snubbie if it doesn't really float your boat. However...best thing I ever did to my 1860.

webrx · Jan 2, 2021

i did one, an 1851 "confederate" since I have multiple of these, most of which are steel framed, I have the ability to swap the barrels around and do multiple configs. I also rounded the back of the grip to make it look more birdshead. it's ok i like it, and I shoot it. not much too it, cut it, crown in, silver solder in a sight if desired.

If you are just looking for something to do with it, maybe see if someone wants it for a fair price before you chop it - i may be interested, I like the 1860s and there is no ffl required to ship BP guns.

If you like it and just want to chop it, have a blast, i like playing too, which is why I cut down the pietta.

electricfactory · Jan 2, 2021

Thanks webrx, appreciate the info. The sad truth is I’m not quite confident enough in my barrel cutting/ crowning skill set, not yet anyway. I’m at the checking out the how-to YouTube vid stage.
What saw do you use

webrx said:
i did one, an 1851 "confederate" since I have multiple of these, most of which are steel framed, I have the ability to swap the barrels around and do multiple configs. I also rounded the back of the grip to make it look more birdshead. it's ok i like it, and I shoot it. not much too it, cut it, crown in, silver solder in a sight if desired.

If you are just looking for something to do with it, maybe see if someone wants it for a fair price before you chop it - i may be interested, I like the 1860s and there is no ffl required to ship BP guns.

If you like it and just want to chop it, have a blast, i like playing too, which is why I cut down the pietta.

View attachment 967340

electricfactory · Jan 2, 2021

Thanks articap, as always very helpful and informative. I'm reading the Pocket thread now, having never cut a barrel before I'm a bit apprehensive of having this be my first. I'm considering getting one of those non-firing cast made percussion pistol knock-offs they sell on eBay just to practice on.

arcticap said:
Pocket did it to his Pietta 1851 and posted about making it on the 1st two pages of this thread: --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/i-am-torn-between-2-loves-1860-snub-nose.873164/

Johnny Cremains made a bunch of them out of different models.
The only other thing that he mentioned doing was:

"Willie, it's all done by hand. I crown the muzzle with a Brownells 45 degree hand crowning tool. Everything else is done by eye. Hacksaw, files and sandpaper."

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/avenging-angels-bp-snub-nose-revolvers.753822/

Ugly Sauce · Jan 2, 2021

webrx said:
i did one, an 1851 "confederate" since I have multiple of these, most of which are steel framed, I have the ability to swap the barrels around and do multiple configs. I also rounded the back of the grip to make it look more birdshead. it's ok i like it, and I shoot it. not much too it, cut it, crown in, silver solder in a sight if desired.

If you are just looking for something to do with it, maybe see if someone wants it for a fair price before you chop it - i may be interested, I like the 1860s and there is no ffl required to ship BP guns.

If you like it and just want to chop it, have a blast, i like playing too, which is why I cut down the pietta.

View attachment 967340

That's one cool little grouse-gun or wabbit gun. Will it hit a pop can at 15 yards or so?

webrx · Jan 2, 2021

electricfactory - I cut it off with a hacksaw, filed it flat, verifying with a square on each flat. Once I was confident it was square, then I crowned it with a medium tapered stone on my drill press. finished it up with a fine stone and some 3 in 1 oil by hand. It was the first one I did, I think i got the gun on sale for $149, then found out that everyone says don't buy brass, so I started picking up steel frames. this one was sitting there, and I decided to give it a shot, since it was cheap enough and I was only going to shoot light loads. FYI Brass guns are fine if you dont overload them, and you make sure you get pressure on the powder when you seat the ball.

Ugly Sauce - Thanks and yes, I can do ok at 10-15 yards, it will probably do ok further if you have better eyes than me - I am getting older and the eyes are not as good. I only load 20 grains and double wads when I shoot it, as it is brass framed. it shoots a little high, but once you get used to it you can adjust.

d

webrx · Jan 2, 2021

fyi, the toughest part for me was getting the post to stay soldered in, silver solder and flux did the trick, eventually wished I had 3 hands at one point.

If you have basic skills, and take your time you can do what I did, trying to get one that looks like what Johnny Cremains does, is a different ball game and I suspect takes a lot more time. I did mine in a weekend, here and there, he is a bit more artistic than I am obviously.

webrx · Jan 2, 2021

just remembered this, if you are worried about being able to cut the barrel straight enough, put a hose clamp on it and cut along that line. it will get you pretty close and then using a square and a flat file, that will get your crown square to the barrel. when crowning a little taper goes a long way, just do your best, round balls are pretty forgiving, and if you do your first cut a little long like I did, you could always take a little more off if you dont get it right the first time.

Malachi Leviticus Blue · Jan 2, 2021

don't worry too much about an ugly crown.
The worst thing about and ugly crown is that it is ugly.
A crooked crown wont affect the accuracy. It can affect point of impact, but it will remain constant so can still be accurate.
This has been proven over and over with some horrendously ugly crowns.

arcticap · Jan 2, 2021

There have been some good suggestions made in the past about cutting barrels.
Everyone said that the Italian steel is very soft and easy to cut.
Some used a Dremel cut off wheel to cut their barrel.
Another used a miter box with a hacksaw.
One suggested marking the barrel with a wrap of copper wire.
More than one said to start with a Pietta 1860 and buy the 3 inch barrel with sight for $135 from VTI. --->>> https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=70&cat=Pietta+1860+Army+1861+Navy
Pietta offers several different length 1860 barrels which Uberti doesn't.

Reference threads about cutting barrels.
1. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/cutting-colt-barrel.324795/
2. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/home-smithed-cut-down-revolvers.282945/
3. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/short-1860-barrels.729605/
4. https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?/topic/213270-1860-capnball-shorten-barrel/

whughett · Jan 6, 2021

I do have a very early Traditions by Pietta 1860 Army. A $99 dollar pistol received as a gift some 20 odd years ago. Most of its finish is gone and it as loose as an old Ford truck, but it shoots to point of aim, I know where to hold it. So if I did get a hankering to have a shorter barrel, down to what ever the loading lever would allow, it would be the one to tinker with.

1860 Army snub nose

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