Remington 1858

SIGP2101

SIGP2101

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Latest acquisition. She is in excellent shape mechanically. Thinking of getting conversion cylinder for her in 45 ACP.
Does any one have similar experience to share. I guess what I was wondering is which one of newly produced conversion cylinders is best fit for original Remy. It is original gun, I want conversion that it is reversible, cylinder has to be appropriate caliber designation, + have to find vendor who is willing to ship to Canada. Has anyone done it, share your experience....



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I know that the Remington 1858 is a strong action but the metallurgy wasn't as good back then. The modern 1858's are made of a better metal than back then.
My advise would be don't do it to an original; and if you still want too well... only shoot light loads with soft lead projectiles. (NEVER use jacketed bullets) If you use modern ammo you will wear your barrel out really fast.
To answer you question there is a shop in New Brunswick... (the name escapes me at the moment) Doc something? that sells the convertions that you are looking for. Also I would get a uberti conversion as uberti is pretty close to the originals.
 
Just mild soft lead loads no modern smokeless ammo, oh no... I know what you saying. If you happen to remember name of that store let me know.
Thanks for the reply. Appreciated!
 
Hunter1970 said:
Is it Doc Rowland, Guns of the old West? I purchased my 38spl/357mag Snake Slayer barrel from him, but I can't seem to access his website any more - ww w.Oldwestguns.ca - I wonder if he is is still in business?
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Yup thats the guy, but yes his website must be down or he is out of business. I got a ruger old army conversion cylinder 4 0r 5 years ago from him.
Other than that I'm not sure of who in Canada stocks the kirst cartridge conversion.
 
I don't know much about those Remington's. I thought they were 44 caliber? By the way, that is an absolutely beautiful example. I have to say that I'm not too excited about the 45 ACP idea. If that barrel is a 45 caliber, I'd rather suggest 45 Schofield as the conversion caliber.
 
By the time you pay for the conversion kit and any fitting that may need doing you could get a modern gun in .45 Colt ( it would be restricted ). That looks like a fine example of the Remington 1858 and I personally think it would be blasphemy to try to shoot .45ACP through it, I would be tempted to shoot black powder with it though.
 
SIGP2101 said:
Just mild soft lead loads no modern smokeless ammo, oh no... I know what you saying. If you happen to remember name of that store let me know.
Thanks for the reply. Appreciated!
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Why would you do what you are going to do.:confused: I do know a little about them, My Dad shot an original revolving rifle a lot, my Uncle had one that was re barreled that he shot all the time and I had a nice original that I sold back in the 80's. I wish I would not have, I hope you know one in the condition you show unless there is something I don't see is worth probably in the $1500.00 to $2000.00 range now. Yes the bore may be .450 to .454 but What on earth would posses you to want to shoot 45 ACP out of one?? If you want to shoot a 45 ACP revolver, Get a Smith or a Colt --model of 1917 and shoot away. If you just want to shoot 45 ACP get a 1911 Colt, still the best there is.:cool: That is a very nice example, you could shoot it just the way it is and have a lot of fun.
 
BSA Jack said:
Why would you do what you are going to do. If you just want to shoot 45 ACP get a 1911 Colt, still the best there is.:cool: That is a very nice example, you could shoot it just the way it is and have a lot of fun.
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LOL, I do not want to shoot .45 ACP. That is just a chambering. I have no clue where did you get that idea.
Just mild soft lead loads no modern smokeless ammo like I mentioned above, and you even quoted.

Here we go .45 ACP, in cowboy loads black powder. And for those who still wonder why, because will not need to carry powder flask, balls, caps, grease with me when I go bushwhacking. And she is still antique.

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Clotho said:
You would have to have the gun timed to the new cylinder wouldn't you? Then it wouldn't work with the original.
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In this case cylinder will be timed to the gun, she absolutely must be reversible. Cylinder is cheaper than gun anyhow.
 
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Okay, I understand better what you intend. Mainly, the advantage of using 45 Schofield brass (made by Starline) is that it has a good rim, whereas the 45 ACP does not. Maybe this isn't an advantage, I don't know. You could use the exact same bullets and loads in either. On the other hand, maybe it does not matter if conversion cylinders are already available for the 45 ACP.

I still have to remind myself of that ancient command, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's 1858 Remington', every time I fixate on the photo of your '58. I just had a brilliant idea ..... would you like to sell it? If so, PM me. :)
 
I too sometimes wrongfully covet. All old guns were built to shoot. And if it can be done without permenent mods, even better. Does side two have the cartouche in the wood? Nice gun.
 
Win 38-55 said:
Okay, I understand better what you intend. Mainly, the advantage of using 45 Schofield brass (made by Starline) is that it has a good rim, whereas the 45 ACP does not. Maybe this isn't an advantage, I don't know. You could use the exact same bullets and loads in either. On the other hand, maybe it does not matter if conversion cylinders are already available for the 45 ACP.

I still have to remind myself of that ancient command, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's 1858 Remington', every time I fixate on the photo of your '58. I just had a brilliant idea ..... would you like to sell it? If so, PM me. :)
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You are right in your observation BUT problem with Schofield marked conversion cylinders available on todays market is that they are at the same time marked as Long Colt.
We all know what that means.
 
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Beauty of a old iron "even for Remington :)" shooting cap and ball is certainly easier and cheaper then reloading ,annealing and buying brass In my opinion.

You have a real beauty there!
 
I would list the Remingtons in my short list of "most beautiful pistols of all time". I have almost convinced myself that I need a reproduction in a cartridge revolver. But then i would be constricted to be unable to carry it in the bush. Maybe when a bear eats a senior politician the laws will change. "To dream the impossible dream!".
 
bushwhacker said:
I would list the Remingtons in my short list of "most beautiful pistols of all time". I have almost convinced myself that I need a reproduction in a cartridge revolver. But then i would be constricted to be unable to carry it in the bush. Maybe when a bear eats a senior politician the laws will change. "To dream the impossible dream!".
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Feel your pain mate. That is why I am fiddling with this idea for a long time now. I was under impression that someone here have done it already and would be willing to share technical details. Americans aren't much of the assistance since their reproductions are treated as our antiques up here. They do not have experience converting originals. Just replicas, and they can do whatever they heck want to it, no stupid caliber restrictions. We can still do it without changing gun classification but very few options at our disposal. Three major obstacles I am facing are.

1. cylinder must not be able to chamber listed cartridges for the caliber
2. cylinder must not be marked as any of the listed cartridges caliber
3. finding out actual dimensions of the cylinder that would be perfect fit for original or bigger.
 
ok i see a way for you to get the 45 sch cylinder you want that wont take a 45 colt. just ream the 45 acp short chambers to 45 sch depth but not any deeper you can buy a reamer from brownells . i had one like that and you want .454 dia lead bullets to swc if posible.
i think one of the conversion cylinders pops right in the orignal 1858s but i can not remember which one i dont think the krist ones will work without some fitting, you wont have a loading gate tho so will need to take the cylinder out to reload it but thats easy and fast on a 1858. the frame will need alot of metal removed if you want to use the reloading gate. most guys dont alter the frame and just take out the cylinder to unload and reload it. buy two cylinders and you can be like clint ;)
if your getting the chambers reamed get a .454 throat reamer for the chamber throats to.
orignal remington 1858s in 44 cal have .454 bores.
if you dont want to ream the chambers longer you can shoot 455 fiochhi in a 45 acp chamber but the throats are likely .452 so best to open them up to .454
hope this helps there very strong guns way stronger than any break action antique gun.
if you do the 45 sch set up you will be able to do smokeless loads to with the right loads.
 
dingus said:
ok i see a way for you to get the 45 sch cylinder you want that wont take a 45 colt. just ream the 45 acp short chambers to 45 sch depth but not any deeper you can buy a reamer from brownells . i had one like that and you want .454 dia lead bullets to swc if posible.
i think one of the conversion cylinders pops right in the orignal 1858s but i can not remember which one i dont think the krist ones will work without some fitting, you wont have a loading gate tho so will need to take the cylinder out to reload it but thats easy and fast on a 1858. the frame will need alot of metal removed if you want to use the reloading gate. most guys dont alter the frame and just take out the cylinder to unload and reload it. buy two cylinders and you can be like clint ;)
if your getting the chambers reamed get a .454 throat reamer for the chamber throats to.
orignal remington 1858s in 44 cal have .454 bores.
if you dont want to ream the chambers longer you can shoot 455 fiochhi in a 45 acp chamber but the throats are likely .452 so best to open them up to .454
hope this helps there very strong guns way stronger than any break action antique gun.
if you do the 45 sch set up you will be able to do smokeless loads to with the right loads.
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Thanks dingus! Plethora of valid info and good ideas, much appreciated. Only problem I see with your idea of reaming to new chamber is will it be enough room to accommodate rims. ACP is rimless others are not. But anyhow first step first. Have to get that ACP that is best fit for original 1858. Mystery quest continues....

Funny facts:
There is only few manufacturers of conversion cylinders in US.
Not all are willing to ship up here. Those who are do not have right cylinders.
They have different way of marking cylinders. Some are marked some are not at all.
Those that are not marked are usually universal and will receive multiple cartridges which is totally counter productive for Canadians.
Some of them are 6 some of them are 5 chambers. Those with 6 are angled chambers, not good, those with 5 will have blind spot in timing or will require new hand which is not option in my case. My goal is to modify cylinder only and have full interchangeability.
Funny isn't.
 
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