45 acp sixgun

[4t5]

other than cost of ammo possibly being cheaper, and maybe more available, whats the advantage of a single action in acp. Saw one on Ruger 's site , kinda like it.

[AJMD429]

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I think the main advantage is if the gun is one that uses full moon clips it can make for a faster reloading.

Also if a person doesn't reload and they can get a good supply of cheap 45 ACP ammo it makes a nice light plinking load vs heavier 45 Colt loads (although there is a lot of 45 Colt 'cowboy' ammunition commercially available that consists of light loads not that different from a 45 ACP).

I also think it's interesting how we justifiably consider the 45 ACP when fired from a 1911 or other semi-automatic pistol to be a definite 'man-stopper', yet denigrate it to a 'plinking' load when fired from a revolver; granted, compared to a 'Ruger only' 45 Colt load the 45 ACP is a step down, but when fired from a typical revolver the 45 ACP is going to have at least as much punch as fired from the typical semi-automatic, taking into consideration barrel length and cylinder gap and all that. Plus when fired from a revolver you can use pretty much any sort of funky bullet shape you want without worrying about reliable feeding from a magazine.

However, when the gun is also chambered in 45 colt, it seems like there is always quite a bit of accuracy loss when using the shorter cartridge. At least that's what I have experienced with my Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt/ACP (but I will admit I have not done any 45 ACP hand loading to see if that could be improved upon). The single-action revolvers usually are going to have a separate cylinder, so the bullet will be a little better controlled from the instant it leaves the cartridge case since it's not traveling through a longer-than-necessary chamber. I don't have enough experience trying to shoot accurately with the single action revolvers that have a 45 ACP cylinder that I can say how much if any accuracy is lost.

Certainly it seems like if you're going to get a gun in 45 Colt, and it also can be used for 45 acp, unless it makes the gun a lot more expensive or prone to malfunction, why not do it...?

[jeepnik]

Commonality with semiautomatic pistol and semiautomatic long guns.

In my case I have both single action, double action revolvers, derringers and several action types of semiautomatic pistols. I have. A few long guns as well. Heck if someone would make, as a production item a levergun I’d own that one.

[OldWin]

For me it would be loading. The Dillon is all set up for 45acp, but not 45 Colt. I always have more 45acp loaded at a given time. I would like a 45acp cylinder for my Colt SAA's for this reason.

[Griff]

Although unlike Old Win, I am set up for 45 Colt, I still have more 45ACP loaded than 45 Colt. I also have more C45S loaded than 45 Colt also. But, in reality only because of the limitations of my storage cans. I don't have any revolvers that can fire the 45 ACP so can't talk to the practicality of have a revolver chambered in it. But, given the versatility of the 45 Colt, I don't feel remiss in not having one!

[Old Savage]

Yeah, similar ballistics and cheaper.

[samsi]

Has anyone mentioned Fun? Yeah, they're fun. I've had a Ruger convertible for about 10 years and thought the ACP cylinder was a neat option, turns out that I use it more than the Colt cylinder. I do load ACP field cartridges specifically for the SA and it doesn't lack for much compared to the old cavalry cartridge.

[2ndovc]

Big fan of the .45 Auto in revolvers. Have two Second Model Hand Ejectors, 1917s, 625 Model of 1989, Bisley Convertible and a .45 ACP cylinder for my Old Army.

The Bisley is my favorite. These targets were shot with .45 Colt ammo, the .45 ACP will shoot just a little tighter.


If I'm not packin' my SBH up at our cabin, it's going to be one of the above or a 1911 most likely.

jb

[arclight]

For me it's mostly a brass issue. I have maybe a coffee-can full of Colt brass, and 5-gallon buckets of ACP brass. If I lose an ACP in the field it's no big deal. Lose a .45 Colt case and we're calling out Search & Rescue for a grid search.

[Blaine]

I have a S&W 625 4" that I shoot without the moon clips. Never had a FTF. Using standard pressure 230gr FMJs the brass falls out of the cyl with no problem. It's not my EDC so I don't worry about reload speed. One of these days maybe I'll get around to loading up the auto rim brass with the 255 grain hard casts. They won't have to go very fast. 800fps or less. A little mini-mountain gun.

[44shooter]

Mostly lower cost and higher availability of ammo and brass. The 45 Colt (the rimmed longer one) can be loaded with heavier bullets and/or powder charges. My first experience with 45 acp was from a convertible Blackhawk. I don’t recall my dad ever firing it with the other cylinder although I’m sure he did. I have a S&W model 22 Thunder Ranch that is really nice to shoot. It needs moon clips for extraction unless you use a pencil or 45 auto rimmed. In a single action that is loaded one at a time through a loading gate, it makes no difference ( between 45 Colt vs ACP)

Overall, 45 auto in a revolver is fun. Enough recoil to tell you are shooting something substantial but easily handled. Same big holes, comparatively cheap compared to 44 sp/mag and 45 Colt. Lots of excellent defense loads too

[vancelw]

I had a 325 for a time. It was snappier than I expected.
I'll pick up a 625 someday....

I wish I had gotten myself a 1917 revolver before the prices got so stupid.

[Ysabel Kid]

If I lose an ACP in the field it's no big deal. Lose a .45 Colt case and we're calling out Search & Rescue for a grid search.

Spot on!!!

[Ysabel Kid]

Big fan of the .45 Auto in revolvers. Have two Second Model Hand Ejectors, 1917s, 625 Model of 1989, Bisley Convertible and a .45 ACP cylinder for my Old Army.

The Bisley is my favorite. These targets were shot with .45 Colt ammo, the .45 ACP will shoot just a little tighter.


If I'm not packin' my SBH up at our cabin, it's going to be one of the above or a 1911 most likely.

jb

Oh, that ROA conversion looks FANTASTIC!!!

[Ysabel Kid]

...and it doesn't lack for much compared to the old cavalry cartridge.

Exactly. Remember, when the Schofield was adopted as a secondary sidearm, it could not handle .45 Colt (unlike the reproductions today). But the Colt Single Action Army could handle both the .45 Colt as well as the .45 Schofield (after the latter's rim was changed and standardized). Troops liked the .45 Schofield. Still a solid man-stopper with less recoil than the .45 Colt. The Army liked it so much that when they put out the request for a new auto-loader, the specs mimicked the .45 Schofield round. And the .45 ACP was born.

[marlinman93]

I see almost no reason or advantage to owning a sixgun in .45ACP. I much prefer a semiauto in .45ACP, and I hate moon clips. They may make a revolver quicker to load, but still not as quick as dropping a magazine and stuffing in another. For me a revolver in .45 colt makes far more sense, and is far more preferable too.
A sixgun in .45ACP is the answer to a problem that doesn't exist. Back during WWI it made sense to get more guns in the field in a cartridge that was the same as the 1911. But just no reason today except for companies to sell more guns to people.

[JimT]

Years ago I had Jim Stroh build me a .45 ACP sixgun on an Old Model Ruger .357 ...

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Later I sent it to Cosby Custom Guns and had the top strap made into a Colt SAA "look alike" ... and had the gun nickle plated.

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Note the "speedloader" ...

Chronographed

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[FRA]

I can't say there are any other advantages that you didn't identify, but they are fun to shoot. I have found both of my Ruger convertibles had undersized cylinder throats on one of the cylinders; as I recall, it was the .45ACP cylinder for both, which would account for the previously mentioned lack of accuracy. It must be common, because they were produced 10-15 years apart. I had John Gallagher install an interchangeable front sight so that I could leave my elevation on the Bowen rear set and swap front sight blades to go from my 335gr +P .45Colt to 230gr .45ACP.

[2ndovc]

[/quote]

Oh, that ROA conversion looks FANTASTIC!!!
[/quote]

Thanks!

I thought the .45 Auto conversion might be a PITA to load/ unload, but it really isn't. Add the Belt Mountain quick change base pin and it's even easier. Target loads shoot a couple inches high, but a heavier charge and it's pretty close to POA. Great shooter for the "Slow Zombies".


jb

[44shooter]

I see almost no reason or advantage to owning a sixgun in .45ACP. I much prefer a semiauto in .45ACP, and I hate moon clips. They may make a revolver quicker to load, but still not as quick as dropping a magazine and stuffing in another. For me a revolver in .45 colt makes far more sense, and is far more preferable too.
A sixgun in .45ACP is the answer to a problem that doesn't exist. Back during WWI it made sense to get more guns in the field in a cartridge that was the same as the 1911. But just no reason today except for companies to sell more guns to people.

Perhaps someone who already has say a 1911 may also want a sixgun that will fire the same cartridge. Also like almost everyone else and myself said, the ammo and brass is much less expensive. I bet S&W sells at least ten N frames in 45 auto for every one in 45 Colt. Ruger has made single actions in 45 acp and 9mm as far back as I can remember albeit in auxiliary cylinders. They have also made 10mm and 40 at various times. The S&W 610 will function with both 10mm and 40 through the same Cylinder with moon clips. Your point about selling more guns is valid. But isn’t that the business they are in? We all know the 45 acp won’t do anything ballistically that a 45 Colt or 44 Special cannot easily do. But I find it cool that I can load or by a bunch of 45 ACP and shoot it in a 1911, DA revolver, SA revolver, subcompact striker fired pistol, derringer, carbine etc.

[4t5]

The one I saw was not a convertible, acp only. In this model do you guys think it was bored .451 as opposed to .454 ?
https://www.taloinc.com/ruger-firearms/ ... -birdshead

[samsi]

Probably .452, I don't think any manufacturer has made a 454 bored 45 in a number of years.

[marlinman93]

I see almost no reason or advantage to owning a sixgun in .45ACP. I much prefer a semiauto in .45ACP, and I hate moon clips. They may make a revolver quicker to load, but still not as quick as dropping a magazine and stuffing in another. For me a revolver in .45 colt makes far more sense, and is far more preferable too.
A sixgun in .45ACP is the answer to a problem that doesn't exist. Back during WWI it made sense to get more guns in the field in a cartridge that was the same as the 1911. But just no reason today except for companies to sell more guns to people.

Perhaps someone who already has say a 1911 may also want a sixgun that will fire the same cartridge. Also like almost everyone else and myself said, the ammo and brass is much less expensive. I bet S&W sells at least ten N frames in 45 auto for every one in 45 Colt. Ruger has made single actions in 45 acp and 9mm as far back as I can remember albeit in auxiliary cylinders. They have also made 10mm and 40 at various times. The S&W 610 will function with both 10mm and 40 through the same Cylinder with moon clips. Your point about selling more guns is valid. But isn’t that the business they are in? We all know the 45 acp won’t do anything ballistically that a 45 Colt or 44 Special cannot easily do. But I find it cool that I can load or by a bunch of 45 ACP and shoot it in a 1911, DA revolver, SA revolver, subcompact striker fired pistol, derringer, carbine etc.

Perhaps. But I personally see no reason to mess around with a sixgun in .45ACP if one has a semiauto in the same? I'd prefer to buy a sixgun in .45 Colt, .44-40, .44 Special, etc., than purchase a revolver in a cartridge that I have a good semiauto in, and fumble around with those irritating moon clips. But even if the revolver didn't need moon clips, I'd still not want one in .45ACP.
Glad you enjoy it, but it makes no sense to me.

[1894cfan]

For me it's mostly a brass issue. I have maybe a coffee-can full of Colt brass, and 5-gallon buckets of ACP brass. If I lose an ACP in the field it's no big deal. Lose a .45 Colt case and we're calling out Search & Rescue for a grid search.

I'm the same way with ANYTHING!

[JimT]

Besides the little .45 ACP sixgun I had built on the Old Model Ruger .357 frame, I have a Freedom Arms Model 97 with both the .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. I rarely use the .45 Colt cylinder, the .45 ACP being much better suited to the small frame .. small loading window .. short ejector rod. And I can get all the power I need or want from the ACP. It's light, handy and accurate.

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And it has a nice box!

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[Bob Hatfield]

1911 magazines make excellent speed loaders for the 45 ACP single actions. Just thumb them out and let the rounds drop in.

Bob

[JimT]

1911 magazines make excellent speed loaders for the 45 ACP single actions. Just thumb them out and let the rounds drop in.

Bob

YESSIR! They work quite well.