+P .45 Colt... what's the benefit?

[rcmodel]

If you plan to set holstered in a car or truck, or on the ground in a hunting blind.
4 3/4".

If you plan to carry walking or horseback, 7 1/2".

The 5 1/2" is neither fish or fowl, and just never looked right to me.

But, that's a personal thing I guess.

rc

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I kind of go the other way. I had a Blackhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel and found it cumbersome. I traded it off and got one with a 5 1/2" barrel. I also have a New Service with a 7 1/2" barrel, and I cut it down to 5 1/2" and put on adjustable sights.

 

[midland man]

I like the 4 3/4in barrels easier to carry and shoot fast!!

 

[MaxP]

I think 5 1/2-inches is just about perfect. Balances well, and you can pack it easily.

 

[eldon519]

+1 for 5.5". Perfect do-all size. It is less cumbersome and balances better for me compared to my 7.5". I actually shoot it better than my 7.5" too surprisingly.

 

[huntsman]

5.5
But mine is for hunting

 

[MaxP]

5.5
But mine is for hunting

As are all of mine!

 

[Lightning Ross]

Barrel length and grip style will be up to you. try different barrel lengths. Pick a spot on the wall raise gun and point at the spot. then sight down the barrel if you are on the spot with just point aiming you will be on target for quick shots. grip should be adjusted so first pad of finger will be on the trigger for a better chance of a direct backwards pull on the trigger . So it will make a difference between standard grips or bisley grips. 71/2 waved around all over the place for me 41/2 was to high 51/2 hit my spot every time. Did not take my own advice and bought a 35/8 bird head grip once and couldn't hit the inside of a barn with it. I have had the 45 long colt for years standard loads will take the wiggle out of most any thing. For lots of fun full case of 3f black powder and a 250 grain lead bullet will make everyone sit up and take notice.

 

[eldon519]

Lightning Ross,

That is a good way to describe my experience with the 7.5". I feel like it waves around alot, and I don't control the muzzle as well when pointing as you've described or even for follow-through after the shot breaks (especially noticeable when dry firing). For me I think it is because the center of gravity seems much farther forward compared to the 5.5".

 

[buck460XVR]

The additional pressure allowed in "Ruger only" loads does not only allow greater velocity. It allows far greater bullet weights and that is where the .45 (and all other magnum revolver cartridges) excels. Yes, standard pressure loads are potent but they are limited. A 270-280gr bullet is about all you can get to a meaningful velocity. That velocity does serve a purpose. For a 1200-1300fps load is much easier to stretch to 100yds than a 900fps load.

The .45Colt loaded to 32,000psi is equal to the .44Mag, it does not exceed its potential. Both cartridges can utilize the same weight bullets, right up to the maximum practical weight of 350-360gr. The .44 may enjoy a slight but irrelevant velocity advantage.

The .45 is not universally "bigger" than the .44. The overall bullet diameter is meaningless. The operative dimension is the meplat diameter, as that is what creates the wound channel. As such, sometimes it's bigger, sometimes it isn't.

In my penetration testing, the .44 was decidedly the better penetrator.



What a man hunts with is his own choice but the notion that a properly loaded big bore revolver is inadequate for big game is patently false. Perhaps your own handgun skill is not up to the task but do not judge others by your own shortcomings.

Very good summation Craig. In handguns, for the most part, for SD/HD and the hunting of thin skinned game like deer, with proper bullet selection, the only thing more velocity gives you is more effective distance. This is true even when loading heavy for caliber bullets. Thick skinned, dangerous big game, using bullets meant to penetrate and not expand is a different story. But folks using a handgun for that purpose should already know that or not even go there.