.45 LC and .45 ACP Konverters for .44 caliber 1851 Pietta Navy revolvers
The 1851 Colt Navy has always been considered one of the best balanced and most accurate of all percussion revolvers. It was the favored revolver of renowned shootist Wild Bill Hickok, who carried two of them as his most trustworthy defense throughout the days of the Wild West.
Pietta offers the ’51 Colt Navy with a STEEL frame in half a dozen different variations, plus they are also in the larger .44 percussion caliber. Now you can have the best-balanced percussion revolver, in the best caliber for a conversion; because a .44 percussion barrel has the exact bore dimensions required to shoot .45 caliber ammunition. Add the new, 1851 Colt Improved Ejector to your Kirst Konverter and you have the best of both worlds; balance, accuracy, and the iconic looks of a classic Old West revolver, plus the hard-hitting power of a .45 caliber cartridge.
Once converted, these Pietta revolvers can fire Standard Pressure and Cowboy Action ammo in .45 LC and .45 Schofield, or .45 ACP. Note: The use of jacketed ammo may cause slightly more wear to the bore of the barrel than using lead bullets. Don’t use +P ammo or any other high-pressure ammunition.
No F.F.L. paperwork is required to purchase a Kirst Konverter. All Kirst Konverters carry a lifetime "No B.S." warranty, plus they are made with pride in the good, old U.S.A.
Please note that all the selected .44 caliber Pietta Navy revolvers shown here have steel frames. Never install a cartridge converter in a brass frame revolver, as they are not safe to fire cartridges in.
A Kirst Konverter in .45 LC will convert any steel frame .44 caliber Colt Cap & Ball revolver to fire five cartridges of either .45 Long Colt or .45 Schofield. NOTE: The SAAMI specification for overall length for the .45 Colt is 1.600 inch. The longest OAL that 1860 Pietta cylinder will accept is 1.58 inch. There are brands of modern ammunition that have an overall length of 1.58 inch or less. Just make sure your brand of ammo will definitely fit before purchasing it.
Do not use the Kirst Konverter in revolvers with a brass frame (except for .22 caliber rimfire Konverters.) Be careful to never install a .45 caliber Kirst Konverter in a revolver with a .36 caliber barrel.
Adding an ejector assembly completes the conversion and makes it quick and easy to eject cases once you grind in a loading port with a Dremel rotary tool. Simple, step-by-step instructions are included with each Konverter and can also be found on our FAQ’s page or by clicking on Cutting a loading port – Instructional video.
1851 Colt, IMPROVED Ejector Assembly
The 1851 Colt ejector assembly has been improved by adding a threaded nut, so the assembly can self-adjust as it is installed into the revolver. A pointed retaining screw has also been added to make the installation easier, as it will self-align with the adjusting nut and the threads on the loading lever housing. Each ejector assembly comes with simple, step-by-step instructions taking the guess work out of the installation process.
2 Step Hands for Uberti or Pietta revolvers
This Kirst 2-Step Hand is specifically designed to improve the lock up of Uberti or Pietta percussion revolvers converted with 5 shot Kirst Cartridge Konverters. It allows the 1860 Army, including the .45 caliber 1851 Navy Model and the Dance revolver, to function smoothly and more dependably than the factory-made hand. In addition, this Kirst hand spring is stronger and less apt to fail, which is common with the factory hands.