Jim, I recently watched the 1985 movie ‘Pale Rider‘ with Clint Eastwood and noticed in the movie that he used what appeared to be a 1858 Remington pistol, I didn’t notice if it was a cap and ball or if it was converted to use conventional ammo. Where can you get those cylinders you mentioned? Seems like a very cool pistol advertised at Cabela’s. But wouldn’t BATFE be all over a loophole that allows a non-FFL firearm to be converted? Just curious..- Jason North Idaho
JWR Replies: Here in the U.S., if it is the end user/owner (a non-FFL holder) that is converting a blackpowder replica to take modern metallic cartridges (via a replacement cylinder) , then it is perfectly legal. Nice loophole. (Note, however, that is the Federal law. Your State and local laws may vary.) IMHO, the highest quality conversions are the Kirst conversions for Rugers. (They also do Colts and Remingtons.) FWIW, I like their Ruger Old Army job the best. If I was going to buy a blackpowder revolver with a cartridge conversion in mind, then that is the model that I’d start with.