Pietta 1851 BP Revolver Conversion Question

jetscrazy44 · April 23, 2015, 12:47 PM

I posted this elsewhere but didn't get a proper response: I was just wondering about the legality of modifying a black powder revolver to shoot cartridges (via a Kirst gated conversion cylinder) and if removing metal from the recoil shield to make room for loading is legal in New Jersey? Thanks for your help.

cliffhangernlv · April 23, 2015, 01:06 PM

Just a thought. As the BP probably lacks a serial number, mine has none, converting it would make it illegal in NJ. But then, I think owning a squirt gun is illegal in NJ.

Dixie Gunsmithing · April 23, 2015, 01:13 PM

The problem you will run into is safety, over the type of steel used for the cylinder and barrel. Black powder creates much lower pressures than do smokeless, so a gun that will handle black powder, may end up with a ruptured cylinder, or burst barrel, when using smokeless. Unless you use BP cartridges. On top of that, is the legality with a registration and serial number.

James K · April 23, 2015, 07:15 PM

That kind of question is rarely mentioned in legal summaries and really should be asked of a NJ attorney (not a police officer or your drinking buddies).

Jim

jetscrazy44 · April 23, 2015, 09:23 PM

Well it has a serial number, transferred through an FFL with permit to purchase, FID, DL, etc. All bases covered, treated it like a handgun. Safety isn't a concern, hollow base cowboy action loads are to be used. Just wondering if it is legal, pretty sure it is because it would be converting it to a handgun, and its already registered.

Poodleshooter · April 24, 2015, 04:09 PM

This is more of a legal question. You'd probably be best served by querying a local cowboy action group, or in an NJ specific handgun owners forum. Or ask the retailer. If they're not legal, odds are they won't ship it.

April 23, 2015, 12:47 PM	#1
jetscrazy44 Junior Member Join Date: April 14, 2015 Posts: 3	Pietta 1851 BP Revolver Conversion Question I posted this elsewhere but didn't get a proper response: I was just wondering about the legality of modifying a black powder revolver to shoot cartridges (via a Kirst gated conversion cylinder) and if removing metal from the recoil shield to make room for loading is legal in New Jersey? Thanks for your help.

April 23, 2015, 01:13 PM	#3
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	The problem you will run into is safety, over the type of steel used for the cylinder and barrel. Black powder creates much lower pressures than do smokeless, so a gun that will handle black powder, may end up with a ruptured cylinder, or burst barrel, when using smokeless. Unless you use BP cartridges. On top of that, is the legality with a registration and serial number. Last edited by Dixie Gunsmithing; April 23, 2015 at 02:12 PM.

April 23, 2015, 01:06 PM	#2
cliffhangernlv Member Join Date: February 14, 2015 Posts: 53	Just a thought. As the BP probably lacks a serial number, mine has none, converting it would make it illegal in NJ. But then, I think owning a squirt gun is illegal in NJ.

April 23, 2015, 07:15 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That kind of question is rarely mentioned in legal summaries and really should be asked of a NJ attorney (not a police officer or your drinking buddies). Jim

April 23, 2015, 09:23 PM	#5
jetscrazy44 Junior Member Join Date: April 14, 2015 Posts: 3	Well it has a serial number, transferred through an FFL with permit to purchase, FID, DL, etc. All bases covered, treated it like a handgun. Safety isn't a concern, hollow base cowboy action loads are to be used. Just wondering if it is legal, pretty sure it is because it would be converting it to a handgun, and its already registered.

April 24, 2015, 04:09 PM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	This is more of a legal question. You'd probably be best served by querying a local cowboy action group, or in an NJ specific handgun owners forum. Or ask the retailer. If they're not legal, odds are they won't ship it.