Do it yourself? Converting Pietta 1851 Navy

[Doug.38PR]

I've had thoughts of converting my 1851 Pietta Navy with a conversion kit to .38 Long Colt and buying a shorter Sheriff's barrel and an ejector rod attached.

My questions are: 1) can you do it yourself?
2) can you switch it backto ball and cap? (I understand that I'd have to unscrew the loading gate, take the firing pin off and the loading cat area would be larger....is there something I missed?)

[Abilene]

Hi Doug.
Sure, you can probably do it.  Sometimes there is some fitting required when installing a new barrel or cylinder.  And there is the cutting of the loading port into the frame.  Doable if handy with tools.

You said you were going to use a conversion kit.  And since you mentioned a loading gate, I'm assuming that would be a Kirst Konverter conversion cylinder (I don't believe R&d are available with loading gate).   The loading gate is attached to the conversion ring of the cylinder.  As mentioned, you have to open up the frame on the right side if you want to be able to load from the rear with a loading gate.  So, to change back to C&B, you just take out the Kirst cylinder and attached conversion ring and put back in the percussion cylinder.  No changes to the hammer since the firing pin is in the cylinder.  This is assuming you leave the barrel unlined (which requires hollow-base bullets to be accurate in the .375-ish bore).  Or, since you are talking about a new barrel, you could line that one for standard .357 bore and leave the other one for percussion.  Or there is also the option of using healed bullets for the larger bore.

On the other hand, perhaps you are talking about the conversion kit that screws the conversion ring to the frame.  I know that one is more involved.  I'll let Raven or some other conversion guru comment on that one.

[Raven]

Abeline,

Couldn't have said it better!

Raven

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[Doug.38PR]

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=162974&CAT=3787

Well, I was actually thinking  about this.  R&D apparently recently came out  with a loading gate.

Looks like you would have to have the hammer modified.  I actually already have a conversion cylinder with the pins already int he cylinder...you just have to take the gun apart every time you want to load.  Was just wondering how much trouble to convert back and forth with a loading gate

[Raven]

Insert Quote

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=162974&CAT=3787

Well, I was actually thinking  about this.  R&D apparently recently came out  with a loading gate.

Looks like you would have to have the hammer modified.  I actually already have a conversion cylinder with the pins already int he cylinder...you just have to take the gun apart every time you want to load.  Was just wondering how much trouble to convert back and forth with a loading gate

R&D's loading gate version not so easy as the ring is screwed to the frame although the firing pin is in the ring. Still it can be done...remove two screws and replace it with the percusion cylinder.

Kirst's loading gate version is not permanantly attached and the firing pin is in the ring .......remove the barrel exchange cylinders.

Either product can be removed and the percussion cylinder used in it's place!

Both Kenny Howell and Kirst Company (Walt Kirst/Jay Strite) have built conversions with firing pins in the hammers. Generaly these are Historicaly Correct recreations and cannot be converted back to percussion.

Raven

[Pettifogger]

To tell you the truth, once you have converted a percussion revolver by cutting the loading gate notch in the frame and replacing the loading lever with an ejector most people then tune them to shoot centerfire cartridges.  In other words, the C&B hammer springs have to be much stouter than they need to be for centerfire cartridges.  Unless you are using a two piece drop in cylinder, switching back and forth between C&B and cartridge usually isn't all that practical.   Especially, since you can pick up inexpensive C&B revolvers without a whole lot of looking.  Kind of reminds me of going to the Auto Parts stores years ago.  They had all kinds of parts that were "Universal" fit.  What that really meant was that they actually universally didn't fit anything without a lot of work to make them fit.

[Raven]

Once you cut the frame you do have a port but whats so hard about pulling the cartridge cylinder and putting the percussion back in?
The port is an advantage when capping. Lots of people convert 1851's and leave the ejector off.
And any revolver I tune for a cartridge cylinder will work just fine with the percussion cylinder.

Some people have a percussion revolver and want to have the convienience of shooting cartridges and percussion in One gun. No harm in that.

Ultimatly buy or  build the gun you want.

Raven

[theshoer]

R&D's loading gate version not so easy as the ring is screwed to the frame although the firing pin is in the ring. Still it can be done...remove two screws and replace it with the percusion cylinder.

just curious Raven How come Kirst doesn't have holes in the conversion ring like R&D ?

Kirst's loading gate version is not permanantly attached and the firing pin is in the ring .......remove the barrel exchange cylinders.

Either product can be removed and the percussion cylinder used in it's place!

Both Kenny Howell and Kirst Company (Walt Kirst/Jay Strite) have built conversions with firing pins in the hammers. Generaly these are Historicaly Correct recreations and cannot be converted back to percussion. again just curious do you modify one of your conversion rings or do you make a ring special for that project

Raven

I ask because I had 2 of your conversions about 10 years ago and both firing pins came out

[Raven]

just curious Raven How come Kirst doesn't have holes in the conversion ring like R&D ?

Because the Kirst ring does not need to be screwed down......Walt's patent covers the foot at the bottom of the ring which keeps the  ring stationary eliminating the need for screws

.

Both Kenny Howell and Kirst Company (Walt Kirst/Jay Strite) have built conversions with firing pins in the hammers. Generaly these are Historicaly Correct recreations and cannot be converted back to percussion. again just curious do you modify one of your conversion rings or do you make a ring special for that project

Operative words "Historicaly Correct" these parts are virtualy identical to the original.

If you lose a firing pin this is covered under warrentee...send them in we will repair and return pronto!

Raven

[theshoer]

Operative words "Historicaly Correct" these parts are virtualy identical to the original. you mean we are suppose to read every word you write
Raven

Thanks for the info Raven, with 2 move those conversion cylinders are no where to be found any more