ruger convertiable 45c/45acp

[midland man]

well I just priced a new ruger convertiable in 45c/45acp at the gun store for $510/520 he said well I feel this is a good buy. it has 5.5in barrel and he said it shoots 2 types of ammo well when you think about it it really can shoot 3 different ammo's the high pressure ammo as well but one must load it, so my question is you guys who has or have experience with them are they good, accurate, and soforth? plus what loads are best for plinkin to large dangerous game and for self defense at home, you recommend?

 

[Jim K]

Good guns and pretty flexible. They will take hotter .45 ACP loads than the old Model 1917 revolvers and of course don't need moon clips. I have used mine to test .45 ACP loads that were hot for a 1911. The price sounds good. (They won't fire .45 Auto Rim, though.)

Jim

 

[gazpacho]

The first time you compare factory 45 colt loads to factory 45 acp loads, the acp load will feel anemic.

The gun is a fun shooter, and is a great way to burn up old ammo.

If it is a Blackhawk revolver, then it will probably be one of the the strongest revolvers you will ever own.

If it is an OLD model Vaquero, ditto.

If it is a NEW model Vaquero, still very strong, but not super strong.

 

[krupparms]

I use mine for hikeing as it makes a good woods gun. Shot loads are great for snakes & it will deal with Bigfoot! These are a fantastic pistols & that's a good price for that gun. I would use .45acp. for H.D. & if you plan to hunt use good heavy loads for big game! And remember if its big, it's dangerous! Get a reloading manual, even if you don't reload. It will help you decide on what loads to use. JMO.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I had a Blackhawk. Neat gun. Probably shouldn't have sold it. Oh well.

 

[Malamute]

I have a 45/45 auto convertible. It's a great idea, but in my gun, the ACP cylinder seems to get gunked up with not so much use. It gets hard to cock from the shells not seating as deeply as may be desired after a little crud builds up in the chambers. Funny, I don't recall that problem with 1917 Smiths, my spare Ruger cylinder may just be tighter than average in the headspace.

I thought I'd use the ACP cylinder more, but now only take it along on road trips in case I needed to buy ammo (usually reload all I shoot). I find the 45 Colt to be a bit more flexible and useful for my needs in any event.

 

[critter]

Just shot mine yesterday. I love the thing. Accurate as all get out and very flexible.

 

[35 Whelen]

A couple of things to be aware of....

There are two different Ruger Blackhawk 45 convertibles; one on the large frame ( same as the 44 Magnum) and one on the smaller 357 frame. You can tell the difference pretty easily by looking at the rear sight. If there's a hump where the rear sight is mounted in the frame it's a full-size Blackhawk and capable of handling the heavier 45 Colt loads.in the 32K psi range. If there's no hump it's a Flat Top model and loads need to be kept in the 22-24K psi range. Lest ye think loads for the Flat Top weak, understand that loads in this range will run a 285 gr. Lead SWC over 1100 fps.

Second, if you plan on shooting lead bullets you'll very likely need to have the cylinder throats reamed as Ruger's 45 cylinders are notorious for being undersized. Tl

35W

 

[bannockburn]

I have an older model Vaquero and it's literally a blast to shoot. Looks great with its polished stainless steel and Bar-S Tru-Ivory grips, balances perfectly in my hand, and is accurate to point of aim at 35 to 40 feet; with either factory or handloaded ammo. Eventually I would like to get one of the Flattop Blackhawk convertibles in .45 Colt/.45 ACP with a 4 5/8" barrel; probably in stainless though the blued one looked nice too.

 

[CraigC]

If it is a Vaquero, ditto.

If it is a New Vaquero, still very strong, but not super strong.

Fixed it.

 

[il.bill]

If you are comfortable with the price, go ahead and get it - you will not be disappointed.

I have an embarrassing number of handguns and my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt / .45 ACP Convertible is one of just a handful I purchased new, and it is one of my absolute favorites. I shoot it just about as well as any firearm I own. Heavy .45 Colt 'thumpers' are a blast, and light 'cowboy loads' are a hoot to shoot. I was also very pleasantly surprised at how accurate the .45 ACP cylinder shoots.


Mine is a blued 4 5/8" barrel, which is a perfect size for hiking or carry in the woods. The 5 1/2" barrel model with the barrel extending a bit past the ejector housing is, in my eyes, one of the most handsome new revolvers out there.

For overall accuracy, ruggedness, flexibility, and value, for me the Blackhawk Convertibles are hard to beat.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have a New Model Blackhawk 45 convertible with 7.5" barrel. Got it used about thirty years ago. As expected, it is great with 45 Colt loads and just as good with 45 ACP, both commercial and reloads. For ACP reloads I make sure the sized cases fit correctly in the cylinder before finishing the loading process.

It's a fun revolver, versatile, and makes a great woods carry gun.

Jeff

 

[tuna]

Yup, I've had mine about 20 years now and love it.

Got rid of my Super Blackhawk when I found the heavy rounds in .45LC.

Mine shoots .45Auto Rim also.

Great gun for hiking, camping and I use mine for hunting Black Bear.

 

[pendennis]

I've owned one for about five years, and it's a great revolver. I've had slightly better accuracy with the .45 Colt cylinder, than with the .45 ACP. There's a bit more free bore since the .45 ACP is a slightly shorter round.

I've loaded the .45 ACP with .45 Colt 250gr RNFP bullets, and they make a nice "trail" load. I also use the same load in my S&W 325NG for SD.

Hard to beat the price for all the versatility.

 

[cpt-t]

midland man: I bought my Old Three Screw Ruger 7-1/2 Inch 45LC/45ACP Convertible in 1971, 43 years ago. And it is my most favorite S/A that I own. Mine is extremley accurate IMHO. At 25yds the 45ACP cylinger will shoot about an 1inch to about 2inches higher than the 45LC cylinder but the groups are really about the same size. I really can`t tell You which cylinder I like the best. Because I shoot both alot. I have a Dillon 1050 sit up for 45ACP`s so I have shot quite a few 45ACP`s out of it over the years. I have carried this Old Gun many miles, and I have shot it 1000`s of times in both 45LC & 45ACP both Hunting or just Plinking. It shoots as good now as the day I bought, and locks up just as tight. Good luck to You on Yours.
ken

 

[BLU]

Bannockburn.... Beautiful piece! I have one nearly like it in a 3 3/4" barrel. Can one ever go wrong with a Ruger?

 

[SDGlock23]

The convertible models make for a great bargain since you get the two separate cylinders. I really enjoyed mine, it was the 5.5" Bisley model, real pretty piece. I say it in past tense because it blew up on me using the Colt cylinder, like a grenade, boom!

 

[35 Whelen]

The convertible models make for a great bargain since you get the two separate cylinders. I really enjoyed mine, it was the 5.5" Bisley model, real pretty piece. I say it in past tense because it blew up on me using the Colt cylinder, like a grenade, boom!

Oh do tell please. ...

 

[ClemY]

I have a stainless .45 Colt/.45 ACP NMBH that has had the .45 ACP cylinder modified to also take .45 AR. Shooting light range loads I like the AR case since I am loading small amounts of fast powder. It shoots very well with all calibers, but both cylinders had to be reamed to .452". When they are significantly undersized, good accuracy is very difficult.