Posted on 03/28/2019 5:09:27 AM PDT by w1n1
The Colt .31 caliber Pocket Revolver, the Model of 1849 - that is quite the little gun and I certainly still do recommend one for some great black powder shooting.
At the same time, I wanted something extra; not more, but just different. And that difference was found with a conversion cylinder that converted the .31 percussion revolver to shoot the .32 Smith&Wesson cartridge.
The old and little .32 Smith&Wesson cartridge dates back to the 1870s when it was introduced for the Model 1½ S&W top-break single action revolver. It quickly grew in popularity and at one time was just about as popular as the later .32 ACP cartridge.
Naturally, the .32 S&W was a black powder cartridge so it fits right into our little corner here where black powder is our favorite. So now let me tell you about the conversion cylinder for the Model 1849 and about making the loads to use in it.
SHOOTING THE .31 caliber percussion revolver was, in its own way, a real blast! However, I had my eye on something else for that gun. That was the conversion cylinder made by Howell Old West Conversions and I ordered mine from Buffalo Arms Company.
Almost as soon as I ordered that cylinder, it arrived at the mailbox, very good and fast service. The conversion cylinder allows .32 S&W cartridges to be shot in this little 5-shot revolver with no other alterations required. Just change the cylinder to shoot the cartridges or change it back to shoot the gun as a percussion.
Along with the new cylinder, I ordered 100 pieces of Star Line brass for the .32 S&W. Add those cases to the full box of Remington .32 S&W loads that I already had on hand and that gives me a supply that should last a fairly long time. Read the rest of this .32 S&W conversion cylinder.
Shoots well as of about 12 years ago when I was advised of its value...
It is amazing how long the S&W 32 stayed in service.
With the .32 S&W cylinder installed that Colt 1849 is now a modern firearm. Isn’t some paperwork required?
Sorta like a ghost gun.
Cue Scooby Doo...
“Roast Run!!!?”
Does putting a modern scope on a center fired 1891 mosin nagant make it a modern firearm?
Is a bumpfire stock a machine gun?
Pretty cool. Is there a conversion for the .44 cal?
Does a Chicken have lips?
LoL,,,
Were modifications required to the nose of the hammer, so as to fire the cartridge’s primer?
My guess is that the .32 S&W cartridge cylinder, like the .38 S&W conversions of years ago, has a backplate containing a centerfire firing pin. The frame has to be drilled to attach the backplate.
The photo seems to show two percussion cylinders or I could be wrong.
Anyway, this still makes a ghost gun out of a cap & ball gun, just sayin’. Would like one myself but original 1849’s are easier to find than a Pedersoli or Uberti replica.
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