Is there a source for 45 ACP cylinders for SAA?

[Topgun]

With my tendon problem, I would really love to have a 45ACP conversion cylinder for my neat "roll in recoil" Colt SAA.

I am very afraid that I may be OUT of the 1911 shooter category very soon. But the way the SAA rolls up is easier. AND...the ACP would be less recoil (and available cheaper) than the 45 Colt.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Colt factory will fit a new .45 ACP cylinder to your gun.
This is a fairly common addition. Even General Patton's SAA was in 45 ACP.

I'd email or call for pricing.

 

[Old Fuff]

dfariswheel:

>> Even General Patton's SAA was in 45 ACP. <<

I've heard that before but it's not true. Patton's famous Single Action is chambered in .45 Colt. He purchased it in Texas around 1916. At the time many cavalry officers had no use for the 1911 pistol - or any other automatic. They had fought its adoption tooth and nail. Many still carried the Colt model 1909, that was also chambered to use the .45 Colt cartridge as well as a special round loaded for the m-1909 at Frankfort Arsenal. Lt. Patton knew well how strong the anti-automatic feelings were within his service branch. At the same time rank & file were issued the 1911, and used it as they had no choice. Commissioned officers were another matter.

I have only seen one picture of Patton carrying a .45 Pistol. In it he is carrying a ivory handled one (his trademark it would seem) in a shoulder holster while standing in a tank - all of this around 1939 or 40.

 

[Jim March]

You can load 45LC light enough so that recoil is the same or even less. The larger case capacity of the LC reduces peak pressure over the shorter 45ACP.

We also have that new 250grain Speer Gold Dot specifically designed for 45LC @ 850 - 900fps. I'd be willing to bet that'll prove a better defensive load than most 45ACP fodder on the market...esp. since it was designed for revolvers with no compromises made in the nose shape for feed ramps.

 

[Old Fuff]

I think you're right, and I was going to suggest much the same thing. But since the thread was about .45ACP cylinders I thought I might be off-topic.

That said ... yes ...I'd try a lighter .45 Colt load first.

 

[Josey]

There are many CAS downloaded choices in lead. Have you considered the original black powder 45 LC rounds? There is reduced recoil. The generation of your Colt SAA may not work well with BP.

 

[Otony]

A bit off thread perhaps, but General Jonathan Wainwright carried a 4.75" Colt SAA chambered for.....45 ACP.

I remember reading his life story in the Base Library at Giessen, Germany. He wrapped that SA in a greased rag and stowed it in a tree before the Philippine surrender, and his imprisonment by Japanese Forces. He later retrieved it after the Japanese surrender. He also noted that he "shot a Jap with it", although I would imagine that was before EITHER surrender!

That inspired me (no, not to shoot a Jap, nor to be imprisoned!) to want a SAA like that, an itch I never scratched. So about 30 years later, I finally bought a Cimarron Model P with 2 cylinders, .45 Colt and .45 ACP. Never fired the Colt cylinder, in fact I sold it to a fellow for a pen stand, but that darn ACP cylinder was extremely accurate out of the box with 230 grain FMJ. I sold the thing a year or so ago, and bought another dream SAA, a USFA Flattop Target in .44 Special. Just have to have some cool SAA to feel right, ya know?

 

[BluesBear]

As usual Old Fuff is 100% correct.

General Patton's Colt SAA was NOT chambered for .45acp.

I don't know of Topgun is a reloader or not. If he isn't then he will save a lot of money by buying .45acp ammo. Even if he does reload you can find once fired .45acp cases cheaper and easier than .45Colt.

 

[Topgun]

Yep, was lookin for lower recoil

AND lower cost....without....reloading.

Gonna give Colt a whirl and find out price for a conversion cylinder.


or sleeve the cylinder with scrap brass and wedge the ACP's in and.....naaahh.... not a good idea.

Don't want to CLEAN after black powder. (although it sounds FUN)

coff coff hack!

 

[Old Fuff]

I suspect that Colt does have cylinders, but they may cost more then the gun's worth.

I believe the EMF Co. (www.emf-company.com) may have Italian made cylinders that will fit Colt revolvers for less money. They might even have some older Colt .45 ACP cylinders.

If you order a cylinder be sure to also get a cylinder bushing. You'll need it to fit the cylinder to the gun.

 

[Topgun]

Oh, don't tell me

that the cylinder bushing is where they get the gap adjustment.

These SAA's will NEVER be any good.

......Secretary of the Army

 

[dfariswheel]

Begging all your pardons, but in an interview, Patton HIMSELF stated that his SAA was fitted with a .45 ACP cylinder , DURING THE WAR.

When getting into a landing craft at Sicily??, an aid almost dropped his guns over the side by accident.

Patton said later that had they been lost, all he would have had left of his beloved SAA that he had killed the Mexican bandits with would have been the original .45 Colt cylinder.

He said that he had Colt fit a .45 ACP cylinder to ease the ammo supply problem early in the war.

As soon as he was able to get a steady supply of ammo, the ORIGINAL .45 Colt cylinder went back in.

 

[Old Fuff]

Don't think so. Patton never left the revolver in the care of others while he was involved in making a landing - anywhere or anytime. In those circumstances it was attached to his person. He wore it as much as a trademark then as a weapon.

 

[dfariswheel]

Sorry, wrong again.

Patton himself wrote about the incident. His long-time "batman" was loading Patton's baggage into the landing craft while Patton was talking to the ships Captain. The ship lurched, and the whole thing almost got dumped.

Patton spoke about the shock of almost losing his prized guns.

I "think" the reference was in his book "War As I Knew It".

It was also described in the book "Patton" Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farrago.

 

[November]

Well, on the other end of the SAA universe, I have a Cabela's Millenium SAA .45 Colt Clone ($249) and wanted a .45acp cylinder. I went to the Numrich gun parts website and they had a Millenium .45acp cylinder for $70. It came with the bushing so I slowly filed it until I had a very good fit. It's been great with no problems. I believe they also had them in regular blue finish. Might be a cheaper way to go (if it works).