1860 Army Conversion 5" version

[M. M. Wright]

I converted this Pietta 1860 Army a while back and have really liked it except for the 8 inch barrel. So I took it to the chop saw and made it a 5 inch. Much better. In fact so handy that it has become my almost constant companion. I had ordered some front sights from Track of The Wolf so I set up the mill with a dovetail cutter and did some careful planning and measuring because that barrel is very thin and I didn't want to not leave enough metal. As it is there is only about .020 under that sight. Shot it, filed and tried to get it just right but took off a little too much. This target was shot at 15 yards with "cowboy" loads of 200 grain bullets. That 5 shot group at the top is my best result.

This conversion uses a recoil plate with the firing pin and loading gate in it. The plate is not fastened in any way, just sits on the arbor with a flat on the bottom to keep it from turning.

Kurst made it a 5 shooter but they added these dimples that allow the firing pin to rest between the cartridge rims to make it safe to carry with all 5 beans in the wheel.

[AJMD429]

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Now that is pretty slick...!

I can definitely see why it would be a ‘constant companion’ type of gun.

[JimT]

Nice. I like your choice!

[Old Savage]

Very nice. Very interesting piece.

[Lefty Dude]

A very nice piece, indeed.
Here is my 1860 conversion, I use 45 S&W brass. This is a Belgium Colt made in 1959.

[Pitchy]

Well Ron you know i`ve been wanting one of those for a long time so let me know when it will arrive
Cool beans pard, very nice indeed.

[black river smith]

Lefty Dude,

That conversion ring on your 1860 looks like a Thuer style. So how does the cylinder use rimmed cartridges? Never saw one of the 'Newer' Thuer conversions operate.

Or am I wrong about the conversion plate or ring.

M M Wright,
Nice conversion and that shorter barrel is sleek. I still like the pointability of a the longer barrels,

[M. M. Wright]

Lefty Dude,

That conversion ring on your 1860 looks like a Thuer style. So how does the cylinder use rimmed cartridges? Never saw one of the 'Newer' Thuer conversions operate.

Or am I wrong about the conversion plate or ring.

M M Wright,
Nice conversion and that shorter barrel is sleek. I still like the pointability of a the longer barrels,

It uses standard 45 Colt cartridges and the ring has a loading gate and firing pin. The new cylinder is bored thru. Yeah, I like the long barrels too but they are cumbersome and difficult to carry all day.

[Lefty Dude]

The conversion was done by Gary Barnes, Texas. Check out his Web site for information.
And Yes, it is a new style Thuer designed by Gary.

[M. M. Wright]

What I remember about the Thuer was the tapered cartridge that loaded in from the front and was held in place by the taper. Kinda like drill bits with tapered shanks.

[black river smith]

Go here for Lefty Dude conversion work - very interesting to say the least: http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/Converters.php
Go to lower part of the page.

I do like a loading gate and ejector rod on the conversion pattern but this is interesting for something unique.

MM Wright,
This appears to be just a 'fancy substitution' for the plain ring with firing pin, in associated with a kirst's style cylinder. No loading gate or loading port, just take barrel off and push out cartridges. But very very Unique and stylish.

Thanks

[Ysabel Kid]

I converted this Pietta 1860 Army a while back and have really liked it except for the 8 inch barrel. So I took it to the chop saw and made it a 5 inch. Much better. In fact so handy that it has become my almost constant companion. I had ordered some front sights from Track of The Wolf so I set up the mill with a dovetail cutter and did some careful planning and measuring because that barrel is very thin and I didn't want to not leave enough metal. As it is there is only about .020 under that sight. Shot it, filed and tried to get it just right but took off a little too much. This target was shot at 15 yards with "cowboy" loads of 200 grain bullets. That 5 shot group at the top is my best result.

This conversion uses a recoil plate with the firing pin and loading gate in it. The plate is not fastened in any way, just sits on the arbor with a flat on the bottom to keep it from turning.

Kurst made it a 5 shooter but they added these dimples that allow the firing pin to rest between the cartridge rims to make it safe to carry with all 5 beans in the wheel.

I think I'm in love!

[Ysabel Kid]

A very nice piece, indeed.
Here is my 1860 conversion, I use 45 S&W brass. This is a Belgium Colt made in 1959.

Centennial 1960?

[Lefty Dude]

A very nice piece, indeed.
Here is my 1860 conversion, I use 45 S&W brass. This is a Belgium Colt made in 1959.

Centennial 1960?

Yes it is !

[Lefty Dude]

My other Belgium, This one was un-fired and in the box with original with packing. I Sold this piece last year.

[Ysabel Kid]

My other Belgium, This one was un-fired and in the box with original with packing. I Sold this piece last year.

My Dad had a Centennial 1960 hanging above our fireplace the entire time I was growing up. It was the first black powder firearm I ever shot. Got me hooked. I gave it to Y2K several years ago after NKJ did some work on it for me. Great gun!

[Lefty Dude]

The Centennial's are starting to show up at sales. I bought the one I had converted from an estate sale for $50.00. The "New in the box" from a Gun show in Wickenburg, AZ, $175.00 . Sold it last year for $500.00.

The Belgium's are one of the best reproductions ever made.

[Ysabel Kid]

The Centennial's are starting to show up at sales. I bought the one I had converted from an estate sale for $50.00. The "New in the box" from a Gun show in Wickenburg, AZ, $175.00 . Sold it last year for $500.00.

The Belgium's are one of the best reproductions ever made.

Your killing me!