BP Conversion Cylinder for Self Defense

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  • Milquetoast

    Member
    Mar 7, 2016
    12
    I am in college, and wanted something that I can protect my college house with. I come from a household with firearms that we have just in case, and we shoot often. Coming to college, I could not get comfortable with the idea that I would be unarmed if there was an intruder. The college is also in a crappy area. So I was 20, and wanted something. I could not get a long rifle or a shotgun, since they were too big to put in a bag when I move out. I found out that I could get a cap and ball revolver.

    I bought a 51 Navy, and it has been by my bed this whole time. However, I am uncomfortable with the stability of the black powder with the humidity in the air and the caps being unreliable. I am interested in a conversion cylinder, which I read up on. I know they are legal, but want to know this: If I have to defend myself from an intruder, will I get in any sort of trouble seeing as I converted a BP revolver to a regulated handgun? I would like to know this before I purchase the conversion cylinder, as I don't want to waste any money. I am now 21.

    So it is either the conversion cylinder and ejector rod, or treso nipples, to hopefully combat the reliability issues with the caps going off when needed.

    Thank you!
     

    Wendigo

    Hungry
    Mar 31, 2013
    1,421
    Reisterstown
    You'll probably be in some kind of trouble with a conversion cylinder, until you turn 21.

    I have long guns, both rifles and shotguns, that can be folded or broken down to fit in a tennis racket case. It shouldn't be that hard to work out.

    Are you on campus? Fraternity house? Private residence? If you haven't already, double check to make sure you're allowed to possess where you live.
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,632
    AA county
    Buy a shotgun. You can break them down to easily fit in a bag if you buy one with short barrel(s).
     

    Milquetoast

    Member
    Mar 7, 2016
    12
    Guys, thanks for your suggestions, but I am sticking to the revolver. I would only like advice on whether or not it would be troublesome if I had to use it in self defense. Criteria for me having to use it include: My life is in danger, I know my life is in danger, my housemate's lives are in danger, and the intruder does not belong. I am only concerned with whether or not there would be more of a problem with me using this rather than a regular handgun. I am also 21
     

    Wendigo

    Hungry
    Mar 31, 2013
    1,421
    Reisterstown
    Ah, from your first post I thought you were only 20. You're fine. Conversion cylinder or any other legal handgun would make no difference.

    If you have the extra cash, you might look into a good c&r handgun. No HQL required and should be a bit more reliable, imo.
     

    Milquetoast

    Member
    Mar 7, 2016
    12
    Wendigo, Awesome! thank you. So just to clarify, if I need to use it, and I'm brought into court or whatever to defend my case, there wont be any repercussions against me that would not be there had I used a regular handgun?

    Inigoes, No I am currently at an apartment off campus, but soon will be at a house only accessible to people over 21. Currently at my apartment, I am allowed to have it.

    Blacksmith, I am planning on getting a Kirst, as it doesnt have the 6 seperate firing pins. I could not locate the Taylor kit, other than conversion guns you can buy, last I checked.
     

    Boom Boom

    Hold my beer. Watch this.
    Jul 16, 2010
    16,834
    Carroll
    Timing issues aside, you need to be very careful about ammo choices for a converted BP revolver. First, use a revolver with a steel frame, not aluminum. At most, use standard pressure ammo. Preferably use ammo downloaded to black powder pressure. Screw up your ammo choice and you'll be firing a hand grenade.
     

    Art3

    Eqinsu Ocha
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2015
    13,267
    Harford County
    Awesome! thank you. So just to clarify, if I need to use it, and I'm brought into court or whatever to defend my case, there wont be any repercussions against me that would not be there had I used a regular handgun?

    I'm not a lawyer... and all that jazz, but I would think you'd be in just as much trouble using a conversion cylinder as a Glock...but that's after the fact and you're just happy to be alive.

    I'd honestly be more worried about it getting you into trouble WITHOUT using it. You haven't told us where you are or if you're prohibited in general or on campus. Having it where you shouldn't (especially in MD) could conceivably get you into enough trouble that you could never own a gun to protect you or your family ever again...
     

    Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,154
    You are over 21 and assuming you are not prohibited just buy a regular revolver. A used .38 special maybe a police turn in and you avoid the ammo restrictions the 1851 Navy conversion cylinders have.

    Cost of conversion cylinders are approximately as follows depending on the specifics of your gun not including professional install, ejectors, or replacement base pins:
    Kirst $325
    http://www.kirstkonverter.com/
    Taylor $200
    http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-conversions.html
    Howell $225
    http://www.howelloldwestconversions.com/shop/products.cfm?catid=261
     
    Last edited:

    Boom Boom

    Hold my beer. Watch this.
    Jul 16, 2010
    16,834
    Carroll
    Yeah, cost of the cylinder conversion plus the cost of the revolver itself doesn't make much financial sense when police turn-ins in good shape can be had all day long for $175 to $225.
     

    Milquetoast

    Member
    Mar 7, 2016
    12
    Boom, yes I have a steel frame 51 Navy in .44. These can handle 45 Schofield or 45 Long Colt, but I will certainly be careful when deciding what ammo to use. I already have the 51 Navy with me. I just want to convert from BP to cartridges.

    Art, that's what I was concerned about. Long story short, my family doesn't want me to have a firearm at my place. However, this town is pretty bad, we get alerts via email maybe every other day telling us about a robbery, or a stabbing, etc. I cant tolerate being defenseless if someone comes into my house, which they certainly do around here. My off campus house would have no restrictions on having firearms. And even if it did, that would be a matter to settle with the landlord when all is said and done, and I am still alive. I'm not legally prohibited, but as I said, I don't want my family to discover that I have it until I graduate. I know that sounds bad going around their backs, but I am an adult now, and have my health to worry about around here. I would not have it on campus, ever.

    Blacksmith, Although I would really like to just get a real handgun, going through the HQL process, and all of that stuff worries me that my family might find out, and then question whether or not I am planning on getting a gun for the college house. The revolver is already in hand, and I am willing to pay for the Kirst Konversion. I actually really like the idea of having a converted cap and ball revolver. After I graduate, I have all the time in the world to get the real guns I want, but this interests me now, and it will always remain sentimental, as my college gun.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,729
    Socialist State of Maryland
    If your 1851 copy is a .36 cal, you will need to handload to get any accuracy out of it as the bore is .375.

    You can fire 148 gr hollow based wadcutters out of it but they are hard to find in loaded ammunition. The 148 HBWC's give good accuracy because the skirt expands to fill the bore.

    If you have a 1851 non historical copy, i.e. .44 cal, you can get a Howell conversion with six firing pins and six chambers. You can fire any .45 Colt cowboy ammo out of it as long as the round is not too long.
    I have one and it will give one ragged hole at 16 yards with my reloads.

    Just remember, with a single action, you must cock it when you sense danger. That itself makes the single action revolver a very dangerous weapon to all including the holder. The reason for this is because only a light touch will set most of them off. This could have the effect of shooting the wrong person. :sad20:

    If you are planning to do this, you better train, train, train and get to know that revolver as well as you know your girl friend.

    John


    Regards,

    John
     

    iH8DemLibz

    When All Else Fails.
    Apr 1, 2013
    25,396
    Libtardistan
    Your family would be upset if they caught you with a real handgun that uses real cartridges, but they wouldn't be upset if they caught you with a black powder handgun that uses real cartridges?

    How would they know what you have or don't have?

    Also. You may want to follow some of the anti-gun legislature in Annapolis this year. I believe this topic relates to some anti-gun bills down there. Guns/College/Etc...
     

    Boom Boom

    Hold my beer. Watch this.
    Jul 16, 2010
    16,834
    Carroll
    Your family would be upset if they caught you with a real handgun that uses real cartridges, but they wouldn't be upset if they caught you with a black powder handgun that uses real cartridges?

    For that matter, at quick glance, most gun enthusiasts probably can't tell the difference between a BP conversion and modern-chambered factory replica.
     

    Armadillofz1

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 25, 2012
    4,874
    DM-42
    There is the keltec sub2000

    Bingo!
    maxresdefault.jpg
     

    Milquetoast

    Member
    Mar 7, 2016
    12
    John, yes I know it is very dangerous, I wish I could have my AR here! but even then I wouldn't bring it. If someone breaks in while I'm not there, they could steal the gun, so it's best that the gun be expendable.

    Libz, no, they don't know that I have anything. I got the BP revolver because you can order it and it'll show up at your door, no questions, nothing. But after loading the cylinders, and wondering if they'll fire when I need it, I looked into the conversion cylinders. The idea behind the gun is that my family wont know that I do the HQL thing, because I wont need to. My dad wants to do the HQL with me this summer, and then we would each buy a handgun, mine being my "first." And hopefully they never have to find out, I don't know whether or not my dad would understand that I needed something if I finally tell him when I graduate. Ill decide on that later on. Who knows, when I get the house, maybe hell let me buy something, and I can say I bought the revolver? And I just created my account on here today, and saw that! yeah I live near Annapolis, so hopefully I can do something productive.
     

    Boom Boom

    Hold my beer. Watch this.
    Jul 16, 2010
    16,834
    Carroll
    If you have the extra cash, you might look into a good c&r handgun. No HQL required and should be a bit more reliable, imo.

    Milquetoast, in my opinion, your best option is above. No HQL to buy a C&R handgun. Just sell the BP revolver before you get too invested with the conversion cylinder and possibly getting a gunsmith involved. I frequently see C&R-eligible S&W snubbies in good shape at local gun shows for about $300.
     

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