1858 conversion conversion

[fjm03]

I recently purchased an Uberti 1858 (45LC) Conversion from Taylors. I also purchased two (2) black powder cylinders, manufactured by Uberti, that specifically go with this cartridge weapon.

I am having difficulty inserting the black powder cylinder into the revolver frame. Dimensionally, the black powder cylinders appear correct, but the machining at the rear of the black powder cylinders appears to be the same pattern as normal replacement cylinders for their 1858 Remington New Army black powder weapon and is quite different than the machining at the rear of the cartridge cylinder. Taylor's confirms this morning that the part number for these special black powder cylinders is correct but also advises their gun smith will not be back until next week.

I suspect that my problem is technique but can't eliminate a manufacturing flaw or bad part number since Uberti provides not schematic or parts list for the weapon or any printed instructions for exchanging the cartridge cylinders for black powder cylinders.

The specific problem: Three items prevent an easy exchange. Either the hammer, the timing lug or the ratchet pawl are in the way of the cylinder as it slides into the pocket at the rear of the frame. By retracting the hammer to the first notch, the hammer and the timing lug are removed as obstructions from the insertion. The pawl, however, regardless the configuration continues to protrude slightly from the rear frame shield and the cylinder can't slide past it. The machining on the rack at the rear of the cartridge cylinder allows the pawl to side sideway into the rack. There is no such machined channel on the black powder cylinder.

Since the ratchet pawl is spring loaded, the black powder cylinder can be forced into the frame by using the blade of an Exacto knife, much as a credit card is used to circumvent a loose lock bolt , but that's hardly appropriate for the range.

Advice from anyone familiar with this product would be appreciated.

 

[1858rem]

as you go to put it back in make sure the loading ram is not it the way ok?
line up the groove in the side of the cylinder with the cylinder locking stud in the bottom of the frame. roll the cylinder into the frame from the left side, after getting the cylinder about half way in pull back a very little bit on the hammer. if something feels like it wants to break or gouge the metal stop an try something else... this is just what i do an it may not be completely correct, just a little advice though.

 

[fjm03]

Thanks. I had been bringing the cylinder in from the right side of the gun. The side that the cartridge cylinder utilizes.

The cylinder does slide into the frame from the left side, with moderate finesse, but the hammer then becomes locked into the firing position when the cylinder pin is slid rearward to secure the cylinder in the frame. Can't pull the hammer back and can't move the trigger.

The cylinder can be removed, again with finesse, after the cylinder pin is slid all the way forward and out of the cylinder.

Since the ratchet pawl is spring loaded, I can't understand why the hammer can't be drawn back. The lockup, however, is rigid and appears purely mechanical.

Again, I don't have a schematic and don't know if the cylinder pin plays a roll in the battery sequence when the pin in positioned into the rear frame shield

 

[fjm03]

Provided for reference only:

Contacted Taylor's. They advise:

1) An adjustment in timing is needed to accommodate the 1858 black powder cylinders when inserted into the converted, 1868 revolver.

2) Because of the advances in technologies between 1858 and 1868, resulting in different cylinder designs, the same ratchet pawl may not be able to bridge these designs. Because the Uberti, !858 Remington Conversion reproduction, is faithful to both original Remington designs, a second ratchet pawl, of slightly different length than the original, may be necessary to utilize the black powder cylinder in the revolver . If the case, Taylor's will return both pawls with the correctly timed gun, at no expense to the customer.

3) Taylor's will address, at no cost to the customer, the cosmetic damage done to the black powder cylinder by the out-of-time centering lug.

4) Timing of the revolver should take about a week, after receipt of the gun from the customer. Taylor's will pay the return postage.

 

[owlhoot]

I believe that Cody Conneger does most of the gunsmith work for Taylor's. He is one of the best in the country. You might want to call back and have him do an action job on your Remmington while it is there. That way you save on Postage going and coming. You won't believe the difference it will make in the operation of your revolver.