I got a Uberti 1860 Colt Army (steel frame) not too long ago and while it is great fun to shoot BP I'd heard a great deal about cartridge conversions.
I researched both the R&D and Kirst conversion cylinders and decided on the Kirst because it offered a gated conversion without the gunsmithing and milling the R&D required for their gated version.
The Kirst unit would only allow me to shoot .45 Schofield but I figured what the hell, I can also shoot Schofield in my 1873 Cattleman 45 Colt.
The conversion kit arrived and assembled quickly and easily. I was really impressed with the fit and finish until I realized that even with the gate you still had to remove the cylinder to load it. Oh well, it still looks great I thought.
One other problem was soon evident. When cocking the revolver it stopped about 1/32" short of full battery. Somewhat perplexed, I got ahold of VTI gun parts' smith and we determined that the hand was a little too short to completely rotate the cylinder. It seems the newer Uberti BP revolvers had a shorter hand installed so I had 2 options. I could stretch the hand or order a new one that was a bit longer. I did both.
Stretching the hand is easy enough to do if you take your time and don't work the same area too much because it may "work harden" and break. I had a good idea of how much stretch it needed and went to work. It involved diassembly of the revolver and removing the hammer/hand assembly. Laying the hand on its side with the stud facing up, I used the side of a 3/16" punch and hammered the side of the hand with it. I only need about 1/32" of stretch and when I thought I had enough I reassembled the revolver. Holy Hannah, first try and it lock right into battery.
I kept the measurements I made and sure enough when the new hand arrived it matched the one I had just stretched.
While I bought the gated conversion for what I thought may be a convenience, it also required me to find a source of .45 Schofield ammo. Not easy to do in Canada.
Although I am quite satisfied with the Kirst the next conversion cylinder I buy will more than likely be a not quite so expensive R&D 45 Long Colt unit.
Here's some pics.
The Kirst Cartridge Konverter before assembly
Assmbled
Gate closed
Gate opened
I researched both the R&D and Kirst conversion cylinders and decided on the Kirst because it offered a gated conversion without the gunsmithing and milling the R&D required for their gated version.
The Kirst unit would only allow me to shoot .45 Schofield but I figured what the hell, I can also shoot Schofield in my 1873 Cattleman 45 Colt.
The conversion kit arrived and assembled quickly and easily. I was really impressed with the fit and finish until I realized that even with the gate you still had to remove the cylinder to load it. Oh well, it still looks great I thought.
One other problem was soon evident. When cocking the revolver it stopped about 1/32" short of full battery. Somewhat perplexed, I got ahold of VTI gun parts' smith and we determined that the hand was a little too short to completely rotate the cylinder. It seems the newer Uberti BP revolvers had a shorter hand installed so I had 2 options. I could stretch the hand or order a new one that was a bit longer. I did both.
Stretching the hand is easy enough to do if you take your time and don't work the same area too much because it may "work harden" and break. I had a good idea of how much stretch it needed and went to work. It involved diassembly of the revolver and removing the hammer/hand assembly. Laying the hand on its side with the stud facing up, I used the side of a 3/16" punch and hammered the side of the hand with it. I only need about 1/32" of stretch and when I thought I had enough I reassembled the revolver. Holy Hannah, first try and it lock right into battery.
I kept the measurements I made and sure enough when the new hand arrived it matched the one I had just stretched.
While I bought the gated conversion for what I thought may be a convenience, it also required me to find a source of .45 Schofield ammo. Not easy to do in Canada.
Although I am quite satisfied with the Kirst the next conversion cylinder I buy will more than likely be a not quite so expensive R&D 45 Long Colt unit.
Here's some pics.
The Kirst Cartridge Konverter before assembly
Assmbled
Gate closed
Gate opened
