Cowboy action and cartrige conversions - The Firearms Forum

AngelDeville · 10-19-2007, 07:37 PM

In my break from CAS, I have sold my Ruger Vaqueros, and so far have replaced them wth one 7 1/2" Stainless Old Army.

I'm looking at either using it as a traditional cap and ball or converting it to cartrige.

does anyone have experience with either the R&D or the Kirst conversion cylinders?

Are they worth the (very high) expense?

My future pistol plans include either a second Old Army or a .32/.36 second pistol.

Also does anyone have any reccommendations for a CAS related forum?

LEE3370 · 10-20-2007, 06:08 AM

Howdy AngelDeville,
I shoot a Ruger Old Army a lot with a R&D conversion cylinder using Winchester cowboy loads and mild reloads. It is not too much different than shooting a Blackhawk. I don’t shoot competition but have shot with some friends just for fun and I can drop the conversion cylinder, reload, and get back too shooting faster than any of them can reload a standard single action six gun.
I take off the plunger and loading lever and just use the base pin. The base pin retaining screw, I loosen and tighten with my thumbnail. It works real quick.
Are they worth it? My wife didn't scream too much, so I guess, yes it was worth it.
Here is another CAS site:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/

Good luck
Lee

Little Rooster · 10-22-2007, 10:03 PM

I've never shot the Ruger Old Army's. I have shot a couple thousand Black Powder rounds thru my Vaquero's though. I now shoot Uberti open tops or my cap and ball revolvers. I have seen many shoot the ROA's with and with out conversion cylinders with out a hitch. They look pretty classy and if your not concerned about being period correct get 'em and use them. You had Vaqueros you already know what to acspect from Ruger as far as quality goes.

Lee give you a good forum to check out

AngelDeville · 10-23-2007, 11:32 AM

I too have plunked many a BP round downrange out of my Vaqueros, and Marlin, but even with BP it just seems too "modern" for me.

I hope to end up with a Spencer, and a Lever shotgun.

Looking into the conversions a little more, I think I'm leaning toward a pair of '62 Police pistols in .36, or '49 Pockets in .31, and foregoing the conversion. It will be much cheaper than another Ruger + conversions.

Little Rooster · 10-29-2007, 07:52 PM

I shoot an '87 Lever gun also, I don't like it as much as either of my double barrels. It's one of the Coyote Cap 87's and he did a great job on it. However I shoot a Henry's rifle and C&B's or Open Tops. When I shoot my 92 and Rugers I may pull it out to accompany them.

Good Luck with your choice

jjmitchell60 · 10-30-2007, 09:14 AM

Have you concidered buiying a reproduction Richards-Mason conversion pistol that Cimmeron Arms are selling. I have one that Navy Arms sold many years back and love it. Cimmeron Arms has stepped up a bit more as to choices in caliber and barrel lengths, I had to get a 7.5" barrel but now you can get them down to 4"+ barrels. Also they have 38 and 45 calibers now, mine is a 38 special. T%ake a look at Cimmeron Arms web site. IF no dealers near you OR you are not a dealer, I am Cimmeron Direct.

BobMcG · 11-12-2007, 07:16 PM

There was just an article on conversions in the July 2007 issue of GUNS magazine if you can get a hold of a copy.

Little Rooster · 11-13-2007, 06:04 AM

I would agree with JJMitchell into looking at the Richard Masons. They are a classy gun, with a wide range of calibers and barrel lenghts available. They shoot really well one handed or one in each hand

AngelDeville · 11-22-2007, 07:09 PM

I'll look into the Masons, and just enjoy my Ruger for what it is....

LEE3370 · 11-23-2007, 06:14 AM

"I'll look into the Masons, and just enjoy my Ruger for what it is...."

May I add, it IS beautiful.

I may have to get mine out with powder and balls even if it is cold.

Little Rooster · 11-24-2007, 05:45 AM

Sweet

AL MOUNT · 11-24-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelDeville

In my break from CAS,

Curious as to why you broke away.....

AngelDeville · 11-24-2007, 12:00 PM

I moved from So. Cal, got busy with the new job and haven't found a local club.

I think I may be leaning more toward the "Modern" shooting sports now.

10-19-2007, 07:37 PM	#1
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Cowboy action and cartrige conversions In my break from CAS, I have sold my Ruger Vaqueros, and so far have replaced them wth one 7 1/2" Stainless Old Army. I'm looking at either using it as a traditional cap and ball or converting it to cartrige. does anyone have experience with either the R&D or the Kirst conversion cylinders? Are they worth the (very high) expense? My future pistol plans include either a second Old Army or a .32/.36 second pistol. Also does anyone have any reccommendations for a CAS related forum? -->

10-20-2007, 06:08 AM	#2
LEE3370 Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 7	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions Howdy AngelDeville, I shoot a Ruger Old Army a lot with a R&D conversion cylinder using Winchester cowboy loads and mild reloads. It is not too much different than shooting a Blackhawk. I don’t shoot competition but have shot with some friends just for fun and I can drop the conversion cylinder, reload, and get back too shooting faster than any of them can reload a standard single action six gun. I take off the plunger and loading lever and just use the base pin. The base pin retaining screw, I loosen and tighten with my thumbnail. It works real quick. Are they worth it? My wife didn't scream too much, so I guess, yes it was worth it. Here is another CAS site: http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ Good luck Lee

10-22-2007, 10:03 PM	#3
Little Rooster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Dominion Posts: 564	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I've never shot the Ruger Old Army's. I have shot a couple thousand Black Powder rounds thru my Vaquero's though. I now shoot Uberti open tops or my cap and ball revolvers. I have seen many shoot the ROA's with and with out conversion cylinders with out a hitch. They look pretty classy and if your not concerned about being period correct get 'em and use them. You had Vaqueros you already know what to acspect from Ruger as far as quality goes. Lee give you a good forum to check out __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know Victory Nor Defeat" Teddy Roosevelt Last edited by Little Rooster; 10-22-2007 at 10:04 PM..

10-23-2007, 11:32 AM	#4
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I too have plunked many a BP round downrange out of my Vaqueros, and Marlin, but even with BP it just seems too "modern" for me. I hope to end up with a Spencer, and a Lever shotgun. Looking into the conversions a little more, I think I'm leaning toward a pair of '62 Police pistols in .36, or '49 Pockets in .31, and foregoing the conversion. It will be much cheaper than another Ruger + conversions.

10-29-2007, 07:52 PM	#5
Little Rooster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Dominion Posts: 564	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I shoot an '87 Lever gun also, I don't like it as much as either of my double barrels. It's one of the Coyote Cap 87's and he did a great job on it. However I shoot a Henry's rifle and C&B's or Open Tops. When I shoot my 92 and Rugers I may pull it out to accompany them. Good Luck with your choice __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know Victory Nor Defeat" Teddy Roosevelt

10-30-2007, 09:14 AM	#6
jjmitchell60 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raised in Buzzard Roost near Frog Town in hillls of Kentucky Contributor Posts: 1,471	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions Have you concidered buiying a reproduction Richards-Mason conversion pistol that Cimmeron Arms are selling. I have one that Navy Arms sold many years back and love it. Cimmeron Arms has stepped up a bit more as to choices in caliber and barrel lengths, I had to get a 7.5" barrel but now you can get them down to 4"+ barrels. Also they have 38 and 45 calibers now, mine is a 38 special. T%ake a look at Cimmeron Arms web site. IF no dealers near you OR you are not a dealer, I am Cimmeron Direct. __________________ Oath Keepers NOT ON OUR WATCH www.oathkeepers.org 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes Duty... Thomas Jefferson

11-12-2007, 07:16 PM	#7
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions There was just an article on conversions in the July 2007 issue of GUNS magazine if you can get a hold of a copy.

11-13-2007, 06:04 AM	#8
Little Rooster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Dominion Posts: 564	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I would agree with JJMitchell into looking at the Richard Masons. They are a classy gun, with a wide range of calibers and barrel lenghts available. They shoot really well one handed or one in each hand __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know Victory Nor Defeat" Teddy Roosevelt

11-22-2007, 07:09 PM	#9
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I'll look into the Masons, and just enjoy my Ruger for what it is....

11-23-2007, 06:14 AM	#10
LEE3370 Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 7	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions "I'll look into the Masons, and just enjoy my Ruger for what it is...." May I add, it IS beautiful. I may have to get mine out with powder and balls even if it is cold.

11-24-2007, 05:45 AM	#11
Little Rooster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Dominion Posts: 564	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions Sweet __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know Victory Nor Defeat" Teddy Roosevelt

11-24-2007, 12:00 PM	#13
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: Cowboy action and cartrige conversions I moved from So. Cal, got busy with the new job and haven't found a local club. I think I may be leaning more toward the "Modern" shooting sports now.