I Am Thinking About Going To The Dark Side-- Another Kind of Dark Side :)

[Bart Solo]

I read the thread about the Dark Side and realized that when I think dark side I am not thinking Glock.  I am thinking black powder as in a 1858 New Army or maybe a 1858 Remington Converstion.  Right now I am thinking about buying a Pietta clone 1858 New Army in 44 caliber (Cabelas has them on sale for $199.00) and after a while adding a conversion cylinder (R and D or Kirst Konversion) to allow me to shoot 45 LC.  Any of you all ever bought an 1858 New Army Conversion? The Remington design is supposed to be about as accurate a bp handgun as has been produced.  The conversions will shoot cowboy style smokeless loads. Thoughts?   

[jimster]

I bought an 1858 remmington new model factory conversion and I'm happy with mine.  It's Uberti made,  it's made for smokeless loads, 6 shot cylinder is rather large, rims are supported in the cylinder, removable thick backplate,  ejector rod assembly and loading gate.  It has a driftable front sight, which is a plus.  Forged frame.  Mine shoots great groups.  These should handle any load that a Colt single action or Colt replica handles no problem, I have no trouble at all with 8.0 gr of Unique behind a 250 gr. cast bullet.  There is no way to carry 6 rounds in this as the hammer has two positions, half cock for loading, and full cock, hammer down is resting on the spring loaded firing pin which is contained in the backplate.  Load six while at the range shooting if you like,  but like most single actions with no transfer bar, it's carried with five.  I'm glad I went this route instead of converting a cap and ball myself...it's made for cartriges right from the factory.  I really like this revolver a lot.  Very nice in my opinion.   

[Bart Solo]

Did yours come with a cap and ball cylinder too.  I think Taylor & Co. sells one with both.

[Keith L]

I have a couple of New Army pistol replicas, one Uberti and one Pietta.  Both are cap and ball.  The Uberti is much more precision made, but both are quite serviceable and shoot well.  I like them better than all my Colt c&b replicas except my Walker which is just a hoot to shoot.

[blhof]

I went with the Ruger Old Army and have both C & B cylinders and a conversion cylinder.  The round ball seems to be the most accurate and a rest group can be 2" or less at 25yds.  It's much cheaper to shoot than my modern pistols and a real hoot with all the smoke from real Bp.

[jimster]

Bart, mine did not come with a c&b cylinder, and although they advertise coming with two,  I think it's hard to get one like that from all I've read, you might want to call Tayor & company and ask about that.  Here is the deal on that.  The cartridge cylinder in 45 colt is shorter and fatter than the C&B cylinder,  and the hand assembly for the 45 colt is longer than the hand for the longer slimmer c&b cylinder. To change from the 45 colt cylinder you would remove the backplate, then install the longer c&b cylinder, and I think each time you did this you would need to tear it down to install the shorter hand which would be timed for the c&b.  To have one hand that would work in both cylinders would be quite a feat I think?  I think they advertise both, but from what I've read they found out it was quite a deal to actually produce them this way.  I'm sure you can set up for both cylinders though,  to do this I would simply order the c&B cylinder, the shorter 1858 c&b hand assembly, and then time it, or have it timed.  I would ask Taylor's how this works, and ask them about the difference in hand assemblies and the different size cylinders and see what they have to say, or offer.  I have a feeling they would do the work there.

[Bart Solo]

The more I look at it the more I like a straight conversion.  A C&B would be fun, but it is alot of work.  A conversion would let me shoot BP (I can already of course) out of a pretty authentic clone of a great old gun.  The 8 inch barrel in 45 or 7 3/8 in 38 is very appealing. In 45 it would make a great backup to my Rugers shooting smokeless cowboy loads.  Of course in 38 it would be the beginning of my next set.

On the other hand, there is something pretty romantic about a vintage C&B from the civil war era, and the Remington allows for easy exchange of cylinders so for a few bucks I could buy a second cylinder and have twice the fun. 

[jimster]

Well I'm pretty sure Taylor & co could set you up with both cylinders if you purchased the Remmy from them.  Black powder is too much work for me these days to be honest, I used to play with cap and ball revolvers and took the time to take them all apart and wash em up,  just don't have the time and am too lazy in my old age.  I love the looks of the conversions, both the Remington and the Colts.  My next fun thing to do is to get a Colt replica conversion in .38.
I like the Remington because of the top strap, they seem to be plenty strong enough for .45 Colt.  Not sure how long a Colt open top would hold up with 8 grains of unique, so I think I'll go with .38 special if I get one of those. 

If you decide to give Taylor's a call and ask some questions on the Remington with an extra bp cylinder, let us know what the scoop is on that.  I've been wondering about the hand assemblies and the timing of two cylinders that are different sizes.

Have fun!

JW

[Bart Solo]

The top strap is the great attraction for me. The open top looks great, but I just don't think it would be as strong shooting smokeless cowboy loads.  I have never heard of anybody having a problem with the Remington as long as it has a steel frame.  Now I have to decide if I want a 38 or 45.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.