conversion cylinder advice

[AR-15 Cowboy]

I'm waiting on my new Pietta 1858 Remington New Army .44 cal 5 1/2 barrel to get here from Cabellas. I plan on getting a conversion cylinder but know nothing about them. Could use some experienced advice here. What brand is best? Should I go .45ACP or .45 long colt cartridge? What mould should I get to cast my boolits? etc.

[rbertalotto]

I have a bit of experience with this.

I bought a set of Sherif model 1858 Pietta revolvers that came with the Howell cylinders. These are the type that need to be removed to reload

http://images109.fotki.com/v785/photos/2/36012/10288332/DSC_4217-vi.jpg

I didn't like constantly removing the cylinder to load so I sold the two cylinders and ordered a pair of gated cylinders made by Kirst.

http://images31.fotki.com/v1093/photos/2/36012/10288332/DSC_4285-vi.jpg

With a bit of filing and Dremeling I was good to go. These cylinders are for 45LC, which allows me to shoot 45LC and the Cowboy 45 Special brass.

http://images109.fotki.com/v785/photos/2/36012/10288332/withwords-vi.jpg

The Cowboy 45 brass is the answer. You can shoot half as much black powder without the recoil and cost of a full 45LC load.

If you are shooting Black Powder, the absolute best bullet is the BIG LUBE 45 SLIM..........there is no question here.......

I then ordered a set of 1860 Colts (Pietts) from Cabelas and a set of Kirst cylinders in 45ACP. I wouldn't be shooting anything other than Cowboy 45 so I wanted to see if there would be a difference in accuracy. There is zero difference. If I did it again I'd certainly just go with 45LC. Less chance of fouling at the end of the chamber and the possibility that a 45 ACP or Cowboy 45 might not chamber properly. In fact, I'll be reaming out the 45ACP chambers to 45LC soon.

45ACP chamber:
http://images55.fotki.com/v659/photos/2/36012/10288332/DSC_4279-vi.jpg

45LC chamber:
http://images51.fotki.com/v278/photos/2/36012/10288332/DSC_4280-vi.jpg

http://images60.fotki.com/v361/photos/2/36012/10360662/DSC_4186-vi.jpg

This web site will be your friend:
http://1858remington.com/discuss/index.php

I buy my cylinders from Hoof, who is always on that forum. Great prices and good service.

The Big Lube molds are available from Dick Dastardly here on this forum and the brass is available from Adirondack Jack also on this forum

I'm here to tell ya, I've not touched one of my SAA revolvers since I completed these conversions. The accuracy is simply amazing! All four revolvers are the most accurate 45 cal revolvers I own. The fit and finish on these new Piettas is as good as anything out these and far better than the pair of Ruger NM Vaqueros I bought at the same time. Nothing fits my hand and has natural "pointability" like the Colt 1860s........I love em'

[AR-15 Cowboy]

Roy, thanks for the great post and pictures. This is exactly what I needed to know. One more question, can I shoot ACP through the long colt cylinder?

[rbertalotto]

No...the APC needs to headspace on the mouth of the cartridge. The 45Cowboy has a rim to headspace on.

[AR-15 Cowboy]

I'll go with the long colt then. I checked out that forum you suggested and will spend some time on both forums before I buy the rest of the stuff I need.

[Ramar]

rbertalotto,
Any info you can share about the grips on the 1858 Pietta.
Thanks
Ramar

[rbertalotto]

The grips on the 1858 were made of real bone. They were on the pistols when I bought them. I don't know the source. Sorry

[AR-15 Cowboy]

rbertalotto, did you cut the slot in the frame for the gate. If you did was it hard to do?

[rbertalotto]

Yes, I cut all four loading slots. The first one was done with a file and took three hours.........The next three were done with the mighty Dremel and took ten minutes!

I found a Dremel grinding wheel at Harbor Freight that was the exact correct diameter. It took two grinding wheels per revolver. Wasn't too difficult just go slow and check your work often.

I then heated the area with a propane torch and dabbed on cold blue with a Q-Tip to look like the case coloring.

[AR-15 Cowboy]

I have a good Dremel tool and I've decided to go with the Krist. Just need to save a little money up before I can buy everything. Ok, thanks Roy.

[Hang Fire]

Roy, thanks for the great post and pictures. This is exactly what I needed to know. One more question, can I shoot ACP through the long colt cylinder?

IIRC, Kirst still lists the .45 acp cylinger.