1858 Remington Conversions ???

[Shawnee]

Hi Y'All...

Have seen on different posts people mention a "conversion" or "cylinder conversion (R&D ?) that apparently allows 1858 Remingtons to fire .45 Long Colt in addition to (or instead of ?) black powder loads.

What's the skiivy on this "conversion" gig? Is it expensive?
Is it an "either/or" arrabgenebt or a permanent switch? Can it be done to only certain brands of Remingtons? Can it be done to something like the 1860s or the Ruger Old Army?

Please enlighten me, Gentlemen.

Many thanks !!

 

[Franco2shoot]

R&D conversion

I have a Uberti 1858 Remington, and I specified that when I ordered the cylinder. If you own a Pietta copy you just state this to R&D. Basically it works like this. The cylinder has a back plate with a small hole near the edge. This Back plate has six firing pins. You merely drop the rammer down pull the pin and with the hammer in half cock position, the cylinder can be exchanged for the normal BP cylinder. Assembly and disassembly is accomplished in seconds. I lift the back plate up with the cylinder face down on a table, drop 6 Long colt cartridges into the holes, align the pin with the hole in the back plate, pick up the assembly and slide it into the Remmy frame. Push the center pin in return the rammer and you're ready to shoot, just pull the hammer all the way back. I think I can reload 6 into the assembly faster than I can re-load 8 into the 1911 magazine.

Oh one last thing, the dang thing is really accurate.... Its also helpful to have a 2 inch long pin or dowel to poke out spent cartridges, but its not necessary.

KKKKFL

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Franco...

Many thanks, Franco!!!

I happened to find "conversion cylinders" on the Midway site and that helped too. Only trouble is the conversion cylinders cost as much (or more than) the gun sometimes.
Still, gotta be a cool option to have!

Thanks again!

 

[Ferret]

I have a pair of Pietta clones that I have outfitted with Kirst Konverters. These are SASS approved cylinders with 5 chambers and one safety chamber. They have a back plate that unlike the R&D, doesnt turn with the cylinder, and they look real nice, very much like the period conversions.
The cylinders cost about $220 each, so, Pietta+Kirst Konverter cost less than a standard six gun.
Yes, you can swap the cylinders out to either percussion or another Konverter, it takes about 12 seconds.
Accuracy is amazing with these things.
ONLY use these cylinders with BP or low cowboy loads.

Yes, they are available for some Colts and for the ROA. Check out the link.