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These 5 Rugers have been converted to nitro by having a special new cylinder made , and then the whole gun re-proofed to nitro standards. The new cylinder has shotgun primer ignition. Note: it is mentioned that black powder and smokeless powder should NOT be combined in any attempt at duplex loading.

UK manufacturers of nitro cylinder conversions are: Alan Westlake (Westlake Engineering) (1 example below), Bob Dunkley (2 examples below), Ian Wiggins (Falcon Gun Company) (1 example below), and Richard Kershaw (1 example below).

My new cylinder was made by Alan Westlake (Westlake Engineering).

Bob Dunkley Firearms
15A Hartington Road
Middlesbrough
Cleveland TS1 5ED
Tel: (01642) 253333
Fax: (01642) 253444

Rob and Francis, both members of Ham and Petersham, have Ruger Old Army pistols converted by Bob Dunkley.

Note the maximum load engraved on the cylinder as 4.3 grains of Alliant Unique powder with a 200grain rnl (round nosed lead) bullet.

Photo by Rob.

The central / axial protrusion on the lid fits into the recess on the cylinder body. The locating pin on the body fits into the hole on the lid. the location of the two parts is exact.

The "business end", looking into the mouth of the cylinder.

Notice that on the Dunkley (photo above) the "axial well" is on the main cylinder body in the centre of the primer pockets and the raised part to fit into it is on the "lid" part of the cylinder. The Westlake is the mirror image of this arrangement.

The Westlake has two locating pins on the lid with corresponding holes in the cylinder body. The Dunkley has one locating pin on the cylinder body and a corresponding hole in the lid.

Other than that, they are very similar, both having six firing pins. Certainly they operate in the same way.

Both makes have to have the cylinder removed from the frame to load the shotshell primers.

Ian Wiggins,

Falcon Gun Company

01732 850296 and 01732 851627

This gun belongs to Rod at Ham and Petersham.

The gunsmithing is well done, workmanship to a high standard. A very reliable conversion.

Richard Kershaw
Kershaw Engineering
07968 722259
dickkershaw@googlemail.com

This gun belongs to Matt Fidler who kindly sent me these photos.

As I have never seen or touched this gun I am unable to pass further comment, but Matt is very pleased with it.

National Shooting Centre Bisley