I just got my first .45LC

[chaim]

I just got my first .45LC. I actually would have prefered .357mag since I already have so many revolvers chambered in it or .41mag since I have one already, however this was used so I didn't have as many options, it was a type of gun I've wanted for some time, and the price was significantly less than the new ones on the shelves with it. Anyway, it is a Winchester 94AE with a 16" barrel (OK, keep reading, this does fit in the revolver section for more reasons than just the caliber).

I really love this gun. It is fairly accurate, it seems quite well made, and it is a hoot to shoot. I've been wanting a lever action in a revolver caliber for some time. Also, I think I like this caliber. Low pressure, relatively powerful, can be uploaded to some insane (greater than .44mag) levels yet there is plenty of mild plinking stuff around as well, and a link to American history.

Anyway, it has me thinking. I need a revolver to go with it. I am undecided about SA or DA though. I like several of both. I'd love a Cimarron or EMF SAA or Remington clone or a Vaquero. I also have my eye on the Taurus Tracker in .45LC, a Taurus 450 (I know, it is a snub with the dreaded ports, but I can't help it- I like it), and/or a used S&W 25. Other than the Vaquero I'm not really interested in the Rugers.

So what .45LC wheelguns do you own? What is your favorite? What did you start with?

Should I get the 450 and have a heck of a carry revolver when I'm out of MD? Should I go with a piece of history in the S&W 25 or a period piece like the clones or Vaquero? Eventually, I figure I'll have more than one (I knew that before I got this carbine) but now I need one ASAP. Which is the best way to start?


Note: I have several good carriable revolvers (3" K-frame, Taurus 85, Colt PPS, 4" K-frame) and I have some good woods guns (6" S&W 586 and soon S&W 57) so that would suggest going with a period piece. However the reason I have so many "combat" arms and a couple good "woods" guns is because those are just what I've been more drawn to lately. Maybe I could go dual use- Cimarron or Vaquero with birdshead grip or short sheriff's model clone so it is carriable/concealable (yeah right), or a big strong Vaquero so it is also a woods gun?

 

[WESHOOT2]

MINE

I have a 5.5" Redhawk.
It launches huge heavy bullets fast (ouch).
It takes HKS M-29 speedloaders (IPSC, you know).
It is real accurate.
It can do the job.

 

[Hal]

First - New or used on the 94?

Reason I ask is because it makes a big difference.

"Older" ones (like my 94 Trapper ~ 4 years old) have a very lazy 1 in 39" twist. While it's very possible to get good performance and decent accuracy out of 230 - 255 gr loads, the heavies don't stabilize enough. The real advantage of fast .44mag-like performance comes on at the 310 and up gr bullet weights in the .45LC. A .451/.452 dia bullet need to weight ~ 330 gr to equal the sectional density of a .429/.430 dia bullet weighing 240 gr. Bottom line here is to reap ALL the benifits of .44mag level loads from the .45LC, you need to go beyond what most .45 Colt chambered revolvers will digest.

"New" ones have a 1 in 20-something rate of twist. While still not ideal , it's a huge step up for using 310 gr bullets. Now the limiting factor for the 94 really becomes one of it's (in)ability to function with the longer bullets.

Ok, where I'm going with this is that you (as a fairly new handloader) will want to make a distinction between hot-heavy / hot-light. A "newer" model with a faster twist rate will match up better with Weshoot2's Redhawk or a Vaquero, where you can take full advantage of both heavy (above 255 gr) and light (light being 200 to 255 gr). An "older" model will match up better with the Tauri & Colt clones. My Trapper works very well with the 200 gr Blazers,,which also work pretty well in my .45LC Blackhawk.

I've pretty much settled on getting a Beretta Stampede (or maybe a pair if I decide to go "Cowboy") to match up with my Trapper, and keeping the loads to the 230 to 255 grains.

Smith 25-(3)(4)(5)? Yeah, (drool) I dream on about that one!

 

[Airboss]

What to Buy???

I have 2 S&W's in .45 LC a 625 3" that is a carry gun for me it works very well as long as you have a good belt and Holster.At 15 yards I can group tight enough to cover the group with a cigarette pack double action.My real love just because it looks so good is my M-25 4" groups inside 2" at 25 yards.
If you can find a good M-25 4" go with that first IMO then branch out.
BTW My carry load is 250 JHP @950 FPS this looks like it will work on anything that walks in this part of Texas on 2 or 4 legs

 

[JoeHatley]

I've got a couple Ruger single actions, and a couple S&W 25-5 double actions, but my favorite is this 625 Mountain gun.



What a fun gun to shoot!!

Joe

 

[fiVe]

Great pics!

Chaim & Weshoot2, where are your pics?

 

[chaim]

First - New or used on the 94?

It was used so I have no idea how old it is.

The handgun choice depends on what you need it to do.

The rifle is for fun and also for use as a home defense carbine. It may take the place of my Winchester 94 in 30-30 at the campsite when camping as well.

The pistol, well I'm not sure, that depends largely which way I go...

It might be nice to get one to replace my 6" S&W 586 as my camping gun (when legal) since the S&W 57 I got for that purpose is a first year model (1963) and simply too nice to get banged up and messed up in a holster and something more than .357mag might be nice if I have a run in with a bear or mountain lion.

It would also be nice to have a low pressure round (less noise) that still is quite capable (more than .38spl) that can serve as a carry gun (when out of MD) and/or as my HD revolver.

However, especially for now (living in MD) its most common usage and reason would be for fun, and just because.

I don't have a "cowboy" type gun yet. However, I love Cimarron and other clones, yet it might make more sense to go with a dual purpose gun if I went this way and get the Vaquero since it is strong enough for "woods" loads.

A carriable gun might be nice so I can have a CCW revolver in more than .38+P and .357mag (or close to .357 anyway with less noise and commotion). That would suggest the Taurus 450 or 4" Tracker. A larger framed revolver with a short barrel or shortened barrel (or birdshead grip) Vaquero or SAA (or similar) clone could work for this and be "dual purpose" as well.

A classic like the S&W 25 would be great. History, and capable of use as a woods gun (if the finish is somewhat worn already- otherwise it might go the same way as the 57 and I might not be able to bring myself to messing it up).

A better woods gun, the Tracker, a beat up 25, a 625, etc. would be nice as well.

Too many choices. Eventually I want something that fits all these uses (though the CCW/HD big bore/low pressure choice may end up a .44spl instead, and the woods gun, well I'll probably have a few choices of gun and chambering eventually), but I don't know which I want to start with. Thus, more feedback is good.

 

[Majic]

I sold my S&W M25, but still have my Limited Ruger Bisley and Colt Anaconda. Both of them are tough as nails.

 

[oscar]

I have a Millenium from Cabellas that was under $250. Also have a M-25 and it is very nice.

 

[444]

I recently did some work to my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. It is a 7 1/2" blued gun that I bought about 12-15 years ago.
I recently had the cylinder throats opened up to .4525"
I then fire lapped it with about 125 rounds imbedded with 320 grit lapping compound.
I then cleaned it and tested out a load using a 255 grain cast bullet over 6.1 grains of VV3NSL (I got something like 32 pounds of it on a deal).
The result from 25 paces offhand produced a single large ragged hole.

Very happy with all

 

[Gordon]

Saxon Pig: What year is that nickle New Service .45? Besides being gorgeous I notice it has the double knurl on ejector rod and the later round latch. I am trying to get an idea of when they went to those styles on New Services. Chaim: I have a first generation 1899 7' 1/2 SAA Colt .45 that was rebuilt(refinished&embellished) by Colt in late 40's thus lowering value in half, And a 2nd generation 4 3/4 .45 in Nickle that is NIB and a safe queen. I do shoot the 1st gen once and again the sights being dead on at 15 yards with 250 grain Cowboy loads. I don't reload for it though , I have a Ruger.454 SRH that can shoot .45 Colt, though. I have reloaded 35years for .44mag and .44spec among 17 other calibers , but being indoctrinated by Keith in my early years I always prefered .44!!!!

 

[James Bondrock]

So what .45LC wheelguns do you own? What is your favorite?

I have an "Old Model" Ruger Blackhawk convertible (interchangeable .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders) and a Smith & Wesson 25-5. Of those, my favorite is the Ruger. It is in perfect mechanical condition. My particular Smith has some problems (partially offset by my paying $300 for it).

 

[Smoke Rizen]

First 45 L.C.

If You want to shoot the same loads (heavy) in the Wheel-Gun,I'd go with the Ruger or a D A as the clones don't handle the pressure. S.R.

 

[JShirley]

A nice, strong Ruger SA will let you have a nice companion piece and also let you shoot real Rhino Rollers in your sidearm.

 

[WESHOOT2]

AIN'T

Got onenathem digitalisys cameras (yert).

 

[HogRider]

I have a Redhawk in 45 and it's one of my favorite sixguns.