I have a Pietta .36 caliber 1858 Remington black powder revolver. It is by far the most accurate BP revolver that I have ever shot. However, I am thinking of purchasing a cartridge converter cylinder. Are these available for that model of BP revolver? Where can they be purchased? Thanks for your help.
RE: cartridge converter on a Pietta Rem. 1858 New Army Police .36 Caliber Revolver
- Thread starter DavidB2
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Erich
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Here you go! http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,5861.html
My buddy says good things about the 1858 replicas in .36.
My buddy says good things about the 1858 replicas in .36.
If you can get a conversion cylinder it will most likely be chambered in .38 S&W, .38 Long Colt or .38 S&W Special. The latter two cartridges use a .358" diameter bullet. The .38 S&W uses a .360" bullet. Most Italian .36 cap & ball revolver have a bore/groove diameter that are around .372 - .382". Obviously the bore is way oversized for the .38 caliber bullets likely to be used. Therefore I strongly suggest that you "slug" the barrel in your particular revolver to determine its diameter before investing in a metallic cartridge cylinder. Incidentally, those revolvers made to shoot metallic cartridges in the first place have bores that are correct for whatever cartridge the cylinder is chambered to use. These should generally not be backward converted to cap & ball. 
Well that does work sometimes. .38 S&W in a regular revolver is an example, but the difference in diameters is only .002" or .001" to the side. In a cap & ball conversion with a .38 Special cartridge, the .358" bullet may go into a .370" or larger barrel. That would leave a gap of .005" or more to the side. This isn't catastrophic or dangerous, but you may find you have grapefruit-sized groups, keyholed bullets and a badly leaded bore. Then again everything might be fine. All I'm saying is that it would be a shame to spend a lot of money for a cylinder, and then be disappointed in the revolver's accuracy.
Back before the Italians started making cartridge conversions as cartridge revolvers in the first place, serious shooters would have the barrel of their caplock revolver bored out and lined to get the right size bore for the chambers. This worked fairly well, but was expensive. When all of the associated costs were added up it was much less costly to buy a cartridge gun in the first place.
Many people have installed cartridge cylinders in their cap & ball revolvers, and seem to be well satisfied. Perhaps their expectations in the accuracy department aren't as strict as mine. All I'm saying is that it would be wise to determine what you're dealing with before you lay down any bets. The decision is up to you.
Back before the Italians started making cartridge conversions as cartridge revolvers in the first place, serious shooters would have the barrel of their caplock revolver bored out and lined to get the right size bore for the chambers. This worked fairly well, but was expensive. When all of the associated costs were added up it was much less costly to buy a cartridge gun in the first place.
Many people have installed cartridge cylinders in their cap & ball revolvers, and seem to be well satisfied. Perhaps their expectations in the accuracy department aren't as strict as mine. All I'm saying is that it would be wise to determine what you're dealing with before you lay down any bets. The decision is up to you.
BHP FAN
Member
I've got one,but might I suggest you look in the cabelas catalog,and buy a couple of spare percussion cylinders,instead? It's actually more fun,and you'll be making better use of your Remmie's potential.
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