Drop in conversion cylinders are an easy and convenient way to enjoy shooting conventional cartridge ammunition out of your steel frame black powder revolver. Just as your revolver requires occasional maintenance and cleaning, conversion cylinders are no exception. Here are some quick tips on how to make sure your conversion cylinder stays in good working order.

Parts Removal, Cleaning, and Installation

For thorough cleaning, you will want to remove the firing pins from the cap. To do this, start by pulling the cap off the cylinder body. Each firing pin is held in by a threaded locking collar called a ferrule. Each ferrule has two small slots. To remove the ferrule, unthread it counterclockwise until it completely comes out. This is most easily accomplished with one of our ferrule removal tools. The firing pin can now easily be removed from the firing pin hole. Any fouling or debris can now be cleaned out from the firing pin hole, and the ferrule and firing pin can be cleaned as well. Repeat this with each firing pin as needed.

You can clean the cylinder body by running a nylon brush with gun oil down the chambers, and swab with patches until clean. To reassemble, put the firing pin back in its hole and reinstall the ferrule by tightening clockwise. The ferrules only need to be hand tight. Do not overtighten the ferrule as they could become stuck or difficult to remove. Repeat this until each firing pin and ferrule is installed.

Always check that each firing pin is freely moving in its hole. You can then place the cap back on the cylinder body and wipe down with an oiled rag to protect the finish.

Tools and Spare Parts

In the event firing pins need to be replaced we do carry spare firing pins and ferrules for each model of conversion cylinder. Make sure you select the correct firing pins/ ferrules for your specific cylinder, as there are different sizes depending on the model. We also carry a ferrule removal tool that is a 1.5” long, heat treated steel forked tool with a textured grip that makes removing the ferrules simple and easy.

Using Black Powder Ammunition

For shooters who are using black powder ammunition it is imperative that you remove the firing pins and ferrules after each use to perform a detailed and thorough cleaning of the entire cylinder and its parts. Black powder fouling is highly corrosive, and if the firing pins and ferrules aren’t removed and cleaned, they could rust and pit, causing function issues and damage. Additionally, the cylinder body, and all exterior surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned as well to prevent rust or pitting in the chambers and on the surface of the cylinder. 

Dry Firing

Dry firing is not recommended in any of the conversion cylinders. Dry firing will cause damage by peening or deforming the ferrule which will prevent proper movement of the firing pin and could also damage the firing pin itself. If you are wanting to practice firing with a conversion cylinder, snap caps will absorb some of the impact – but we cannot guarantee that the firing pins/ ferrules will not peen over or get damaged. Should damage result from dry firing, you can order firing pin and ferrule replacements from us directly.