Hopefully the Kirst website is working well once again!
As Tuolumne Lawman has stated Mr Kirst has indeed developed a new hand for revolvers. I have six of the prototype hands. Two are in a pair of Uberti Colts 1860 Army models I bought in 2015. The Kirst Konverters had not been available for 2015 Uberti forward models until recently. You will note on the Kirst website under Colt Konverters that post 2015 Uberti 1860 conversions come with a new hand.
My Ubertis became something of a "test bed" for the new design hand.The hand gives a very solid feel and positive lock up of the action for me. I have put about 300 rounds using 45 Colt and 45 Cowboy Special with blackpowder through each gun so far and the hand has functioned faultlessly. (Can not say the same about the shooter). I have not converted these guns back to percussion as yet and have doubts that I ever will. I am told by Kirsts' gunsmith that the hand functions equally as well with the Uberti percussion cylinder.
I also have a pair of Pietta 1860 and a pair of 1861 models and are dedicated to percussion only. They have the new design and all have performed great. While the hand is a new design they are not interchangeable between the two brands (Uberti/Pietta).
I did not fit any of the new hands so I can not give guidance there, but like any new part may need attention to fitment.
All the hands were installed by Kirsts' gunsmith.
To my knowledge the new hand design is not in production at the present time but would have to be verified with Kirst Konverters. I am not privileged to that type of information.
When the new design hand does become available I believe the
upgrade would be very worthwhile.
Disclaimer: All statements/opinions are mine alone. I am not nor have I ever been employed by Kirst Konverters LLC. (Nor do I wish or desire to be employed by anyone again. Ever!
)
Long Gulch