New Photos of the Richards

[StrawHat]

Here is an old photo of the Richards conversion of the 1860 Colt revolver. One of my favorite revolvers.



Yesterday, I decided to drag it out and shoot it some. Here are a couple of photos.





I shot it some and still like it. I may swap out the grips for something a little fancier.

I have a couple more photos, didn't want to be boring.

 

[ivankerley]

beautiful

whats it shoot? .45 LC/schofield? Is it a Uberti (looks it)... So its different revolvers in the picts? Grips are different
I just got an 1860 Army havent been able to shoot as caps are non existant locally
How hard is it to find ammo? do you use BP loads or smokeless
enquiring minds wanna know
Gene

 

[savit260]

If you want to unload the grips, and they'll fit a Pietta.. hit me up. I'm in need of a set to de uglify my customized 1860.


P.S. Love that first
version Richards. Don't see those too often.

 

[CraigC]

Great pics, most drool-worthy!

 

[Schutzen]

I really like the looks of the Richards Conversion, but have refrained from purchasing one due to fears of shooting it loose. Does anyone have hands on experience with a Richards Conversion with 500+ rounds through it? If so, what caliber .45 LC or .38 Spl?

Let me know your experiences with these revolvers.

 

[bannockburn]

StrawHat

New photos show that revolver off beautifully! Keep them coming as they will never be considered boring here on THR.

 

[StrawHat]

Thank you all for the comments. Yes, two revovlers, the one with the varnished grips is new to me but the elder of the two, based on serial numbers. Both are chambered for the original cartridge, 44 Colt, but use the modern approach of sleeving the barrel so heeled bullets are not needed. I load a full case of blackpowder under a 200 grain RNFP lead bullet, I size to .430 and lube with a homebrew BP lube.



There are several subtle differences, between the two, size of the rear sight notch, barrel length, front sigths, and markings. Just enough to keep it interesting!

 

[StrawHat]

I really like the looks of the Richards Conversion, but have refrained from purchasing one due to fears of shooting it loose. Does anyone have hands on experience with a Richards Conversion with 500+ rounds through it? If so, what caliber .45 LC or .38 Spl?

Let me know your experiences with these revolvers.

First, finding a Richards conversion is not easy. They are about as common as originals. Cimarron imported some that were made by ASM. ASM is gone so currently, no one is making them. Uberti is making a "Transitional Richards" or "Type II Richards"

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/co...s/1860-conversions-1860-richards-type-ii.html

I have no experience with that model.

Mine are both ASM. My first one has had a lot of work. Most of the internal part were soft and since ASM parts are not available, I made other fit. I replaced everything exceot the screws. This new one seems to be okay but only time will tell.

How will they hold up? If I could tell you that, I could predict the future. I view all replica revolvers as kit guns, some need more work than others.

As for caliber. I try to stay as authentic as possible so I recommend the 44 Colt. Reloading is as easy for one as the other. If you are not a reloader, get what is common in your area. 38 is usually inexpensive.

 

[calaverasslim]

VTI Replica Gun Parts sell conversion cylinders for the 44 special for this gun. They also sell replacement barrels and cylinders for other calibers. Swap the barrel and cylinder and presto, you have either a .45 Schofield or a 38 special.

 

[CraigC]

Does anyone have hands on experience with a Richards Conversion with 500+ rounds through it? If so, what caliber .45 LC or .38 Spl?

I don't have an ASM Type I like Strawhat's and I haven't shot my Uberti (Cimarron) Type II all that much but I've done quite a bit with the 1871-1872 Open Top. I slicked up the action when I bought it 7yrs ago. I don't keep a round count but it has several hundred rounds through it. I've settled on a Hornady swaged 240gr SWC/HP over enough Titegroup for about 750fps. It's as tight now as it ever was. If I had any concern over it shooting loose, I wouldn't have had it engraved.

I stick to .44Colt in these guns. The thousand rounds of Starline brass I have should last me a very long time. I know folks like it but the .45Colt in these guns just seems wrong to me.

 

[Schutzen]

Thanks for the information. I will start looking harder for a Richards. However, I will be looking for a .45LC version. I am a big fan of the .45LC and I'm set up to cast and reload for it.

 

[CraigC]

It will have to be the later Richards Type II or Richards-Mason. The Richards Type I above as made by ASM is in short supply and they were only made in .44Colt and .38Colt/Spl. There have been some issues with cracked forcing cones in the later Uberti .45's but I don't know how widespread or serious the problem is.

 

[Jaymo]

StrawHat, I like your revolvers. However, I'm curious about the key-wind pocket watch.
Tell me more.

 

[StrawHat]

Thnak you for noticing and asking.

Both watches are products of the National Watch Company, which later became the Elgin National Watch Company. In the first photo, the watch is a Ryerson model, size 18, 7 jewels, key wind and key set. Made in 1871, it is still running and keeping time. Only 5000 were made before they ended the series. This model was produced between 1867 and 1876

The watch in the photo of the newer revolver is also a size 18, 7 jewel, key wind and key set but it was made in 1887. Production was about 100000 units and ran between 1884 and 1893. It is not a named model.

Both run and keep time. Neither are "railroad watches" and are expected to be wound daily and reset as needed. I handle that when I have my morning coffee.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

There have been some issues with cracked forcing cones in the later Uberti .45's but I don't know how widespread or serious the problem is.

I have a Cimarron imported Uberti in 45Colt and so far I've had no problems with it (except for a replacement cylinder stop spring). I have somewhere between 200-300 rounds through it so far.

 

[shafter]

Great photos of some great guns! Those conversions are on my "must have" list. The only thing stopping me is my state.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Those conversions are on my "must have" list. The only thing stopping me is my state.

What state is that?

 

[rodinal220]

I have an ASM Type I in .38spl. Same issues as StrawHats,soft internals and unsafe 6-8 oz trigger pull. I had to re-work the internals to increase the poundage and case harden them. I love the look of this gun and wish Uberti would make them.
When I bought the pistol(used) I thought the previous owner had tinkered with the action and I got the pistol on the cheap. Thanks to the errornet it seems these ASM Type I s suffered the same problems from the factory and I couldn't find any signs of typical Dremel attacks and the like.

I wish I had a 44 Colt variant.