Kirst Conversion

jspappap · March 17, 2019, 10:57 PM

I am thinking about getting a 45 Kirst Conversion for my 1858 44 New Army Target . Any advice as to where / when to get it and any pros n cons you want to share would be appreciated

noelf2 · March 18, 2019, 10:16 AM

Why Kirst? Are you wanting a loading gate type?

jspappap · March 18, 2019, 10:32 PM

Yes I thought they looked like an interesting way to go.

**Aguila Blanca** · March 18, 2019, 11:49 PM

I have one 1858 with a Howell's conversion and one with the Kirst. Both are excellent in fit, finish, and function. That said, it's a slight nuisance to have to remove the Howell's cylinder every time I want to reload. The Kirst, with the loading gate, is more convenient and allows you to do more shooting and less fiddling.

drobs · March 19, 2019, 05:11 AM

You might contact this gentlemen:

http://www.cartridgeconversion.com

He advertises that he has the best prices on Kirst conversion cylinders on his facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/cartridgeconversion/?ref=br_rs

However, I haven't seen any prices from him. If I was in the market I'd see what he has to offer. Figure you can buy direct from Kirst so any discount would be a cost savings.

He also offers fitting and tuning of the cylinders plus cutting the loading port. Prices for those services seem pretty fair on his website.

arcticap · March 19, 2019, 04:14 PM

I remember him.
That's hoofhearted who is a TFL member.
He was more active on THR.
He had some kind of a connection with Kirst and was able to obtain discounts on their conversions.
He was one of the 1st to announce that Kirst was going to come out with a .22lr conversion.

bedbugbilly · March 20, 2019, 08:40 PM

I have a Howell in 45 Colt for my Remington evolving carbine. Simple in and out.

If you go with a first - isn't the First recoil shield permanently installed (screwed) to the recoil shield of the revolver? If alll you are going to do is shoot cartridge out of the revolver - then the conventence of a loading gate is a plus - if you want to be able to switch back and forth between cartridge and percussion though - I'd gp wot a Howell. They work very well and are fairly quick to reload. I bought my Howell from Taylor's - slipped right in and works perfectly. Good luck whichever wa you go!

Bishop Creek · March 20, 2019, 08:50 PM

Some here are under the impression that Kirst only makes a gated conversion cylinder. Not true, he also makes a drop in version, called the "Pale Rider" with no gate that simply drops in and out like the Taylors version. I've had one of these for nearly 20 years now and it still works like the day it was new.

http://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/kirs...nassembly.aspx

drobs · March 20, 2019, 10:32 PM

I too have a Kirst Pale Rider Conversion for my 1858 Remington. That was Kirst's First design. You can cut a the plate and recoil shield to make an open loading gate.

Howell makes a conversion for open top colts that is screwed to the recoil shield.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...t-6-round-blue

ClemBert · March 21, 2019, 09:26 PM

I have a R&D Howell .45 Colt cylinder for my ROA. I went with it over the Kirst because I felt the Kirst with the flat bottom ring would be more complicated to install than the R&D which just rolls into place. whereas the Kirst you have to make sure the flat side goes in facing the bottom.

For my Walker I have a Kirst .45 Colt cylinder with a loading gate. It required grinding out the recoil shield so you can breech load but it made sense to go with Kirst on this one because you install it and don't remove it to reload.

March 17, 2019, 10:57 PM	#1
jspappap Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Location: Fredericksburg Va. Posts: 90	Kirst Conversion I am thinking about getting a 45 Kirst Conversion for my 1858 44 New Army Target . Any advice as to where / when to get it and any pros n cons you want to share would be appreciated

March 18, 2019, 10:16 AM	#2
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Why Kirst? Are you wanting a loading gate type? __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

March 19, 2019, 05:11 AM	#5
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	You might contact this gentlemen: http://www.cartridgeconversion.com He advertises that he has the best prices on Kirst conversion cylinders on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cartridgeconversion/?ref=br_rs However, I haven't seen any prices from him. If I was in the market I'd see what he has to offer. Figure you can buy direct from Kirst so any discount would be a cost savings. He also offers fitting and tuning of the cylinders plus cutting the loading port. Prices for those services seem pretty fair on his website. __________________ NRA Life Member

March 20, 2019, 08:40 PM	#7
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I have a Howell in 45 Colt for my Remington evolving carbine. Simple in and out. If you go with a first - isn't the First recoil shield permanently installed (screwed) to the recoil shield of the revolver? If alll you are going to do is shoot cartridge out of the revolver - then the conventence of a loading gate is a plus - if you want to be able to switch back and forth between cartridge and percussion though - I'd gp wot a Howell. They work very well and are fairly quick to reload. I bought my Howell from Taylor's - slipped right in and works perfectly. Good luck whichever wa you go! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

March 20, 2019, 10:32 PM	#9
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	I too have a Kirst Pale Rider Conversion for my 1858 Remington. That was Kirst's First design. You can cut a the plate and recoil shield to make an open loading gate. Howell makes a conversion for open top colts that is screwed to the recoil shield. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...t-6-round-blue __________________ NRA Life Member

March 18, 2019, 10:32 PM	#3
jspappap Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Location: Fredericksburg Va. Posts: 90	Yes I thought they looked like an interesting way to go.

March 18, 2019, 11:49 PM	#4
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	I have one 1858 with a Howell's conversion and one with the Kirst. Both are excellent in fit, finish, and function. That said, it's a slight nuisance to have to remove the Howell's cylinder every time I want to reload. The Kirst, with the loading gate, is more convenient and allows you to do more shooting and less fiddling.

March 19, 2019, 04:14 PM	#6
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	I remember him. That's hoofhearted who is a TFL member. He was more active on THR. He had some kind of a connection with Kirst and was able to obtain discounts on their conversions. He was one of the 1st to announce that Kirst was going to come out with a .22lr conversion.

March 20, 2019, 08:50 PM	#8
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	Some here are under the impression that Kirst only makes a gated conversion cylinder. Not true, he also makes a drop in version, called the "Pale Rider" with no gate that simply drops in and out like the Taylors version. I've had one of these for nearly 20 years now and it still works like the day it was new. http://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/kirs...nassembly.aspx

March 21, 2019, 09:26 PM	#10
ClemBert Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 936	I have a R&D Howell .45 Colt cylinder for my ROA. I went with it over the Kirst because I felt the Kirst with the flat bottom ring would be more complicated to install than the R&D which just rolls into place. whereas the Kirst you have to make sure the flat side goes in facing the bottom. For my Walker I have a Kirst .45 Colt cylinder with a loading gate. It required grinding out the recoil shield so you can breech load but it made sense to go with Kirst on this one because you install it and don't remove it to reload.