Do I really want a .45 ACP cylinder for my Blackhawk?

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I'm about to purchase a new .45 Colt Blackhawk. I will also be purchasing everything I need to reload 45 Colt.

So my question is, do I really want to spend an extra $100 for a .45 ACP cylinder if I'm going to reload anyway? I mean, is there an advantage to the .45 ACP round compared to light .45 Colt reloads? (other than new ammo prices, obviously)
 
For light range loads, the advantage of the .45 ACP or .45 AR is the smaller case, which results in less excess air space, which should produce more uniform loads.

I have several Ruger .45 Colts, with .45 ACP cylinders. The cylinders have been trimmed to allow use of .45 AR. I mostly use the .45 AR in them for range loads.
 
I bought a convertible, and the 45 ACP cylinder was a waste of money for me.

There are published for 45 LC from very light cowboy loads up to 44 magnum power ranges.

I have run exactly one cylinder of 45 ACP through the gun, and then I cleaned the 45 ACP cylinder, and put back in the bubble wrap.

I don't see the point of a autoloader round in a revolver - especially in SA. I guess if you also had a 45 ACP pistol, being able to shoot 45 ACP in both handguns would be useful.

If you reload, there is no point at all.

But compared to 45 LC, the 45 ACP is a dinky little under-powered high pressure round. :)

I'm not sure that everyone will agree with me.

Mike
 
I would get it, or find an abandoned used one like RPCVYemen's if they are not frame specific. $100 is not bad at all to add a common caliber to the gun's usefullness. Things will come and go but the .45 ACP will be around for another 80 yrs.
 
Save your money. Once you start reloading you will have no use for the ACP cylinder. The .45 Colt will cover all the bases.
 
I would get it. For only $100 (a tank of gas, by God), it's a bargain. I load both 45acp and 45LC, and I'd sure like the ability to swap for one of my revolvers (it is 45LC). As Clemy mentioned, for target shooting, the .45acp is a more consistent cartridge, and reloading components (brass in particular) is much cheaper (not enough to offset the $100 or added die set).

Besides, if you don't already have a .45acp, it'll give you a nice reason to get a Colt Government model! I recommend a clean, unmolested Series 70 for the most bang for your buck in that category!
 
Use the 460 Rolland ammo in it, they (Brownels) claims that it is right up with the 44 Mag, its a couple fps faster than the 45super and it is the same brass, so get the cylinder than you can shoot the 45acp 45super and 460Rolland, from Andy
 
ACP Cylinder

Hi,
One thing you can be sure of , if you get it you will wonder why you wasted your money and if you don't you will wish you had. It passes.:D
TaKe CaRe
Ted
 
I'd get it. Even though you're planning to reload .45 Colt, having the .45 ACP cylinder gives you more versatility, and the ability to pick up a bulk pack of .45 ACP if you feel like shooting but don't feel like reloading.
 
I have and use both.

There are powders that let you load more uniform light loads in .45 Colt (like Trailboss), but given that I have two dedicated .45 ACP guns already, if I want I can go to the range with three handguns and only need to bring one caliber ammo. It's a minor convenience, but a convenience all the same.

I'd be more on the fence if I didn't have the 1911 & 625. Of course, as someone above me pointed out - getting this cylinder could be the perfect excuse to get yourself a "proper" .45 ACP pistol. :cool:


ETA: I believe the cylinders are frame specific.
 
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get both, its nice to have the option of using 45acp. 45acp is definitely more common, and cmon its only $100!;)
 
Hi,
One thing you can be sure of , if you get it you will wonder why you wasted your money and if you don't you will wish you had.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what usually happens. :banghead:

It will be a stainless gun so there is no "convertible" to buy, I'll have to either send it back to the factory and have one fitted or find one used. I do like the idea of being able to use relatively cheap .45ACP plinking ammo if I don't want to reload...then again I do think there is something wrong with using ACP rounds in a revolver! That's like putting plastic grips on one! :eek:
 
If you have a .45 Auto, the conversion cylinder will eat reloads that the pistol won't function with. I looooooove .45 ACP revolvers.
 
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It will be a stainless gun so there is no "convertible" to buy, I'll have to either send it back to the factory and have one fitted or find one used.
Click to expand...

I think a gunsmith will have to that for you. I could be wrong, but I think that if the gun wasn't originally sold as a convertible, Ruger will not retrofit a 45 ACP cylinder for you.

Mike
 
I have to be honest I shoot the 45acp cylinder 90% of the time. I also reload for the 45acp as well. My Colt brass gets used less and saved for the more stout loads.

The acp cylinder is VERY accurate as well. I really like it. Out of all my pistols its my wifes favorite as well.

Ruger45Colt.jpg
 
I think a gunsmith will have to that for you. I could be wrong, but I think that if the gun wasn't originally sold as a convertible, Ruger will not retrofit a 45 ACP cylinder for you.
Click to expand...

Yeah...I've read that "for sure" they won't do it...and I've read "for sure" they will do it. :uhoh: I'd probably just end up with a used cylinder anyway, and hope it fits. They seem to be pretty common in the gun ads.

I should point out that I DON'T have any other .45ACP weapons...though I keep eyein' a nice 1911.
 
I can reload .45 colt for very little more than .45 ACP and I like those rather large cases, appeals to the Tim Taylor reflex in me. :D I really see little utility in an ACP cylinder. I cast a 255 grain flat nose and push it with 8.3 grains of Unique. Now, the ACP loads I shoot use only 5.0 grains of Bullseye behind a 200 grain cast bullet, but hey, I'll spend a little more on powder (the lead I get is free) for the Colt every time. It's very accurate in my Blackhawk an really fun to shoot. It gives you a little more push on the shooter's end, lets you know you're firing a REAL .45, not some JMB pretender. :D With that light load, my brass lasts a long time. One advantage of the .45ACP for me is I find it all over the place at the range. NOBODY tosses .45 Colt brass. They'd have to be low in IQ to do that. LOL
 
Yeah...I've read that "for sure" they won't do it...and I've read "for sure" they will do it. I'd probably just end up with a used cylinder anyway, and hope it fits. They seem to be pretty common in the gun ads.
Click to expand...
Before you spend the money on a used conversion cylinder - you might want to check with Ruger. On page 11 of the Blackhawk Manual (pdf) they warn to look for matched numbers on both cylinders & the frame.
 
.45 ACP cylinder

If you don't you'll always wish that you had.
If you have any ideas that in the future you will own a .45 ACP Auto and will reload for it get the BH cylinder. Semi autos can be finiky about which loads they like. If you have the convertible cylinder you have an option and it's so much more fun to shoot the ones your auto dislikes than to dismantle them one by one to save the components.
 
I'm severely tempted to get a .45/.45 convertible. $600.00 +/- is a tad steep
Click to expand...

Just to make you cry, I picked mine up in the picture above for $60 :D

And you really can't just go out and "grab" another cylinder and slap it in. It really must be fitted. I had my Colt cylinder burn up in a fire gun was saved but I sent it into Ruger and they fitted one for me for $60 (part and labor) I was pleased, they also redid the trigger and internals for free!

Another reason I love Ruger is their customer service.
 
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