Replica 1851 Navy, currently in the midst of a "cartridge conversion"
I would like to get a conversion cylinder for my '58, while fun to shoot blackpowder is a mess to clean as it sprays everywhere when it goes off (makes for a dramatic lightshow at night). I don't mind cleaning guns, but it gets old cleaning it for 2 hours everytime I take it out. The cylinders just pop out of them, so it isn't nearly as involved as it would be with a Colt (I wouldn't have to cut a groove to reload)
Here is how Clint runs his conversion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P382tsARVdM
Did you cut yours down? Usually they are longer than that, I am stuck between a '51 and a '60 Colt for my next one.
Yes, I cut a couple inches off the barrel and re-crowned it. felt it looked better at 4 3/4 in. I also turned the curved rear section of the cylinder off where the nipples mount, on a lathe, and have blueprints to make the backplate that'll hold the firing pin, and the prints showing how to modify the hammer. it'll fire the old black powder .38 colt short cartridges (NOT .38 S&W special). Low power I know, but fun as hell!
Yeah, BP is kind of a PITA to clean, I simply strip it, scrub it with hot soapy water (Dawn) then drop it in boiling water for a few, then into the oven at 150* for 15/20 mins to dry up all the moisture, oil 'er down good, and shove it back in the safe....no rust so far, and the damn thing is over 30 years old now.