Ruger's New .45LC/.45ACP Redhawk...

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C

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... How does it work? The site claims it can fire both rounds in the same cylinder, whereas their previous multi-cartridge revolvers utilized swap-out cylinders. There are no pictures of the chamber mouths that I can find. Anyone got the skinny on this?

It looks sweet though. I'm really hoping that the big-bore defensive revolver can make a comeback, instead of being monopolized by the POS Charter Bulldog.
 
I guess that makes sense. Would the .45LC case still be fully supported in the chamber, or would sections be exposed due to the cutouts for the moon clips?
 
They did it like the normal moon-clip conversions, where they cut the rear of the cylinder for .45 ACP clip clearence.
But leave segments of it to still support the .45 Colt case rims and maintain proper headspace.

You can see how in the photos in the Gunblast link I posted.

rc
 
And of course, I imagine there would be a significant gap between the case mouth and the chamber throat, much more than there would be when using a .38 in a .357 chamber. Not sure if I like that idea.

I just wish there were more .45ACP revolvers in general. The cartridge is very efficient, giving good velocity even in short revolver barrels, well balanced in terms of recoil to performance, has wide availability almost everywhere in the states, including availability of inexpensive target ammo, and provides decent terminal performance with said cheap target ammo due to the bullet diameter. Plus, the ability to use moon clips to reload is an advantage over traditional rimmed revolver rounds and HKS style speedloaders, in my opinion, as is the fact that the short auto round allows for a shorter revolver frame.

Too bad the world is so obsessed with autos nowadays. There's just not much incentive for manufacturers to progress revolver designs.
 
Smith and Wesson makes and has made .45 ACP revolvers off and on for nearly 100 years. They currently show 3 models available.
 
They need to make one with a half-lug barrel, and a 5-shot compact frame one (don't know if a true J-frame would be possible).
 
It would not be possible. They barely stuffed 5 .44s in an L frame, and it doesn't even look to have the meat to take a .45 at all. Pretty much gonna have to be an N frame. Taurus used to make a 5-shot .45 Colt. Not sure if they ever made a .45 auto.
 
Picked mine up today.

In the .45 Colt caliber, roughly 20% of the case rim rests against the rear of the cylinder to maintain headspacing.

There's a visible gap between the rim & the cylinder & extractor around the rest of the case, but it's tiny & not wide enough to risk pressures expanding the case web there.
Denis
 
I got the TALO 2.75" .44 Redhawk a few months ago - now I'm jealous of the checkered stocks on this .45 (mine are smooth - pretty, but not the easiest to grip)
 
How does it work?
Click to expand...

Both 45 Colt & 45 ACP use a bullet that's .4525 or so.
So the bullet's fit in the cylinder & barrel are exactly the same.

The difference:
45 Colt cartridges are rimmed so they fit fine.
The 45 ACP is not rimmed & needs a moon clip as shown below.
 

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that's cool...I have a .45 LC/ACP Blackhawk. I wish the Redhawk had a 5.5" or 7.5" barrel though.

I believe my Blackhawk has an extra cylinder and I don't have to use moonclips
 
You can't use moon clips in a Blackhawk, or any other single-action.

You would have to remove the cylinder to load it or unload it.

rc
 
A top break like the S&W or Enfield would allow for moonclips. In fact it would NEED a moonclip modification just to allow it to eject the empties. Otherwise you're stuck with picking them out one at a time if they rely on headspacing off the case mouths.

As Chain Smoker suggested above there's going to be a long unsupported run for the bullet from a .45acp to reach the throat. I'm not sure I like that idea either. Seems like it's custom made to encourage bullet tilt and then deforming when it has to jam into the throat.

I guess we'll see how it all goes when folks start posting target results. But I suspect it'll be a tighter shooter with .45Colt loads for this reason.
 
I guess we'll see how it all goes when folks start posting target results. But I suspect it'll be a tighter shooter with .45colt loads for this reason.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly no expert, but the convertible Blackhawks have the same jump and seem to have a reputation for shooting pretty well with .45acp.
 
If the "long jump" bothers you, use cut to length 06 or 308 cases. They will still clip up fine and will tailor your load to your chamber.

To me, it is too big and heavy for a 45 ACP revolver.

Kevin
 
The 625s have pretty long cylinders, but the .45acp is famously accurate out of the 625, nevertheless. But if you are still worried, there is a PC version that has a shortened cylinder coupled with a longer forcing cone that reduces bullet free travel.

S&W has also made the Nightguard series, the 325s, with a 2.5" barrel and an alloy frame for only 28 ozs.
 
eldon519 said:
It would not be possible. They barely stuffed 5 .44s in an L frame, and it doesn't even look to have the meat to take a .45 at all. Pretty much gonna have to be an N frame. Taurus used to make a 5-shot .45 Colt. Not sure if they ever made a .45 auto.
Click to expand...
Yes Taurus made the 455 Tracker in .45 ACP. Someone has one for sale in the selling part of the forum. If it were a 4 or 2 in., I'd be all over it.
 
Mr.Revolverguy said:
SO I had my 454 converted, this is one I will always have.
Click to expand...

I am sitting here looking at my Alaskan, and 6 rds of ACP in a moon clip, wondering what downsides there are to that. What exactly was changed? Did he thin the ejector star, rebate under it, both?

Did you send the cylinder assembly with the ejector still attached, or strip it down to the bare cylinder?

Very good idea, and very tempting to copy.

Thanks,
 
In a DA revolver like the S&W 625 or 325PD below you do not HAVE to use moonclips as the cylinders are cut for the 45ACP, but you will have to dig the empties out with your finger nails or poke them out with a stick. In the S&W Governor which shoots 410, 45LC, and 45ACP you would have to use moonclips. Probably the same thing as the Ruger.

sw325l_r.jpg
 
I've watched this development with interest, but I have reservations.
The .45 Colt already has a pretty small rim. It was meant to keep a round in place on a single action revolver, so not much rim was needed for that. Start messing with the extractor that already pushes against a rim that's barely adequate for the job, and you might have problems.

But they're still cool and I am watching and waiting with the hope that my suspicions are unfounded.
 
I am sitting here looking at my Alaskan, and 6 rds of ACP in a moon clip, wondering what downsides there are to that. What exactly was changed? Did he thin the ejector star, rebate under it, both?

Did you send the cylinder assembly with the ejector still attached, or strip it down to the bare cylinder?

Very good idea, and very tempting to copy.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Edd,

It is very easy takes about 5 minutes to strip the cylinder down and send the cylinder only. There is nothing done with the ejector.
 
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