Conversion revolvers

[Enzo_Guy]

Never looked into these before, but they recently came to my attention. I've always loved the historical look and feel of the old blackpowder revolvers. They are just plain cool.

However, I've never had the chance to shoot or even fondle a "conversion" revolver. The idea of the old-style blackpowder frame firing a modern cartridge is definitely intriguing to say the least, but I kind of wonder about a few different factors. Can those frames, especially the open tops, really stand up to the pressures of modern smokeless cartridges? Are they comfortable to shoot and at least acceptably accurate by modern standards? Do the companies that produce these replicas (Cimarron, Uberti, etc.) modify the sights or did they replicate the sights as well? If they are the true sights that would have come on the original blackpowders, how do they behave with modern cartridges?

Forgive my crazy questions, but for some reason I have become increasingly interested in these conversion revolvers.

 

[hodgepodge]

The modern conversion revolvers made by companies like Uberti and sold by companies like Cimarron and Taylor's are definitely safe. They are often used in Cowboy Action Shooting in /45LC or .38. They are made of modern metals and can handle normal pressures, but not +P. CAS loads are often lower pressure anyway.

The sights are fine for the distances intended. These are not long range weapons.

 

[K31]

Generally the conversion cylinder makers state that they are for "cowboy action" type loads.

 

[Enzo_Guy]

The modern conversion revolvers made by companies like Uberti and sold by companies like Cimarron and Taylor's are definitely safe. They are often used in Cowboy Action Shooting in /45LC or .38. They are made of modern metals and can handle normal pressures, but not +P. CAS loads are often lower pressure anyway.

The sights are fine for the distances intended. These are not long range weapons.

Thanks, I have been checking out Uberti/Cimarron/Taylor's and it looks like they make some cool stuff as far as the open tops are concerned. Not so sure about the nickel, though. I'll take a blued pair of 1851s with pearl grips.

Although while surfing the interwebz I came across a guy that modified a pair of 1851 conversions with Thunderer grips. I'd be really interested in trying one of those in .38 Special to see how it fired.