Conversion cylinders

Archeryrob · Nov 7, 2020

Who is using them and which type did you get and share your experience with them. I have 2 Pietta 1858's and one is bras and one is steel. Obviously the brass stays as cap and ball. I was thinking of buying a conversion cylinder for the steel one.

I was looking at Taylor's and companies model and didn't understand the different between the two except people will pay more for fluted?? Wouldn't non-fluted be stronger?

Is there some other one you like?

OR would I be better off just using my HQL and buying an 1873 and be done with it?

John from MD · Nov 7, 2020

I have both Taylors' and Howell. They are the same spec but Howell licensed some manufacturing to Taylor some time ago. The reason people pay more for fluted is for looks. As for strength, if you stay with under 1000fps, you will be ok. I use 6 grains of Bullsey, 6.3 grains of Red Dot or 8 grains of Unique in my Remington and Colt cylinders. These loads were worked up for accuracy at 20 yards and that is where they wound up. I can make one ragged hole at 20 yards benched with the conversion cylinders. I have them in .45 Colt, 38special and .45 ACP. All dropped in and worked without any work needed on the guns. A couple of guys at my club said they had to file the top of the hand a little to get theirs to work but the cap and ball cylinder still worked afterwards.

The work that made the most difference in accuracy in my revolvers was putting an 11 degree lead on the forcing cone. I did this to stop them one of them spitting lead and, when I saw how much better it shot, I did it to all of them.

They are made of 4130 steel so they are pretty solid.

toppkatt · Nov 7, 2020

I have the Howell and the Kirst conversion cylinders. The Kirst is different from the Howell in that it has only one firing pin at the 12 o'clock position. While multiple firing pins aren't necessary, should something happen to the one pin then the cylinder would be useless while the Howell will continue to fire the other positions without problem.

Archeryrob · Nov 7, 2020

Archeryrob said:
OR would I be better off just using my HQL and buying an 1873 and be done with it?

This is where I am kind of at. Is if even worth bothering with, or should I just buy an 1873?

I like the idea, but dropping $250 on a cylinder when $500+ might get me an 1873.

John from MD · Nov 7, 2020

But you can't shoot Holy Black cap and ball in a 1873 copy. :innocent0

BeoBill · Nov 7, 2020

Archeryrob said:
This is where I am kind of at. Is if even worth bothering with, or should I just buy an 1873?

I like the idea, but dropping $250 on a cylinder when $500+ might get me an 1873.

I use a Howell in 45 ACP. Works fine with Remington factory rounds.

Having a converter is like having two pistols.

Sirex · Nov 7, 2020

jt2100r · Nov 7, 2020

I have an 1863 coming in to Taylors when and if with the conversion cylinder> Its only a 31 or 32 cal but it should be fun.Taylors said they would check it in the gun and do what needs to be done if anything.

Mike OTDP · Nov 9, 2020

I never seen the point of a conversion cylinder. If you want a SAA copy, buy one. The great advantage of a percussion revolver is that you don't have to bother with cartridges.

Archeryrob · Nov 11, 2020

I was thinking about ordering one of these. As 45 acp lead round are quite a bit cheaper than 45 long colt. I'll probably get both, eventually or get an 1873.
https://www.howellarms.com/1858-remington/pietta-1858-remington-army-45-acp

John from MD · Nov 11, 2020

Archeryrob said:
I was thinking about ordering one of these. As 45 acp lead round are quite a bit cheaper than 45 long colt. I'll probably get both, eventually or get an 1873.
https://www.howellarms.com/1858-remington/pietta-1858-remington-army-45-acp

Look around, you may be able to find one with six holes. My 1858 conversion cylinder has six holes. I think they make the five holers for the cowboy action shooters.

Muleskinner · Nov 11, 2020

John from MD said:
I have both Taylors' and Howell. They are the same spec but Howell licensed some manufacturing to Taylor some time ago. The reason people pay more for fluted is for looks. As for strength, if you stay with under 1000fps, you will be ok. I use 6 grains of Bullsey, 6.3 grains of Red Dot or 8 grains of Unique in my Remington and Colt cylinders. These loads were worked up for accuracy at 20 yards and that is where they wound up. I can make one ragged hole at 20 yards benched with the conversion cylinders. I have them in .45 Colt, 38special and .45 ACP. All dropped in and worked without any work needed on the guns. A couple of guys at my club said they had to file the top of the hand a little to get theirs to work but the cap and ball cylinder still worked afterwards.

The work that made the most difference in accuracy in my revolvers was putting an 11 degree lead on the forcing cone. I did this to stop them one of them spitting lead and, when I saw how much better it shot, I did it to all of them.

They are made of 4130 steel so they are pretty solid.

I'm interested in the 38 special conversion. I looked into it a few years ago. What pistol do you have a 38 special conversion cylinder on? All the info I found was that the closest I could get would be a 36 caliber and the .357 bullets wouldn't be very accurate because of the size difference between .357 and .360 bullets..

John from MD · Nov 11, 2020

I have both a 1851 Colt and a 1858 Remington conversion cylinders. Both are six shot, .38 Special caliber. I have the Remington cylinder for sale in the classifieds.

Archeryrob · Nov 12, 2020

John from MD said:
Look around, you may be able to find one with six holes. My 1858 conversion cylinder has six holes. I think they make the five holers for the cowboy action shooters.

I saw one the other day, that was 6 shots and had the center stop for the hammer between all firing pins. It was only in Stainless and would rather have blued to match the gun. Now I can't find it again.

John from MD · Nov 12, 2020

Here you go.

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/howellconversions-1858remingtonpietta45cal5shotacp.aspx

Archeryrob · Nov 12, 2020

Where do you find ammo for that? I am only finding bullets.

Based on that search I was just thinking 45 colt maybe a better idea

John from MD · Nov 12, 2020

Archeryrob said:
Where do you find ammo for that? I am only finding bullets.

Based on that search I was just thinking 45 colt maybe a better idea

Sorry, I thought the link was for a six shot .45 ACP cylinder. From what I can find, they stopped making the six shot and only make five shot cylinders now in that caliber.

Archeryrob · Nov 12, 2020

I don't care about 5 vs 6 shots. I like being able to Hammer stop between all rounds, instead of just the empty chamber.

45LC is good, I only thought 45acp as it might be cheaper but that is only in modern ammo and not low pressure cowboy ammo.

This one
https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/howellconversions-1858remingtonpietta45cal5shotlc.aspx

Maybe I'll buy a sherrif model next year in steel and get the Kirst Konverter for it.

John from MD · Nov 12, 2020

Archeryrob said:
I don't care about 5 vs 6 shots. I like being able to Hammer stop between all rounds, instead of just the empty chamber.

45LC is good, I only thought 45acp as it might be cheaper but that is only in modern ammo and not low pressure cowboy ammo.

This one
https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/howellconversions-1858remingtonpietta45cal5shotlc.aspx

Maybe I'll buy a sherrif model next year in steel and get the Kirst Konverter for it.

Assuming that someone has them in stock next year. :rolleyes:

Biggfoot44 · Nov 12, 2020

Kenny Howell designed and pattented the specific design of a Six Shot Remington .45 Colt conversion cylinder . Subsequently he sold an exclusive license to Taylors , and he can't make them himself .

What is your primary goal ? Do you primarily want a ctg firing SA revolver ? Or do you want a converted C&B on purpose ? Ie , get more or less equal enjoyment from each format , or recreating transitional design for either historical reenactment , or otherwise exploring the technology of the time period .

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