Converting a Blackhawk to cap 'n ball

**4V50 Gary** · January 21, 2014, 05:07 PM

Since Ruger won't, why don't we?

What would it take to convert one? I'm thinking about interchangeability whereas you remove the Blackhawk cylinder and drop in a cap 'n ball cylinder. That way it can be readily reconverted to a cartridge gun.

I can see problems with the frame mounted firing pin. Said pin has to strike the cap just right to ignite it. It has a considerably smaller surface area than a ROA hammer.

Reloading of course would be by removing the cylinder and loading it outside of the frame.

Thoughts please.

wap41 · January 21, 2014, 05:18 PM

you can buy a ruger old army for less than a blackhawk

**4V50 Gary** · January 21, 2014, 06:34 PM

You miss the point.

Chestnut Forge · January 21, 2014, 06:44 PM

It wouldn't be that hard to make a new firing pin with a larger face. And any good machine shop should be able to make a cylinder.

Bezoar · January 22, 2014, 08:16 AM

well the thing people do is load up some cartridges with black powder. thats the real easy conversion to black powder.

Snyper · January 22, 2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Thoughts please.

I see no advantages to it at all

Rifleman1776 · January 22, 2014, 08:57 AM

Just any cylinder will not fit. It would have to be custom made and there still would be issues.
No advantage really. Just buy a C&B that works.

maillemaker · January 22, 2014, 09:27 AM

Quote:

well the thing people do is load up some cartridges with black powder. thats the real easy conversion to black powder.

Steve

Driftwood Johnson · January 22, 2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

It wouldn't be that hard to make a new firing pin with a larger face. And any good machine shop should be able to make a cylinder.

Providing you can present them with a properly dimensioned drawing to make the cylinder from. I know a couple of guys who could do that, but I really can't see the point for most shooters, there are still Old Armies on the used market.

Fingers McGee · January 22, 2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4V50 Gary

Thoughts please.

Why? Can see no rational reason for doing so. It's the same as converting a Pietta or Uberti C&B 1873 SAA to cartridges. Waste of time.

dr1445 · January 22, 2014, 01:52 PM

One of the attractions of bp is the lack of a paper trail and red tape. I would pass on the idea.

**4V50 Gary** · January 22, 2014, 07:08 PM

The point? Project for school & mental exercise.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 23, 2014, 02:23 AM

No doubt someone attempting would need some major machinist skills.

The idea is indeed an interesting concept. Kind of a {reversal} from the usual conversion. i.e.> Cap & ball to a cartridge shooter. But again I know very little about revolvers & pistols.

Dr. Strangelove · January 23, 2014, 04:52 AM

I first thought, yeah, and I could put a steam engine in my Jeep, but why? But now I see the point.

Neat project, but unless you own a machine shop or have a tame machinist, it's gonna be costly.

Chestnut Forge · January 23, 2014, 08:13 AM

While it is not cost effective. It would be a fun project and a head-turner at the range. Using something like a 500 smith would even be better. That should burn about 100gr per shot.

BirchOrr · January 23, 2014, 03:15 PM

... exactly why this is worth pondering.

Many use conversion cylinders in their cap & ball pistols. Why not reverse this and use C&B in a centerfire! It would take some "doing" but I'm sure it could be done.

Keep us posted on this.

All the best,

Birch

B.L.E. · January 24, 2014, 07:12 AM

The firing pin problem could most easily be solved by designing the cylinder so it uses #209 shotshell primers instead of percussion caps.

There's some British company that converts modern DA revolvers into cap and ball revolvers using 209 primers for the British shooters who can't own cartridge revolvers. The 209 primer ignition also makes these guns suitable for smokeless powder loads.

http://westlakeengineering.com/14911.html

January 21, 2014, 05:07 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Converting a Blackhawk to cap 'n ball Since Ruger won't, why don't we? What would it take to convert one? I'm thinking about interchangeability whereas you remove the Blackhawk cylinder and drop in a cap 'n ball cylinder. That way it can be readily reconverted to a cartridge gun. I can see problems with the frame mounted firing pin. Said pin has to strike the cap just right to ignite it. It has a considerably smaller surface area than a ROA hammer. Reloading of course would be by removing the cylinder and loading it outside of the frame. Thoughts please. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 21, 2014, 06:34 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	You miss the point. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 21, 2014, 06:44 PM	#4
Chestnut Forge Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: Polk, Pa Posts: 123	It wouldn't be that hard to make a new firing pin with a larger face. And any good machine shop should be able to make a cylinder. __________________ Every gun I've been behind can out shoot me.

January 22, 2014, 07:08 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	The point? Project for school & mental exercise. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 23, 2014, 04:52 AM	#14
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	I first thought, yeah, and I could put a steam engine in my Jeep, but why? But now I see the point. Neat project, but unless you own a machine shop or have a tame machinist, it's gonna be costly. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

January 21, 2014, 05:18 PM	#2
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	you can buy a ruger old army for less than a blackhawk

January 22, 2014, 08:16 AM	#5
Bezoar Junior member Join Date: October 19, 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 578	well the thing people do is load up some cartridges with black powder. thats the real easy conversion to black powder.

January 22, 2014, 08:57 AM	#7
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Just any cylinder will not fit. It would have to be custom made and there still would be issues. No advantage really. Just buy a C&B that works.

January 22, 2014, 01:52 PM	#11
dr1445 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2009 Location: CT Posts: 199	One of the attractions of bp is the lack of a paper trail and red tape. I would pass on the idea.

January 23, 2014, 02:23 AM	#13
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	No doubt someone attempting would need some major machinist skills. The idea is indeed an interesting concept. Kind of a {reversal} from the usual conversion. i.e.> Cap & ball to a cartridge shooter. But again I know very little about revolvers & pistols.

January 23, 2014, 08:13 AM	#15
Chestnut Forge Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: Polk, Pa Posts: 123	While it is not cost effective. It would be a fun project and a head-turner at the range. Using something like a 500 smith would even be better. That should burn about 100gr per shot. __________________ Every gun I've been behind can out shoot me.

January 23, 2014, 03:15 PM	#16
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	I can see... ... exactly why this is worth pondering. Many use conversion cylinders in their cap & ball pistols. Why not reverse this and use C&B in a centerfire! It would take some "doing" but I'm sure it could be done. Keep us posted on this. All the best, Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

January 24, 2014, 07:12 AM	#17
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	The firing pin problem could most easily be solved by designing the cylinder so it uses #209 shotshell primers instead of percussion caps. There's some British company that converts modern DA revolvers into cap and ball revolvers using 209 primers for the British shooters who can't own cartridge revolvers. The 209 primer ignition also makes these guns suitable for smokeless powder loads. http://westlakeengineering.com/14911.html __________________ Hanlon's Razor "Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence and organization."