Drop In Conversion Cylinder

Are you referring to a cylinder for a Remington 1858? If so, Dixie Gunworks sells them. They ship to Canada no problem and I think they're under the 100.00 limit. Marstar might have them. Forgot to add, I don't see why they wouldn't be legal. If we're talking about the same thing.
 
bdft said:
Are you referring to a cylinder for a Remington 1858? If so, Dixie Gunworks sells them. They ship to Canada no problem and I think they're under the 100.00 limit. Marstar might have them. Forgot to add, I don't see why they wouldn't be legal. If we're talking about the same thing.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a drop in that cheap before, and dixie doesn't seem to carry them, or at least I can't find one at dixie. Do you have a link?

If its seriously under 100$ I'd purchase one in a heartbeat.
 
I thought these are more like $200. I'd check with Dixie regarding legality to ship. Remember, in the USA antiques and repros of antiques are not considered guns so it may be considered a lump of steel as far as export goes.

BTW, I dealt with Dixie recently and they are an A1 excellent outfit. Reasonable shipping, FAST and efficient.
 
bdft said:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_434_443_444

There's 6 cylinders there, ranging from 46.95 to 65.00. gregs5190, you must have areal nice one for that price, you can almost buy a new gun for 289.00.
Click to expand...

these are REPLACEMENT CYLINDERS FOR THOSE RESPECTIVE PISTOLS- even the ruger REPLACEMENT cylinder is only about 100 bucks- what 's being discussed is a CONVERSION CYLINDER which is a 2 piece unit that you split apart, put the 45 colt cartridges in the long end and fit a 'cap' OVER THE RIMS AND PRIMERS- this cap contains 6 firing pins and springs, and it's this cap that costs so much to make- also the fact that as far as i know, it's the only game in town and got outstanding reviews allow the pricing
 
Just a Note these Cylinders can be made to fit onto Orignal Antique percussion Revolvers (well the Rogers and spencer and ive heard the Orignal Remington Percussion Revolvers)
BUT if you get one that chambers a 45 Colt that makes it a Non Antique and so you would have to Register the gun im thinking IF your gona shoot 45 Colts with it.
Kinda Stupid but theres the Laws for you :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
There are two versions of the conversions . One by R&D and one by KIRST. The one by R&D has 6 firing pins and the back of the cylinder rotates, the KIRST has one firng pin and is stationary , they also have the option of a loading gate.
 
After doing a little more search I also found a cylinder for $100.00 on one of these gun auction web sites. The problem is that it's a US site and they don't ship gun parts to Canada.
I think the cylinders are over priced. Cabela's sells the 1858 New Army .44 for US$199.99 and the cylinder costs anywhere from US$220 to US$270. :eek:
 
rustysdream said:
After doing a little more search I also found a cylinder for $100.00 on one of these gun auction web sites.
I think the cylinders are over priced. Cabela's sells the 1858 New Army .44 for US$199.99 and the cylinder costs anywhere from US$220 to US$270. :eek:
Click to expand...

Why don't you buy an extra cylinder for $100 and have a local machine shop modify it for cartridges (with the backing plate with firing pins) for you. Locally they charge around $75 or $80/ hour so it should be economical :>) :>) Alternately buy a small lathe and do the work yourself.

While this may be a mild flame, many times people who feel things cost too much, do not appreciate just how much work and precision is necessary in producing the item.

cheers mooncoon
 
Well, if I think about it more, I can make one too. Just cut a piece of iron rod, drill 6 holes in it and voila. :D
Seriously, I'm not questioning the precision and marksmanship necessary to make these items. But the same precision is needed to make the rest of the gun. I just think that a cylinder shouldn't cost more than a gun. It's only a part.
I guess, you wouldn't pay more for an engine than for a car, would you? ;)
 
I think its all a matter of scale of manufacture and demand for the product.

Personally, I think it makes more sense to put down $500-600 in a SAA than $500-600 in a percussion revolver with a conversion cylinder. Addiction demands both to be honest :D
 
rustysdream said:
Seriously, I'm not questioning the precision and marksmanship necessary to make these items. But the same precision is needed to make the rest of the gun. I just think that a cylinder shouldn't cost more than a gun. It's only a part.
Click to expand...

It is partly a question of volume. It would not surprise me if there were 100 complete pistols made for every cartridge conversion cylinder. It also would not surprise me if the cylinder assembly required at least 30% and perhaps 50% as much work to make as the complete gun. Combine that with North American labor rates compared to those of Italy and you can easily have a the cartridge cylinder costings almost as much as the gun.

cheers mooncoon
 
I agree with both of you talking about demand. This item is probably something that very few people buy.
But before any company starts manufacturing/selling something (anything...) they're supposed to do market research. If the product has a very narrow target market the company has to decide whether or not their item will be profitable.
IMO, in this case they're trying to compensate their loss with very high price.
Of course, it makes more sense to buy a $500-$600 new centerfire gun than pay $250-$300 for a part for a $200 gun.

BTW, are you guys trying to talk me out of the deal? :rolleyes: :D
 
What kind of revolver are you looking at putting it on? Remington or Colt? At least you have a .44 - with the .36 cal guns the bore is really on the large side for shooting standard .357 size bullets.

I ask because you do have to remove the cylinder to load these things and that's a heck of lot easier on a Remington New Army than with the open top Colts where you have to deal with a potentially tight barrel wedge.

I'm pretty sure they did their math. There is a market for these at $200.
 
rustysdream said:
...IMO, in this case they're trying to compensate their loss with very high price... :rolleyes: :D
Click to expand...

I doubt that they are continuing to manufacture these because they are operating at a loss. The selling price no doubt allows a level of profit margin that the manufacturer finds satisfactory.

Not a drop in conversion, but there is a company selling plans to make a cartridge conversion on Colt pattern .36 revolvers. While not a direct copy of any specific design, it is generically similar to the cartridge conversions done in the 19th century.
 
FWIW, I recently ordered an R&D conversion cylinder for a Ruger Old Army from Taylors. They didn't have any issues shipping it to Canada, even though it was $299.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom