I've been interested in a 45 ACP revolver and was looking at either a Colt or S&W 1917 but just not thrilled with them. Started thinking about one of the USFA models that had both cylinders but those are pretty hard to find. But before I spend much more time on this I am wondering if people are happy with these conversion type guns (any, not just USFA). Sometimes when you try to make one thing do two jobs, they both suffer a little. Anybody have any experience they would like to share?
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45LC/45ACP any good?
- Thread starter jag2
- Start date
Bob Wright
New member
I have two Ruger Blackhawks with .45 ACP cylinders. At first I shot .45 ACP as I had just gotten rid of a Colt Gold Cup so had plenty of ACP brass.
But as time went on, the .45 Colt being so much more versatile, I shoot the Colt round almost exclusively. I'm a handloader, of course.
If I had a big stockpile of loaded .45 ACP I would probably shoot more. Otherwise, its the .45 Colt for me.
As to performance, there is not much difference until you get into the BIG HEAVY bullets.
Bob Wright
But as time went on, the .45 Colt being so much more versatile, I shoot the Colt round almost exclusively. I'm a handloader, of course.
If I had a big stockpile of loaded .45 ACP I would probably shoot more. Otherwise, its the .45 Colt for me.
As to performance, there is not much difference until you get into the BIG HEAVY bullets.
Bob Wright
First question you need to ask yourself, is do you want a double action or a single action?
If you go the double action route, you aren't looking at "convertables". A 1917 is a 45 acp gun. Some S&W 25/625's will be 45 Colt . Others 45 acp. It's not just a cylinder swap to change them over like a single action.
Some 45 Colt d/a's can be converted to accept 45acp with moonclips, but this is normally an aftermarket gunsmith job. Not sure of any from the factory (other than maybe a S&W Governer). ??
If you want a factory dual cylinder gun that fires both cartriges, you're looking at a Single Action platform.
So which type are you interested in?
If you go the double action route, you aren't looking at "convertables". A 1917 is a 45 acp gun. Some S&W 25/625's will be 45 Colt . Others 45 acp. It's not just a cylinder swap to change them over like a single action.
Some 45 Colt d/a's can be converted to accept 45acp with moonclips, but this is normally an aftermarket gunsmith job. Not sure of any from the factory (other than maybe a S&W Governer). ??
If you want a factory dual cylinder gun that fires both cartriges, you're looking at a Single Action platform.
So which type are you interested in?
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Conversion of a DA revolver from .45 Colt to .45 ACP can be a cylinder swap, but I don't know of any factory revolvers that are, so it would have to be a gunsmith job. Normally, both cylinders are set up with the extractor rod, spring and extractor appropriate to the caliber, but sometimes each cylinder will have its own crane also.
Such dual cylinder guns are expensive and usually not worth the trouble, but it can be, and has been, done.
Jim
Such dual cylinder guns are expensive and usually not worth the trouble, but it can be, and has been, done.
Jim
I'd be interested to see an example of one. I'm sure it could be done, but certainly on the expensive side.Such dual cylinder guns are expensive and usually not worth the trouble, but it can be, and has been, done.
I'd think it would be a good bit more complicated than just setting up a (using a S&W N frame as an example) model 25 ACP cylinder in a 45 Colt M-25.
The cylinder is shorter on the acp version and the barrel protrudes farther into the frame window than the 45 Colt version.
Can't see this happening without a full on custom built ACP cylinder that fits a 45 Colt M-25.
Seems that machining and moonclipping a 45 Colt cylinder would be a much easier job.
Pinnical guns does just such a conversion.
Seems no one has anything negative to say, just not a lot of choices. Like I said , I know that USFA made one based on the Colt SAA which would be fine with me. I think 45 ACP would be what I would shoot the most since I already load for that but it would be nice to have the choice. Just have to keep my eyes open and see what shows up on the used market.
I think you will find that a .45 Colt (factory load at least) will fit into a .45 ACP cylinder but the .45 ACP cylinder won't work because it is cut at the rear for a moon clip, giving excess headspace for the .45 Colt.
So you would need one custom cylinder in any case, but the folks doing those conversions don't start with a .45 cylinder; they start with a smaller caliber cylinder (e.g., .357) and ream it out to the larger caliber. And cutting the forcing cone to the correct barrel-cylinder gap with both cylinders is pretty much a given. Remember, I didn't say it was a cheap job, or one for DIY, only that it could be and has been done. Cylinder and Slide could certainly do it if you want to check with them.
Jim
So you would need one custom cylinder in any case, but the folks doing those conversions don't start with a .45 cylinder; they start with a smaller caliber cylinder (e.g., .357) and ream it out to the larger caliber. And cutting the forcing cone to the correct barrel-cylinder gap with both cylinders is pretty much a given. Remember, I didn't say it was a cheap job, or one for DIY, only that it could be and has been done. Cylinder and Slide could certainly do it if you want to check with them.
Jim
Seems no one has anything negative to say, just not a lot of choices. Like I said , I know that USFA made one based on the Colt SAA which would be fine with me. I think 45 ACP would be what I would shoot the most since I already load for that but it would be nice to have the choice. Just have to keep my eyes open and see what shows up on the used market.
You'll likely pay a premium for a USFA given that the supply is drying up, (if they're even making them anymore now that they're making that Zip piece of garbage).
The Ruger convertables are nice, reasonably priced , and still in production.