Opinion
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
uncle jimbo
Well-Known Member
I have never owned a revolver that will shoot auto pistol cartridges , so I guess I really don't have an opinion. I am not a fan of auto loading pistols. I like revolvers. Much more civilized.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
I had a .45 acp cylinder made for my FA Model 97 for a couple of reasons. My duty gun was a .45 acp and I had access to lots of free brass. The other reason was the FA shot best with hotter loads in the .45 Colt with traditional weight bullets. The .45 acp shoots great with 200 grain H&G 68 clones at normal velocities. So the acp cylinder spends much more time in the 97.
Rick H
Well-Known Member
I thought about a convertible when I bought my 45 colt Blackhawk. I passed. I couldn't see why I should load two cartridges for the same gun. I do think a snubby in 9mm is interesting if the 9 doesn't lose too much with the short bbl, cylinder gap situation. Not sure if it would do anything a 38 special wont.
I guess I'm on the fence with this one.
I guess I'm on the fence with this one.
gman
Well-Known Member
That would be a yes for me. I didn't realize how much fun it would be to shoot the 45 acp in my Ruger Flat top convertible. When it was new I had about 200 rounds of 230 gr ball ammo I wanted to empty so I installed the acp cylinder and commenced to shooting. What my eyes were seeing on the target was hard to believe. Now the acp cylinder pretty much stays in that gun. Like I've said before I have far more 45 acp brass than anything and any 200 gr swc I load for my 1911's will shoot lights out in this Ruger. It just makes for a fun day shooting! Waco I hope that Ruger comes in soon!
Charles Graff
Moderator Emeritus
Currently I own 6 revolvers that are dedicated 45 ACPs or have 45 ACP cylinders and have owned about a dozen more over the years. Of course the question is why? I have two reasons.
1. I like 1911 pistols and having revolvers that shoot the same ammo is a very good notion.
2. The 45 ACP round, like the 38 Special is as close to perfect as can be found. These rounds, like a good dog, just want to please you. They are easy to load, not picky about the powder, charge weights, bullet weights and bullet alloy. They will deliver sterling accuracy in a wide range of loadings.
One would think the long cylinder throats would hurt accuracy, what with the bullet having a long run before hitting the rifling, but that seems not to be the case.
I have zero experience with others autopistol rounds in revolvers.
1. I like 1911 pistols and having revolvers that shoot the same ammo is a very good notion.
2. The 45 ACP round, like the 38 Special is as close to perfect as can be found. These rounds, like a good dog, just want to please you. They are easy to load, not picky about the powder, charge weights, bullet weights and bullet alloy. They will deliver sterling accuracy in a wide range of loadings.
One would think the long cylinder throats would hurt accuracy, what with the bullet having a long run before hitting the rifling, but that seems not to be the case.
I have zero experience with others autopistol rounds in revolvers.
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CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
I haven't considered a 9mm or a 10mm/40 S&W wheelgun with clipped ammunition in this context. What pushes me toward the 45 ACP x revolver combo is the ready availability of the Auto Rim brass. In an ordered and decent world, all revolvers and lever rifles would use rimmed cases.
Order and decency are not hallmarks of our environment, in case you missed that memo. Chaos and drama figure highly in many venues. The USA had approved the 1911-series pistol for its using services, but didn't have enough of them in inventory when Wilson decided that assistance to one side in Europe in 1917 was indicated. (Ah, those Teutonic empire builders--if you don't keep them at your feet, you'll have them at your throat--as they capably proved twice in the 20th Century). Large-frame Colt and S&W revolvers were easily and more quickly adapted to clipped-45 ACP fitment than was re-tooling to make more 1911 pistols as was done 20+ years later for WWII. Clipped 45 ACP ammo remains 'A thing' 103 years later, and 45 Auto Rim brass and cartridges are steady sellers. America loves the 45 ACP. Slow--fat--low pressure--basketball trajectory--none of that matters. The round is accurate and easy to manage (esp. in large-frame wheelguns), and it puts deserving goblins and bridge trolls on their as-pirations pretty reliably, as wartime and street experiences have borne out.
And for our uses as casters, the 45 ACP is by some distance the most lead-friendly autopistol caliber in existence. Yeah, the 32 ACP is accurate and lead-friendly, but did its best work as a marking pellet for adversaries in retreat. Such things fell from lawful favor in recent times, sadly enough. Nowadays, hood rats propelled by all manner of designer racing fuels come at you, often with lethal and/or maiming intent. 45 ACP excels at unplugging their intended atrocities.
Order and decency are not hallmarks of our environment, in case you missed that memo. Chaos and drama figure highly in many venues. The USA had approved the 1911-series pistol for its using services, but didn't have enough of them in inventory when Wilson decided that assistance to one side in Europe in 1917 was indicated. (Ah, those Teutonic empire builders--if you don't keep them at your feet, you'll have them at your throat--as they capably proved twice in the 20th Century). Large-frame Colt and S&W revolvers were easily and more quickly adapted to clipped-45 ACP fitment than was re-tooling to make more 1911 pistols as was done 20+ years later for WWII. Clipped 45 ACP ammo remains 'A thing' 103 years later, and 45 Auto Rim brass and cartridges are steady sellers. America loves the 45 ACP. Slow--fat--low pressure--basketball trajectory--none of that matters. The round is accurate and easy to manage (esp. in large-frame wheelguns), and it puts deserving goblins and bridge trolls on their as-pirations pretty reliably, as wartime and street experiences have borne out.
And for our uses as casters, the 45 ACP is by some distance the most lead-friendly autopistol caliber in existence. Yeah, the 32 ACP is accurate and lead-friendly, but did its best work as a marking pellet for adversaries in retreat. Such things fell from lawful favor in recent times, sadly enough. Nowadays, hood rats propelled by all manner of designer racing fuels come at you, often with lethal and/or maiming intent. 45 ACP excels at unplugging their intended atrocities.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I don't think there is ANYTHING the 9mm can do ballistically the 38 can't do and then some, given modern handguns. Of course 5 or 6 shots done "gansta" style is no where near as impressive as 18 to 30 rounds from an (ick!) plastic wonder gun in the "spray the 'hood and hit some bystanders" type of shooting.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Allen,
I was told a story how a friend or a friend, who was a Korean War infantryman, used his 1911 to kill a nighttime charging Chinese soldier, just steps from his entrenchment. The bullet didn't hit the bad guy in the body, instead, it hit one of his rice pouches* with enough force that it broke ribs that punctured his lungs.
*The Chinese packed their rice rations in pouches and wore them bandoleer-style as body armor.
Bret,
Being one to follow the crowd, I've never had anything to do with the 9 mm Luger and haven't any plans to ever do so. If I were to get an auto-loader smaller than .40 S&W it would be something along the lines of the .380 Colt Mustang.
I pressed my son, yesterday, to buy his early all steel version, but he isn't selling. However, if he no longer wanted it he'd give it to me.
I was told a story how a friend or a friend, who was a Korean War infantryman, used his 1911 to kill a nighttime charging Chinese soldier, just steps from his entrenchment. The bullet didn't hit the bad guy in the body, instead, it hit one of his rice pouches* with enough force that it broke ribs that punctured his lungs.
*The Chinese packed their rice rations in pouches and wore them bandoleer-style as body armor.
Bret,
Being one to follow the crowd, I've never had anything to do with the 9 mm Luger and haven't any plans to ever do so. If I were to get an auto-loader smaller than .40 S&W it would be something along the lines of the .380 Colt Mustang.
I pressed my son, yesterday, to buy his early all steel version, but he isn't selling. However, if he no longer wanted it he'd give it to me.
I have been shooting .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim revolvers since about 1949. I also have put close to 100,000 rounds of full house cast loads through a 1911. I have nothing but respect for the cartridges AND their platforms. I prefer shooting revolvers these days. In my feeble older years I prefer not having to chase brass.
I have had a 625-8 JM Special for many years. Not long after I got the JM Special I found an estate gun, a 625-6 Model of 1989 (5”) that I later gifted to my youngest son. Both of these revolvers will easily group under 1” at 25 yards with my home cast bullets. I have shot them a LOT. It has been an almost GLORIOUS trip.
A few years ago, I and a couple of friends each purchased a Ruger Bisley convertible in .45 ACP/.45 Colt. After reaming the cylinder throats to .4525” and doing a trigger job, they turned out to be a most satisfying revolver in both calibers. I confess that mine is mostly shot with the .45 ACP Cylinder.
So, my answer is some of my favorite revolvers shoot the .45 ACP. They work wonderfully well “On the Range and in the Field”
FWIW,
Dale53
I have had a 625-8 JM Special for many years. Not long after I got the JM Special I found an estate gun, a 625-6 Model of 1989 (5”) that I later gifted to my youngest son. Both of these revolvers will easily group under 1” at 25 yards with my home cast bullets. I have shot them a LOT. It has been an almost GLORIOUS trip.
A few years ago, I and a couple of friends each purchased a Ruger Bisley convertible in .45 ACP/.45 Colt. After reaming the cylinder throats to .4525” and doing a trigger job, they turned out to be a most satisfying revolver in both calibers. I confess that mine is mostly shot with the .45 ACP Cylinder.
So, my answer is some of my favorite revolvers shoot the .45 ACP. They work wonderfully well “On the Range and in the Field”
FWIW,
Dale53
Charles Graff
Moderator Emeritus
Tip of the day: In SA revolvers with the 45 ACP cylinder in place, 45 Cowboys Special brass works to perfection. It is nothing more than a 45 ACP case drawn on a 45 Colt head. In the SA it will headspace on the rim and the bullet can be roll crimped.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Dale I passed on a 6" M25 many years back simply because I didn't really know what it was. Of course it was some outrageous price like $275.00 or something. I kick myself to this day! I was far more interested at the time in a Walther PP sitting next to it but waffled and missed that too! I think I ended up buying a Colt Officers Model Target for $150.00 or thereabouts, so at least I had a little grey matter working.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Rim thickness; same as 45 Colt. Basically a 45 Colt cases cut back to 45 ACP length.
Outpost75
Active Member
Yes, the S&W Model 940, stainless Centennial in 9mm Parabellum. I like mine ALOT!
Sights are on the money with 147s, gets 930 fps from 1-7/8" barrel with good expansion, left to right Winchester Ranger T-series, Winchester generic 147JHP "whitebox" and Federal 147 HST shot into water jugs at 7 yards.
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StrawHat
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
Those are some of my 45 ACP revolvers.
With the 1917s I launch 230 - 240 grain cast bullets at hardball velocities. With the newest models I can shoot the 45 Super if I could figure out what thatis. My favorite load is the SAECO 453 bullet at about +/-850 fps. That is a 240 grain full wadcutter bullet. I use that in all of the 4” barreled revolvers as my EDC loads In the modern revolvers, 454424 could approach 1000 fps and is serious whitetailed deer medicine.
The stubby little cartridge is all I need.
Kevin
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Charles;
You are absolutely correct. The .45 Cowboy Special is headspaced perfectly for the .45 ACP cylinder for my Ruger Bisley Convertible. I just happened to have 500 new Starline CS cases from another project and was an early adopter for heavy bullets that had a normal crimp groove (like the Lyman 452424 or 452664). They work perfectly in that role.
FWIW,
Dale53
You are absolutely correct. The .45 Cowboy Special is headspaced perfectly for the .45 ACP cylinder for my Ruger Bisley Convertible. I just happened to have 500 new Starline CS cases from another project and was an early adopter for heavy bullets that had a normal crimp groove (like the Lyman 452424 or 452664). They work perfectly in that role.
FWIW,
Dale53
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
so I am a little slow. Pls confirm I have this correct. The 45 Cowboy Special case will headspace/work in the Ruger 45 ACP cylinder. And with the heavier SWC (and I assume 454190 RN). Using 45 AR/45 ACP data as well? And the 45 Cowboy Special is just a short 45 Colt?
PS: AND - out of dumb curiosity... anybody know if the 45 Colt rifles (like a Henry) will cycle the 45 CS?