Kirst gated conversion.

gokyo · June 22, 2009, 05:55 AM

I think a gated conversion for one of my 1860 would be very cool.

I am a avid reloader. I have not bought ammo in years (save the '06 I bought with my garand and 22lr).

If you reload .45 scholfield for a kirst is it correct to assume that I have to load up the metallic cartridges with BP or pyrodex.

or is it possible to us a slow burning gun powder.

Also is it any cleaner to shoot with a metallic cartridges or does the weapon get just as grungy as with cap and ball.

If you use a Kirst conversion for .38 spcl can you use modern .38?

MrAcheson · June 22, 2009, 09:57 AM

Don't know about cleanliness. With the 1858 conversions, you can typically shoot cowboy level smokeless loads and BP cartridges. That's it. Even full bore .45 colt is a no-no.

You can shoot .38 special in most of the .36s, but the bore is the wrong diameter. .38s are .357 inches. .36 C&B is .375 inches. That's a pretty big difference and you need to load hollow based lead bullets or have the barrel sleeved.

buckspen · June 25, 2009, 02:37 PM

Gokyo - I have a Colt 1851 Navy which I have fitted with a Kirst Konverter with loading gate ring. I have not (yet) modified the frame of the gun to allow loading through the gate, so I have to remove the barrel and cylinder in order to load and reload.
The installation was easy and it works quite well. I tried deep seated 147 grain lead flat point bullets loaded to mid-range velocity and got poor accuracy. However, using soft lead hollow base wadcutters, the results were much better.
I also bought a Kirst Konverter with loading gate ring in .45 Schofield caliber which I had intended to fit to my Colt 1860 Army, but I sold the gun and didn't get a chance to try it out. The Konverter is brand new in the original box and I would take $250 for it including shipping. Please let me know via private message if you would like to purchase it. Retail on these is about $280 plus shipping. It's listed as for the Uberti Colt 1860 Army.

- - Buckspen

long rider · June 25, 2009, 06:55 PM

Gokyo, if you want to shoot smokless then i would
use trail boss, its made for cowboy action, i have
loaded a lot for my 58 convertion its good powder
and its clean.

SamStafford · June 25, 2009, 10:41 PM

I loaded up some .45LC with Trail Boss for my 1858 Remington and after shooting, my 1858 Remington was a lot cleaner then shooting BP.

gokyo · June 26, 2009, 01:19 AM

Buckspen

PM sent.

June 22, 2009, 05:55 AM	#1
gokyo Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Posts: 43	Kirst gated conversion. I think a gated conversion for one of my 1860 would be very cool. I am a avid reloader. I have not bought ammo in years (save the '06 I bought with my garand and 22lr). If you reload .45 scholfield for a kirst is it correct to assume that I have to load up the metallic cartridges with BP or pyrodex. or is it possible to us a slow burning gun powder. Also is it any cleaner to shoot with a metallic cartridges or does the weapon get just as grungy as with cap and ball. If you use a Kirst conversion for .38 spcl can you use modern .38?

June 22, 2009, 09:57 AM	#2
MrAcheson Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2002 Posts: 442	Don't know about cleanliness. With the 1858 conversions, you can typically shoot cowboy level smokeless loads and BP cartridges. That's it. Even full bore .45 colt is a no-no. You can shoot .38 special in most of the .36s, but the bore is the wrong diameter. .38s are .357 inches. .36 C&B is .375 inches. That's a pretty big difference and you need to load hollow based lead bullets or have the barrel sleeved. __________________ These views are not representative of those held by the US Army, DoD, or US Government. Jeffthebaptist.blogspot.com

June 25, 2009, 02:37 PM	#3
buckspen Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Kirst Gated Conversion Gokyo - I have a Colt 1851 Navy which I have fitted with a Kirst Konverter with loading gate ring. I have not (yet) modified the frame of the gun to allow loading through the gate, so I have to remove the barrel and cylinder in order to load and reload. The installation was easy and it works quite well. I tried deep seated 147 grain lead flat point bullets loaded to mid-range velocity and got poor accuracy. However, using soft lead hollow base wadcutters, the results were much better. I also bought a Kirst Konverter with loading gate ring in .45 Schofield caliber which I had intended to fit to my Colt 1860 Army, but I sold the gun and didn't get a chance to try it out. The Konverter is brand new in the original box and I would take $250 for it including shipping. Please let me know via private message if you would like to purchase it. Retail on these is about $280 plus shipping. It's listed as for the Uberti Colt 1860 Army. - - Buckspen

June 25, 2009, 06:55 PM	#4
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Gokyo, if you want to shoot smokless then i would use trail boss, its made for cowboy action, i have loaded a lot for my 58 convertion its good powder and its clean. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

June 25, 2009, 10:41 PM	#5
SamStafford Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Portageville, MO. 63873 Posts: 162	I loaded up some .45LC with Trail Boss for my 1858 Remington and after shooting, my 1858 Remington was a lot cleaner then shooting BP.

June 26, 2009, 01:19 AM	#6
gokyo Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Posts: 43	Buckspen PM sent.