Ruger Old Army Conversion Cylinder Damage?

competentone

November 27, 2012 08:20

I may have an opportunity to buy a conversion cylinder for a Ruger Old Army. I'm not sure who the manufacturer is of the one I'll be looking at, but understand that both the two major manufacturer's conversion cylinders can be damaged if they are dry fired.

Does any one know what I should be looking for -- or if I can actually see the damage -- to determine if it's been dry fired? What actually happens when these are dry fired that causes damage to what parts?

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  perry shooter

  November 27, 2012 08:36

  the original hammer and cylinder had Nipples that you would install
  percussion caps on I dont know how the conversion cylinder is made but it would have to have a backing plate with short firing pin This is the area that could get damaged if the firing pins did not have a cartridge to cusion the firing pin from the hammer contact when you pull the trigger "Dry Fire"

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  charliemeyer007

  November 27, 2012 08:36

  I'm thinking that there isn't a lot of medal in the cylinder cap so the firing pin could hammer out the chamber side.
  
  http://www.howelloldwestconversions.com/shop/productinfo.cfm?catID=261&productid=810&cfid=1207657&cftoken=87571573

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  competentone

  November 27, 2012 20:05

  quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
  I'm thinking that there isn't a lot of medal in the cylinder cap so the firing pin could hammer out the chamber side.
  
  
  
  That's an interesting thought. If it's a possibility, I'd expect a straight-edge on the cap should reveal such damage.

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  moonshine

  November 28, 2012 14:56

  I just checked my Taylor conversion cyl. on this model the firing pin floats in the holder. you could conceivably damage the end of the firing pin if you dry fired enough..
  
  http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/cartridge-conversions.html
  
  
  Here is something else you might like. They really work.
  I use them im my old army.
  
  http://www.beltmountain.com/ruger.htm#OldArmy
  
  PS. Ruger forum has a great section on Black powder and Old Army.

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