1858 Conversion Cylinder

[S3anyBoy]

I ordered a Pietta 1858 .44 Single Action Revolver with a 5.5 inch barrel from Cabela's last week (unfortunately it's on backorder so it'll be 2+ weeks before it arrives :banghead, so I've been reading a lot about the gun before it arrives.

I'm planning on buying a conversion cylinder in .45 LC (probably R&D) when I get paid friday and I was wondering how long the cylinder's are, and if anyone has tried firing .410 shells from it.

Assuming they aren't too long they should be safe, because to my understanding max .410 pressures are lower than 14000 PSI, and the cylinders are supposedly rated to over 20000 PSI, and any of the non-brass frame guns shouldn't have a problem with the pressures.

If the cylinder is too short to fit the 2.5in shells (I assume the 3in ones probably wouldn't fit anyway), are there any shorter .410 shells that you can buy (1.5 or 2 inch)?

I'm really just wondering because it seems like an interesting idea.

Also, does anyone carry the 1858 for hunting or self-defense?
What do you think is the best factory .45LC ammo for the guns?

 

[Coyote3855]

Nope, you will not be able to fire .410 of either readily available size in your conversion cylinder. I don't know of any "shorter" .410 shells commercially available.

I have a Pietta 58 Remington with the conversion cylinder for .45 Colt. I handload for mine. Your combination should handle any standard .45 Colt loading. I would avoid any +P loads, as I would in most Remington/Colt SA clones.

Hunting what? Probably good enough for whitetail size game if you can do your part and hit the vitals. 25 yards or less. The sights are rudimentary.

Self defense? Certainly any firearm is better than none. The Pietta is too big to conceal easily. Single actions in general are not a good self defense choice for inexperienced shooters. No offense if you are not one. The Pietta with the conversion cylinder is handicapped over other single actions because you must remove the cylinder to reload unless you modify the frame and install a loading gate and ejector rod.

Edit: BTW, this applies to steel framed 58s. There are those who say you shoot light "Cowboy" loads in a brass framed conversion, but R&D recommends against it. I wouldn't convert a brass frame, if only because some idiot and/or future owner might stoke it up with hot loads and hurt an innocent bystander.

Good luck with your new gun. I've always liked the 58 Remingtons, and the conversion cylinder makes it easier to shoot. I'm just not a cap and ball kinda guy.

 

[S3anyBoy]

It's actually my first handgun, though I'm familiar with the operation of most handguns, including SA Revolvers, and I mostly bought it because it's cheap, and I don't have to deal with an FFL holder.

I don't plan on carrying it for self-defense but was just wondering, because when I get my license if I don't have enough cash to buy one of the handguns I want then I might have no other option.

That sucks about the .410 but I've seen some CCI shot shells in .45LC, so I guess that's basically the same thing.

What about hunting hogs with the gun, has anyone done that?
Got any tips?

 

[crazysccrmd]

I have a Pietta 58 Remington with the conversion cylinder for .45 Colt. I handload for mine. Your combination should handle any standard .45 Colt loading. I would avoid any +P loads, as I would in most Remington/Colt SA clones.

So you're saying that standard commercial non +p 45LC will be safe in a steel framed Pietta with a conversion? I've always heard to only use the cowboy loadings

 

[Legionnaire]

I, too, am interested in a conversion cylinder for my Pietta 1858 Remington. Am I correct in understanding that the R&D conversion for the 1858 is available as either a 5- or 6-shot? Midway shows a 6-shot (out of stock) and Buffalo Arms shows a 5-shot. Anybody have experience with these?

 

[S3anyBoy]

I've heard of the 6-shot cylinders, but haven't seen any for sale. I think they probably only produce the 5-shot ones now, because they're mostly sold to CAS guys.

I'm thinking of going with this ammo:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemDetail.aspx?sku=AMM4961
One person say's they fired it from a converted steel 1858 with no problems, but I'm wondering if after a couple hundred rounds it might damage the pistol. Does anyone have any experience with that ammo?

 

[GaryNConcord]

Let me give you a thought on that. I considered going down that same road a while back. You're looking at a $200 plus to buy a conversion cylinder. You shoot one, each time you reload, you have to pull out the cylinder, remove the 'top' of it, load the cartridges and reassemble and put the cylinder back in the revolver. I figured out I could buy a second pistol, Uberti 1873 for just over $400 which loads much more easily. So, unless you have your heart set on shooting the same gun, you might try an alternate route.
BTW, if you haven't priced .45 Colt ammo yet, go ahead and order a set of reloading dies with whatever you order. Less than .20 cents a round beats the heck out of almost 80 cents.

 

[arcticap]

Taylor's states that they exclusively offer the 6 shot cylinders:

http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/product245.html

Pietta 1858 Remington Conversion Cylinder Blue

$240.00
PIERM101

Cylinder manufactured to fit Pietta 1858 Remington in .44 caliber. Revolver must be steel frame. Converts to .45LC cowboy ammunition only. Exclusively offered by Taylor's & Co.

Caliber: .45 LC
Capacity: 6
Manufacturer: Made in the USA
Finish: Blue Finish

 

[Legionnaire]

arcticap, thanks for the link.

 

[BHP FAN]

Over on SASS, you can regularly find .45 revolvers for sale as cheap as $325.00. A lot of shooters are switching to .38's or even .32's for the mild recoil, and quick follow up shots, and getting off of thier ''wart hog'' guns.

 

[TomADC]

I've looked long and hard at that 22LR kit for the Remington's, but I do reload for 45 LC. Can't make my mind up and don't want or need both, at least not yet.

 

[Ash_J_Williams]

Gotta a Pietta 1858, as well. Looking for a conversion cylinder, but $250+ is a bit steep.

 

[Legionnaire]

Yeah, way more than I paid for my gun!

 

[gilgsn]

In my R&D I shoot the 200gr Lee RNFP bullet with 8gr of Unique: 882fps out of the 5.5" barrel.

 

[MCgunner]

I ordered mine over a month ago, back order, and it ain't even gotten to Cabela's yet. Ain't like I HAVE to get it tomorrow, but it's kinda like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas.

I think I'm just going to order two extra cylinders, about 100 bucks. I have a Ruger stainless Blackhawk 4 5/8" in .45 colt that's danged hard to beat. It shoots 1" 6 shot groups benched at 25 yards with light or HEAVY .44 magnum equivalent loads. The gun is heavier, but hey, not by that much. I just want the '58 for BP. If it's really accurate, I could change my mind and get a conversion cylinder, but I really don't think so at this point.

 

[scrat]

I picked up my conversion cylinder from Buffalo Arms. Same as you guys bought the gun from Cabelas those guys are great. i have ordered so much stuff from them. For conversion cylinders and parts though buffalo arms has a full supply their prices are pretty good as well.

 

[MCgunner]

Now Here's an idea I might go for. Yeah, 240 bucks is a bit steep. But, I have all this .45ACP brass, tons of it, pick it up at the range. I have a great 200 grain .45ACP bullet I shoot in my P90 to around 950 fps. Be a good load for a Remmy, i'd think, uses 5.0 grains Bullseye adn is mild enough. Be nice not to have to pick up brass every time i shoot a magazine empty...er cylinder. I mean, I've got the .45 Colt covered with the Blackhawk, but don't have a .45 ACP revolver since I sold...stupidly..my old 1917 Smith.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=162987&TERM=conversion cylinder

 

[S3anyBoy]

I'm trying to decide which cylinder to buy; I really like the Taylor's & Co 45LC Conversion Cylinder because of the extra shot, but I'm not sure if it has the safety slot like the 5-shot cylinders, and I've heard if something bumps the hammer while it's on a live chamber it could discharge. Is this really something to worry about, or would the 6-shot be fine?

 

[YumaKid]

Curious about "the notch" myself, because I actually use it almost every time I load up. Never had a pistol jump out of it's holster in all the years I've been shooting revolvers, but I'm sure there will be a first time sometime; and I'd prefer not to poke a hole in perfectly good pair of Wranglers..... or my shirt.... or maybe a body part or two. Or my kid in the next lane.

Looking at the picture in the link arcticap posted, it does appear that the safety notches are indeed ground into the backplate. Makes the conversion even more interesting to me; even if it does cost more than either of my '58s did.

 

[damoc]

i only use cowboy level loads in my pietta 58 when im using the 45 colt conversion cyl more than enough power for anything i want anyway.

ive got a blackhawk to handle high power +p loads if the need arises

cant fit a std 410 shot shell in the conversion cyl but its entirely possible to
load 45 colt shot shells its also possible to load them into the std 58 cap
and ball cyl if thats what you realy want ive done it using about 10 to 15
grains fffg which was more than adequate for close range snake shot.

beyond 10 yards the rifleing is going to mess with the pattern anyway so dont need a lot of power.

I like the taylors conversion cyl because i dont compete in CAS and like the extra round but it does concern me a little with safety.the std 58 cap and ball cyl has a much better safety notch i think.

I posted this a while ago just me messing with a 58 trying to get an idea of what was possible out of a vintage firearm lol the last cyl was a conversion
cyl and i had a bit more trouble loading it than the std 58 cap and ball cyl,s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kqEgijuCu4

 

[MCgunner]

Lower the hammer on an empty cylinder for carry with a six shot, just as many rounds as a five shooter with safety notches.

 

[BHP FAN]

The timing seems to be a little ''iffy'' on the five shot cylinders. I sent one of mine off to Kenny Howell to be fitted, and he ended up fitting a nice six shot cylinder in there instead. I have two of the R&D type, and one of the Kirst type. I like them for the novelty of being able to switch back and forth, cap and ball, or fixed ammo, but you can get roughly four black powder spare cylinders for the price of the conversion cylinders...they ARE neat, though....

 

[Redsport91]

Howell makes a conversion cyl for the 58 Remmy. It's a 5 shot w/safety notches cut between the chambers. It chambers 45 lc and 45 acp. The latest issue of Guns Of The Old West. Features a Pietta 58 Remmy with this conversion. If you are consider a personal defence weapon this may be the way to go since the 45 acp is proven in this area and there is more avaible loads to choose from. The key ellement in pers/def is practice, practice and practice with this goal I'm mind. Not just shooting for score or liesure. As far as the strength of these revolvers go, I believe, that the frames and barrels are machined from 4140 steel. Not 100% positive. I know the R&D cylinders advertise 4140 cyl /4150 used for the backplate. It'll take one hell of hot round to blow it up. The advise using cowboy loads mainly for liability sake. So far I have never heard of someone blowing up a modern 1858. Common sense is critical when shooting any gun. BTW more folks are consider these guns for self def & hunting up to medium sized game lately. It depends on your skill level. I'd rather have 44 Remmy by my bed side than a small cal auto. It's all relative. Once you have your Remmy and conv cyl pratice, practice, practice is better than a $1000 auto that someone cann't shoot properly. BTW the Pietta Remmies I own are very accurate.