Ruger Old Army Conversion Cylinder Damage?

competentone

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?

perry shooter

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"

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.

http://www.howelloldwestconversions.com/shop/productinfo.cfm?catID=261&productid=810&cfid=1207657&cftoken=87571573

competentone

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.

moonshine

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.