Question about my 45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk, involving 45 ACP!?

[NateCowlishaw]

Hey guys,

Not too long ago I purchased a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt from Sportman's Warehouse and I am wandering if it is possible to get a cylinder designed for 45 ACPs, for use with my BlackHawk? Do I have to send my gun off to get this, or can I just order something like this from Ruger? I'd like to get this for survival reasons if I ever needed the extra availability and was unable to reload....

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

If I'm not mistaken, the cylinder has to be fitted to your Blackhawk.

 

[ewayte]

Acusport

Ruger makes special runs each year of stainless Bisleys for Acusport. The 2006 model was a convertible in .45 Colt with a second cylinder for .45 ACP. I think they only made 500, but you might be able to find one.

 

[4fingermick]

I have a pair of sequentially numbered convertible Blackhawks:



I'm real happy with them, but I don't know if I'd bother again . The 45ACPs only seem to hit their best accuracy when they are fairly singing along. Still early days though.

The cylinders interchange and lock up and cycle perfectly, but I have not been game to actually shoot them. If it was easy, they'd be selling them everywhere.

 

[bakert]

I don't think Ruger will fit a .45ACP cylinder to a gun that didn't come with one in the first place. You might be able to find a used cylinder that may or may not work. I understand some will drop in or in have one fitted by a gunsmith. Think there are smiths that can supply everything fitted too.

 

[Tom C.]

Several years ago, I sent several stainless 7.5" NMBHs to the factory for a barrel change to 5.5" and adding a .45 ACP cylinder. The cylinder is around $60. Mine work very well. Recently I had the .45 ACP cylinders trimmed to allow the use of .45 AR. I tend to use .45 AR brass for light range loads and reserve the .45 Colt for heavier loads. I use .45 ACP ammo when it doesn't gage up for use in IPSC, or inexpensive mil ball.

 

[Oohrah]

Ruger 45Lc/45 ACP

I think Bakert has your answer. I have the Convertable with
the missing 45 ACP . A local smith fitted it to the pistol
after locating the cyclinder. This was quite a few years ago and
the shop is no longer in business. This is a can do and has been
done if the factory doesn't want to. However, they may want to
sell you the cyclinder!

 

[Jim March]

One possibility:

Find a used cylinder for any large-frame New Model Ruger in any caliber from 44 on down - 357, 44Mag, whatever.

Put it in your gun and use the "revolver checkout procedure" to make sure it basically fits - you'll be able to check for endplay, alignment, etc. Your odds are about 50/50 or a bit better that it will drop in.

Assuming it fits, send it off to any decent gunsmith to be reamed in 45ACP.

Finding an actual 45ACP large-frame Ruger cylinder will be a pain as they are in very high demans.

 

[steveno]

I bought a blue 45 acp cylinder from a friend. it worked just fine in my SST 45 colt blackhawk and shoots better than the colt cylinder

 

[Master Blaster]

Is It an old new model on the larger .44 mag super frame or a New New blackhawk with a steel XR3 grip frame?

If its an older blackhawk, my understanding is that Ruger will make you a .45 acp cylinder for it for around $90, but you have to ship the frame to them.

If its the newer smaller model, they will not do a .45 acp cylinder.

I have a convertible old new blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel, I bought with two cylinders used but basically unfired for $325 about a year ago.


Mine shoots very well with my hardcast lead .45 acp target ammo, and jacketed full power stuff. I mostly shoot .45 acp in mine, and I added a pair of Hogue Mother of pearl grips.

Why dont you call Ruger and ask them if they will make one for you and how much???