Got my first cartridge conversion cylinder....

[Bigdog57]

I won't go over 30 grains, so the Schofield case would be fine. Most of my .45 Colt fit, but a few go to 1.60" long and stick out a bit from the face of the cylinder. I'll likely just reload these cases with 200 or 230 grain bullets. Length should be no problem then.

 

[brushhippie]

Love Pietta interchangeability, did the same between mine swapped barrels around, I have the R & D in my 60...it was the same way...kinda quirky but worked pretty good mostly but .45 long colts are justa hair too long so we have to set the bullet slightly deeper for this one... it seems to like the 225 grain round nose best.

 

[Bigdog57]

Got to the range this AM, and results were..... quirky.

I loaded the .45 Colt rounds in and reassembled the revolver, then began to shoot rested at 15 yards. The black circle is about ten inches diameter. Shots went higher than with the 30 grain BP powder&ball load, using these Magtech Cowboy Action loads. Clean burning, and a shorter sharper recoil impulse is responsible, I think, for the fact they shoot a few inches higher than the cap&ball loads. Grouping was good. One chamber would not fire, even on repeated attempts. Pulled the cylinder, and saw very light FP strike. Bummer.
Loaded it again, and this time two rounds got the light FP strikes. Visually I can see no difference between the affected firing pins and the ones that worked. Cylinder rotation was rough too, I had to finagle it and rotate by my off hand to get the chamber to line up. Unloaded it works fine. Some rounds were dragging their tips, some were okay.
So, it looks like this cylinder is going to need some work. I'll get a magnifying glass on it, and see if there is something I cannot see with my eyes only.
I will inspect the cases and remaining ammo too. Maybe deep seated primers?

Here's the gun with the .45 Colt cylinder on top ("Civilian Model" with nickeled back strap and TG), and the regular .44 "1851 Navy" with brass back strap and TG on bottom with it's cap and ball cylinder.





Here's the Civilian Model broken down for loading, with the two-piece .45 Colt cylinder.

 

[TOOT44]

conversion

I bought an R&D conversion for my WHITNEYVILLE WALKER and tried it and it worked just fine. I know it is not a HOWELL conv. but that is my experience with them.

 

[Bigdog57]

The reviews where I ordered it were mixed. Some were a simple 'drop-in', some needed minor fitting, some wouldn't work. So I knew the chances of having problems. Right now, this is a range toy to play with, not a reliable weapon.
Looks like I will be getting into making paper cartridges after all.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Well it coud be the firing pin ferrels weren't tight on some of the pins. Looks like the bolt screw pin is loose on the top revolver which would present a timing problem. Also, you're going from a six shooter to a five shooter which is timing wreck anyway when everything is correct.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[Crawdad1]

I can't blame anyone for buying a 1851 Colt in Army caliber but I just don't get it. Especially when you consider that the 1860 Army is so much better. You get the full 8 inch barrel and a big brass front blade out in front instead of a 7 1/2 inch barrel with a small brass bead.

I just don't understand it.

 

[Bigdog57]

You don't need to. I prefer the 1851 Navy style, and it feels better balanced. Hey, Wild Bill Hickock knew a good thing when he had it! So what if .44 caliber wasn't 'historically correct'. It's fun.
A lot of us are not competitors or re-enactors.

 

[Bigdog57]

Well it coud be the firing pin ferrels weren't tight on some of the pins. Looks like the bolt screw pin is loose on the top revolver which would present a timing problem. Also, you're going from a six shooter to a five shooter which is timing wreck anyway when everything is correct.

Mike


Good catch, Mike! I will check that screw. Can't believe I failed to notice that! And I need to make a special tool for those FP ferrules.
Unloaded, the cylinder perfomed flawlessly on rotation/timing. I do think the .45 Colt ammo is dragging and hanging it up. Once I get the dies, I can try loading them a bit deeper.