Author Topic: 2nd Allen conversion  (Read 10464 times)

Offline bear tooth billy

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2nd Allen conversion
« on: July 20, 2017, 09:22:37 PM »
I just got a trapdoor model 1866, seems to be in good shape, very good bore. The only thing
I see is the firing pin spring is very weak or broke. How does that come out and is a replacement
available. I slugged it and came up with .518" , I ordered an oversize neck sizing die and expander plug,
plus brass and reg 50/70 dies, and a lee 90255 mould. I,m hoping to make it a shooter.

                                  BTB


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Offline Niederlander

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2017, 09:27:13 PM »
I believe S & S Firearms has just about all the parts for these.  I believe you can make a spanner for the firing pin lock nut out of Brownells Magna Tip screwdriver blade.
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Offline Pitspitr

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2017, 05:01:16 AM »
Later trapdoors did away with that spring. I'm not sure I'd worry about it.
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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #3 on: Today at 07:02:43 AM »

Offline Colt Fanning

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2017, 08:16:45 AM »
The chambers on these are very long.  Mine will chamber 50-90 brass with no resistance,  Many shooters use 50-90 brass
and trim it if necessary.
Regards
Colt

Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2017, 09:41:13 PM »
Thanks guys, I thought about not doing anything with it, It probably could never go off
from shutting the trapdoor, that is my main concern. The firing pin moves very freely
so it shouldn't put much pressure on the primer when shutting, but???


                         BTB
Born 110 years too late

Offline Drydock

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2017, 09:48:59 PM »
As has been said, they got rid of that spring as it proved unneeded.  I believe some reports were that it tended to break, and then the broken pieces caused the pin to jam, setting off rounds!   My M1884 has no spring, and has never gone off on its own.  But you can get one here for piece of mind:  http://ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=66S64
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline Colt Fanning

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2017, 09:29:27 AM »
HI,
This is probably well known but I wil mention it anyway.  Because the receiver is made out of the breech of the barrel,  they were
limited in the thickness that they could use for the walls of the receiver.  As a result the 1866 is a weaker action than the later models where the barrel is threaded into the receiver.  As a result, I shoot my 1866 with a reduced charge of 2F and use a n inert
filler.
Regards
Preston C 

Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2017, 11:32:09 AM »
Got my brass today, so I put in a primer and stepped out the back door, Bang, went off just like
it should . but when I went to extract the spent round it was hanging up on a small pin on the
left. I'm guessing that should be longer and it should stay in front of the rim, and then pop it out?.
Do I need that, thinking about grinding it down with a dremel until I get a replacement if needed
thanks for your knowledgeable advice.


                                BTB
Born 110 years too late

Offline Drydock

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2017, 03:14:46 PM »
That is indeed the extractor, and it should stay in front of the rim.  However, these were problematic even when new.  Make sure when you place the case in the trap that it is in front of this extractor, and that the breechblock compresses it as it chambers the case.  It may very well be worn down, so a replacement can be found here: http://ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=66S55
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline Dusty Tagalon

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2017, 05:02:26 PM »
Welcome to the 50/70 ers.
Dusty

Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2017, 08:35:07 AM »
I cast some bullets from my new Lee 90255 mold , I had read that it would drop out at .518"
but with pure lead they are measuring .515". My past experience with my Sharps rifles has been
that undersize bullets don't fly very well. Will this pure lead "bump" up the .003" to fill the bore to
be accurate or will I need to get a custom made mold. I have Shuetzen 2F or Swiss 11/2, and am
hoping to shoot a few today.  Thanks

                           BTB
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Offline Drydock

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2017, 10:27:24 AM »
You don't need pure lead, in fact I would advise against it in a BP cartridge gun. A lead/tin alloy will work better, fill the mold better, with less shrinkage as well, getting you the diameter you want.  Anywhere from 1/40 to wheelweight alloy will work fine, I use melted chilled shot.  Save the Pure Lead for muzzleloaders and Minie' balls.
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Offline Niederlander

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2017, 01:21:41 PM »
I've shot nothing but wheel weight bullets in my '68 Trapdoor for years, and it works great.  Very accurate and totally reliable.
"There go those Nebraskans, and all hell couldn't stop them!"

Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2017, 06:06:53 PM »
I made it out to shoot the trapdoor this afternoon, with all the rain I couldn't get to my normal range,
so I shot off the tailgate at about 100 yds. 4of 5 shots grouped at about 10" only about 14" high. I think I"ll
cast some more bullets out my 20-1 alloy (that I use in my Sharps). But I doubt I'll get the size I want .518"
or .519". Does anyone sell some sample bullets in those dimensions. Quite the trek down history lane aiming
through these sites. last weekend I competed at the NCOWS Midwest regional with my Sharps 45/90, MVA rear sight
and front appeture with spirit level, so a world of difference. Having fun, challenging, hoping to get it better 3MOA??

                              BTB
Born 110 years too late

Offline Drydock

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2017, 06:40:49 PM »
Ever order a mold from Accurate?  They're my go-to for precision molds, use Lee handles, and he'll customize the dimensions to order as well as to your desired Alloy.  All for his standard price, $76 for a single cavity, $91 for a dual cavity.  If the Lee don't work out you might try this one:  http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=52-450L2-D.png
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #15 on: July 23, 2017, 06:56:39 PM »
Yes, I've ordered a couple from him, had good luck with them. I was looking at his website before, which
one would you recommend?  I have 20-1 alloy heating up right now , but I don't think i'll get the size I
need, but we'll see.

                       BTB
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Offline Drydock

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2017, 07:05:48 PM »
I'd recommend the one I linked to, that's the closest to the government profile bullet.
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Offline Niederlander

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #17 on: July 23, 2017, 09:03:02 PM »
I don't know how the 1866 shoots (I will soon; a friend here just got one with a beautiful bore) but my 1868 shoots under 3 MOA.   Not bad at all with the original sights.
"There go those Nebraskans, and all hell couldn't stop them!"

Offline Pitspitr

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2017, 08:31:33 AM »
20:1 was what the army used

Buffalo arms sells small lots of bullets
I remain, Your Ob'd Servant,
Jerry M. "Pitspitr" Davenport
(Bvt.)Brigadier General Commanding,
Grand Army of the Frontier
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Offline bear tooth billy

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Re: 2nd Allen conversion
« Reply #19 on: August 06, 2017, 07:39:35 PM »
I'm waiting on a .519" mold but I cast some bullets with 20-1 alloy with the Lee mold
 they still measure .515". I drop tubed 60 grain Swiss 1 1/2, a cardboard wad and a
.7cc dipper of PSB, seated the bullet with one lube ring out. I shot about 80 yards
off a bench and the first 3 shots were in a 3" group only about 16" high. Did all these
shoot high? or did somebody file the front sight? It's showing promise, I think it will
be a shooter when I get the right sized bullet, but for now PSB does wonders.


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Born 110 years too late

 

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