Which conversion cylinders for Remington 1858?

[Beauhooligan]

I have these stainless Pietta '58 Remingtons and another pair of blue 5 1/2" models on order. I've come across a bit of extra Christmas cash and am thinking of buying .45 Colt conversion cylinders. The question is whether to buy Kirst or Kenny Howell's R&D cylinders? I'm not going to cut the frames, and will buy cylinders in stainless as the SS revolvers are my workhorses, and a two tone effect should look cool on the blued pistols. What do you folks think? I appreciate your comments in advance.

 

[arcticap]

One difference is whether there's a preference for a 5 or 6 shot cylinder.
The 6 shot cylinders have chambers that are offset by ~1/2 degree to accommodate all of the rims, yet there are seemingly no known accuracy differences to speak of.
Taylor's Firearms and MidwayUSA sell the 6 shot cylinders:

http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/1858_rem_conversion.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=conversion+cylinder

 

[BHP FAN]

I have both. If you are leaveing the guns stock, I would go with the R&D, or Howell's Conversion cylinder [yes I know they are the same, but you can still get NOS R&D cylinders] if you plan on a more permanent conversion I would go with the Kirst, and go one step more, and buy the ejector.

 

[Majes]

I'll second what BHP FAN said, I went with the Howell for the very reason I only wanted to be able to replace the cylinder, not do a full conversion. But if ya plane on getting the package, go with the Kirst.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

yea, but............

The Kirst acts like an "unported" conversion in an unaltered pistol. For the price difference get the Kirst, you can and might change your mind at a later date about porting. If you do so than you are stuck with the R&D and the resale on them is a LOT LOWER!

 

[ClemBert]

I'd agree with Hoof Hearted on that. You just might get that urge someday to cut the recoil shield and go all the way. I bought an R&D cylinder for my ROA because the recoil shield will NEVER get cut on it and I liked the R&D better than the Kirst for that application.

 

[Beauhooligan]

I'm going to buy from Taylor's and get the drop in R&D cylinders. The prices seem to be very good and I know folks in SASS who do business with Taylor's and have been very satisfied.

Thank you for your input. I'll let you know how the cylinders turn out.

 

[TomADC]

I'm going with a pair of the Kirst. But have no intention to cut the recoil shields I just want the option of shooting light loads in my 1858's.