I have seen an Uberti "Cattleman Percussion" revolver and have a question. This is basically an 1873 repro but uses a blackpowder cylinder. Does anyone convert these back into centerfire revolvers and what would the approximate cost be? I would like a Colt copy but do not want to throw down a much money right now. Thanks
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Uberti revolver conversion
- Thread starter bernie
- Start date
cap 'n ball conversions.
There are conversion cylinders available for some Cap 'n Ball revolvers. Be warned. They ain't cheap. See Taylorsfirearms.com for a starting place.
Beyond that, I believe that doing a complete conversion constitutes manufacturing a firearm = BATF involvement, at least it used to be. Things may be different now and probably are. 10 years ago the conversion cylinder was considered manufacturing a firearm.
One more thing. By the time you finish, you will likely spend more doing the conversion than just buying repro Peacemaker. I learned the easy way thanks to a very kind gunsmith, that you need a realistic idea what these things will cost, *BEFORE* you start. That's why my Redhawk project remains a remantic idea that will probably never happen.
There are conversion cylinders available for some Cap 'n Ball revolvers. Be warned. They ain't cheap. See Taylorsfirearms.com for a starting place.
Beyond that, I believe that doing a complete conversion constitutes manufacturing a firearm = BATF involvement, at least it used to be. Things may be different now and probably are. 10 years ago the conversion cylinder was considered manufacturing a firearm.
One more thing. By the time you finish, you will likely spend more doing the conversion than just buying repro Peacemaker. I learned the easy way thanks to a very kind gunsmith, that you need a realistic idea what these things will cost, *BEFORE* you start. That's why my Redhawk project remains a remantic idea that will probably never happen.
charleym3 is right. The Cabela's millenium is a .45 caliber Uberti SAA clone with a matte black finish. Its ranges from $200 to $220 dollars. I think EMF sells a no-frills SAA with a slightly nicer finish that is made by Uberti as well which is still below $300. Most of the conversion cylinders cost that much by themselves and the final price on a conversion gun is usually around $400 at least.
As for the legality of buying a gun and then the cylinder, it is completely legal. Guns are regulated by the frame and the BP c&b frame is perfectly legal in most areas. The cylinder is just parts which is perfectly legal as well.
Keep in mind that if money is tight and you want a shooter, then you might want to look for SAA repros in .38/.357 instead of .45lc because the ammo costs are significantly lower.
As for the legality of buying a gun and then the cylinder, it is completely legal. Guns are regulated by the frame and the BP c&b frame is perfectly legal in most areas. The cylinder is just parts which is perfectly legal as well.
Keep in mind that if money is tight and you want a shooter, then you might want to look for SAA repros in .38/.357 instead of .45lc because the ammo costs are significantly lower.
Jim Watson
New member
As I understand it, those cap and ball SAA mongrels are built with an offset firing pin to make conversion to cartridge as difficult as possible. The BATF has no interest in making it convenient for you to get a firearm (legal definition= breechloader) off the books.
Apparently they do not care about the authentic cap and ball conversions, but a decent EMF .36 Navy will cost $150 and the Kirst Kartridge Konverter for it will be $250. And you must use hollowbased bullets to expand into the rifling of the .375" C&B barrel. Cap and ball revolvers and cartridge conversions are not a cheap way to get started, they take a good deal more care and knowhow to get shooting well than a "modern" breechloader like a SAA.
The Millennium is about the least expensive reliable single action on the market. Part of the reason is that the brass backstrap and trigger guard are cheaper to make; brass is more expensive per pound than steel but casts and machines so easy as to more than save the difference on labor. Get used to it or pay more, that is about your choice.
Otherwise a second hand Ruger would be reasonably priced, reliable, accurate, and just about indestructable.
Apparently they do not care about the authentic cap and ball conversions, but a decent EMF .36 Navy will cost $150 and the Kirst Kartridge Konverter for it will be $250. And you must use hollowbased bullets to expand into the rifling of the .375" C&B barrel. Cap and ball revolvers and cartridge conversions are not a cheap way to get started, they take a good deal more care and knowhow to get shooting well than a "modern" breechloader like a SAA.
The Millennium is about the least expensive reliable single action on the market. Part of the reason is that the brass backstrap and trigger guard are cheaper to make; brass is more expensive per pound than steel but casts and machines so easy as to more than save the difference on labor. Get used to it or pay more, that is about your choice.
Otherwise a second hand Ruger would be reasonably priced, reliable, accurate, and just about indestructable.