colt walker 1847

ratrodney · July 22, 2012, 08:41 PM

Wanting to get one and upgrade to the new cylinder conversion that lets you use regular 45acp ammo.
anyone ever converted one of these? Goods..bads??? Tnx. RR

Willie Sutton · July 22, 2012, 10:44 PM

I shoot one regularly with a .45 LC conversion cylinder, 45 ACP observations would likely be almost identical.

My personal belief, held for a number of reasons, is that the nicest Walker replica today is the Uberti as imported by Taylors. It is top quality, devoid of garish markings, well finished, and well supported. The other choice would be a Pietta, which will likely be a bit less expensive (not by much), is also well built and finished, but in my personal experience not as smooth out of the box, and is afflicted with what are to me absolutely terribly placed markings on the side of the BBL "Made in Italy" and "Black Powder Only" as opposed to the discrete markings under the loading lever of the Uberti product. Different people have different opinions... mine is that this detracts sufficiently from the Pietta as to exclude it from my consideration. Some folks love Piettas. I do not. That's what makes a horse race though. Look at both before you buy either.

The conversion cylinders are top quality items, are specific to either Pietta or Uberti (make sure you get the right one), and interchange with the original cylinder with ease. The Walker is a large and heavy revolver, really oversized for either the .45 LC or .45 ACP. It suffers the original Walker revolvers flaw in that the loading lever will often drop under recoil, locking the cylinder for the next shot until manually raised back to position. You can cure this with a leather thong to hold it in place, or do what I would suggest, and that is to reconsider the Walker, and procure it's follow-on, a Colt Dragoon replica, of either first, second, or third model variety. These have all of the ""Charm" of a Walker, but have a far better loading lever retention system.

Really... there are other cap and ball replicas that are likely nicer cartridge conversion platforms (1858 Remington is my own favorite, followed by the 1860 Army), but since you have specified a "Dragoon" in the form of the "Walker Dragoon" I'll not go into detail on the others unless you express an interest in them as well.

I am presently shooting cartridge conversions of 1847 Walker, 1851 Navy, 1858 Remington, 1860 Army, and 1861 Navy (all Uberti), so ask what you like. They are a lot of fun, and are a great way to enjoy these.

BTW: Both the .45 LC in the loads suggested for the conversion cylinders and the .45 ACP are anemic compared to the original 60 grain black powder loading in a Walker, so it's hardly an "Upgrade"

Willie

.

mykeal · July 23, 2012, 05:57 AM

I don't believe Pietta makes a Walker. It's either Uberti or a used Armi San Marco.

Willie Sutton · July 23, 2012, 07:51 AM

You're absolutely right: My side-by-side comparisons were done on 1858 Remmies and 1860 Army's, and once I went to Uberti, I never looked at Pietta's again. Missed that they did not make a Walker. Good catch, thanks.

I do have an older ASM Walker, and it's just "fair", but it's not representative of anything made today.

Uberti stuff is top of the line. Buy with confidence.

Willie

.

rodent.22 · July 23, 2012, 05:53 PM

I have a Walker and a first model Dragoon, both converted to fire .45 LC. Both made by Uberti, and very good quality. My Walker has never dropped the loading lever, tho' I did modify it slightly. My cylinders are Kirst- top quality but pricey. The .45 LC is very easy and reasonable to reload.

Jbar4Ranch · July 24, 2012, 07:30 PM

"Upgrade" to a cylinder conversion??

That's a definite downgrade if I ever heard of one. If you want a cartridge revolver, buy a cartridge revolver.

Willie Sutton · July 24, 2012, 07:37 PM

Fun is found where fun is found... black powder cap and ball is fun... and time spent cleaning up the crud with a cup of coffee and a dog at your feet can be enjoyable. but at times it's also just as much fun to pop off a few dozen .45 LC shells with the Dragoon and not need to run hot water. Roll with the punches.

Willie

.

July 22, 2012, 08:41 PM	#1
ratrodney Member Join Date: July 4, 2012 Posts: 99	colt walker 1847 Wanting to get one and upgrade to the new cylinder conversion that lets you use regular 45acp ammo. anyone ever converted one of these? Goods..bads??? Tnx. RR

July 22, 2012, 10:44 PM	#2
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	I shoot one regularly with a .45 LC conversion cylinder, 45 ACP observations would likely be almost identical. My personal belief, held for a number of reasons, is that the nicest Walker replica today is the Uberti as imported by Taylors. It is top quality, devoid of garish markings, well finished, and well supported. The other choice would be a Pietta, which will likely be a bit less expensive (not by much), is also well built and finished, but in my personal experience not as smooth out of the box, and is afflicted with what are to me absolutely terribly placed markings on the side of the BBL "Made in Italy" and "Black Powder Only" as opposed to the discrete markings under the loading lever of the Uberti product. Different people have different opinions... mine is that this detracts sufficiently from the Pietta as to exclude it from my consideration. Some folks love Piettas. I do not. That's what makes a horse race though. Look at both before you buy either. The conversion cylinders are top quality items, are specific to either Pietta or Uberti (make sure you get the right one), and interchange with the original cylinder with ease. The Walker is a large and heavy revolver, really oversized for either the .45 LC or .45 ACP. It suffers the original Walker revolvers flaw in that the loading lever will often drop under recoil, locking the cylinder for the next shot until manually raised back to position. You can cure this with a leather thong to hold it in place, or do what I would suggest, and that is to reconsider the Walker, and procure it's follow-on, a Colt Dragoon replica, of either first, second, or third model variety. These have all of the ""Charm" of a Walker, but have a far better loading lever retention system. Really... there are other cap and ball replicas that are likely nicer cartridge conversion platforms (1858 Remington is my own favorite, followed by the 1860 Army), but since you have specified a "Dragoon" in the form of the "Walker Dragoon" I'll not go into detail on the others unless you express an interest in them as well. I am presently shooting cartridge conversions of 1847 Walker, 1851 Navy, 1858 Remington, 1860 Army, and 1861 Navy (all Uberti), so ask what you like. They are a lot of fun, and are a great way to enjoy these. BTW: Both the .45 LC in the loads suggested for the conversion cylinders and the .45 ACP are anemic compared to the original 60 grain black powder loading in a Walker, so it's hardly an "Upgrade" Willie . Last edited by Willie Sutton; July 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM.

July 23, 2012, 07:51 AM	#4
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	You're absolutely right: My side-by-side comparisons were done on 1858 Remmies and 1860 Army's, and once I went to Uberti, I never looked at Pietta's again. Missed that they did not make a Walker. Good catch, thanks. I do have an older ASM Walker, and it's just "fair", but it's not representative of anything made today. Uberti stuff is top of the line. Buy with confidence. Willie . Last edited by Willie Sutton; July 23, 2012 at 07:32 PM.

July 23, 2012, 05:53 PM	#5
rodent.22 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2010 Location: virginia woods Posts: 129	I have a Walker and a first model Dragoon, both converted to fire .45 LC. Both made by Uberti, and very good quality. My Walker has never dropped the loading lever, tho' I did modify it slightly. My cylinders are Kirst- top quality but pricey. The .45 LC is very easy and reasonable to reload. __________________ NRA, VCDL, USAF 1970-76 6200FMS CLARK FIELD,P.I.'71-'72- 18 SOS, NKP, THAILAND '72, BASE FLIGHT,KEESLER AFB,MISS '72-'74, CARSWELL AFB,TX '74-'76

July 24, 2012, 07:30 PM	#6
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	"Upgrade" to a cylinder conversion?? That's a definite downgrade if I ever heard of one. If you want a cartridge revolver, buy a cartridge revolver. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

July 23, 2012, 05:57 AM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I don't believe Pietta makes a Walker. It's either Uberti or a used Armi San Marco.

July 24, 2012, 07:37 PM	#7
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Fun is found where fun is found... black powder cap and ball is fun... and time spent cleaning up the crud with a cup of coffee and a dog at your feet can be enjoyable. but at times it's also just as much fun to pop off a few dozen .45 LC shells with the Dragoon and not need to run hot water. Roll with the punches. Willie .