What qualifies as an RM conversion?

[vandermd]

Hello,  I was very excited to find this website, didn't realize there was other people with this odd interest out there.  So what makes a Richard Mason a Richard mason conversion?  I recently purchased a 1851 pietta and a gated R and D setup (no bore lining/modifications planed), haven't recieved them yet though.  Anybody have experience with my particular setup.  Are 125 gr hbwc available?  How do people feel about the bore twist on these, I hear the pietta is 1: 32", seems loose compared to modern 38 special firearms does it make sense to go with a lighter bullet with this twist?  Any additional tips on the conversion process?  Any comments on the current pietta quality (not much information on their website, no specs), any comment on the r and d quality?  What did I get myself into??

Thanks, vandermd

[Dusty Morningwood]

I have an Uberti London Model 51 Navy with the same gated R&D setup you just bought.  For me it did not shoot well with the Blackhills .38 special (Bore too big?).  Did OK with Ultramax remanufactured hollowbase 148 gr wadcutters sold by Buffalo Arms.

[vandermd]

oops forgot to grovel  and beg to be included in Storm, In the process of converting an 1851, have lots to learn. How about it?

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[Major 2]

No need to to grovel and beg... though it's not for me to ordained your membership.
All is needed is the desire and oddness to shoot OT's....

You ask about Pietta .... the CEO/ Manufacturer actually reads and responds on the SASS site.
I think he looks in here too.

[Coffinmaker]

Well, To actualy answer the question, the "Richards/Mason" conversions were the last example of conversions built by Colt.  The First conversions, with loading gates, were "Richards" conversions, using an added recoil ring with the loading gate, rear sight and firing pin in/on the ring.  The rammer was removed and an ejector rod assembly was added.
The first version of the Richards/Mason eliminated the integrated rear sight, placing the sight back on the hammer nose and eliminating the ring mounted rebounding firing pin and changing the layouot of the ejector rod housing.
The last version, inclued a new barrel assembly ("s" pattern) a completely new ejector assembly and retained the rear sight on the hammer.  Once the existing black powder frames were gone, that was it for conversions.  Done.
The next gun from Colt was built on an entirely new frame, but retained the "s" patern barrel and ejector rod from the last Richards/Mason developments.  Thats a new gun, new story.
Actually, there was a bunch more history involved, but that's it in nut shell.

Coffinmaker