Yep! That's how the original drum & nipple arrangement came about. Simply drill out the touch hole, tap in a set of threads, screw in a drum and nipple. That's it for the barrel, anyway. The lock is a little more problamatic. If you want to use the same lock you've got to modify the lock plate so that the drum sits on it properly, and install a precussion hammer with a throw that will hit the nipple.