Italian Revolvers:

The quickest way to identify when the pistol was manufactured is to look for the Italian Proof Date Code.  The two-letter code is enclosed in a rectangle and typically on the right side of the pistol, near the trigger guard, or behind the grip area.  We are not looking for the “PN.”  Please reference the chart below.  If the percussion pistol was manufactured prior to 2002, please do not order. Frames and parts are different in older percussion pistols. These slight differences may affect chamber alignment to the barrel and how the cylinder indexes.  We are no longer manufacturing custom conversion cylinders.  If your revolver is manufactured after 2002 and needs a fitting, Click here for the Howell Arms Work Form.

Due to gun manufacturers variances, we sometimes must fit a conversion cylinder to a pistol.  We always try to make any adjustments to our cylinder to make it work, however, because these pistols are hand assembled by people, the internal parts, such as the hands, or bolts may be modified. We will never alter a pistol without the customers approval.

Note:  We will not fit a conversion cylinder to a revolver that was manufactured prior to 2002. 

Fittings are only $35 plus shipping to and from customer.  Please keep in mind, if we must replace parts, or additional labor is required these costs are not included in the $35 fitting fee. Click here for the Howell Arms Work Form.  Please note when shipping in a revolver for a fitting, conversion cylinders must ship separate from the black powder revolver.

99% of Rugers do not require fittings, however, we have found that sometimes we do have to fit the Howell Conversion cylinder to fit inside the frame. For a perfect fit in your revolver, please click here and follow the Ruger Measurement Instructions PDF. If the measurements are correct, please order. If smaller, please provide dimensions at the checkout in the Ruger Measurement field. We will need to modify our cylinder to fit in your frame. Please call with any questions.  If you are unable to measure your Ruger, you can always to ship to us and we can measure for you. Click here for the Howell Arms Work Form

The conversions cylinders were built for the following manufacturers:  Pietta, Ruger, Uberti and the Euroarms Rogers & Spencer.  If the pistol is manufactured by any of the manufacturers from above or one that is not listed, do not order.  Our cylinders will not work with other manufacturers. We are not manufacturing making custom conversion cylinders.

Cowboy ammunition is loaded with lead bullets and either smokeless powder, black powder, or black powder substitutes in a brass case.  We do not recommend using ammo with a muzzle velocity over 850 fps/12,000psi. 

A few manufacturers that make cowboy ammo:

1. Choice Ammunition
2. Black Hills
3. Fiocchi
4. Ultramax
5. HSM Cowboy

Jacketed ammunition exerts higher pressures than cowboy ammunition.  The barrel is designed for LEAD bullets only. The rifling in the barrel is deeper than a barrel designed to fire Jacketed ammunition.  Jacketed ammunition creates more pressure and is absorbed either by the firing pins/ferrules, the arbor pin and or the frame. This can cause damage.

We do not recommend dry firing. If you must practice, a snap cap will absorb some of the impact, but we cannot guarantee that the firing pins will not peen over.  Should damage result from dry firing, replacement firing pins can be ordered here.

To overcome the larger bore of the 1851, 1861, & 1858 .36 revolver (.361), we recommend using the hollow base bullet.  A hollow base bullet will expand into the rifling and allow for more accuracy.  We recommend using a 38Spl Hollow base wad cutter.

If you prefer not to have to use a hollow base bullet, lining the barrel would a better option.  Please refer to the question, “Is barrel lining necessary in my .36 percussion pistol?” See Barrel Lining service here.

The .36 barrel of the 1851, 1861, or 1858 has a bore dimension of .361.  Any 38-caliber bullet is .357.  So how do you overcome the larger bore?  A simple solution would be to use a hollow base bullet, A BETTER option, would be, to line your barrel with .357 (Groove Diameter) .351 Bore diameter hammer forged barrel liner.  Lining the barrel would allow you shoot any Cowboy 38 caliber cartridge.  You can also still shoot with percussion cylinder. See Barrel Lining service here.

No, we do not.

No, it will only reduce the amount of force needed to cock the Thompson.  The urethane buffer will absorb the impact of the bolt.  The original Thompson used a phenolic & steel wafer to absorb the impact of the bolt. For more information about Reduced Pull Spring kit click here.

The Reduced Pull Spring kit can be used with blank and live rounds of ammunition.

Do I need to order a replacement urethane buffer?  Not necessary but if you would like to order an additional buffer, click here.

We’re so sorry to hear an item was damaged! Please contact Howell Arms after receiving a damaged shipment and we will be more than happy to help you.

Office 608-563-0974 or you can email us at:  [email protected]

When will my order ship?

Excited to get your order? We know the feeling! All orders are processed upon receipt. Actual shipping time is contingent upon the availability of merchandise and credit verification. Most orders are shipped within 1 business days of receiving your order. Orders placed after 10:00 AM CT will be processed the following business day. Please note that orders are not processed or shipped on Saturdays or Sundays.

Orders ship from the Janesville Wisconsin. Our standard shipping method is UPS Ground Shipping, but you will be given a choice of shipping method at checkout- UPS Ground, UPS 3-Day, UPS 2nd Day Air and UPS Next Day Air.

Please note that shipping time is not the same as total delivery time. Additional time is needed to process and package your order before the package ships. Choosing Next Day Air does not guarantee your order will be delivered the day after you place your order.

For clients in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories please note UPS Ground delivery may take up to 14 business days to deliver.

Yes. Once your order has been processed and shipped, you will receive an email from Howell Arms containing your tracking information. The email will include a tracking link that you can click to view your tracking number and follow your package’s delivery progress.

If you do not see the email, please check your spam or junk folder before contacting us..

UPS does not deliver to PO Boxes.

Currently we only ship within the United States.

Unfortunately, once an order is processed and sent to the warehouse, we are unable to modify orders in the fulfillment process. If you have any concerns, please contact Howell Arms at 608-563-0974 for additional help. Please see our return policy below If you would like to return your order.

We hope you are satisfied with your Howell Arms purchase. If you need to return an item, please review the following return requirements.

Returns & Refunds

• Returns must be made within 30 days of purchase.
• Products must be unused, unaltered, and in new condition and returned in their original packaging.
• Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable.
• A 15% restocking fee will be deducted from the refund when the return is not due to an error by Howell Arms, including items ordered incorrectly by the customer.
• Items that have been fired, altered, abused, damaged, or are otherwise not in new condition will not be accepted for return.
• Items that do not meet our return requirements will not be eligible for a refund. Any costs associated with returning an ineligible item to the customer will be the customer’s responsibility.

Return Shipping

Customers are responsible for ensuring that returned merchandise reaches Howell Arms. We strongly recommend shipping your return with tracking and insurance for the full replacement value. Howell Arms is not responsible for returned packages that are lost or damaged in transit.

Please repackage the merchandise in its original packaging and include a completed Howell Arms Return/Exchange Form.

Returns may be shipped via UPS, FedEx, or USPS Ground service to:

Howell Arms Inc.
419 S Arch Street
Janesville, WI 53548