.45acp Revolvers?

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Col. Plink

Col. Plink

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Hello,

just saw something interesting that I hadn't even thought to ask about, but saw one for sale so they must exist:

.45 ACP (?!) revolvers? Are there some good ones out there? Price ranges for used models y'all have? Any info would be appreciated.

Seems very strange, but then I always wondered at how autopistol cartridges were held in place and extracted anyway.

Thanks!
 
During the first World War, there was a shortage of 1911 autos. A call went out to Colt and S&W for revolvers to chamber the .45 acp round. Both came out with one in 1917, so the concept is an old one.

The rounds are held in place by clips that hold 2, 3 or 6 rounds together. WWI saw mostly the 1/2 moon (holds 3 rds) version the most. These clips are not essential, as the round headspaces on the case mouth in their absence, but then you have to pluck or poke out the empties by hand.

Presently, full moon clips prevail due to the speed of the reload.

Action shooting has seen a resurgence in the concept in several calibers.
 
And if you are on the fence about getting a 45 acp revolver and you already own a 40 cal firearm, think about picking up a 610 (10 mm/40 S&W) instead. They are made in a 3 7/8" and 6.5" tube with full underlugs. They are heavy but they dampen the cartridge they shoot pretty well and are very accurate. I used a 6.5" 610 for USPSA and ICORE.. The 610's are current production guns (for now) while the 625's are out of production (also for now).
 
So any .45LC will shoot .45acp with the right moon clips? (ie S&W model 25's, etc.)?
 
These clips are not essential, as the round headspaces on the case mouth in their absence
Click to expand...
Not any more!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5613255&postcount=14

So any .45LC will shoot .45acp with the right moon clips? (ie S&W model 25's, etc.)?
Click to expand...
No, different cartridge.
One will not work in the other.

The .45 ACP revolver has huge headspace to make room for the 1/2 or moon clips, or Auto Rim extra-thick case rims.

The 45 Colt would not chamber in a .45 ACP revolver because of the shorter chambers, and a .45 Colt revolver would have no space for the clips or much thicker Auto Rim cartridge.

rc
 
No, a .45 Colt revolver will not also take .45 ACP, although there are gunsmiths who specialize in modifying .45 Colt revos to take .45 ACP with moon clips.

If you want a smaller capacity case to use light range loads, there is also the .45 Schofield and .45 Special. The .45 Special is a .45 ACP length case with a .060" thick rim, same as the .45 Colt. The .45 AR has a .090" rim, same as the .45 ACP + .030" moon clip.
 
.45 Colt and most other rimmmed handgun cartrdiges
have a rim thickness of approx. 0.0615"

.45 Auto RIm has a rim thickness of approx. 0.0910
in order to position the rear of the case i.e. the primer in
relation to the firing pin.

Randall
 
Q about the S&W 28-2; it is not offered from the factory as 45acp, correct? But can have the cylinder switched-out? A little confused, looking for the most cost-effective way to get into 45acp revolvers...
 
You could get TK Custom (www.moonclips.com) to convert your .38, .44, etc, to take full moon clips. The gun retains the ability to fully function without the clips, also.
 
Q about the S&W 28-2; it is not offered from the factory as 45acp, correct? But can have the cylinder switched-out?
Click to expand...
No.
A Model 28 is an N-Frame .357 Mag.

A .45 ACP barrel & Cyl could be refitted to one.
But it would cost more then just buying a Model 25, or 625 to start with.

A 28-2 is worth almost as much to start with anymore as a 25, or 625 already in .45 ACP.

Buying a new barrel & cylinder + having them fitted to a .357 gun would cost several hundred dollars more.

rc
 
I'm surprised there's not more variations on the market. A .45acp makes an awesome truck or house gun. Basically .44 special ballistics but slightly bigger.
 
Other brands? I believe Ruger makes a single-action with interchangeable cylinders that allow you to use either .45acp or .45 colt. Since Rugers are tough enough to handle .45 colt+p (which is on par with .44 magnum), that makes for a very diverse gun. I don't think it can use moon clips, but then again, that's not what the SA experience is about. :cool:
 
The S&W M25-2 was built as a target revolver and as such is a wonderful platform from which to launch 45 ACP projectiles. I was able to get one from a fellow shooter and after having it for a year or so I understood why they were so scarce on the dealers shelves. That was almost 30 years ago when S&W was still making them. Now that the 25-2 is discontinued they are showing up more and more as the older shooters are dying off or no longer shooting.

Converting a 28-2 over to 45 ACP was done mostly because at the time that conversion was reasonable, a 4" 45 ACP revovler was not available. Also, at that time 28-2s were a dearth on the market and dirt cheap. Times have changed but if you find one cheap enough, the conversion can still be done. They make into wonderful shooters but not all the 28-2 barrels are suitable for reboring to 45 caliber so a new barrel may be necessary.
 
Wolfeye beat me to it,; Ruger makes the Blackhawk Single-Action revolver in a 'convertible' model...a .45ACP cylinder is included in the package. Swap cylinders for .45Colt/.45ACP

Not sure if Ruger still offers it, but they used to have a 'Blackhawk Convertible' in .357Mag/9MM...same thing, swap out the cylinder for the other cal.

The Single-Six does the same for .22LR/.22Mag
 
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I have several models that shoot the 45acp round but my favorite by far is the M22 4". I carry it quite often, mainly hunting and hiking. Around the ranch and on occasion when I go out.


Blue, 4", loaded with the 45 AR with moon clp backup.
 

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Wolfeye beat me to it,; Ruger makes the Blackhawk Single-Action revolver in a 'convertible' model...a .45ACP cylinder in included in the package. Swap cylinders for .45Colt/.45ACP
Click to expand...

How do the 45ACP cylinders work without moonclips? I'm in the market for a revolver and stumbled across the Ruger convertibles last night. I can't find a decent picture of one, so I'm having trouble picturing how the 45ACP cylinder works.
 
Each chamber has a headspace shoulder just like a 1911 pistol barrel.

The .45 ACP headspaces on the case mouth in a SA, or any auto-pistol.

rc
 
Just seen a Colt / King Super Target .45 LC with a .45 ACP cylinder go on Gunbroker last week. Sweeeettt !!! Sold for $2240.00, unbelievable.
 
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I saw a couple of MOdel 22 NIB for $450 & $480 bid last
week on gunbroker. Seems a nice price to me.

I've had a 26-2 in the past, and currently have a
625 5" bbl. full underlug, favorite range revolver.

R-
 
Since everyone else has answered your question pretty well I'lltell you this. I was ever that big a fan of the .45 acp until I got my first .45 revolver- A Smith 325 Night Guard. SInce then I also hve aquired a Smith 625 JM that someone posted a pic of above. These are my two favorite guns to shoot, and I often carry the 325 for ccw.
 
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