Speaking of conversions

[scrat]

back to the original question

Can anyone tell me if there are conversion cylinders available for ASM colts?
I have a '51 and a '60 both in .44 and was interested in converting 1 or both to cartridge. If not what brand repro is the best/easiest to convert?

1.Its very hard to find a conversion cylinder marked for an ASM
your looking at a company than no longer exist

2. Easiest to convert are both pietta and uberti as the conversion cylinders both readily available for both.


back to part 1. now saying that is one thing. if you had other cylinders and guns from other makers you might just might be able to use a cylinder from another maker. the Dimensions of the arbor shaft and total cylinder would have to match along with the timing. Same time going into battery would have to match 100%.. Now unless you are an experienced machinist and a gunsmith would i not recommend doing such a thing. If you are looking for that drop in cylinder and or the cylinder that can be done with simple modifications. Well it does not exist for an ASM

 

[Hoof Hearted]

What Scrat said is BASICALLY correct.

Somewhere I believe I said the same basic thing.

I install a lot of R&D and Kirst product and either can be made to work. As long as you know the total length dimensions of your existing cylinder (the arbor hole should be the same based on my experience) either the Uberti length or the Pietta length will work. Don't expect drop in, although it may. Where you will need to fit a kirst will probably be the "foot" which is how the Kirst ring locates at the bottom (we call this the water table) of the frame. The 51 and 61 normally time fine but you may have to deal with the width of the bolt and cylinder notches. On the 1860 the normal fitment issue (other than the foot) will be in bolt height.

Feel free to contact me direct if you have questions, I will try to walk you through it.

Regards, HH

 

[CraigC]

I sure hope I conveyed civility!

You did and I apologize for whatever I did to rub you the wrong way.

If any of you feel otherwise please let me know and I will refrain from offering facts and answering questions from the professional point of view.

Your input is most welcome!!!

 

[Montenegrin]

Kirst makes one version with a loading gate so you want have to disassemble the gun everytime you want to reload. The downside is you can shoot cap & ball no more but you still could load some bp cartridges

Hmm???Cutting of a bit of recoil shield will not make switching to cap and ball and shooting it impossible.It will be even more comfortable to put caps on nipples.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Not sure where the "urban myth" stating that once you convert you can't go back came from but Montenegrin is correct as stated above.

I would just call it an "enlarged capping relief" when the C&B cylinder is in the revolver and a "loading port" when the Kirst is installed.

HH

 

[junkman_01]

The one thing that has not been mentioned in this whole discussion is that the hobbyist gunsmith can convert his own C&B revolver to fire cartridges, without any Federal registration, on his kitchen table or work bench. The gun and all the parts necessary to convert it to fire cartridges (either just a 'drop in cylinder' or the whole historically correct method) can be mailed directly to his door! That in itself is a MAJOR selling point, and saves money. A factory conversion must be transferred by a FFL. I don't know how you others feel, but for me, I'd rather do it myself when possible.

 

[tom e gun]

i have a kirst conversion on my pietta 1860 army with loading port cut and i just recently used the BP cylinder on it for the first time since converting it. one thing i will say is this: unless the caps you have fit super snug, you will probably have what happened to me... when i went to fire my first shot, the recoil knocked off the cap that was exposed by the loading port! no big deal, i just had to recap it after i fired the other chambers. for the folks that keep one chamber empty anyway, this is plum perfect i suppose and yes, it made using a capping tool extraordinarily easier i came to realize that it pays to have the longer barrel/loading lever versions (or perhaps just use something for leverage i suppose) since mine is the sherrifs model and that shorter lever really did a number on my hand that day, ouch!

 

[oldcodger]

junkman_01 - you "said" :

The one thing that has not been mentioned in this whole discussion is that the hobbyist gunsmith can convert his own C&B revolver to fire cartridges, without any Federal registration, on his kitchen table or work bench. The gun and all the parts necessary to convert it to fire cartridges (either just a 'drop in cylinder' or the whole historically correct method) can be mailed directly to his door! That in itself is a MAJOR selling point, and saves money. A factory conversion must be transferred by a FFL. I don't know how you others feel, but for me, I'd rather do it myself when possible.
..............
neat info - where can I find more detailed information on this, please?

I'm thinking Uberti .31 Wells Fargo or ASM model of same to .22 or .22 Magnum -
The Uberti is steel-framed, the others brass.. this info sure does make the old head-gears turn and burn..

Thanks,
oldcodger

 

[junkman_01]

oldcodger,

It is all included in the GCA '68.

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf

 

[oldcodger]

I'm sorry - my question left a lot to interpretation.. I meant to ask where I can find some technical information to do such a thing...

i.e., parts sources - (barrel liner, etc)

I'm not too lazy to google it, just don't have a clue..
Thanks!

 

[junkman_01]

oldcodger,

OK, Then thius should help....

http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/Converters.php

 

[tinman080]

Quite easy if a guy is careful, researches other conversions, and has a good understanding of tools and metal.