Conversion Cylinder for an 1851 Pietta

This is a quick video sharing the challenge I had operating a conversion cylinder in a Traditions (by Pietta) in 36 caliber. It worked perfectly in the Pietta 1851 (imported by EMF). Even though they look the same, the tolerances are completely different. It worked perfectly in the Pietta, but it jammed every single time in the Traditions. Of course, this could be just mine, but I've heard other share that they didn't think the Traditions were of as good a quality as the Pietta's.

[@dorisjohnson8857]

Ralph:
Not uncommon to have to tweak the fitting of a conversion cylinder. First thing I would check is if the cylinder times correctly with the barrel off and pointing the frame/cylinder assembly up and apply minimal pressure to hold the cylinder against recoil shield then see how it cycles, turns freely on the arbor, and indexes and locks to the bolt/cylinder stop. Sometimes the hand made be slightly too long or short. for correct timing. (and can be filed down a little or stretched). Maybe, as you as suggested, the cylinder stop is a little too wide or has sharp edges to seat fully in cylinder notches and can be narrowed or tapered a little. If all is well there, then need to see if the cylinder is a little too long and may need to adjust the barrel/wedge fit so as not to be binding against the forcing cone. Always better to work on the smaller cheaper parts and have spares on hand ( hand, cylinder stop, springs, barrel wedge etc.) and not the expensive ones (frame, cylinder, hammer, barrel). Also just a suggestion: the usual 38spl bullets are too small ( .357"-.358 ") to properly engage the rifling grooves of a cap and ball barrel (about .360"+) and will be fairly inaccurate and likely keyhole. Best function is with hollow base bullets that can expand like a minne ball. Most commonly available are .38 spl 148 gr hollow base full wad cutter target (light) loads (or Hornady bullets if you reload). Smokeless loads need to be kept light as the cap and ball black powder fames and steel are proofed for black powder pressures only and should not be given stiff smokeless loads. The conversion cylinders on the other hand are proofed for lead bullet loads

[@ralphperez4862]

Thanks. I solved the issue with merely purchasing a new revolved, the creme gripped one. It worked perfectly. I have many other bp revolvers and enjoy all of them, and yes I reload for all my normal and converted revolvers.

[@dorisjohnson8857]

You welcome I just thought you might be able to tweak your other Navy so it would also work with the Howell cylinder. Yep , reloading is half the fun and can be done on days when you can't get out to shoot. Keep the posts coming. ❤ DJ @@ralphperez4862

[@sabledriver]

How do you use guitar picks in the maintenance of an old style revolver? Just askin' for a friend.🤣

[@ralphperez4862]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh ha ha ha ha. Only guitar players notice the picks. I didn't even notice them until I watched it again. Ha.

[@robertrobert7924]

Do you realize that you must use special hollow based cast pure lead bullets to engage the rifling in the original barrel of your 1851 barrel? The .38 Special bullet is only
.357" in diameter which is too undersized for any accuracy.

[@ralphperez4862]

Of course. But who cares about accuracy with these fun revolvers. I've got plenty of fun accurate bp revolvers.

[@robertrobert7924]

@@ralphperez4862 I care about accuracy because otherwise you may as well be shooting a toy cap gun.

[@ralphperez4862]

@@robertrobert7924 I'm not going to argue with you. Italian guns are never as accurate as American made guns. This is what I call accuracy in this video ua-cam.com/video/lnb4DXFMoEA/v-deo.htmlsi=0DGoo3FyyQ1QI7TX