[DE50]

I wanted to post a picture of my almost finished JRH Super Street Hawk 454 pocket/packing revolver. It's not a Freedom Arms, but it is a very handy trail / front pocket 454/45lc/45acp revolver. The factory grips work well after a little bit of shaping.

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/002685-big.jpg

[Gordon]

Preacherman told me not to do this to mine, something about gas cuttin muzzle!:eek:

[Kevlarman]

Cripes, a pocket revolver in .454?

Imagine what it'd be like to CCW! :what:

[TonyB]

:what:

[TallPine]

Interesting ...

if your assailant is close enough, you don't have to worry about hitting him (her, let's be PC), you can just set him on fire.

:D

[Jim March]

Two words:

"Gloriously Psycho"

:D

[hksw]

What kind of velocities are you getting out of that thing?

[Andrew Wyatt]

that's five kinds of badass.

[Meowhead]

More pictures please.

OMG I WANT ONE

[Volpe]

Thats awesome dude. How u move the front sight back I might like to do this to mine.....

[444]

I have to assume this is a joke. The .45 ACP and the .45 Colt/454 don't even have the same diameter. It certainly doesn't look like the frame of a .454 Ruger.

[pahrumpcaveman]

BBBSSSSS

[Jim March]

444, the optimum barrel spec is the same for the 45ACP and the 45LC/454 family. There's nothing at all improbable about this combo. Ruger Blackhawks have been available in double-caliber 45ACP/45LC for years with no reports of significant accuracy differences. I checked into this about a year ago when I was pondering a double-cylinder SA setup - if I recall right, the barrel spec was .451 for both but don't quote me, that's based on old memory. I DO recall clearly that they are the same.

Ruger also ships 357/9mm convertibles and THOSE often suffer in accuracy in 9mm because the spec really is off there.

[TarpleyG]

:what: :cool:

Me like...

Maybe you can post some details about what you did after you are done with some more pics.

GT

[hksw]

Freedom Arms offers .45 ACP, .45 Wmag, and .45 LC cylinders as drop-in options for their Model 83 .454 C guns.

[444]

Jim, jacketed bullets for the .45 ACP are normally .451" and bullets for the .45 Colt/.454 are normally .452". 9mm jacketed bullets are nomrally .355" and .357 bullets are of course normally .357". Granted, that isn't much difference and it can be done. I also own a Ruger Blackhawk with interchangeable cylinders in both .45 and .357. I don't own a .454 but I have read a little bit about them. It seems that due to the extremly high pressure involved things such as bullets themselves become critical. If I am not mistaken, doesn't the .454 have the highest pressure of any cartridge used in a handheld firearm ? Something like 80k ? I wouldn't want to be playing around with three differnent calibers, moonclips and all that in a .454 myself. But, I guess if the gun was designed for the .454 cartridge, the other stuff wouldn't be nearly as critical.

I don't know, I would like to have a little more info such as what frame was used etc. I hope it is for real. It is certainly an interesting idea.

[Wildalaska]

Hi the 45 acp is compatable with the 454 Ruger and shoots quite well, we convert the 454s for Moon Clips so you can use the 45 acp...

Wildlikeslite454sAlaska

[444]

By they way, I am not calling anybody out or anything. Just looking for some insight, maybe I will learn something.


Why would you want to shoot .45 ACP in a .454 revolver ? Not so much, why would you want to, but why would you spend the money for the gunsmithing etc. ? In the Blackhawk, you buy the gun and it comes with two cylinders. I never saw the point there either, but it is kind of nice to know you can do it. But if I wanted a reduced load in the .454, I would just handload .45 Colts.

[JohnK]

Maybe he did it for the fast reloads. full moon 45 ACP reload faster than anything else in a revolver.

What I'd like to know is how he got the frame and cylinder that nice stainless/chrome look since the 454/480's are made with the new alloy that is dark "target gray".

Hard chromed with the top of the frame/barrrel left factory gray?

[Litlman]

Can you say BAM! BAM!!!!! WILD!!!

[Jim March]

Well, in setting the cylinder up for moon clips, he's got it so that all three calibers work with moons. The extra gunsmithing would have been minimal. It's a sensible solution; reload speeds with all calibers would be quite fast.

Another advantage: the 45LC/454 rim width is really on the small side for use with a DA extractor star. There's a risk that a case rim could get stuck under the star and lock the gun up. By switching to moons, that entire issue is no longer a problem. Getting the extra caliber (45ACP) would be a cool bonus for free.

Why do it? In town, for personal defense, 45ACP is a fine caliber. Cor-Bon 165grain Pow'R'Balls would work great in a short tube like that. You've also got all kinds of cheap practice options in 45ACP without reloading - ammo costs for both 45LC and 454 range from high to "oh my GOD!".

As to the finish, looks like they just stripped the gray finish away and polished it up. A reasonable choice, as once you chopped the barrel and such, you wouldn't be able to re-create the factory finish on the bare stainless metal now exposed. This obviously started as a standard 454 Ruger; by the markings on the cylinder, that's stock too.

This gun really isn't all that seriously modified. The barrel is chopped and crowned, hammer bobbed, re-polished, moonclip mod and it's got what seems to be a new sight rail across the entire top of the frame and barrel holding up the front sight. Somewhat puzzling...maybe they were trying to hide the sight mount?

[Wildalaska]

Well, in setting the cylinder up for moon clips, he's got it so that all three calibers work with moons. The extra gunsmithing would have been minimal. It's a sensible solution; reload speeds with all calibers would be quite fast.

Exactly Jim.

In addition, when I am out and about, I dump a few extra loaded moon clips here and there in my gear so I always have extra ammo.

Interestingly, we originally tried cutting the barrel down like in the pic for our Wolverine Conversion...we got to much flash and loss of velcocity so we now keep it at 4-4 1/2.


This gun really isn't all that seriously modified

I dont know about that, we need about 8 hours of machine time and finishing to do one of ours...

Wild33ounce454sarefunAlaska

[Nightcrawler]

444, I have a package of Georgia Arms .45 Colt ammunition that's loaded with 200 grain Gold Dot JHP bullets originally intended for a .45ACP. (velocity 1100fps). They shoot quite well. The bullets are, for all practical purposes, interchangable, from everything I've been able to gather.

[DE50]

This started life as a stock Ruger 454 and than it had a 3.5" barrel. I have a couple of Freedom Arms revolvers but they are single action guns and I have not yet mastered rapid single action shooting in .454 Casull :)

This Super Street Hawk 454 was custom built for me by Jack Huntington. It can be ccw carried in the lively streets of Oakland (.45acp/super) to Wyoming to Anchorage to the plains of Africa as a back-up weapon. The .45 acp moon clip conversion makes reloading MUCH quicker. It is good to about 15 yards and for close range targets. I would not recommend the 45acp conversion unless you want to shoot at 15 yards or less or for self-defense. The original finish was polished off and the scope ring slots removed. The Buffalo Bore 365gr loads are really good at 25 yards. I will try to post some chrono data for the .454 in 365 and 300 loads within the next couple of days.

Wildalaska do you build a snub nose 454? I looked at the pictures of the one you built and from your previous postings I was under the impression that you had not built a snub nose 454 yet? What velocity did you get from your snub nose? Could you please post a picture as I am always interested in seeing pics of interesting conversion work.

Why did I have it done? For the same reason that I own a 4.0" Freedom Arms 454- Because I can. It's that simple. This will hold me over until my ***NON-FACTORY / CUSTOM CONVERTED*** Freedom Arms 500 JRH is delivered;)

[DE50]

To give credit where it is due, Arron B. (Wildalaska?) is the person who made me aware of the moon clip conversion on the Ruger 454.

Jim March, will you make me the IWB holster since I did not have you make me one for the 3.5" 454 version?

[Jim March]

Ya, if you're in the SF Bay Area I'll take a stab at holstering that beastie :). 'Specially since I've finally got wheels again (yay!).

WildAlaska: part of what I meant by "not all that heavily modified" is the basics of what the gun is really aren't tweaked all that much. Compare to a 5-shot Linebaugh conversion on a Blackhawk, with a completely custom cylinder, barrel swapped, grip frame swapped to Bisley and the internals of the lockwork tweaked to freewheel or whatever. Compared to something like that, this isn't all that major :).

Not to put down what's going on here, I think it's a wonderfully practical and flexible critter.

[Wildalaska]

Hi DE

Aa ron is one of our gunsmiths...the Wolverine was his idea, then we refimned it to what we do today (youve seen em I guess)

We did one at just over 2...now we are doing 4 1/2s which is what most people seem to be wanting...I cant recall what the chrono figures were..

Using 45acp the chopped Rugers have no recoil. With the 454, its like a Scandium 44....

Now we are comptemplating the 500 S&W....

We have also just been chopping barrels without the lightening...


WildbigboomersAlaska

[Jim March]

I still say you need a very lightweight load moving at completely loony velocities, especially for use as a street defense 454.

[DE50]

Jack Huntington has built 500 Linebaugh, 500 Maximum, .475 (before Freedom Arms) and has just completed a 50 Alaskan BFR revolver. I wanted one of those but I felt that the Super Street Hawk was more practical. You could ask Jack how much work is involved but I know that this one is not as complicated as one his .500 line bored revolvers but it did require more hours than usual due to the steel Ruger is using and the polishing.

Pictures of some his work can be seen at his website.
http://jackhunt.hypermart.net/

Jim, do you have any of those hyper-velocity loads to test:)

Wildalaska, sorry about that, I thought you were Arron. Would you happen to be his boss?

[Andrew Wyatt]

What was the all up cost? how fat is the cylinder?

do all three calibers use the same moon clip?

would a 3 inch barrel be workable without looking funky?

[Mannlicher]

444 thinks:I have to assume this is a joke. The .45 ACP and the .45 Colt/454 don't even have the same diameter." Could he be talking about over all cartridge length?

When I check box after box of .45 cal bullets in my cabinet, they all say .451 diameter. I know that some ACP bullets are sized .452, but I have not found that wee .001 to make any difference.

My Smith 25-5 with extra cylinder in .4acp handles the .45 Colt or acp with equal aplomb.

Personally, I would steer clear of anything that fired a .454 Casull from a pocket gun. Mega ouch!!!

[Waitone]

Won't that thing hurt?

[Jim March]

With hot 454s?

Yes.

A *LOT*.

Owwwww.....:eek:

[caz223]

I can imagine what a gold dot or XTP .45 acp hollow point bullet at say, 200 grains leaving the barrel at 1500 FPS or so would open right up without even hitting anything. :eek:
A pre-expanded hollow point.
I can't imagine ever needing that gun.
BTW, how much does it cost, and where can I get one... :D

[fastbolt]

As Neo would say ... "Whoa" ...

[Gewehr98]

444 thinks:I have to assume this is a joke. The .45 ACP and the .45 Colt/454 don't even have the same diameter." Could he be talking about over all cartridge length?


Weren't pre-war Colt SAA revolvers in .45LC bored to .454"?

[BlkHawk73]

One more person feeling the need to boost thier machismo. :rolleyes:

[Thundercleese]

Wait - just look at the picture itself. Those are clearly .45 ACP rounds. The .454 has no taper, and is WAY longer than those.

[MCNETT]

Nice. Real nice.
-Mike

[KelBench400]

Wait - just look at the picture itself. Those are clearly .45 ACP rounds. The .454 has no taper, and is WAY longer than those.

If you look at the rounds in the upper left corner, you can see that he has a couple jsp .454 rounds above the .45 ACP rounds.

What I'm wondering is, what's up with the primer-less .45 ACP?

Kel

[DE50]

The Chrono data for the Super Street Hawk 454 Casull:
Chrono Data:

Freedom Arms 300gr, flat point jacket bullet - 1414fps
Winchester Partition, 260gr - 1486 fps

WildAlaska, did you build a 2 1/2" barrel Ruger 454 and chrono'd some loads through it? If so, I hope that you are able to post the chrono data from your 2 1/2 barrel 454 as I would really like to compare your data taken in Alaska to mine taken in Northern California. How far out are you shooting the 45acp conversion? 15-16 yards in our shooting (using 230gr 45acp) proves to be acceptable but beyond that range accuracy really suffers. The Buffalo Bore 365 & Freedom Arm 300gr showed the best accuracy for up to 25 yard shooting.


The original fulls size picture shows the 450 Express, 45 Win Mag, 45 acp, 45lc, 460 Rowland and the 454 cartridges. The 45acp cartridges are attached to the moon clip.

This is how it looked with the 3 1/2 barrel:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/002920.jpg

[DE50]

Here is another picture of the other side of the 454. Jack Huntington informed that the cost for the conversion is $450.00.

Jim, please check your email:)

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/003286.jpg

[10-Ring]

Holy Cr@p! :what: How's it shoot? :D ;)

[Redhawk1]

I did a trade with DE50, and can't wait to get this gun. It looks like a blast to shoot. :D:D

[krept]

HAHAHAH! Whatta monster!

[Dr.Rob]

And people said I was insane for wanting to "Fitz" a Colt New Service.

:D

That's just........



Evil!:evil:

The sheer audacity of that... I bet you'd get along well with a buddy of mine who owns a Freedom Arms 1 of 1 Sheriff's model.

That's like.. the gun you would take to track down replicants or zombie were bears for sure.

[Frohickey]

I dunno... I'm a bit skeptical about the whole thing.

If you use that thing for self defense, you need to make sure you are not too close as to cauterize the 45 caliber wound, otherwise, you don't get much blood lose. :D

Seriously, what kind of work was done on the cylinder to accept 45ACP moon clips? Can it still fire 45Colt/454Casull without moonclips, or do you need moonclips for everything?

Could you post some closeup pictures of the cylinder face?

[Redhawk1]

I will get the gun tomorrow, the only round that requires moon clips is the 45ACP. The 454 and 45LC set in like normal. When I get the gun I can send you a pic of the cylinder face. Counting the Hours........

[pahrumpcaveman]

All that comes to mind is NUTS!!! I want to hear more about how it handles the full 454's:what:

[Jim March]

Wait'll you see the holster :). I figured out how to IWB that monster :D.

[Redhawk1]

Jim Match, what holster are you talking about? If you do came by a holster for it, PLMK.

[Balog]

I've wanted a .45 LC for a while. I think one that could handle .45 acp & .454 crazynagnumbuttstompers ;) would be a pretty practical and useful piece. I'd prefer a bit more barrel, tho. Still, it's a nice lookin piece.

[Jim March]

Wait...lemme see here...is the seller from the SF Bay Area? I built a kydex IWB for such a critter...

[racenutz]

Jim, jacketed bullets for the .45 ACP are normally .451" and bullets for the .45 Colt/.454 are normally .452".

As far as I know the only .45 handgun bullets that are sized .452 are lead bullets, but then most lead bullets are sized .001 over bore diameter.

[Redhawk1]

Jim March, yes he is. I just spoke with him and the Holster is on its way. Thanks.

Here is a small range report.
Well, just got my new toy yesterday and went to shoot it today. What a BLAST. I only have to use moon clips for the 45ACP, the 454 and 45LC still drop in like normal. I went to my indoor range today and shot all three types of rounds. I had to shot on the short side of the range of 15 yards. The 45ACP stayed in a 2 1/2 to 2 inch group, the 454 and 45LC did much better. I had 1 1/2 inch and less groups. Function of all three round were flawless. The recoil on the 45ACP is almost non existent, 45LC not bad at all, normal 45LC recoil in a larger revolver. Surprising was the 454 Casull, I shot the Winchester 250 gr. factory rounds and recoil is stiff but very manageable. I find it no different that shooting with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, but more flash . I shoot a BFR in 500MAG and the recoil was less than that, so it was not a problem. Overall I am very pleased with this gun.

[Cosmoline]

If the full size SRH is like getting smacked with the recoil of a .30'06 in your palm, this has to be like taking a Nitro Express in the palm. Yikes!

[klover]

And I thought I wasn't going to get a 454. Im drooling for one of these in a 7.5 barrel simply for the ammo variety. Yes, please spec the cylinder changes required.

[Redhawk1]

klover, The best person to answer that is Jack Huntington. He did the modification to the cylinder. Here is his web site. http://jackhunt.hypermart.net/

[Redhawk1]

I am going to start loading the 45 Win MAG to shoot in this gun also. What a blast. I have such a large selection to choose from. Reloading with moon clips is extremely fast.

[Baron Holbach4]

Have you experienced much pain from
the trigger guard slamming into your
shooting hand's middle finger as a
result of the .454's stout recoil?
On a Freedom Arms revolver, the grip
extends into and covers a good portion
of the back of the trigger guard to
offer some protection to the shooter's
middle shooting finger.

[Frohickey]

any pictures of the cylinder face yet?

[klover]

Perhaps you could caliper and depth mic the cylinder face as well as include some pictures? Way cool gun. I'd sure like one.

[Redhawk1]

Baron Holbach4, I have shot Factory 454 loads and my reloads and not one time has the trigger guard hit my finger. Like I said it is quit pleasant to shoot. I have not experiences any pain at all with this 454. :D

Frohickey: my digital camera does not give good detail of the cylinder. Not the best digital camera. :o

klover: I am sure if you called Jack Huntington he could give you a better take on what was needed to modify the cylinder. I am sure he kept all the measurements you are looking for. I have a mic, but don't know what you want exactly. Jack is very informative and helpful.


Sorry I could not be more helpful. :(

[LynnMassGuy]

um...WOW!

[Marshall]

Now I know where S&W got their .50 snubby idea.

:what:



Ingrediance, 1 Super Redhawk, 1 saw.......Hmmmmmmmmm...

:D

[tiberius]

This thread keeps popping up so I guess I better leave a comment. This is perhaps the most interesting revolver I have seen in a while. The SRH is not a handsome gun, but there is something about the recessed barrel I think that makes this thing particularly attractive. I’m somewhat envious.

[natedog]

DO NOT light one of those suckers off from in a pocket!

[Redhawk1]

One thing is for certain, it has a lot of flash when you touch off the 454 Casull round. After shoot it several hundred times, I think this is one of my favorite handguns. :D