Shot my 1860 conversion today

[Pitchy]

A 1860 Pietta with a Howell conversion too 45 LC.
Haven`t shot it in a long time, shooting at ten paces not to bad.
I don`t remember what the load is I`ll have to dig out my reloading specs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3VWPhHOXgU

[Bill in Oregon]

That's nice offhand shooting, Pitchy. A guy would be pretty well armed with that conversion.

[tman]

[Pitchy]

Thanks Bill and TMan, I love the open tops.

[gamekeeper]

Nice shooting Lenn, I see you use the same expensive targets as I do.....

[Pitchy]

Thanks buddy, yep pizza boxes work great.

[vancelw]

I save 2-liter soda pop bottles for those long distance feel-good shots Instant gratification.

I had a Cimarron 1851 conversion and let it go for some silly reason. I need to fix that.

[Pitchy]

I save 2-liter soda pop bottles for those long distance feel-good shots Instant gratification.

I had a Cimarron 1851 conversion and let it go for some silly reason. I need to fix that.

That would be fun, ya I`ve been tempted to buy one of the factory open tops for a long time in 44 spl. but have yet done so.
Maybe one of these days, wish there was some place to go look one over before buying.

[vancelw]

, wish there was some place to go look one over before buying.

That is the tough part, finding a stocking dealer.
I drove 80 miles to look at a Cimarron Model P, Jr. In .32 WCF/.32 H&R mag before buying it.

[OldWin]

Thats cool bud! I love the feel and balance of the cap and ball revolvers. The conversions are the best cause I'm too lazy for the actual cap and ball part.

Good shootin old buddy. I use cheap paper plates and trace around a spray paint can with a sharpie for a bull.

[Pitchy]

Thanks buddy, they're like looking at a beautiful .... well you guys know.

[Old No7]

Nice shooting!

And now you got me thinking.....................

Old No7

[Pitchy]

Nice shooting!

And now you got me thinking.....................

Old No7

Thanks, everyone feel free to post up all your open tops, I`m getting a real hankering for another.

[Pitchy]

Couple more pics of mine.

[Sixgun]

THATS some mighty fine shootin' ! While shooting, your hands had the steadiness of a two ton rock......I never thought those open top conversions had any kind of accuracy but you must have had everything loaded right. ---6.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Six, amazed me seeing how blurry the sights are with my eyes getting bad.

[Nath]

That's a grand video.
Good shots MrP.
Minute of rabbit

N.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Nath,

[AmBraCol]

Dadgum it, Pitchy! I'd forgotten how much I want an 1860... then you go and post this.

[Pitchy]

Dadgum it, Pitchy! I'd forgotten how much I want an 1860... then you go and post this.

Sorry pard but ya just can`t leave one alone they`re so darn graceful and fun to shoot, ya better get one soon as possible.

[AmBraCol]

Dadgum it, Pitchy! I'd forgotten how much I want an 1860... then you go and post this.

Sorry pard but ya just can`t leave one alone they`re so darn graceful and fun to shoot, ya better get one soon as possible.

Yeah, I'll keep my eyes open the next time we're up north. Need to get the Old Army running good, too. But the 1860 is king of the cap and ball pistols in my book, not for robustness (the Old Army gets that mark) but for style, balance and historical appeal as well.

Did you do the conversion yourself? I counted the five shots and assumed you'd only loaded five like the old timers did - then I saw it's a five shot cylinder. So now I'm curious as to what had to be done to the action to get it to work.

[Pitchy]

Did you do the conversion yourself? I counted the five shots and assumed you'd only loaded five like the old timers did - then I saw it's a five shot cylinder. So now I'm curious as to what had to be done to the action to get it to work.

The Howell conversion cylinder is a drop in conversion, just take the black powder cylinder out and put it in and your good to go at least it was on my Pietta.
There is no loading gate or ejector rod with this conversion, ya have to break it down for reload.

http://www.howelloldwestconversions.com ... ?catid=261

[Old Savage]

Excellent shooting.

[Pitchy]

Excellent shooting.

Thanks Old Savage.

[Ysabel Kid]

Thanks Six, amazed me seeing how blurry the sights are with my eyes getting bad.

Even with good eyes - which I no longer have either - the unaltered sights on most black powder cap & ball revolvers including the awesome 1860 Army Colt leave a HECK of a lot to be desired.

It's no wonder our ancestors developed the skill of point shooting so well!

[Pitchy]

Even with good eyes - which I no longer have either - the unaltered sights on most black powder cap & ball revolvers including the awesome 1860 Army Colt leave a HECK of a lot to be desired.

Thanks, I file the notch in the hammer wider and raised the front sight a little so it shoots where it`s supposed too.
My problem with my eys is if I wear my reading glasses I can see the sights clear but the target is blurry and vive versa.

[Pitchy]

Well I can shoot the open top better than the Colt SAA but it`s because of the sights on the two guns the open top being a better sight picture for my eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu_SQuEQWBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX5N2PiNfGQ

Targets on the left are the 45 and right are from my Colt SAA 44spl.--15 yards.



I`m thinking about getting a factory open top but can`t decide if I should get a Richards Mason model or the late 72 model, or to get a 45 LC or one in 44 spl.
I have lots of 44 Spl ammo but the gun in this thread is a 45.
What is the overall cartridge length for a 44 special have to be in one of these guns?

Thanks

[OldWin]

Good shootin old buddy!
The group on the left with the .44 is very good.
I would think a '72 in .44spec. would just be the bees knees.

[Pitchy]

Good shootin old buddy!
The group on the left with the .44 is very good.
I would think a '72 in .44spec. would just be the bees knees.

Thanks buddy, if I get a 72 it will probably be in 45 to match this one.

[Rusty]

Nice shootin Pitchy. Those 1860's are great shooters. I had an original that was passed down from my dad. Ser # 30060. I'll never forget it. One of those things you kick yourself for.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Rusty.