R&D conversion cylinder on Pietta 1858, concerned about fit.

[gilgsn]

I just received an R&D cylinder for my Pietta 1858 Rem. Haven't fired it yet.

I have one concern about fitting. The cylinder seems to fit fine, turns
freely and doesn't have too much play. However, when I cock the hammer
and look at the firing pin in the hammer slot, it is slightly off-center
to the left. When I pull on the hammer to it's maximum travel, it does
turn the cylinder a tiny bit to the right, aligning the firing pin in
the center of the hammer slot. Now of course, this doesn't tell me that
the chamber is necessarily misaligned.. And I assume firing the gun,
given the shape of the bullet, will align the chamber instantly upon the
bullet entering the barrel.. The question is, is a slight off-center
firing pin situation acceptable? It looks like it only needs to move
about 0.7mm to the right (eyeballing it), which isn't much. Should I
test-fire the gun in a water barrel to check if the bullet gets "shaved"
on one side or any lead shavings remain in the cylinder? The
nipples on the original cylinder do align perfectly... I am pretty good at precision metal work. What should I do?

I'd appreciate any advise or opinions. Thanks a lot!

Gil.

[grymster2007]

The R&D cylinder, being of two piece construction with a pin clocking the end cap to the cylinder, might well be lining up, cylinder bore to barrel just fine. It's likely the pin or corresponding hole were machined out of position, but as long as the firing pins still sit over the top of the primer, there shouldn't be a problem. The cylinder is clocked to the barrel by the cylinder stop and corresponding slots machined into the cylinder itself.

You still need to check that the cylinder bores line up with the barrel.

[noelf2]

What grymster said. I also have a 58 remi with an R&D cylinder. I also noticed that the firing pins don't line up perfectly to center. To check for cylinder / barrel lineup (unloaded cylinder), you'll need to fully cock the hammer , then release it slowly while keeping the trigger pulled (don't let up on the trigger). While the trigger is still pulled and the hammer is fully down, you'll need to get a bright LED flashlight and try to shine some light into the cylinder chambers from the firing pin side of the cylinder. I shine it in the little gaps at the side of the cylinder chambers where the firing pin plate meets the cylinder. I think those gaps / cuts are to show that a chamber is loaded or not. Look through the muzzle and move the flashlight until you illuminate the inside as good a possible. With enough light, you'll be able to tell if the chambers line up with the barrel. Mine does, and even though the pins are a bit off center, it shoots like a champ.

[gilgsn]

Hello,

Thank you both for your input. I thought as much about the cylinder being locked aligned with the barrel, but the plate slightly misaligned.. I tried to hold the gun at a window and look down the barrel for alignment, couldn't see the chambers. I'll try the flashlight trick. I might even get a 45LC empty case and stuck a watch battery and LED in it.. The cylinder does lock properly, so I guess it might be all right. The misalignment of the firing pins is small enough that I am sure they would still strike the primers.

What have you guys experienced as far as reliability is concerned?

I like the product, it's like having two guns in one...

Thanks again.

Gil.

[noelf2]

I've put about 500 or 600 rounds through the R&D cylinder so far. Never had a problem. I keep snap caps in it at home and practice draw and fire all the time. The firing pins are still in great shape. I load my own ammo and have used smokeless and BP. I prefer the BP.

[grymster2007]

I've only put maybe 200 rounds through my R&D cylinder, all smokeless, mostly my re-loads and it has performed flawlessly. I plan on getting one for my new 1863 Pocket Remington also.

[gilgsn]

Hello,

So, I looked down the barrel with a flashlight, and the chambers are indeed aligned with the barrel. Only the firing pins are slightly off. Not enough to be a problem I hope, doesn't look like it.. The hole for the positioning pin must have been drilled slightly off. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Gil.

[grymster2007]

The hole for the positioning pin must have been drilled slightly off

Hey! I was right!!!.... one in a row! :)