Accumulating older Piettas

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This one is about the same age. I liked the dark wood and there wasn't a lot of proud wood. They were kind of fat though.

KbXVXwNl.jpg

This one was made in 76. The grips are nice and slender and almost flush with the frame at the top. Not the fat monsters Pietta calls grips now. The front sight is a little tall but not as bad as the skyscrapers they have now.

QjnxOBRl.jpg
 
CraigC said:
After my conversion woes with he who will not be named, I found that the Kirst conversion parts fit the older Piettas better and started looking for older guns. This 1860 came with some pretty nice wood. I think it's an `03 model.

View attachment 1100935
Click to expand...

Hey CraigC!! The conversions work in Uberti's. I use Pietta cylinders for the length (factory length ammo).

Mark_Mark said:
could you use smokeless in conversation cylinders?
Click to expand...

Yes!! You can talk about them 24 / 7 !!! Lol ( don't cha love auto correct?!) But seriously folks, That's how I get to shoot these revolvers!! No bp allowed in ranges!! (I haven't shot bp in about 20 yrs.!)

Heck, while I'm here - Hey Hawg !!! Lol

Mike
 
45 Dragoon said:
Hey CraigC!! The conversions work in Uberti's. I use Pietta cylinders for the length (factory length ammo).



Yes!! You can talk about them 24 / 7 !!! Lol ( don't cha love auto correct?!) But seriously folks, That's how I get to shoot these revolvers!! No bp allowed in ranges!! (I haven't shot bp in about 20 yrs.!)

Heck, while I'm here - Hey Hawg !!! Lol

Mike
Click to expand...
well dang! Peitta conversation are 1/2 the price of Uberti! time for some Peitta
 
Mark_Mark said:
could you use smokeless in conversation cylinders?
Click to expand...

Never use smokeless in a C&B revolver!!!!

While the DYI conversion cylinders are not specifically black power only, the rest of the C&B revolver WAS made with that billboard "Black Power Only" for a reason.
From the Taylors & Company Firearms website for their conversion cylinders: "Taylor's does not recommend shooting ammunition rated above 850 fps in this conversion cylinder."
https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions.html

There are cartridges available in most popular calibers called "Cowboy Loads" that are reduced smokeless powder loads.
Check the box or maker's website for chronograph information if in doubt about a cartridge's power.

Note that Italian FACTORY conversion revolvers are not marked with the BP billboard and have the Italian proof marking for smokeless powder rather than the one for BP.
 
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Never use smokeless in a C&B revolver!!!!

While the DYI conversion cylinders are not specifically black power only, the rest of the C&B revolver WAS made with that billboard "Black Power Only" for a reason.
From the Taylors & Company Firearms website for their conversion cylinders: "Taylor's does not recommend shooting ammunition rated above 850 fps in this conversion cylinder."
https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions.html

There are cartridges available in most popular calibers called "Cowboy Loads" that are reduced smokeless powder loads.
Check the box or maker's website for chronograph information if in doubt about a cartridge's power.

Note that Italian FACTORY conversion revolvers are not marked with the BP billboard and have the Italian proof marking for smokeless powder rather than the one for BP.
Click to expand...
my 1858 barrel is marked BP only
 
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Never use smokeless in a C&B revolver!!!!

While the DYI conversion cylinders are not specifically black power only, the rest of the C&B revolver WAS made with that billboard "Black Power Only" for a reason.
From the Taylors & Company Firearms website for their conversion cylinders: "Taylor's does not recommend shooting ammunition rated above 850 fps in this conversion cylinder."
https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions.html

There are cartridges available in most popular calibers called "Cowboy Loads" that are reduced smokeless powder loads.
Check the box or maker's website for chronograph information if in doubt about a cartridge's power.

Note that Italian FACTORY conversion revolvers are not marked with the BP billboard and have the Italian proof marking for smokeless powder rather than the one for BP.
Click to expand...
Hogwash. Kirst now makes a .45ACP conversion for the 1860. Their cylinders are rated for 1000fps. So your fears are unfounded and unsupported.

The guns are marked as such so no dummy goes filling the cylinder with Bullseye.
 
CraigC said:
Hogwash. Kirst now makes a .45ACP conversion for the 1860. Their cylinders are rated for 1000fps. So your fears are unfounded and unsupported.
Click to expand...

Thanks CraigC, The Taylor cylinders are of the "Howell" type and obviously different (less sturdy) from the Kirst brand. Are ALL Kirst products rated to 1000fps or just the .45 ACP?

https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions/1858-remington-conversion-cylinders.html

While I could not find the specs you mention at the Kirst website, I did find them at Old South! Please note all the cautions that they too emphasize as NONE OF US wants to be responsible for someone loosing an appendage or dying!:

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/ki...npiettastainlesssteel45lacpgatedassembly.aspx

From above:
"All Kirst Konverters are precision CNC machined in the USA from 4140 Steel and heat-treated. The cartridge conversions are rated "For Black Powder or equivalent loads only," which includes the current Cowboy Loads on the market (Read the "Caution" Statement Below).
Caution:
1. Ammunition must be loaded with lead bullets and a low-pressure powder charge that DOES NOT EXCEED 1000 FEET PER SECOND VELOCITY!
2. NOT FOR USE IN BRASS FRAME REVOLVERS!
3. .44 and .45 caliber cylinders must NEVER BE INSTALLED IN A .36 CALIBER REVOLVER!
Follow all instructions that come with your Cylinder Assembly and Firearm. Safe shooting is your responsibility."
 
As CraigC points out, the latest Kirst offering is for the 1860 Army platform and is chambered in 45acp. I was fortunate to be asked to "test drive" one and was the first to hit the range with it! Needless to say, it performed perfectly and I'll be at the range this week with some more "test loads". Most of the ammo I've used so far has been "what is available" (FMJ 230gr) but I did have a box (50) of lead reloads 230gr to run through it. They did well as well. So far the first 250 rounds has been mostly for function tests but I will say that my last range visit seemed to promise fine accuracy
The open top platform is perfectly fine for this round and a "close tolerance" version is quite a beast!!! With the 8 inch barrel, I'm sure the slugs are scooting out at a pretty good pace!! ( wish I had a chronograph!!!).

Mike
 
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Thanks CraigC, The Taylor cylinders are of the "Howell" type and obviously different (less sturdy) from the Kirst brand. Are ALL Kirst products rated to 1000fps or just the .45 ACP?

https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions/1858-remington-conversion-cylinders.html

While I could not find the specs you mention at the Kirst website, I did find them at Old South! Please note all the cautions that they too emphasize as NONE OF US wants to be responsible for someone loosing an appendage or dying!:

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/ki...npiettastainlesssteel45lacpgatedassembly.aspx

From above:
"All Kirst Konverters are precision CNC machined in the USA from 4140 Steel and heat-treated. The cartridge conversions are rated "For Black Powder or equivalent loads only," which includes the current Cowboy Loads on the market (Read the "Caution" Statement Below).
Caution:
1. Ammunition must be loaded with lead bullets and a low-pressure powder charge that DOES NOT EXCEED 1000 FEET PER SECOND VELOCITY!
2. NOT FOR USE IN BRASS FRAME REVOLVERS!
3. .44 and .45 caliber cylinders must NEVER BE INSTALLED IN A .36 CALIBER REVOLVER!
Follow all instructions that come with your Cylinder Assembly and Firearm. Safe shooting is your responsibility."
Click to expand...
Again, unfounded and unsupported. No one is going to lose an appendage. Please stop with the hysterics.
 
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Thanks CraigC, The Taylor cylinders are of the "Howell" type and obviously different (less sturdy) from the Kirst brand. Are ALL Kirst products rated to 1000fps or just the .45 ACP? "
Click to expand...

Howell cylinders are made from 4150 arsenal grade steel rated at 12,000 FPS.
 
45 Dragoon said:
Yap, kinda like Ruger saying no reloads . . . but we've all heard of "Ruger only" loads?

Lawyer's

Mike
Click to expand...

I can't believe you didn't catch the late bolt drop on the 58 I posted. I thought you'd say something like I need to send it to you for modernizing or something.:rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Thanks CraigC, The Taylor cylinders are of the "Howell" type and obviously different (less sturdy) from the Kirst brand. Are ALL Kirst products rated to 1000fps or just the .45 ACP?

https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions/1858-remington-conversion-cylinders.html

While I could not find the specs you mention at the Kirst website, I did find them at Old South! Please note all the cautions that they too emphasize as NONE OF US wants to be responsible for someone loosing an appendage or dying!:

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/ki...npiettastainlesssteel45lacpgatedassembly.aspx

From above:
"All Kirst Konverters are precision CNC machined in the USA from 4140 Steel and heat-treated. The cartridge conversions are rated "For Black Powder or equivalent loads only," which includes the current Cowboy Loads on the market (Read the "Caution" Statement Below).
Caution:
1. Ammunition must be loaded with lead bullets and a low-pressure powder charge that DOES NOT EXCEED 1000 FEET PER SECOND VELOCITY!
2. NOT FOR USE IN BRASS FRAME REVOLVERS!
3. .44 and .45 caliber cylinders must NEVER BE INSTALLED IN A .36 CALIBER REVOLVER!
Follow all instructions that come with your Cylinder Assembly and Firearm. Safe shooting is your responsibility."
Click to expand...

This is not an admonition against the use of smokeless powder. The "current Cowboy Loads on the market" refers to commercially loaded cowboy action shooting ammunition from companies like Winchester, Black Hills, etc., which is all loaded with smokeless.

On a revolver the cylinder is the pressure vessel. The Howell and Kirst cylinders are perfectly capable of handling ammunition loaded with smokeless powders to the level of CAS ammo.

I have a Pietta 1858 Remington with a gated Kirst cylinder in it. The only ammo I've ever fired in it is Black Hills .45 Colt CAS smokeless, to the tune of 200 - 300 rounds.
 
The problem with using ammo stronger than cowboy ammo isn't with the conversion cylinders, its the softer steel of frame itself.
 
CraigC said:
Yeah, where's the admonition against smokeless powder???
Click to expand...
Sorry CraigC for the misunderstanding! Note, in this quote from my post, I specified "C&B" as in Cap and Ball.
Ephraim Kibbey said:
Never use smokeless in a C&B revolver!!!!
Click to expand...
If you are loading cylinders with loose powder and ball and capping the nipples, you should NEVER use smokeless power!
If you have a conversion cylinder for fixed cartridges, you can either use BP or a reduced load of smokeless as in "Cowboy Loads" with an FPS under the maximum specified by the cylinder maker.
Sorry I was not clear in my earlier post!
Just trying to clarify things!
Stay Safe!
 
Well, I'll tell you that the "platforms" available for the cylinders available are "plenty substantial" for what is "advertised" . As I reported in an earlier post, my Uberti 1860 Army has had ZERO problems with firing the new 45acp cyl. from Kirst! Since mine has had a close tolerance setup (even more so than the "norm") done specifically for testing the platform and not the cylinder, it has met my expectations and continues to do so. Therefore, I wouldn't worry too much about messing anything up with Kirst's "advertised" parameters.

Mike
 
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