Best .45 revolver

[guitarguy314]

Hello to all (I'm new here. This is my first post)

I am slowly learning through friends and my father (Who just got back into guns) about guns. I have been practicing with my father's .380 Walther ppk, and .22LR Taurus revolver.

I abhor the Walther. I hate the clip, I hate the small size, I hate the tendency to jam. /rant

I do love the revolver, but I would like something bigger than the .22.

Anyway, I am now saving up and looking for a gun of my own (I am 21). I want a Single action .45 revolver with a barrel between 5 and 10 inches. (Insert Clint Eastwood joke here)

I am looking for advice from other experienced people (besides my friends). What is the best .45 revolver that fits the above description?

The gun in question would be for home defense and target shooting. I'm not a hunter, and I don't plan on carrying. (I laugh thinking about how would look trying to conceal this kind of gun.)

Thanks!

 

[HDCamel]

Based on your requirements, I'd say get a Blackhawk or a Vaquero.

Colt SAs and the Italian copies are more for the "historical" types (like myself). It sounds like you just want a shooter.

But be warned, .45 Colt is expensive if you don't reload.

 

[BullRunBear]

Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest a Ruger Blackhawk. It has adjustable sights more suited to target work than the Vaquero's fixed sights. The Blackhawk can be had with an additional cylinder that will take 45 ACP ammo. 45 Colt ammo, really any centerfire ammo, isn't cheap. You may want to look into reloading to save money (or at least shoot more for the same costs) and to get the most out of your gun.

Is there a specific reason you want 45 Colt caliber? A Blackhawk in 357 magnum shooting 38 specials will meet your target and SD needs and the ammo is cheaper.

Good luck with your search.

Jeff

 

[guitarguy314]

Thanks guys!

@HDCamel - I like historical replicas as much as the next guy, I just don't want a cap and ball pistol...maybe someday though...

@BULLRUNBEAR - ;I want a 45 cal for a couple of reasons. I like heavier guns, like I said above, the walther just feels unwieldy. A 45 cal is definitely a heavy gun. I also like 45's because well, they're cool. Even if I'm not actually firing a dragoon, they have that historical aura (if that makes any sense.) .45's also have a lot of stopping power, if I'm at home and something happens where I need to defend myself, a 45 will um...facilitate my safety. XD (I know there are shotguns, but I don't want buckshot going everywhere, and I'd rather have six shots than two slugs.)

Can reloading be done at a gun store? For cheaper than buying new ammo? Is there anything that makes a repacked bullet less safe/reliable? I was always undwer the impression that repacking was only done at home.

 

[BCRider]

There are commercial ammo reloaders. Buying your reloads from them will save compared to buying new factory ammo. But not by all that much. To really see the cost saving you need to assemble a small and casual reloading setup and do the reloading at home. The good news is that it isn't expensive and it isn't hard. And the costs you save vs buying factory loaded or commercially reloaded ammo will pay for the sort of modest setup you need in likely somewhere around 500 to 700 rounds of ammo. After that you can reload for about 9 to 12 cents a round depending on your bullet options.

This same saving applies to any of the bigger bore options. There's still a very significant saving for 9mm and .38Spl but not to the same extent as the "flashy" big bore stuff. And .45Colt qualifies as "flashy" judging by the looks of factory pricing that I've seen.

A buddy of mine who is new to Cowboy Action Shooting has been coming over to my place and reloading his .45Colt ammo. I watched over his shoulder for the first 50 rounds and then he's been on his own for the last 1000 to 1200 he's loaded over here... not all in one visit though... He's been shooting and reloading all summer. Even with the single stage deal where he works through 50 at a time and has to pull the lever three times for each round he's still able to crank out about 150 to 180 rounds an hour. And this is on a setup which you could duplicate for about $150 to $180 even buying new stuff for everything.

So if you want to shoot .45Colt there is just simply no way you should NOT buy the reloading stuff almost at the same time you buy the gun itself. Toss in the other fact that with you in control you can load anything from mild to wild and it's a slam dunk that you should buy the gun and reloading kit all in one go.

Oh, as for the gun I'll just echo the idea of a Ruger Blackhawk with the barrel size of your choice. I'm partial to the 5.5 inch size since I don't like the looks of the barrel end and the ejector rod housing being at the same length. To me it just looks nicer when the barrel is the extra bit longer.

 

[Fishslayer]

Ruger Super Blackhawk and a reloading press. You can load the .45LC from mild to semi-.44 Magnum performance.

And the Ruger can take it.

 

[doc2rn]

Unlike 45 LC I would go with a .45 ACP S&W 625 JM like the one Jerry M. uses to shoot 18 rds in 2.9 sec. You can find it here http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57894_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y *warning you may recieve sticker shock*.

 

[DTesch357]

Actually, JM shot 12 rounds in 2.9 seconds, not 18.

Single action, 45 Colt? There's really only one option worth a damn - Ruger Blackhawk, 45 Colt. I'd recommend getting the convertible model, as it comes with an extra 45 ACP cylinder. Gives you more flexibility, and 45 ACP is generally cheaper to shoot than 45 Colt.

Personally, I find the 5.5" barrel Blackhawk balances perfectly.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guitarguy,

Can't argue with your reasoning on the 45 Colt. It is one of my two favorite handgun calibers. It has historic resonance, punches BIG holes in targets, and (in the Blackhawk) can be mild or up to a fire breathing round. I shoot more 45s and 38 specials than any other centerfire rounds. I have the Blackhawk convertible in 45 Colt/ACP and a new model Vaquero. The Vaquero is stainless and I use it for black powder 45 Colt loads. It's a lot of fun and another reason to reload.

If you get interested in reloading, and you sound like a prime candidate for it, be aware that it needn't be expensive, doesn't have to take up a lot of space, and can be a fun part of the shooting hobby. Since you don't have to crank out hundreds of rounds at a time, a simple press and accoutrments will do fine. I happen to prefer Lee Precision gear because I think it is the best value on the market and it has lasted me many years so far. If you have questions, post in the Reloading subsection here. You will get an incredible amount of information and opinions.

Jeff

 

[azgunner]

Based on what you say you want to do with this weapon, You may want to lokk at a S&W 25-5. 4IN / 6IN BARREL. Double/Single action weapon. Great for target shooting, and a very good home defense gun. If you dont reload, the ammo will be costly. I would stay away from the sing actions. Just because you say you want it for home protection also.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I'd recommend a Ruger Blackhawk or a Uberti copy of an old colt. Aesthetically the Uberti has it on the Blackhawk hands down (and superior triggers). But the Blackhawk is a tank. For the price I'd go with a Blackhawk. They do have god awful triggers tho.

Rugers:
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkBlued/models.html
Uberti's
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_action_cattleman.php

 

[Japle]

If you're into the Clint Eastwood thing, how about an 1871 Open Top?

 

[Bellevance]

For target work (and for sheer beauty) consider the S&W 25-2, Model of 1955. It's a .45 ACP revolver designed for use primarily as a target revolver. With moonclips, it's quick to load and to eject brass. Most have the 6 1/2-inch barrel. They're not single action only, but as azgunner says, if you want it for HD, you don't want single action. The 25-2 is one of the most accurate and elegant wheelguns ever made.

 

[paul105]

You might want to consider the Ruger Flattop Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP.

It is on the mid size frame and WON'T handle Ruger Only loads (but this shouldn't a problem for your stated use).

http://gunblast.com/Ruger-Lipseys45Flattop.htm

Paul

 

[robert garner]

Guitarguy, for your stated purposes you've two choices #1 is the Ruger and for very good reasons first is that you may shoot it daily till the arthritis kicks in and still give a good usable weapon to your kid/grandkid+ if you take up reloading (with the sun behind ya) you can watch your bullet travel to the target or load up hard enuff to outclass the .44 Mag.BUT...few of us really enjoy THAT much recoil therapy, for target / home defense
consider a Colt Clone, Uberti's are cool and tho you could spend as much on one as a Ruger
Taylors has whats called"Hombre" for 250 add a reloading set-up and a value pack of replacement springs, and you've still not spent the price of the Ruger.
Which carries the added value of letting you into the game, moving up-or out without losing a lot in the process.Have fun and
good luck
robert

 

[Coal Dragger]

I would suggest that the Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero are both fine choices, but there is a better choice offered by Ruger, and that is the Bisley model. The grip frame on the Bisley is larger and allows a better grip without the bottom of your palm and pinky hanging out with nothing to grip like the Blackhawk grip frame.

Alternately depending on budget you could look into the Freedom Arms or Magnum Research single actions, but they are quite a bit more expensive and are also very specialized high precision hunting revolvers.

 

[pharmer]

Another vote for Vaquero, old model. Joe

 

[Walkalong]

For target work (and for sheer beauty) consider the S&W 25-2, Model of 1955.

Hard to argue with.

 

[Bellevance]

Thanks for the photo, Walkalong. Looks just like mine. My favorite revolver.

 

[Furncliff]

.45 Colt....$1.00 per shot:banghead:

 

[Manny]

Another vote for the Lipsey's Ruger Flattop with .45 LC .45 ACP cylinders. My choice would be in stainless, but blued is great as well.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a Ruger Vaquero in .45LC and with a 5.5 ' barrel. I like the 5.5" barrel length because it seems to balance just right in my hand. The Vaquero is incredibly accurate, with factory loads and with several of my favorite handloads. The bright polished stainless makes it appear like it's nickel plated, and the Tru-Ivory grips I got for it make for one fine looking shootin' iron.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

.45 Colt....$1.00 per shot

I wish! I just paid $97 at Walmart for 80 rounds of weak cowboy loads.

 

[guitarguy314]

Wow! Thanks guys!

I'm hearing a lot about the blackhawk and the Vaquero. They are both awesome looking guns!

The American Fire Arms is a beauty, but a bit out of my price range for the time being. I do like the swing out cylinder though, it makes loading a lot easier.

The price on the ammo is a bit high, but I don't think I'll be shooting anymore than...maybe fifty rounds a month at most. I'm kind of far from the range, and school limits my time...XD

I'm not sure if this is allowed here (if it isn't, tell me and I'll edit the post) Does anyone know of a good place to buy guns? Is there a "blue book" so I don't get ripped off?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Shimitup]

Might I suggest since you're talking home defense consider a double action. Walkalong's 25-2 is a beauty. Years ago I passed on a chance to buy one for $200 un inflated, still not too bad in the 1980's.:banghead: Ruger Redhawk also can be found in .45.