45 acp Cylinder for Vaquero

[roc1]

I was wondering where I could get a 45acp cylinder for my 45 LC Vaquero?I did not see it listed on Rugers site so just curious?
Thanks
roc1

 

[dfariswheel]

Since revolver cylinders must be professionally fitted and adjusted, most makers won't sell critical parts like cylinders.

They won't, because people either try to just stick them in and complain when they don't fit, or they butcher them up trying to get them to fit, then blame the maker.

If you want a new cylinder, send the gun in to Ruger to have them supply and fit it properly.

 

[big_bang]

I think dfariswheel is probably right about calling Ruger up. I do know that they used to make .45LC cylinders for the old model Vaqueros - I bought one brand new with dual cylinders back in 2003.

 

[scrat]

why would you want to shoot 45acp instead of 45lc or 45 schofield. hmmm

 

[roc1]

I thought it would be nice to have both calibers in a revolver. I have the acp in autos already.Just a thought.
roc1

 

[scrat]

i dont think its possible. take a 45 acp and put it in the vaquero. it will almost fall through. The 45 acp is an auto loader rimless cartridge well not rimless but the rim is different in that its pretty much the same size as the case width. That uses an auto extractor. the 45 Colt has a rim the rim is what holds it in place. this is what makes the revolver different.

 

[dmazur]

Ruger was selling New Model Blackhawk "convertibles" last time I checked. One cylinder set up for .45 LC, one for .45 ACP.

As I understand things, the .45ACP cylinder has chambers that headspace on the case mouth (the way a lot of people think the 1911 does, except it headspaces on the extractor...)

This setup will handle .45 ACP all right, but you can't use moonclips.

 

[rcmodel]

(the way a lot of people think the 1911 does, except it headspaces on the extractor...)

What gave you that idea?

A properly set up 1911 does in fact headspace on the case mouth, not the extractor.

Here is a good description of it.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=176251

When a round is chambered and in contact with the breach-face, the extractor hook is not even touching the case rim.
Or at least it shouldn't be

rcmodel

 

[jjohnson]

Yes, it does work.

Yep, properly smithed, a .45ACP cylinder will work just fine. Just don't crimp your cases too hard or it won't headspace properly.

I like my convertibles. God knows there's been times I loaded ACP or 9mm for that matter that didn't have enough oooomph to cycle the slide :banghead:, so that ammo either goes into my convertible revolvers or in my Contender.

Don't forget, either, that the auto ammo can be had as surplus much cheaper than, say, 45LC or Schofield ammo.....

 

[big_bang]

Once again...Ruger used to offer this as a factory setup with two cylinders.

i dont think its possible

The ACP cylinder headspaces the rounds off the case mouth.

You can buy .45 ACP cheap and in any store that sells ammo. Not so with .45 Colt or Schofield.

 

[edrice]

I picked up a .45acp cylinder off ebay back in the days when ebay permitted it. You'd have to find one on gunbroker or auctionarms now. I don't think Ruger will sell you one outright if they still carry them. Ruger is funny about things like that and they keep everything original and won't do custom work.

If I remember right, it was a blackhawk cylinder but they were basically the same as the Vaquero. I have the Bisley Vaquero and had a smith fit it to it. It just almost fit as it was but there was just a bit of tightness and wouldn't quite go on. It does now.

And yes, it headspaces off the case mouth. Shoots .45acp nicely. I did it because .45acp is much cheaper than .45 colt for just plinking around and I can't think of a better reason to do, plus I just like the versatility. Don't let anyone talk you out of it if that's what you want to do. I've never been sorry and it sure doesn't hurt the gun and will only add to the value.

Ed

 

[dmazur]

A properly set up 1911 does in fact headspace on the case mouth, not the extractor.

I agree 100%. If I can get away with "misspoke", I'll use it.

I was referring to numerous examples of 1911's that seemed to function fine, though the chambers were too long. Another example is the Clark .460 Rowland conversion barrel that may (or may not) fire .45 ACP successfully, though its chamber is by design slightly longer than .45 ACP. (The success, as I understand it, depends on if you change the recoil spring back to stock, and if your slide/extractor grips the case well enough to hold it against the slide during ignition. Some owners report successful mixing of .45ACP and .460 Rowland in the same magazine. Clark doesn't guarantee this will work, of course.

In these examples, the position of the brass is "correct", but is not controlled by the case mouth.

Is it something to deliberately set up? Of course not. But there are examples of this working. (Perhaps bad examples.)

So, I shouldn't have implied that the .45 ACP is always headspaced by the extractor. Once in a while, it seems to be.

 

[PRM]

Colt SAA in .45LC and .45 ACP

I have a Colt SAA in .45 LC that I sent back to the factory (Colt Custom Shop) in 2000 and had fitted with a .45 ACP cylinder. I love it - since I can get the .45 ACP rounds considerably cheaper than the 45LC, I can shoot more for less. Still have the option of having the longer classic 45LC. Rimless case - some have asked? The way the cylinder is bored takes care of that. Personally,I would let Ruger fit it to the gun - I'm not that savy a gunsmith. For me it has been money well spent. Colt charged me $250 for the cylinder and fitting. Ammo cost difference has more than paid for that. Happy Shooting!!!