.357Mag vs .45LC in single action revolver

[aaaaa]

From my experience in the two calibers you are considering, which is a snubby S&W 686 @ .357 Magnum and a Charter Arms snubby @ .45 Colt, both DA with 2.5-inch barrels, I would much rather shoot the .45 Colt. A lot more fun. I would rather shoot .38 Special out of my .357 Magnum.

My SA experience is limited to a Virginia Dragoon .44 Magnum with a 6-inch barrel, and I would prefer shooting the specials out of that, which is roughly comparable to a similar gun in .45 Colt so I understand.

So the bottom line is if I was faced with the choices you provided for SA, I would definitely go .45 Colt.

P.S. The Interarms Virginia Dragoon was available in .45 Colt. Most if not all had cool phrases engraved on the butt of the frame. Mine says "We the People!"

 

[Pat Riot]

Three down at the LGS closest to me in .357.

Convertables are really scarce.

That’s good news. Maybe Ruger’s back to making them again.

 

[.308 Norma]

The people I know that have the convertibles, say the 9mm is not as accurate.

I would believe they lead the barrel.

I would believe so too - IF you were shooting non-jacketed 9mm bullets. I never did that with the .357/9mm "convertible" Blackhawk I had.

 

[DMW1116]

I looked into the 9mm/357 Mag convertible before I found an old 357 in a pawn shop. Lead can perhaps be shot from both cylinders with equal accuracy IFF a 9mm case can be loaded with a 0.357 or 0.358 inch cast bullet and still have it fit the chambers. Probably doesn't work more than it does, but might be worth a shot. My single caliber version shoots about as well as I can hope and 99% of my shooting is my own reloads now so my hunt for a convertible ended.

 

[plainsdrifter]

That’s good news. Maybe Ruger’s back to making them again.

Well mayhaps, but these are used New Vaqueros. LOL
Ya'll talking New New Vaqueros or just New Vaqueros that are used?

 

[AJC1]

I don't think you asked the right question. 357 great I love mine. If 454 casual is a doable cartridge then your comparing like things. If light bodied animals are the game go 357. If you want a heavy hitter then 454 is your huckleberry.

 

[Pat Riot]

Well mayhaps, but these are used New Vaqueros. LOL
Ya'll talking New New Vaqueros or just New Vaqueros that are used?

Ah, I thought we were talking about new Blackhawks.

 

[plainsdrifter]

Well dangit. I hate to link but in this case its a necessity.
https://shop.james410llc.com/used-f...ger-new-model-blackhawk-revolver-used-4329162

 

[Milt1]

45 Colt and yes I reload! Gave my Ruger Convertible in .357 to my son!

 

[jstert]

i have ruger blackhawk convertibles in both 357/38/9 and 45lc/acp. most shot: 9mm because ammo is cheapest. most fun: 45lc. only one and done? 357/38 preferably with 9mm cylinder, but only because i don’t reload. if reloading? 45lc preferably with 45acp cylinder. i see used blackhawks on gb.com selling for mid-$300s.

 

[johnjohn]

As someone who lives in the South, I carry my Blackhawk in .45 Colt and yes I reload. I'm told one of the hunting club members caught a pic of a bear. Blackhawk don't leave home without it.

 

[.308 Norma]

most fun: 45lc. only one and done? 357/38 preferably with 9mm cylinder, but only because i don’t reload. if reloading? 45lc preferably with 45acp cylinder.

I too have a Blackhawk in 45 Colt (without the ACP conversion cylinder) and I'm pretty sure that it's my "most fun" to shoot revolver in spite of the fact that I do reload.
Besides, as a handloader, I can build everything from "punch big holes in soda-pop cans" loads, to "HOLY CRAP! What in the heck was THAT?" loads for my 45 Colt Blackhawk. For that matter, once when we were down at the gravel pit doing some shooting, I amazed my lovely wife (for a little while) by tossing an empty soda-pop can in the air, drawing my Blackhawk, and sending that soda-pop can sailing. My wife was really impressed until later when we were picking up our targets to go home and she saw there was only a couple of tiny, little bird-shot holes in that soda-pop can. The chewing out my wife gave me was worth it though.

 

[LAH]

If you plan to maybe use this gun quickly with no chance to protect your ears, the 45 will be easier on you.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Remarks are spot on. Personally, prefer the .45 Colt, because they are just big, mild punkin rollers. The only challenge reloading is that voluminous case, a problem solved with Trailboss. (Full disclosure; TB is hard to get right now...)
Run the same load in everything from a Schofield to an R92. Did run some 1000'sec hunting loads, and took a fat doe with the carbine...she dropped in a heap.
If .45 Colt, a decision to be made; the smaller, lighter SAA type guns, or the larger, stouter Rugers. If you want horsepower, the bigger guns are the answer. Personally, like the traditional ones.
Moon

 

[wgf]

I shot my convertibles today. Since convertibles were discussed I thought some might like to see the relative accuracy. Generally speaking there is not much difference. I shot two other guns as controls. These groups were fired at 10 yards two handed. The guns in the photo starting from the top: Ruger New Vaquero Bisley 38/357/9mm, Pietta 1873 45 Colt/45 ACP, Ruger New Vaquero 45 Colt, Glock19 Gen5 9mm. Bottom two are the controls.

 

[.45Coltguy]

wgf, that 9mm shot pretty damn good. You're getting about the same results from your Pietta as I do using both cylinders. Those Italian clones are great revolvers.
Edit: What is your load in the Pietta, both cartridges? Thanks.

 

[derek45]

buy the 45LC and save your brass

 

[StrawHat]

What? It looks like he fastened a half a penny on it for a sight? Or am I not seeing clearly?

Yep, half of an Indian head penny, if I remember correctly. If you want to know the year, I will have to find it and look.


Kevin

 

[wgf]

wgf, that 9mm shot pretty damn good. You're getting about the same results from your Pietta as I do using both cylinders. Those Italian clones are great revolvers.
Edit: What is your load in the Pietta, both cartridges? Thanks.

All the 45 loads were Missouri Bullet Company 155g LSWC. 6.3 HP38 for the ACP and 7.2 HP38 for the 45 Colt. I am happy with the way they shoot. Those are 12 round groups if I throw away the worst flyer the worst group is 3.5” and the best was the 38 at 1.75” The 9mm was Speer 115 CPRN factory white box.
I agree these clones can be very good guns.

 

[aaaaa]

Yep, half of an Indian head penny, if I remember correctly. If you want to know the year, I will have to find it and look.


Kevin

No need for the year. Maybe a close up shot of the front sight. What method was used to fasten it to the gun? Great idea as it is perfect shape for the front sight. Also, very nice looking gun.

 

[StrawHat]

No need for the year. Maybe a close up shot of the front sight. What method was used to fasten it to the gun? Great idea as it is perfect shape for the front sight. Also, very nice looking gun.

I soldered it in place. Many years and thousands of rounds ago.

I will try for a better front sight image this week.


Kevin

 

[aaaaa]

I soldered it in place. Many years and thousands of rounds ago.

I will try for a better front sight image this week.


Kevin

Thanks. Nice to know that one can put a sight on without too much trouble, though I suppose it could get knocked off if mishandled where the original factory sight would be a lot stronger.

 

[StrawHat]

Thanks. Nice to know that one can put a sight on without too much trouble, though I suppose it could get knocked off if mishandled where the original factory sight would be a lot stronger.

Not really any stronger. On this style of revolver, the front sight has a tab that fits into a slot in the barrel. The tab is tinned and then pressed into place. The area is heated to flow the solder and additional solder added to fill any gaps.

Some revolvers have a forged front sight that is integral to the barrel. Others have the sight peened or staked in place. Or dovetailed. The forging is the strongest style.

Kevin

 

[RealGun]

... in the same barrel lengths the .357 is heavier at least empty... just got my first .357/9 blackhawk... mostly because I like .38/357 and it is cheaper to shoot than my .45 colts and 44 mags... and more miserly in the use of powder n d in reloading. Good for practice. Ya wont go wrong with either - I would lean ro the bigger bore if mostly for hunting midsize game or bigger

Consider double action guns. The .357 can be on a medium frame.

 

[Dave T]

Consider double action guns. The .357 can be on a medium frame.

Why would you recommend a double action when the OP stated in his title he is looking for a single action? Good grief!

Dave