While on the subject of .45 ACP revolvers..............

[BobWright]

Over the years I've toyed with the .45 ACP, even once owning a Colt Gold Cup .45 Automatics. (Gasp!) I still have two Ruger Blackhawks with auxiliary ACP cylinders. And over the years I have depleted my stock of ACP brass. Now most folks know that the Blackhawk with ACP cylinder installed will not accommodate the .45 Auto Rim cartridge, taking only ACP only. This without modification of the cylinder, I hasten to add.

Now much of my .45 Colt brass is getting old and having many split case mouths. Up until recently these went into the scrap brass bucket. But then, I realized I could cut these to the same length as the .45 ACP and use them in the same way as the .45 Cowboy Special is used. So made up a hundred rounds or so, and inserted the .45 ACP cylinder into my short barreled Blackhawk, and PRESTO!:




Didn't like the "Cowboy Special" appellation, so prefer to call mine the ".45 Xtra Short." Accuracy has been good, and recoil very mild.








This project has no practical value whatsoever, but has been interestin'.

(And I'm aware of the date difference in the first photo. The box is a later loading)


Bob Wright

 

[unspellable]

Short brass

Not entirely without practical value. You're using old brass.

You may have just re-invented a European cartridge called the 450 Short. I have a box of them around somewhere. I'll have to compare them to some 45 ACPs.

 

[BobWright]

unspellable:

You may have just re-invented a European cartridge called the 450 Short. I have a box of them around somewhere. I'll have to compare them to some 45 ACPs.

As I recall the .450 Short, or .450 Adams cartridge was shorter than my trimmed cases. I believe the old .450 was just over .810" or so, while I trim mine to .896"

 

[Panzerschwein]

Bob Wright:

You are the best "single action revolver person" I know of. I love all your guns and gear!!

 

[Nullcone]

Bob (or anyone else who knows... ),

Am I correct in assuming this would not work in a DA revolver intended for use with moon clips, but 45 AR would?

Specifically, in a S&W Model 1950 Target 45.

Thanks!

 

[Tacoma]

Ah, looks like you've combined he joys of gun tinkering with reloading. Very interesting stuff here.
Great photos too.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[BobWright]

nullcone:

Bob (or anyone else who knows... ),

Am I correct in assuming this would not work in a DA revolver intended for use with moon clips, but 45 AR would?

Specifically, in a S&W Model 1950 Target 45.

Thanks!

You are correct, Sir. Cylinders that would take the .45 AR would allow the .45 Xtra Short to headspace too deeply, unless a taper crimp would allow the case to headspace on the case mouth. But likely that would cushion the firing pin too much for reliable ignition. I am loading my cast bullets with a roll crimp.

If these rounds are loaded in a DA ACP revolvers, they would have to headspace on the case mouth, leaving the rim standing a little proud of the cylinder's rear face.

Bob Wright

 

[JohnnyFlake]

That is way, way Cool!

Great idea and putting to good use, what would have been trashed brass. I really love it!

 

[HankR]

I am so stealing this idea. Can anybody recommend a good case trimmer?

 

[JohnnyFlake]

I am so stealing this idea. Can anybody recommend a good case trimmer?

The Best Case Trimmer Ever!

Forster Products - Original Case Trimmer Kit - CTH100 Case Trimmer Kit, includes 3 Collets & 6 Pilots - about $100

 

[BobWright]

Here is my first step, .45 Colt cases are cut on my bandsaw, using a block of maple drilled to hold five cases:



This cuts them oversize slightly for trimMing to exact length. IF YOU DO THIS METHOD, USE EYE PROTECTION, EAR PROTECTION, AND A PUSH STICK!

After the band saw:



Deburr the cases and neck expand before trimming:

I have an old RCBS cash trimmer. I mounted it on a 2 x 4 and clamp that to my work bench. Saves drilling my bench:



Afterwards de-burr and again expand the case neck.


Bob Wright

 

[TRX]

I used to shoot .357 Magnum brass until the mouths split, then trimmed it down to .38 Special. I guess you could do the same with the .44s.

 

[gotboostvr]

I have some split 500 mag cases I planned on trimming down and turning into 500 "specials" since that brass is so pricey.

 

[Slenk]

The same thing can be done with 44mag. to 44 spl., 44spl. can be shortened to
44 Russian.

 

[ClemY]

I just had my .45 ACP cylinder modified to allow the use of .45 AR, the same .45 AR I use in my S&W 625.

The .45 Extra Short can still be used in the .45 Colt cylinder.

 

[BobWright]

ClemY said:

The .45 Extra Short can still be used in the .45 Colt cylinder.

That's true, of course, same as with the .45 Smith & Wesson. I'm guessing there will be a difference in accuracy, and will in the future make a comparison of targets fired with the ACP cylinder and the .45 Colt cylinder.

Bob Wright

 

[ClemY]

ClemY said:


That's true, of course, same as with the .45 Smith & Wesson. I'm guessing there will be a difference in accuracy, and will in the future make a comparison of targets fired with the ACP cylinder and the .45 Colt cylinder.

Bob Wright

I assume the same lack of accuracy with the .45 Extra Short in the .45 Colt chamber, which is why I'm not particularly interested in the .45 Colt/.45 ACP Redhawk.

 

[BobWright]

Clem Y:

I assume the same lack of accuracy with the .45 Extra Short in the .45 Colt chamber, which is why I'm not particularly interested in the .45 Colt/.45 ACP Redhawk

.

I've had no experience with the Redhawk .45. Is it dual cylindered? If so, the ACP cylinder should work just as well as my Blackhawks fitted with ACP cylinders.

O.K. Just went to Ruger's site, and the cylinder is cut to allow use of moon clips. So you would be using ACP length cartridges in a Colt length chamber. Accuracy loss? Don't know.


Bob Wright

 

[ClemY]

Clem Y:
.

I've had no experience with the Redhawk .45. Is it dual cylindered? If so, the ACP cylinder should work just as well as my Blackhawks fitted with ACP cylinders.

O.K. Just went to Ruger's site, and the cylinder is cut to allow use of moon clips. So you would be using ACP length cartridges in a Colt length chamber. Accuracy loss? Don't know.


Bob Wright

The Redhawk has one cylinder, with .45 ACP cartridges being positioned with moon clips in the .45 Colt chamber. Bullets then rattle down the .45 Colt chamber before hitting the chamber throat. In spite of that, they will typically shoot some loads well, although probably not as well as a dedicated .45 ACP cylinder.