1851 Pietta brasser cylinder vs 1851 Pietta steel cylinder

[Blackpowderwarrior]

I've noticed my 1851 brasser cylinder holds WAY less volume then my 1851 steel cylinder. Has anyone else noticed this???? Or is this a rare occurrence? Both of these pistols were made in 2019.

I recently purchased a steel frame for my 1851 brasser because heck why not!

I have a spare cylinder from a steel frame gun and am thinking of just using it on the new steel frame once it arrives.

 

[noelf2]

Never heard of such a thing. Doubt seriously that Pietta would tool for two 1851 cylinders for the same caliber. Are yours .36's or .44's?

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

Never heard of such a thing. Doubt seriously that Pietta would tool for two 1851 cylinders for the same caliber. Are yours .36's or .44's?

Both 44's

 

[bear166]

I've not heard of this either and have never owned a brass frame gun myself. But I do know that you are supposed to use lesser charges with the brass frame on account of it being weaker. Perhaps it's possible that they intentionally tool the cylinders so they won't hold enough powder to cause damage? Again, nothing but a guess here. As far as I know, it's still possible to overload the cylinder on a brass framed revolver, but maybe they have decided to make that more difficult by reducing the volume of the chambers.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I've noticed my 1851 brasser cylinder holds WAY less volume then my 1851 steel cylinder...

Are you sure of this?
The chambers are the same diameter and the cylinder is the same length, correct?
Does the chamber only go halfway down the cylinder then have a really long flash channel?
This would be a surprise to me.

 

[Captain*kirk]

Never heard of this. Not saying it's out of the question, though. Stupid hurts and lawsuits follow.

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

My guess is that it passed inspection somehow.

AntiqueSledMan.

 

[whughett]

One cylinder may have a 36 caliber base with a 44 caliber front. AKA 1860 Army, which is a 44 on a 36 frame. An 1851 in 44 is an oxymoron anyway.

 

[44 Dave]

Have a .44 that had a sharp step where the .44 ended and went to a smaller bore. It reduced the the charge so much I had to make separate paper cartridges for it. I bored it out down to where the cylinder stops are cut in to it.

 

[whughett]

Have a .44 that had a sharp step where the .44 ended and went to a smaller bore. It reduced the the charge so much I had to make separate paper cartridges for it. I bored it out down to where the cylinder stops are cut in to it.View attachment 1013603

Isn’t that normal in Colts 1860 Army designs. A larger front end on the cylinder to accommodate the 44 but the 36 caliber diameter on the ratchet and bolt slot end to accommodate the 36 caliber frame hand and bolt.

 

[44 Dave]

Isn’t that normal in Colts 1860 Army designs. A larger front end on the cylinder to accommodate the 44 but the 36 caliber diameter on the ratchet and bolt slot end to accommodate the 36 caliber frame hand and bolt.

Yes, but this one had a sharp step. I eased the step and only bored enough to have a smooth taper to the .36 size bore.

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

Yeah it's very strange but it shoots great. I just thought I'd ask you guys about it because it did seem weird.