standard production percussion revolvers vs pre converted

[Newton24b]

is there any difference between the standard production percussion revolvers leaving the factory and the ones leaving the factory as open top cartridge guns?

I was wondering on this as in some photos there seem to be differences in the frame, so i was just wondering .

 

[MJN77]

If you are asking about modern replica percussion revolvers, and modern replica "conversion" revolvers there are some differences. The "conversions" are made out of stronger steel, so they can handle standard factory smokeless loads. Also the frames, cylinders and barrels are slightly bigger/"beefier" so as to fit cartridges the originals were never chambered for (.45 colt/.44-40 etc.) The steel in the C&B revolvers can only handle black powder loads. If you put a conversion cylinder in one, they can take "cowboy" or light smokelelss loads, as well as BP. Hope this helps.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Not a differences in the frame as much as a different heat treating process for increase strength. Open tops have a massive arbor(center pin) that gives them their structural integrity. In cap and ball form the recoil pushed the cylinder back against the recoil shield centered on the arbor. When converted to a cartridge design the recoil is no longer centered around the arbor but moved to the top of the recoil shield by the cartridge moving reward when fired. This increases the stress at the bottom of the frame and can cause cracks to develop from the bottom edge of the recoil shield and the screw holes in the frame.

 

[MJN77]

Not a differences in the frame as much as a different heat treating process for increase strength

Depends on the conversion. My Uberti Remington conversion has a slightly bigger frame and cylinder. This is so it can take rounds like .44-40 (what I have) or .45 colt. Even the factory open top conversions have bigger cylinders, and slightly larger frames to accept the enlarged cylinders. They aren't much bigger, but the original size cylinders will not accept six .45 colt or .44-40 cartridges. Look at the Kirst and R&D remington conversion cylinders for the .45 round. They are five shot.