DA .45 colt

STW

New member
I'd like a double action .45 colt handgun. I was checking to see what is currently available and was a bit surprised to to find that almost all are now .45/.410. I don't want to shoot .410 and think the bullet jump for .45 is excessive with these. So there seem to be 3 choices - 2 from Ruger and a classic 625 from S&W. One choice if you want a 4" barrel. You'd think there'd be more choices for such a great cartridge.
 
There are more choices in the used market. I believe Dan Wesson and Colt made DA revolvers in this caliber as well.
 
I've owned two. The first one was a Colt New Service with a five-inch barrel. I suspect all Colt New Service revolvers are collector's items now. Big gun but nowhere as good as the other one I had, which was a S&W Model 25.

The Model 25 had a six-inch barrel and it was a big gun, too, but nothing used to match the triggers on Smith & Wessons, even on the large frame revolvers. Even with factory loads it had a fair amount of kick.

I wouldn't buy either one today. I'd buy a .44 magnum, if I could find the one I wanted and if I could use something like that. I wouldn't have both a .44 and a .45. They are too similiar and sooner or later I'd have ammo for the wrong gun on hand. But that's just a little thing. I also am not a believer in souping things up to beyond factory loads and there's enough .44 factory load variations to satisify me. But the .45 Colt is still a nice cartridge.

S&W made a few runs of their so-called Mountain Revolvers a few years ago that looked pretty good for something to carry around and I think they made them in .45 Colt, .45 ACP and .44 Magnum. Might have made .357, too. I had a Model 624 with a 4-inch barrel in .44 special of course, so I figured I'd already experienced that combination and I never bought one. The new Colt Aanaconda came and went without my even touching one. Not sure if I even saw one. That was over 15 years ago. The same catalog D-frame revolvers and the new SF-VI. Never saw any of them. I'm sure they're all in some collector's safe by now.
 
I've had two, both Smith & Wesson's. One a 25-5, with a 4" barrel, I liked but it never really felt balanced to me. Someone came along and made me an offer for it, so I sold it. Good gun though.

Later I found a 25-13 Mountain gun that I liked a lot better. With it's tapered 4", barrel, and bigger grips, it just felt better to me. Yes, it's got a lock and MIM parts. Big deal, it still shoots the lights out.

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I don't find recoil bad at all, but I don't hot load anything. I'm just punching a hole in a piece of paper. You results may varry.
 
454 Casull Ruger Super Redhawk / Alaskan. Shoots .45 colt similar to how the .357 shoots .38 special. Not the long cylinder that the .410's have. Real good guns, just high dollars in cost.
 
Rugers? Casulls?

What part of the OP's requirement for a "Double Action" is being missed? :confused:

S&W or Colt, both used selections, fit the ticket. Both are high quality selections. Model 25's of various ilks are the most recent choices. Colt stuff will be pre-war models. Current production double actions in .45 LC do not exist.

This is traditionally a single action calibre. Double action revolvers in it have always been a bit scarce.


Willie

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45 colt double action

45 Colt double actions are hard to find. There is Taurus model 460, 4" bbl, SS, 5 shot. It is soaking now, cleaning time. It should never see +P rounds in the chambers. How ever standard pressure and a bit more is just fine for this handgun. Great Trail/SD side arm. Light weight, SS, and more to the point of aim than I am, lol. So if you see one for sale, let me know, I will buy it if you don't.

Be safe and careful,

Jim
 
Rugers? Casulls?

What part of the OP's requirement for a "Double Action" is being missed?

S&W or Colt, both used selections, fit the ticket. Both are high quality selections. Model 25's of various ilks are the most recent choices. Colt stuff will be pre-war models. Current production double actions in .45 LC do not exist.

This is traditionally a single action calibre. Double action revolvers in it have always been a bit scarce.


Willie

I am a little confused. Are you saying Rugers and Casulls are only SA? Ruger currently makes a 45 Colt Redhawk in DA and a 454 Casull Super Redhawk in DA. Taurus also makes some 454 Casull DA models. The 454 will shoot 45 Colt.

S&W makes a 460 that will also shoot 45colt in DA.
 
I'v got two DA revolvers in .45 Colt, both S&W Model 25-5s.

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These are good guns, and as has been pointed out, practically the same gun can/could be had in .44 Magnum.

Having had considerable experience with both cartridges, in both Single and Double action, my observation is this: relying soley on factory ammunition, the .45 has a slight edge, as its a little more controlable than full house .44 Magnums, and has a little more ooomph than the .44 Special. For reloaders, its a toss up.

In handloading for hunting, the .44 Magnum handles light bullet weights (180 gr.) better than the .45. The .45 hamndles heavy bullets (350 gr.) a little better.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Bob Wright
 
I have the S&W 625MG and had it cut for moon clips so I can shoot 45LC & 45acp. I also have a Ruger Redhawk Hunter in 45LC and both guns are a hoot to shoot, I love them both. I also have a Puma rifle and a Ruger SA in 45 for when I want to feel cowboyish:D.
 
I have to cast another vote for either a Smith & Wesson Model 25 or 625. The Redhawk is a damn fine gun but the 25/625 to me is almost perfect.
 
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Smith 625-6 mountain gun in 45 Colt. Its my favorite new revolver, and shoots very, very well. The 625 JM is also an excellent choice.
 
"Still waiting on Ruger to make some more..."
They are so far behind. Nice to have a business that can't keep up with demand. If things go the right way in November, demand may cool off.
 
Current production double actions in .45 LC do not exist

Ruger offers the Redhawk in .45 Colt with a 4" barrel which makes for a dandy tent/sleeping bag gun. Unfortunately they've dropped the 5.5" barreled offerings.
 
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