The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Jim, JT, whomever.... Opentop, modern cartridge question

Jim, JT, whomever.... Opentop, modern cartridge question (reply)

Jared — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:06:54 +0000

Nice looking pair. I have a few of the open tops including a 38 Special Richards Mason and try to load them with standard load on the lower end. My 38 has fairly tight throats so SWCs sized to .358” are a tight fit. They shoot but can cause a little drag on the recoil shield when you cock it.

Thanks Tony! (reply)

Hoot — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:00:15 +0000

That's a splendid idea.

Ah yes, sorry for the misnomer. (reply)

Hoot — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:59:35 +0000

I was running off vague memories. And, thank you!

Nice set! (reply)

Slow Hand — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:26:55 +0000

I’ve been wanting to get a conversion of some sort recently. I miss my pair of 1872 Open Tops I used to shoot CAS with. They weren’t ‘conversions’ but had similar styling.

I would think that if they are marked 38 Special, and standard load would be safe in them. I know some were sold as 38 Colt’s and Black Hills and others loaded it, but if marked Special, I can’t imagine it not being safe to shoot anything under +P loads in them. Not that you’ll beat them up, but I wouldn’t have any trouble going beyond Trail Boss loads.

Jim, JT, whomever.... Opentop, modern cartridge question (reply)

JT — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 02:41:17 +0000

those are Richards-Mason Conversions- standard loads only

I have one…. (reply)

Otony — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 02:39:47 +0000

I use light loads in new .38 Short Colt brass with a 125 grain cast bullet. Coincidentally, that is pretty darn close to what original conversions used, however without a rebated bullet.

I have no clue what these would manage to tolerate, and have no real interest in exploring that at all. In fact, I use the Short Colt brass for three reasons, first, because I got a bunch at bargain basement prices. Second, as mentioned above, it is historically correct…if you squint a little and ignore the powder coated bullets, lol! Third, and most importantly, it saves me from EVER wondering if I’m stuffing a .38 Special +P in my toy inadvertently.

It is instantly obvious, the short brass is visually easy to spot. No guesswork, and at the end of the day the resolver is in one piece and better yet, my fingers are still attached.

Not sure if that really answers your question. Ah, one more thing. Be careful if you google.38 Short Colt load formulas, btw. A lot of DA revolver gamers use Short Colt brass loaded to warm 9mm Luger pressures. The idea is to make some sort of power factor AND have quick loading and ejection due to the abbreviated cases. Their loads are not bueno in these guns.

Otony

John Taffin will be the one with some answers/guidelines. (reply)

JimT — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 01:08:42 +0000

I have never even handled one.
Hate to admit that, but hey, everyone has areas of failure.

Jim, JT, whomever.... Opentop, modern cartridge question

Hoot — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 23:30:42 +0000

I bought a pair of what I believe are Richardson conversion copies chambered in .38 Spl They were made/marketed by Traditions and I assume in a craft-made case. Nice looking but non-consecutive.

I have only shot very light .38 Spl loads, mostly TrailBoss. I've no intention in finding the outer limits of .38 Spl loads but I'd appreciate any sort of insights or guidelines for loading these pistols.

Thank you!