Author Topic: Dragoon conversion to 45 colt? (Read 1294 times)

Will52100 · « **on:** February 11, 2004, 06:56:04 PM »

Check this site out, in one of the articles this guy converts a dragoon replica to 45 colt.
http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archives/Apr03/index.htm

I was wondering if this would be practicle for cowboy loads? Eigther smokless or black powder. The cylinder wall thickness looks a little thicker than a Uberti 45 peacemaker I looked at today.

What I am thinking is that a pare of the dragoons converted to 45 along with a Henry rifle in 45 would be a perfect cowboy combination.

Plus I've got a Smithy mill/lathe on the way and would be a fun project.

What do you guys think? A posible way to prof it would instead of black powder load a full case of triple 7 and a round ball to get more powder. If I remember right the 45 holds 40 grains of powder and the dragoons 50 grains were max.

Thanks,

Will

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2004, 04:38:18 AM »

There are cylinders available for this purpose but I believe they are for the Remington models.. Still the dragoon would probably hold the prssure of the blackpowder loaf of the 45 Colt. The smokless equivalent load should be ok too but I would testfire from a safe position the first few times. I don't believe there would be a catastrophic failure but frame stretching and cracking may occur more quickly.. I simply don't know, so you would be flying at least a bit, by the seat of the pants.

Will52100 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2004, 06:06:06 AM »

Thanks Gunnut, it's a mental exercise for the moment, have more on my plate right now than I can get to so it would be a future project at best. I think for profing I would clamp the grip frame minus the grip into a small vise and tie a long string to the trigger to set it off.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2004, 06:51:05 PM »

I have seen Colts pattern ristols altered to cartridge weapons and if the dragoon is proofed for 50 grains the 40 grain load of the 45 colt standard load shouldn't create a problem. Still we're dealing with perhaps less than optimum materials. I would advise caution but believe it to be possible to do.. Would make one the talk of the shoot!!

Will52100 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2004, 05:04:26 PM »

Thanks gunnut, I think it's posible, and if I ever get the time I'll give it a try. I work off shore and have 14 days a month off, but still don't seem to have time to get anything done! :shock:

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2004, 06:17:02 AM »

I totally understand.. I retired a couple of years ago and seem to get less done now than when I was still employeed!! Good luck!

Will52100 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2004, 05:54:06 PM »

Thanks, I hope I can get around to sometime or nother', I've just seen where someone is making conversion cylinders for the 1860 army in 45 colt(can't think of the name, it isn't Krist, it's the other guys). If that gun can handle a 45 BP load then a dragoon shouldn't have a problem!

jeff · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2004, 06:33:55 AM »

Very interesting topic. I was flipping thru my Midway catalog this morning. They carry R&D Conversion sylinders for Pietta, Uberti and Ruger "old Army" cap & ball revolvers. They're kinda pricy at $240-310.

The pistols mentioned are:
1851-1861 Navy (38 long colt)
1858 Remington New Model Navy (38 special)
1858 Remington (45 long Colt)
Ruger (45 long Colt)

Unfortunately there was no reference to the 1860 Army which I am assuming is the Colt model. The big question is how much difference is there between the Navy and the Army (not the Remingtons with the top strap).

jeff

Will52100 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2004, 07:28:21 PM »

They have them at Civil War Revolvers and Pistols http://fcsutler.com/fccwrevolvers.asp

They are only 5 shot for the 60' colt army. The only thing I don't like about R & D is that you have to remove the barrel on the colts to reload. The Krist with the ejection port is much better, though they need a loading gate.

The main differance between the navy and army colts is that the navy is 36 and the army 44. The 44 uses the same frame and action as the 36, but has a rebated cylinder to fit the smaller frame. Also the 44 has a slightly larger grip.

The Dragoons were basicly improved Walkers, with about a 1/4" shorter cylinder after quite a few walkers blew up at the cylinder from a combination of the 60 grain charge and iron cylinder, and improved loading leaver latches. The latter dragoons had a mild steel cylinder instead of iron. The Dragoon has a larger and thicker barrel and cylinder than the 60' army also.