Load DataInline FabricationRepackboxSnyders Jerky
RotoMetals2Lee PrecisionWidenersMidSouth Shooters Supply
Reloading Everything Titan Reloading
Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Conversion cylinder for original 1858 Rem.

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Kev18's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,393

    Conversion cylinder for original 1858 Rem.

    I would want a conversion cylinder to shoot super light smokeless loads in an Original 1858 Navy .36 cal. So I was wondering If I order one, if there would be any danger, it being an original? I would want a Uberti cylinder since I have a Pietta cylinder and its MASSIVE compared to my original. I heard Uberti makes parts closer to original spec.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,171
    So far as I know, none of the conversion cylinders available will fit an original Remington.

    I've tried several different ones and no cigar.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    2,595
    Waaaaayyy out of my wheelhouse, but I have seen conversions - I know one is a Kirst. I do not know if that kit requires modification or is a simple fit.


    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,171
    Kirst for the Pietta Remingtons is a drop-in with no fitting was required for the one example I tried. My Kirst cylinder for the Ruger Old Army required extensive gunsmithing, because the cylinder was 0.010" too short. The barrel-cylinder gap was way excessive and the cylinder front bearing did not contact the frame. I had the barrel back a thread to close the excessive cylinder gap and had the cylinder bored and fitted with a Colt-style cylinder bushing, then refaced the cap & ball cylinder to establish proper clearance to fit the set-back barrel. $300 in gunsmithing to fit a $250 cylinder.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Kev18's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,393
    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    So far as I know, none of the conversion cylinders available will fit an original Remington.

    I've tried several different ones and no cigar.
    I have a pietta cylinder and it's is so big it doesn't even fit in the frame. I thought uberti might work.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    2,738
    Leave the original alone and buy one of the imports to shoot. Years ago I was making cylinders for the imports in 41 and 44 Colt. ATF suggested I don't do that anymore because the frame was altered even tho the ammo was not available. I can do one for myself but not for anyone ells.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Kev18's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,393
    Quote Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post
    Leave the original alone and buy one of the imports to shoot. Years ago I was making cylinders for the imports in 41 and 44 Colt. ATF suggested I don't do that anymore because the frame was altered even tho the ammo was not available. I can do one for myself but not for anyone ells.
    I don't live in the states. The. 36 cal cylinders would need to be 38 spl

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    4,677
    I think the conversion cylinders I have seen for .36 cal were chambered for .38 S&W ( .38/200 ) not .38 Special.
    But they might be able to be chambered in .38 Long Colt

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    2,738
    I was also installing new barrels on the ones I made, Best to slug the barrel to see what size it actually is, it may be too big for a .357 bullet. The 38 S&W has a .361 bullet diameter.

  10. #10
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,437
    Being that the original barrel is probably .375" or thereabouts; why bother?
    But it is your chicken- just saying is all.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Boolit Master Kev18's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,393
    The barrel is .375 I think. I contacted multiple retailers for a cylinder and most of them said they wont fit since the originals were all hand fitted and none are the same. Would someone on here be able to help me out?

  12. #12
    In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Near Mazomanie, Wi.
    Posts
    1,195
    Delete please
    Last edited by mazo kid; 11-05-2019 at 09:29 PM.
    NRA Life
    NMLRA Life
    F&AM

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    5,269
    .

    Original Remington 1858 Navy .36cal C&B have been converted to metallic cartridges, by the factory (back in the day) and aftermarket, via machining the cylinder & reworking the hammer nose - beit using the original parts or a 2nd set of original parts, bought today.

    Here's the skinny on the conversion: http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20ame...0navy%20gb.htm

    .
    Now I lay me down to sleep
    A gun beside me is what I keep
    If I awake, and you're inside
    The coroner's van is your next ride

  14. #14
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,437
    Weren't the .38 Colt and .38 Long Colt loaded with heel base bullets for those and the Colt coversions- to bump up to fit the barrel- or is my rememberer and imaginer getting crosswise?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,171
    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    Weren't the .38 Colt and .38 Long Colt loaded with heel base bullets for those and the Colt coversions- to bump up to fit the barrel- or is my rememberer and imaginer getting crosswise?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
    Correct, and the bullets in BP loads were also hollow-based.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Kev18's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,393
    How would one convert my original cylinder? I'm guessing I would need alot of machines. I don't have any of them. I'd need to cut the back of the cylinder off like a modern one and modify the hammer so it works with cf cartridges.
    Then again I don't know what im talking about.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check