45LC as a CCW?

[orionengnr]

I, too, have a 4" M25 Mountain Gun. I have EDCed it for longer periods (several months, as long as some cool weather sticks around--I need a bulky sweatshirt, jacket or some other cover garment). With a good belt and my SideGuard IWB holster, it is quite do-able, and I am not a young lad or a large one.

It can be done, but you really have to want to do it.

If you hand load, the .45LC is about as much fun as it gets. That big old ash-can sized case will let you load anything from mouse-fart (big mouse) to near-nuclear loads...plus I have a bunch of the clear blue Speer shot capsules--load your own snake or rat shot.

 

[tpelle]

Keep in mind that the .45 ACP, quite adequate as a manstopper, was designed to duplicate the ballistics of the .45 Colt (Note: It's ".45 Colt", NOT ".45 Long Colt".)

The .45 Colt could easily be made to surpass the .45 ACP since you are unrestricted as to bullet shape - as long as it fits in the cylinder you're GTG.

 

[Kymasabe]

I would think if you wanted to carry something that big, maybe a Charter Arms in .44 special would be a better choice.

 

[Jaymo]

"quite adequate as a manstopper" Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
That's funny. Never heard such an understatement.

 

[Doubleobuck]

Ruger makes SA .45LC with a 3 inch barrel. The Montado

 

[Scipio Africanus]

I carry a 4" 629 concealed almost every day, it can be done. A 625 would be identical in size and weight. Two caveats: I am a bigger fellow than average and I live where it is cold/cool most of the year.

The .45 Colt may be the perfect handgun cartridge for almost everything.

 

[eldon519]

If you don't mind a single action, a Freedom Arms 97 is quite a tidy 5-shot package, but they are very expensive compared to other options.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ruger makes SA .45LC with a 3 inch barrel. The Montado

My experience with carrying .45 Colt revolvers is that it isn't barrel length that makes them difficult to conceal, it's the diameter of the cylinder.

The best concealment holsters place the cylinder above the belt line -- essentially, only the barrel fits in the holster. With a holster like that, a somewhat longer barrel is an advantage -- it keeps the gun more securely in the holster.

 

[Jaymo]

Though I like the Judge/Governor, the longer cylinders don't help the velocity of .45 Colt ammo.
I remember a chronograph test of a 3" Judge with factory .45 Colt defensive ammo, that showed the rounds only doing about 650 fps.
My .45 caliber air rifle does better than that, and is a LOT quieter.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I remember a chronograph test of a 3" Judge with factory .45 Colt defensive ammo, that showed the rounds only doing about 650 fps

Of course. The Judge, with a chamber cut for a 3" .410 shell has one heck of a lot of freebore for a .45 Colt round -- and a lot of gas blows past the bullet before it ever reaches the throat.

If Taurus (or Smith and Wesson) would build the Judge or the Governor with a cylinder sized for the .45 Colt only, I'd buy one.

 

[Zombiphobia]

Even lightly loaded .45 Colt cartridges deliver a hard punch. If you don't think that even a 180gr bullet at 800fps won't hurt a grown man, you're mistaken. But I've seen a grown, and reputably tough man in severe pain from a .22lr.. so I believe any firearm can be effective.

Poke yourself with a pencil. Does it hurt? What do you think being shot with a .45 slug feels like?

 

[Jaymo]

Vern, so would I. All that freebore doesn't help achieve target grade accuracy either. Then again, it's not a target gun.

I realize that a .45 slug at 800 fps will do some serious damage.
I prefer my .45 colt loads to be running the original 1000 fps.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern, so would I. All that freebore doesn't help achieve target grade accuracy either. Then again, it's not a target gun.

I realize that a .45 slug at 800 fps will do some serious damage.
I prefer my .45 colt loads to be running the original 1000 fps.

I currently shoot .45 Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk and a Colt New Service (made in 1906). Both of these revolvers are great shooters and do anything I ask of them. As I say, if I need shot loads, I can buy or handload them, with no need for a cylinder sized for a .410.

 

[BullSkater]

I carry a 45C taurus 450TI. Most factory 250gr ammo runs around 625 fps. The barrel is 2inchs and is ported. My 2.5 inch barrel charter arms 44spl is the same size and weight as the taurus. 44 spl factory ammo gives better performance in a snub than any 45 colt ammo I have tested in the taurus. I load for my 45.

 

[RonDeer10mm]

I'd rather carry a 1911 with a heavy hardcast in .45 acp.