Conversion Cylinder or Vaquero??

[Titanvk56]

Ever since I bought my ROA I have considered buying a conversion cylinder for it so that I could shoot 45LC.

For just under $300 I could buy a stainless steel conversion cylinder or add another $50-$100 to it and buy a nice used Vaquero.

Decisions, decisions......

What would you do?

 

[JCT]

Vaquero.... I can never understand why someone would buy a nice BP revolver , especially historical replicas, then want to put in a non period correct conversion cylinder that costs as much as a whole new gun!
Personally, I'd use my BP revolvers for BP shooting and if I wanted a conversion type gun, I'd go for a Richards Mason or similar period correct conversion with ejector.
A friend of mine just picked up a used Vaquero in stainless for $300!! Mint too, great gun, great deal. I'd go that route.

 

[Coyote3855]

Well...

I already have three stainless Vaqueros (a pair and a spare) in .45 because I was once active in Single Action Shooting competition. I have seriously considered a conversion cylinder for my Uberti '58 Remington. Guess your decision depends on what you intend to use it for. The idea of having one gun that would shoot cap and ball or cartridge has appealed to me since the conversion cylinders came out. If you're comfortable with the OA, liike the balanc and shoot it well, I'd go for the conversion. If you want another gun to admire, get the Vaquero.

 

[drdirk]

I would say conversion cylinder if you can find one used as I did. If not, get the second gun. I love my ROA and my conversion cylinder but it is a pain to load.
I think I paid around $200 for my conversion cylinder so a new gun would have been quite a bit more. And I have more room in the safe for new toys

 

[Old Fuff]

Before going to the expense of buying a conversion cylinder, use a slightly oversized lead ball, and slug the inside of the barrel. When it comes to C&B revolvers those internal bore dimensions can run all over the place, and sometimes don't come close to relating to the .45 Colt's .452" diameter bullet. When there is a mismatch you can get poor accuracy and excessive leading.

After you determine the above then decide which way you want too go.

Given the New Army's low front sight I'd tend to spend the money on the Ruger, and eliminate chamber/bore issues.

If you buy a revolver made as a metallic cartridge gun in the first place you probably don't have to worry about this sort of thing.

 

[sundance44s]

I `ve also heard before what Old Fluff is saying about the bore dia on the ROA ,,, it shots a .457 ball ..so it may need a .454 bullet ..
I use .454 balls in my Remmies and they shoot the .452 bullets good out of my conversion cylinder ..I don`t own a ROA ...you might should talk to someone who has one with a conversion cylinder.

 

[Old Fuff]

Generally the Ruger's work out fine because they have a .451" bore, but check to be sure.

 

[Im283]

If you want to stay in .45 Colt I say get the conversion.

If you want a Vaquero get it in .357mag. You can shoot .38 specials a lot cheaper than .45's.

But I dunno nothing.

 

[RyanM]

On top of what Old Fuff mentioned, a purpose-made cartridge gun will also be easier to load and unload.

 

[Im283]

do cartridges just fall out of the R and D when you take the cover off of it? Or do you need to poke something in the casing to push it out?

 

[arcticap]

I just bought this used Blackhawk convertible revolver with cylinders for .357 Mag. & 9mm.
Ruger also makes a .45 LC/.45 ACP model.
Both models are offered in 2 barrel lengths and this is the longer one at 6.5 inches. It cost $389 out-the-door.
As a bonus it shoots .38 special, so now I can be a single action pistolero too!

 

[Wwalstrom]

You coulda just asked "Ford or Chevy", as EVERYONE will have their own OPINION ... for example, In MY opinion, I very much prefer the handling, looks and style of my 1858 Remingtons, so I bought a (used) Kirst Konverter. I am VERY happy with it. I like to shoot it as a ball and cap revolver AND as a cartridge gun. I would buy BOTH. In fact, I plan for my next purchase to be a Ruger Blackhawk Convertable 45/45ACP ... the only downside is, the ever-more restrictive government will know about it when I buy it. As to cost, my Remmies cost me $130 for the blued one in 1994/5, and $175 for the Stainless one in 2006, both were Factory seconds. The Kirst Koverter cost me $200 (no tax). Locally, the Ruger Blackhawk Convertable will cost me $390 (plus tax). For now, I can shoot a semi-sortof "period correct" Remington conversion ... or ball and cap revolver ... depending upon my whim at the moment. Plus, in Minnesota, the 45 Colt is a legal deer cartridge. Another thing, as mentioned before, yes, 38 special is cheaper to shoot. 45 Colt is EXPENSIVE ($28 to $44 for a box of 50 around here). I bought a die set, and can load a box of 50 for $10. Obviously, reloading .38/.357 should be cheaper yet.

 

[Titanvk56]

Wow!

Thanks for the responses/opinions! Valid points for both options.

I already reload for .357 & .44 mag so I would reload for .45LC as well.

Or get a Vaquero in .357 mag. and I would not have to buy more dies.

Having a dual purpose gun with the ROA is a neat idea but then again, any excuse to add another wheelgun to my collection is a good thing....right??

A friend of mine just picked up a used Vaquero in stainless for $300!! Mint too, great gun, great deal.

Why can't I find these deals??:banghead:

 

[Im283]

I have a guy lined up to buy my Ruger SP101 for 375 bucks. I am only holding off because i want a Vaquero in .357, I never see used ones here. I think I need to look harder in pawn shops or something.

 

[sundance44s]

My empty shells uasually fall right out of my 45 conversions ..unless they have been reloaded too many times , the brass gets a little soft , and they`ll stick , with the Remmie I just use the loading lever to push them out ...But when they fall out on their own ..I can reload my Remmie conversion cylinder faster than My Uberti Colt 1873 ...

 

[mgregg85]

I would always err on the side of buying another gun, especially if the prices are so close.

 

[Titanvk56]

I would always err on the side of buying another gun, especially if the prices are so close.

Can't have too many guns...right?

 

[Ifishsum]

I'd get the Vaquero in .45, especially if you don't already own a .45 colt and you're set up to reload. Since I got my .45 colt a couple years ago the .357 doesn't get fired near as much

 

[owlhoot]

A friend of mine has a pair of conversion units for the Ruger Old Army that he wishes to sell. If anyone is really interested, I'll call him for his price.

 

[flatheadsal]

in some of the more restrictive states the cylinder and bp revolver don't have to be registered as a modern revolver would, less paperwork and hassle for some I guess