1858 "Bulldog" Revolver for possible CCW

[elhombreconnonombre]

I am considering building a cartridge cylinder conversion "bulldog 1858" from a Pietta as a potential CCW using Mike Belvieu's YouTube video instructions, but I'm torn between a non-gated six round 45colt or a non-gated five round 45acp cylinder. I could get both, but what ye pards think as a first choice: advantage of one cartridge type over the other, etc.

Yeah I know...bp for CCW not a great idea...even with 2 such bp cartridge "Bulldogs" in a shoulder rig...humor me.

 

[vagunmonkey]

First thought is 6 is better then 5

Don't forget the pics...

 

[scaevola]

I'll agree with 6>5; also want to see pictures.

 

[Crawdad1]

Elhombre, That's what I use my cylinder for, clean up the black powder and slip the conversion in and place my 1860 Army or as Cooldill would say, my "1860 revolving belt pistol in army caliber" on top the bed stand at night. I can't see the difference between the use you're going to use it for and mine, there just two legged critter stoppers.

Go for it, either way. but I think there are more offerings bullet wise in the 45 LC than the 45 ACP.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Besides my El Patron Comp. , my other carry is a 6 shot conversion cyl. in a '58 by Pietta. Both .45 Colt. and both with 5 1/2" tubes. I think the 250gr. round is a suitable round and don't see much difference in the delivery system! The Patron is as modern as any other S.A. and the conversion cyl. does the same thing for the Remy. I'll have a 3rd option when I get my cyl. for my ROA!!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[Mictlanero]

wow - 1858 "Bulldog" conversions are nice!

 

[swathdiver]

If you load your own, the .45 Long Colt is a more powerful and versatile cartridge in black powder.

 

[BCRider]

If shooting BP loads you can always shoot two rounds and make a retreat masked by the cloud of smoke....

 

[45 Dragoon]

I keep factory rounds in for carry but my reloads are in the 920 fps area with 250 gr. rnfp. It's a good wallop and the Dragoons think it's a walk in tha park!!

I cleaned my share of black powder in my earlier days, I'm content to shoot 2 or 3 boxes (smokeless of course ! ) at the range, wipe um down , tighten screws (as needed) and put um up!! I take them down when the urge hits and give them a good cleaning and some new oil/grease job. Too much fun!!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[BHP FAN]

Everyone knows no one has ever been killed with black powder revolvers, and they are harmless display pieces...

 

[AlexanderA]

For a Remington conversion, I would use a 5-shot .45 Colt cylinder, and use smokeless Cowboy loads.

If you compare the 5-shot and 6-shot conversion cylinders side by side, you'll see how thin the walls are in the 6-shot cylinders. (Besides that, the chambers are canted to make room for the rims.) I wouldn't be comfortable shooting smokeless loads in those cylinders.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

I was planning to stick to bp loads only rather than smokeless.

 

[VA27]

45 Colt for sure. I wouldn't feel at all disadvantaged in carrying such a piece. I'd cast my bullets of pure lead. Too bad you can't get modern balloon head cases for a few extra grains of powder.

 

[Jim K]

I realize that this is one of those "just for the heck of it" posts, but I hope all BP fans are aware that just because percussion revolvers are considered antiques and conversions are in a bit of a limbo does not mean they are not covered by CCW laws. Those criminal laws don't differentiate between an original flintlock pistol and a .40 Glock.

Jim