Tried to order the Thunderer grip frame....impossible to find.....so bought a Pietta Yank Subnose .44 with the birdshead grips and swapped barrels with another Pietta.....so now I have both a cap and ball belly gun and a a revolver with both a 5.5 inch barrel and birdshead grips....way cool!!!!

It would have been hard to get 1877 type birdsheads to fit. They would have to be made from scratch(Thunderer type). But simple birdsheads were often made for 1860s and 1851 by forging the back strap into a continuous curve.

That's really cool ! Thanks Mike.

This mod is pretty straight forward. Just be careful drilling the spring hole in the shortened rammer. A drill press is handy

ha ha this was the first video i saw of this channel and it really got me onto black powder 2 years ago

I bought it 20 years ago from a company that doesn't exist any more.

I like the idea of this. I have a 1851 pietta in .44 that I’d like to convert to shoot .45 colt. Problem is finding a conversion cylinder that’s in stock is a challenge. I’d like to get a birds head grip as well, though for the price some sellers are asking, it may be wiser to just buy the 1851 snub nose and swap the barrel.

I am starting to regret building an ar 15 first and not a muzzle loader kit. Thank you for all you videos. O this is mi daughers sign on.

I have an 1860 Army and an 1851 Navy in .44 cal, both Pietta. I bought one of those conversion cylinders for my guns, and it worked perfectly in the 1860 Army. It wasn't advertised to fit the .44 cal 1851, but after I ever so slightly filed the top of the hand, it worked perfectly in the 1851 as well. It's lost of fun to shoot, and really doesn't take any longer than a regular SAA to reload, although you do have to field strip the gun to do it.

@daniell9324

6 жыл бұрын

Robert Allen What's the ammo you use? If ya don't mind me asking.

scavanged grips off a couple snubbies and made similar guns with '60 and '51 "sheriff" barrels. both great shooters!

I think I just fell in love with that 'Thunderbolt' How about a step by step video on building one with the cartridge conversion etc, etc. ? Please!!!!

I'm definitely gonna make one of these in cap and ball form

Thank you for sharing your video.

I got an engraved brass 1851 frame with an 1860 Snubnose Barrel. Looks great. Havnt shot it yet. It's all Pietta

That's what I thought, but I'm not sure if the screw holes on birdshead grips made for real guns will line up exactly with the screw holes in the frames of the non-firing replicas. I don't know how dimensionally exact they are made.

Have you used any of the drop in cylinders from Taylor & Co.? In particular they make one for the Pietta 1860 Army.

It wants to over rotate. It would need a new hand fitted for that cylinder.

Thanks for these videos. It's rekindled my interest and led me to dig out my old ASM 1860. You say the Uberti cylinder had "some issues". What kind of "issues"?

Hello!, nice video, i'm Andrea from Italy :-)

I would like too see this conversion cylinder used in the 1851.

ASM had such nice case colors on their Colt replicas…

I've got a couple of Pietta 1860s Sheriffs that I'd like to do Birdshead grips on. It sounds like the Uberti back strap and some grips is all I need but was wondering how much work I can expect to fit it all together. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome. Thanks

I have a 3" 1860 army Pietta with birdshead grip, hopefully I can get a Pietta conversion and 5.5" barrel to fit.

Going with gated conversions for my colt replicas and basic conversion cylinders for my Remmy repros.

Yes

Please advise where you purchased the thunderer grip frame with wood .?

If you slow down the video during the first shot the loser sees, you'll notice the bullet flying towards the camera surrounded by fire. Awesome.

Awesome vid. Do you think I could do this to a nonfiring replica?

That's a very neat setup! I'm just getting into guns myself and I LOVE the old black powder revolvers. I also like the idea of a conversion cylinder to shoot cartridges. I am currently in the process of purchasing the Uberti 1860 Army, and am looking forward to create my own Thunderbolt! Do you have any advice that would make my journey easier??

Howell conversion cylinder - Very interesting way to speed load a BP revolver.

I love the looks of your 1860 Army Thunderbolt! Where can I get parts needed to do this ?? I am told that some one on the NET sells them. I can do a little minor hand fitting but not much else.

@duelist1954

9 жыл бұрын

Try Vti Gunparts

I built this gun about 15 years ago, and it is an Armi San Marcos gun and grip frame, and they are long out of business. So my source won't do you any good. If I were you I'd go to Cimarron Firearms to get the parts you need. Or try VTI gun parts.

I absolutely love your videos. You are extremely informative, entertaining, and just plain fun to watch. You really bring me back to the olden days when you cover old west guns. I just have one request...Can you please not shoot steel on every shot? Maybe shoot some wood or two liters every other reload. I only ask because I personally enjoy just hearing the blast and comparing different loadings and calibers, and that ringing sound makes it darn near impossible at times, especially with lighter loads and smaller calibers. If you have very good reasons why you can't, such as range rules, or you just prefer not to, don't worry, you won't lose a loyal fan as a result. Just a request, and thank you for all the wonderful videos, the small fortune you've spent making them, and the hours of enjoyment and wisdom you have provided.

ooooh simply amazing.

The muzzle flash from the first shot at the shootee's point of view looked like the Eye of Sauron. :)

This gun... looks very interesting indeed.

Nice!

i've got a pair of 51 navvy's that i'm thinking of putting birds-heads on. i'm wondering if the grips would make it harder to shoot double duelist, on account of the ridge

Hey Mike, I absolutely love that gun, and I think I'm going to attempt to build one someday. Did you need to get the Thunderer backstrap and grip frame, or do you only need the backstrap?

Can you put a Uberti Thunderball grip frame on a Pietta 1860?

Sure. They sell a version for Piettas.

I need one of these

Boy.... that's a heck of a "CLANNGGGGG" there at the end!!! ;^) lol

Ive got a question for u .......when u shoot the conversion cylinder with the regular ammunition are you using smokeless powder in those 5 charges for the bullets or is it still black powder in them......??

nice gun. where did you get the grip assembly? was thinking about starting a project similar with a 1860 and put a birdshead on it

Looking to convert a pietta 1851 .44 to accept the kirst konverter gated cylinder. Should I go through the time and expense of porting the frame myself or purchase one factory converted?

I think just the backstrap. It has been about 14 years since I built it, so I'm a bit hazy.

Is it possible to buy the Thunderer pistol grip like on your piece today and if yes where ? Thanks concho

How can the timing work properly if the gun is originally a six chamber design and now has five without changing the cylinder pawl?

Hi Mike,Some months ago, you recommended I send my Pietta 1851 Navy to Tom at Bozeman Trail in MT for gunsmithing. I did that and he also fitted a .45LC conversion cylinder. Tom did a phenominall job. Unfortunately, I encountered a major problem. I went out yesterday afternoon and put three cyllinders full of .45LC cowboy action loads through the pistol with great succes. Tnen, I began to experience big trouble. Here is what happens.1. If the cartridge cylinder is in the gun and no rounds are loaded in the cylinder, it rotates and locks up perfectly with the individual firing pins dead center of the hammer.2 - If I load the cylinder with five cartridges the cylinder will not turn. 3. If I load a partial cylinder the cylinder will rotate and lock up perfectly until the loaded chamber is the next cylinder to pass under the hammer and then the gun locks up and the cylinder will not rotate.I carefully examined the cylinder and I cannot see that any of the ndividual firing pins are sticking out too far or stuck in the forward positon. Since the cylinder rotates perfectly with no rounds loaded, it suggests that the cylinder back plate that fits over the loaded rounds is the problem - right?Any thoughts? This is very disappointing. I have contact Tom and the cylinder manufacturer on this issue as well. Best an God d bless,Jeff

@duelist1954

7 жыл бұрын

Not being able to examine it myself I can only guess, but I would check the bolt/trigger spring first for breaks or cracks

@outrider53

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike

@markcharleswashington2073

6 жыл бұрын

Use snap caps in the empty holes.

Scary the way you need to adjust the cylinder....forget once and it blows right in the hand.

have a conversion like that on a Pietta and with .45 Cowboy Special cartridges is great fun to shoot. Real Gunpowder, of course, what else?

Mike - Another great video. I have an Armi San Marcos 1860 cap & ball I would llike to use the Howells cylinder with. Does the Uberti cylinder work better with Armi San Marcos or Pietta?

@duelist1954

10 жыл бұрын

Piettas don't fit, but I use an Uberti conversion cylinder on one of my ASMs.

@SuperMarshall2009

10 жыл бұрын

duelist1954 Thanks Mike! I got a Uberti Howells conversion in 45 and it fits my Armi San Marco 1860 just fine. Times right up! I can't find any 45 ammo around at the moment, so I used some 22LR conversion inserts. It went bang just fine. Now I just need warm weather to go out and play with it sometime. Keep those videos coming.

@MrMKH2010 I wasn't planning on making a non firing replica actually fire. I have a denix 1860 army and I want to put birdshead grips on it.

@ElMuertoMonkey it being black powder it isnt considered a "fire arm" many people can do online courses and learn how to make there own black powder rifle...about the "speed load" i couldnt tell ya...but having to break the gun down completely, i doubt they will complain

I would like to see Birdhead grips on the Cooper Double Action..... and the Remington 1858, and the Colt Navy, hell they'd look good on a 6" Python or 29.

Is over rotating a common issue with the conversion cylinders ?

Nice revolver. The 1860 is more elegant than the Single Action Army, but not as strong due to its older design. I like the revolver you made and how would one make such a piece like you got? What Uberti or Cimarron revolver can this be done with, Mike? Does Brownell's have the parts and pieces as well? Thank you. -a Colt Walker fan

What an interesting revolver, Sir! I usually prefer six-round cylinders particularly cartridge ones. Is it possible to create your own fantasy revolvers?

So are those black powder cartridges ?

Crazy question but... whered ya get your hat and what is it called?

@duelist1954

10 жыл бұрын

It is made by D Bar J in Las Vegas. I guess it is the Everett Hitch hat...modeled after the hat that character wore in Appaloosa

@SinnKanos

10 жыл бұрын

I like that movie. Thx for answering!

@CincoPontosTattooing You should not use cartridge cylinders on brass framed guns.

Now with the conversion cylinder can you only shoot black powder cartridges?

@duelist1954

6 жыл бұрын

Collin Elam No, it will work with any Sammi spec ammo

@TheMusketMan98

6 жыл бұрын

duelist1954 Than the cowboy action rounds would be perfect?

That's what I thought after seeing an exploded view. I hope it is just the backstrap, just that one part is ridiculously expensive from the one website that seems to carry it.

Is it possible that in the late 19th century, theoretically, someone could put birds head grips on a percussion or conversion model 1851 or 1860 colt revolver. Also, which birds had grip is more accurate, the Uberti birdshead our the Cimarron Thunderer

On some absolutly, palmerto firearms soled some deactivated replicas with milled out drums, the barrel were untuched

I know old video...my ears are ringing :)

No thunderer birdshead grip parts for any pistol at VTI Gun parts that I could discover. I really would like to take on that project. Where did you get yours, or did you make those parts?? Additionally, I am told that a .36 cal cap & ball revolver has a .375 bore diameter ( land to land or grove to grove? ) and a .357 .38spl bullet would wobble from side to side. How do you get and accuracy?

@TheBlytheking

9 жыл бұрын

Carroll Griffin I did a conversion on a '61 Uberti .36 and used Speer Hollow Based wadcutters set deep in .357 cases to fit the cylinder. At 700 fps and they expand well and are accurate. Hodgdon Titegroup in light loads (check loading tables) works well.

@billy56081

5 жыл бұрын

I have a hollow base mould that throws about a 160 grain RNFP bullet.

didnt doc holliday shoot a thunderer?

Howells Old West Conversions

I had to swap hands in mine ,to stop the over rotation.

Have you ever competed with any of your fantasy guns?

have you tried the drop in conversion cylinder in 22lr for the 1860 colts

@duelist1954

8 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but I have not

I'm not familliar with the dimensions of non-firing replicas, so I can't say.

is this a Uberti? and if so, where did you find the birds heads grip for it? i have these little wussy hands you see, and the regular grip my 1860 has is just a bit too big. any help would my much appreciated.

@duelist1954

6 жыл бұрын

It is an Armi San Marcos. I built it in the 1990s

@0311matt

6 жыл бұрын

well dang, is there a company or caftsman out there you know of that makes makes a good custom grip for the Ubreti 1860s? thanks the the fast response by the way.

@duelist1954

6 жыл бұрын

matty McGee Cimarron May have the Uberti version of 5tat grip

@0311matt

6 жыл бұрын

thank ya much for the time

do they make a conversion for my ruger old army?

Can you shoot smokeless cartridges of of this

Can you shoot smokeless powder cartridges in the conversion cylinder? I can only find smokeless 45 colt. :/

@duelist1954

7 жыл бұрын

Eric Jesperson Yes

@teddyfartypants

7 жыл бұрын

So they have to be light loads, or will it shoot any commercial full powered smokeless ammo?

can i put this conversion cylinder on my pietta 1860 army?

Nice vid, nice project, well done, but it is strange to me. What's the sense of it? For plinking etc. one could better use a contemporary revolver, and if one is a lover of ancient guns its a shame to do such mean things to 'em ... ;-)

Yeeehaaaw! BBQ time!

Hello Mike Will that grip and back strap fit my screw pattern on my cimmaron eliminator 8??

@duelist1954

3 жыл бұрын

The grip frame I used is made by Uberti, it won’t fit your Pietta made gun. But Pietta makes similar grip frames, like the grips on the El Malo. Those will fit your gun.

@Platano_macho

3 жыл бұрын

@@duelist1954 what model do I need to look into to put thunderer grips on my eliminator I like that grip over the birdshead grip

@duelist1954

3 жыл бұрын

@@Platano_macho As I said above...Pietta makes similar grip frames, like the grips on the El Malo.

@Platano_macho

3 жыл бұрын

@@duelist1954 sorry mike thank you

Thanks, I'm writing a western and want my info to be accurate, even if fictional. Much obliged.

Dang, shoots at about 1:30 scared the crap out of me.

Dont bother with the lemat conversion. It is possible. But extremely expensive. There isn't a close enough match to the .41 cal it fires to have a cartridge cylinder.

Where can I get the birdshead backstrap I want to put one on my 51 navy

@duelist1954

3 жыл бұрын

Try VTI Gunparts

@watchoutnwo

3 жыл бұрын

@@duelist1954 thank you for the help Mike you've really helped me alot with my 51 navy since I got it I just bought the 73 thunderer backstrap to slap on my uberti just need to modify an old grip to fit her

@MrGr1874 I'll see what I can do.

HI just one thing? Why don't u just get a new hammer that could work with the borr through drum?

hey did you just call me a loser but I like what you got there send me more information if you can

The dimensions of a non firing replica are made smaller so they can never be converted to fire. Converting a non firing replica to shoot will get you in big trouble.

You should of put the james bond thing around the screen at the end for lols

I'll do that

5:41 church bell shooting &))

Awesome. Do you think this could be done on a nonfiring replica?

@ 2:56 Please disregard my last comment Sir!!

So -isn't that overrotating unsafe?

@robertallen4627

7 жыл бұрын

If you fire it over-rotated that could cause a problem. The gentleman in the video was pushing the cylinder back into battery with his finger, so it was safe to shoot.

@QuantumCat76

7 жыл бұрын

I noticed. Maybe I should have used "potential dangerous" And give a bit more context: I wasn't referring to the gentlemans actions, I was referring to the product itself.

5:50 Hello dislikers!

As a felon, if you served a term of less than one year you may still purchase a firearm. Not withholding other circumstances. If this is not the case, your brother has lost his right to possess a firearms. While in most states black powder "muzzleloading" firearms are considered non-firearms, I would still advise that your brother look for alternative self defense tools such as pepper spray. I am unsure how a police or parole officer would view such a revolver and may still be a violation of...

his parole or other statute. I do not intend to know your particular circumstance but seeing as the law and your brother seem to not have a very good reputation. Keeping everything a non issue seems preferable to potentially incarcerating your brother again. Also, the fact that many of these are cartridge convertible would almost certainly make these a violation of his release or parole.

The looser is still standing, 🤔