Why should I unconvert my OM 357?

[Trebor Snave]

I picked up a decent OM 357 non-flattop a while back that came converted without the original parts; my first OM. I see lots of people making "Convert it back" posts; why? What was better about the original lockwork?

Don't tell me it's worth more restored to original; that doesn't mean anything.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Some of us just like the old action better.

In most cases, the original parts work "better" . . . smoother, etc.

Many simply don't appreciate the "lawyer-mandated" concept.

And "worth" does mean something to many of us.

Just a personal thing.

Your gun, your choice.

;)

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

If you are happy with it, keep it as is. Personally, I really like the transfer bar.
I wouldn't buy an OM and convert it. But I would have no problem keeping one converted, if I was happy with the trigger and the action.

 

[CraigC]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the original lockwork, only with the individuals who had "accidents" with them. The conversion is a makeshift fix and not a very good one at that. The original lockwork is smoother and typically the triggers are 3lbs or less. If you're happy with converted lockwork, I would advise you to never handle a well-used or professionally tuned Old Model, Colt SAA or replica.

 

[Ruger36]

A saftey factor to keep from being sued , drop one with six loaded chambers and it might go off, the conversion is to keep that from happening

 

[contender]

What was better about the original lockwork?
Less parts, and much smoother to shoot. Quite often,, the converted ones have a very rough feel compared to the original lockwork.
As you may not be worried about value,,, now,,, but later on,, if you have to sell or just decide to sell,, it does factor in the price negotiations.

 

[mohavesam]

The original design is fine. Just as safe as long as you NEVER carry all chambers loaded. Never.

The newer lockwork has been fine also for decades. There's just not many out there who can shoot noticeably better IMO, with one design over another.

 

[salover]

I have an OM that I had converted to 44 Special. During the conversion process I had my pistolsmith send the revolver to Ruger for the conversion. After getting it back from Ruger he did an action job on it and I couldn't be happier with it. I do have the original parts but as I never plan on selling this gun I don't have to worry about resale value.

 

[xtratoy]

With the conversion parts you are guaranteed to get a turn line on the cylinder that doesn't happen with the Old Model lockwork if you operate it correctly.

 

[David Bradshaw]

Trebor Snave... sounds like you knew what you were buying, an "old model" Blackhawk, retrofitted with transfer bar lockwork, but with the original lockwork missing. Read the responses closely, the forum members cover a lot of factual points about the retrofit.

* The New Model transfer bar absolutely is the safest single action system for carrying with all chambers loaded.

* The "old" Colt Peacemaker lockwork absolutely must be carried with the hammer down on an unloaded chamber.

Bill Ruger, Jr., set up the retrofit operation in a brick building with a water-powered generating station on the Sugar River in Newpot, NH, just down the road from the factory. Ruger himself made the the first pop-in-the-parts retrofit at that location on a brass grip-frame Super Blackhawk of mine. Worked perfect and the trigger wasn't bad. He dropped the original parts in a bag, for me to keep.

Later I put the original parts back in; that way, there was no chance to lose them. Somewhere, I misplaced the retrofit New Model lockwork.

That old Super Backhawk is so smoooth! It is a musical instrument.

It was not until Ruger introduced the SBH with 10-1/2" barrel for IHMSA silhouette, that I truly began to appreciate NM superiority: the strength of the hammer/trigger engagement; load/unload without touching hammer or trigger.

On the trail, the New Model is 100% sixshooter.
David Bradshaw

 

[rugerguy]

Bottom line, the choice is YOURS, its YOUR gun, and if you want it to be in its "safest" mode as a "six shooter" then leave the conversion, as noted above, keep/safe the "old parts" lockwork, as that will help in the value later,,,,,, beat the crap out of it, and it won't matter either way :roll:
Enjoy it and use it, stay safe no matter what. :wink:

 

[Trebor Snave]

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Since I won't be selling it, what it's worth isn't a concern to me. I was really just wondering if the original parts made the gun any more "shootable", considering that the trigger feels pretty darn good to me as it is - no creep and a nice clean break. It's not quite as nice as my NM that Bob Munden worked over, but it's not bad! I think I'll leave it as is for now, but if a set of original parts ever drops in my lap, it won't hurt to give them a try.

Like many of you, I can't resist showing off, so here's a pic of the beast in question:

 

[paleocaver]

Nice! Love light-colored grips on blued revolvers.