Cartridge cylinder

Hardcase · April 2, 2010, 03:13 PM

I'm giving some thought to getting a cartridge cylinder for my Pietta 1860 Colt. Such a deal, right? I can easily load 'er up and spit lead all day long. But I wonder about cutting a loading port. I haven't seen anybody describe the process - I just see sales literature saying that I "just" have to cut one and off we go!

Is it that simple? Can I do it with a file or so I need to break out a Dremel tool? The Dremel kind of worries me because, like Brylcreem, a little dab'll do ya. A lot makes a mess.

Then, what about finishing? Do I just cold blue where I cut and not worry about the mismatch between that and the case colors? Does it even really show that much?

Am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

Hawg · April 2, 2010, 03:26 PM

It will require a Dremel, a drill and a file. Or you could just get the cylinder without the loading gate and break it down to load it.

zippy13 · April 2, 2010, 04:10 PM

Hardcase, before you install a loading gate check your local laws. In some jurisdictions it's the gate that defines a cartridge handgun (and its legal restrictions) from a BP conversion. MidwayUSA lists "Howell's Old West Gated Conversion Cylinder Installation Fixture 1860 Army" for $40.

Hardcase · April 2, 2010, 05:58 PM

Thankfully, sunny southern Idaho (or, as I like to call it today "Blizzardtown") doesn't have draconian firearms laws. Or, really, many firearms laws at all.

Kind of refreshing.

Thanks for the suggestion on the jig. I see that Midway is out of stock - hopefully it's not because of whatever trouble seems to be afflicting R&D/Howell's.

I guess a steady hand and a vise will ease my task. The reason that I want to use the loading gate is that I don't really want to take the gun apart to reload each time. It's a laziness thing

zippy13 · April 2, 2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

The reason that I want to use the loading gate is that I don't really want to take the gun apart to reload each time. It's a laziness thing

Yep. If you've got to remove the wheel to reload metallics, why not save some $$$ and just get some spare BP cyl's?

robhof · April 2, 2010, 09:38 PM

I got 3 spare Ballistix cylinders for my ROA and still ended up getting an R&D just because...Now I can blast away with a total of 4 b/p cylinders and add another 6 from 45Lc, before reloading. The conversion is still faster to reload than the b/p's, but they're all equally fun.

kwhi43 · April 2, 2010, 10:12 PM

Has anybody used the R&D 45 Colt cyclinder in a Uberti 1847 Walker?

April 2, 2010, 03:13 PM	#1
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Cartridge cylinder I'm giving some thought to getting a cartridge cylinder for my Pietta 1860 Colt. Such a deal, right? I can easily load 'er up and spit lead all day long. But I wonder about cutting a loading port. I haven't seen anybody describe the process - I just see sales literature saying that I "just" have to cut one and off we go! Is it that simple? Can I do it with a file or so I need to break out a Dremel tool? The Dremel kind of worries me because, like Brylcreem, a little dab'll do ya. A lot makes a mess. Then, what about finishing? Do I just cold blue where I cut and not worry about the mismatch between that and the case colors? Does it even really show that much? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

April 2, 2010, 05:58 PM	#4
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Thankfully, sunny southern Idaho (or, as I like to call it today "Blizzardtown") doesn't have draconian firearms laws. Or, really, many firearms laws at all. Kind of refreshing. Thanks for the suggestion on the jig. I see that Midway is out of stock - hopefully it's not because of whatever trouble seems to be afflicting R&D/Howell's. I guess a steady hand and a vise will ease my task. The reason that I want to use the loading gate is that I don't really want to take the gun apart to reload each time. It's a laziness thing __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

April 2, 2010, 09:38 PM	#6
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I got 3 spare Ballistix cylinders for my ROA and still ended up getting an R&D just because...Now I can blast away with a total of 4 b/p cylinders and add another 6 from 45Lc, before reloading. The conversion is still faster to reload than the b/p's, but they're all equally fun. Last edited by robhof; April 2, 2010 at 09:39 PM. Reason: misspelled word

April 2, 2010, 03:26 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It will require a Dremel, a drill and a file. Or you could just get the cylinder without the loading gate and break it down to load it.

April 2, 2010, 04:10 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Hardcase, before you install a loading gate check your local laws. In some jurisdictions it's the gate that defines a cartridge handgun (and its legal restrictions) from a BP conversion. MidwayUSA lists "Howell's Old West Gated Conversion Cylinder Installation Fixture 1860 Army" for $40.

April 2, 2010, 10:12 PM	#7
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Has anybody used the R&D 45 Colt cyclinder in a Uberti 1847 Walker?