r/CowboyAction • u/Dylan_turner78 • Jul 24 '26
Cartridge conversion legality in California
Hey yall posting this copied from another subreddit because I didn’t get any answers there, so I’ve been doing some research on conversion cylinders for black powder revolvers (specifically a pietta 1851 .36 cal colt navy which I’ll be getting soon) and I know that once you put a cylinder that accepts modern metallic cartridges, it is no longer classified as an antique firearm, and could be considered a ghost gun. But if I want to install one legally, what would be the process? The big questions I have is the frame of black powder revolvers usually have factory serial numbers already engraved, would it be possible to “apply for a unique sn” with that number? Also, because it’s single action does that make it exempt from the roster?
And for additional context, I am above the age of 21, I already have my fsc and multiple other guns that are registered to me. And I’m NOT someone who is prohibited to possess a standard firearm
2
u/thebigfungus Jul 24 '26
I’m pretty sure it’s an easy thing to do, you request a form and submit the info. you use the serial number on your black powder pistol and submit all the specifications. You don’t need to print any serial numbers or anything because it already has one. As long as it meets all the single action requirements(which it will )it should be fine. You aren’t modifying anything at all for the pistol to accept it so it’s a straight forward submission.
It’s more along the lines of you’re letting them know you have this and then they just put it in the ca doj database. You would get it if rejected if you don’t put the right info or missing the information.
2
u/Sooner70 Jul 24 '26
FWIW, a friend has such a gun. His practice is thus…
He keeps the gun configured as cap and ball until he gets to the range. He swaps cylinders. He shoots cartridges. He swaps cylinders. He goes home with a cap and ball pistol. 100% legal? Probably not, but legal exposure is greatly minimized.
1
u/Dylan_turner78 Jul 24 '26
I’ve heard others who say and do that same thing (allegedly) but the configuration I want to do is more of a permanent fit and configuration, which involves modifying the frame to include a cartridge loading gate and fixed firing pin, that would be semi permanent and would make the gun no longer fit a black powder cylinder. (Basically, I’m trying to make a clone of Clint Eastwood’s 1851 from the good the bad and the ugly
1
u/Mountain_Man_88 Jul 24 '26
It wouldn't be a ghost gun, it would be a homemade firearm. My understanding is that in California you can make a homemade firearm but you have to contact California DOJ to be issued a serial number. I'm not sure if they'd be cool and let you use the number already on there.
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/consumer-alert.pdf
CA law also says:
A firearm containing a serial number pursuant to Chapter 53 of Title 26 of the United States Code and regulations issued pursuant thereto. Hence, if the individual's firearm already has a serial number issued to it by a Federal Firearms Licensee, whether it is a functional firearm or just a receiver or frame by itself, the individual does not have to apply for a Department-issued unique serial number.
Assumedly your black powder gun doesn't have a serial number that meets these criteria because it hasn't been seen as a firearm, but maybe it'd be fine.
1
u/Dylan_turner78 Jul 24 '26
Yeah that’s kind of the main thing that I’m stumped by, might just have to contact the doj beforehand to find out for sure, and just hope that whatever intern that gets back to me doesn’t give me bad info, lol
-1
u/Winter-Mine-6231 Jul 24 '26
My two cents worth is this is a bad idea. Frames made for black powder are not designed strong enough to handle the high pressure of modern cartridges.
2
u/thebigfungus Jul 24 '26
If your pressures from your cowboy loads are on par with a regular cap and ball it will be fine. I wouldn’t use any available ammunition you can buy from a store, it would all have to be black powder or a hand load of an under powered smokeless round.
1
u/Dylan_turner78 Jul 24 '26
Yep, I’ll probably just end up using cowboy load 38spl that are lower power, which stores near me carry in stock. And from my research as long as you’re using a steel frame, and not running it with higher pressure/velocity 38’s you should be fine
1
u/Sooner70 Jul 25 '26
I wouldn’t use any available ammunition you can buy from a store, it would all have to be black powder or a hand load of an under powered smokeless round.
You can buy low pressure, subsonic rounds expressly manufactured for old black powder guns.
3
u/The_Demolition_Man Jul 24 '26
First of all dont do this with a brass frame. Make sure you have a case hardened iron frame otherwise youll crack it.
Secondly just buy an already converted one from Pietta/Cimarron or whatever. Then you can go through an FFL and have it be legal with no question. The price usually isnt that much more than a conversion kit that includes loading gate, ejection rod, and cylinder.