Col. Plink
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Wondering if either of these chamberings can safely shoot 45acp with moon clips? Any models able to switch out cylinders for 45acp? Thanks in advance!
Can .45LC's or .454's take 45acp w/ moon clips?
- Thread starter Col. Plink
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Driftwood Johnson
Member
No.
45 Colt rims are .060 thick. The head space for 45 ACP with moon clips is .090. So there is not enough space between the cylinder and the recoil shield in a 45 Colt revolver to accept the moon clips. A 45 ACP cylinder can be machined to provide relief for moon clips, but not the way they come from the factory. The 45 Auto Rim cartridge was developed specifically as a rimmed cartridge to be used in revolvers chambered for 45 ACP. 45 AR has a rim .090 in thickness to take up the extra space.
You can see in this photo of two Model 1917 Smiths how much space there is behind the cylinder.
These two Single Action Armies, chambered for 45 Colt, have much less space between the rear of the cylinder and the recoil shield.
This photo shows the different rim thicknesses of several 45 caliber cartridges. Left to right they are 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, 45 Cowboy Special, 45 Auto Rim, and 45 ACP. Notice how much thicker the rim is on the 45 AR than on the 45 Colt, to take up the extra .030 of space between the cylinder and the recoil shield.
This Ruger Blackhawk came with two cylinders, one for 45 Colt and the other for 45ACP. They are easily switched out. But switching out a cylinder on a double action revolver is not so simple.
45 Colt rims are .060 thick. The head space for 45 ACP with moon clips is .090. So there is not enough space between the cylinder and the recoil shield in a 45 Colt revolver to accept the moon clips. A 45 ACP cylinder can be machined to provide relief for moon clips, but not the way they come from the factory. The 45 Auto Rim cartridge was developed specifically as a rimmed cartridge to be used in revolvers chambered for 45 ACP. 45 AR has a rim .090 in thickness to take up the extra space.
You can see in this photo of two Model 1917 Smiths how much space there is behind the cylinder.
These two Single Action Armies, chambered for 45 Colt, have much less space between the rear of the cylinder and the recoil shield.
This photo shows the different rim thicknesses of several 45 caliber cartridges. Left to right they are 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, 45 Cowboy Special, 45 Auto Rim, and 45 ACP. Notice how much thicker the rim is on the 45 AR than on the 45 Colt, to take up the extra .030 of space between the cylinder and the recoil shield.
This Ruger Blackhawk came with two cylinders, one for 45 Colt and the other for 45ACP. They are easily switched out. But switching out a cylinder on a double action revolver is not so simple.
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes, it can be done.
A factory cylinder can be machined for moon-clip clearance to shoot .45 ACP in a .45 Colt or .454 cylinder.
TK Custom makes a living doing it.
http://www.tkcustom.com/content/machine.asp
As does 10-ring Precision.
http://tenring.com/moon-clip-conversions/
And others.
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
rc
A factory cylinder can be machined for moon-clip clearance to shoot .45 ACP in a .45 Colt or .454 cylinder.
TK Custom makes a living doing it.
http://www.tkcustom.com/content/machine.asp
As does 10-ring Precision.
http://tenring.com/moon-clip-conversions/
And others.
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
rc
Lucky Derby
Member
Other than custom work outlined in rcmodel's post and swapping cylinders in a Blackhawk or similar, the only factory gun that does it that I am aware of the is S&W Governor revolver.
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