Why Do I Feel I "Need" a SA .45lc?

[amprecon]

I don't currently own a revolver, but have owned them in the past, none of which were SA's. From .44mag Redhawks to .38spl snubbies, DA's just have never done it for me. I fired a 5 1/2" Vaquero in .45lc that belonged to a friend of mine, and I hit right where I aimed and it didn't have the recoil I was expecting. It just "felt" right, I can't put a finger on it.
As I've been considering another revolver I've been taking into account the different calibers and pro's and con's of different types of revolvers and logic tells me that the perfect revolver would be a S&W 619. 7 rounds of .357 mag, DA, SS, ability to shoot .38spl's, cheap and plentiful ammo, what more could you ask for in a revolver?
But when I decide to make up my mind, it just doesn't happen. A SA in .45lc keeps cutting into the front of the line in my mind. I have even considered the new S&W Thunder Ranch Model 22 in .45acp, thinking that it was the idea that I had to have a .45 caliber revolver to satisfy my desires, then I consider that it's a DA and the SA .45lc shoves it out of my mind again.
I don't know what's going on here, but it seems that if I am to buy a revolver that it's going to be a New Vaquero with a 4 5/8" barrel in .45lc, regardless of how much .45lc ammo costs. Am I experiencing Divine Intervention or what?
I know it doesn't make sense, .45lc is prohibitively expensive, there's not as much of it around, the caliber doesn't possess the stopping power record that the .357 does, SA's take longer to reload, no DA capability, what gives?

 

[AirForceShooter]

It's an American Classic.
You have to have one.

AFS

 

[ugaarguy]

Amprecon,

Who cares if its logical? You like it, you enjoy shooting it, it replaces every other gun you try to move ahead of it at the top of want the list. It sounds like a pistol you'll truly enjoy and never regret buying - that's all the logic you need - GO FOR IT! It's like me and the 1911 I want; I shot a 1911 and a Hi-Power side by side and I shot the Hi-Power better. I bought a Hi-Power and I love shooting it. Yet I still want a 1911. It's a classic, it's another JMB design, it's just something I want. Sure it only holds 7 or 8 rounds, ammo's expensive, it's not a 357 SIG or a 40 S&W or any new one shot stop wonder cartridge, or, or... etc. I just like them and and want one. Reason enough for me to start lookin for a 1911; Your situstion is reason enough for you to start lookin for a SA Revolver in 45 LC. We've all gotta have guns that we enjoy for no other reason than just plain liking them.

 

[AH-1]

it is un-american not to own one

 

[MCgunner]

Okay, okay, I'll try to use logic to explain why you NEED one. First off, if you care anything at all about American history and the American west, you have to have one. Now, I prefer the Rugers for utility, but many will want the real thing or a clone of the real thing. The Vaquero is a good compromise between the two desires. My own is a Blackhawk, 4 5/8" and quite carryable at 40 or so ounces, yet it packs a .44 magnum punch! And, the .45 gets this sort of performance at lower pressures. Yes, it's a Ruger, well a Blackhawk anyway, you can juice the ol' boy up to 1200 fps or so with a 300 grain bullet. THAT'll keep the bears away! It's a very easy round to handload for, too. It's quite accurate and loves cast lead bullets. That's a good thing cause you can reload the round for $3-4 a box depending on where you get the lead. That ain't expensive. Get a 255 grain bullet mold and go to town! It's a fun gun to shoot and it's amazingly accurate.

For outdoor uses, the single action is still wildly popular for both hunting and woods bummin'. They're accurate, they're strong, and they'll handle loads that take a much heavier DA to handle. Easy totin' with a LOT of punch. You can even get 'em in monsters like the Freedom Arms .454 or some of the Bowen guns in wild, powerful big bore magnum semi-wildcat calibers.

For me, though, the .45 colt is plenty. It's easy to shoot, easy to reload for, and versatile. If you get a lesser gun than a Blackhawk, you'll be limited to the milder loads, but even those can pack nearly 500 ft lbs, not bad.

But, I just like owning the thing. Sometimes I'll be reloading or putting up ammo and I'll pull out a .45 ACP, a .357, a 9x19.....then I look in the .45 colt box... I've got one mold that throws a 340 grain bullet! That one looks wild all loaded up in Colt brass. Sure, there are 50s now days that can give a .300 mag a run for its money at pistol ranges, but look at the guns they're chambered in, nearly as handy as a long action magnum rifle. Yeah, sure, I coulda went with a .44 when I was lookin' for a powerful single action, but I prefer the nostalgia.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Can't believe I'm agreeing with the AF However, AirForceShooter has it right. It's a classic.

I have one that I have yet to shoot. Yet, I fondle it from time to time and try to fit it into the next range trip.

It's a part of our history and I don't think you can go wrong with that.

 

[runninmike]

Because they're just plain cool!
I'd kind of like 1 of those Beretta Stampedes in 5.5" or 7.5" blue .45lc.
Best-MC

 

[schmeky]

amprecon,

You are finding out why and how the SA revolver in .45LC is still popular in the 21st century. I have owned a Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC for 25 years, and yes, it is a powder puff to shoot. The grip angle transfers recoil in a different manner from any other type of handgun, making recoil a non-issue.

Yes, factory ammo is high, but there are people that reload, and better yet, you could get into reloading yourself, great fun. With a Ruger, you can load up to 1,000 ft. lbs. energy at the muzzle, powerful enough for anything on the North American continent.

Accuracy is outstanding on a quality .45LC and those big slugs make things jump around a lot when making contact with tin cans, or whatever; great fun.

Yea, it's time to get a .45LC.

 

[loadedround]

The question really is...why wouldn't you want one?

 

[Warren]

The answer is that in a past life you carried one to good effect. While you do not have the explicit memories of it the good feeling about the weapon remains.

 

[doggscube]

You could buy a convertible Blackhawk which comes with an extra cylinder in .45ACP. I've thoroughly enjoyed mine.

-Jeff

 

[gazpacho]

45Colt (255gr LRN @ 855fps) is very comparable to 45acp (230gr FMJ @ 910 fps).

After you get your SA 45Colt, you'll need a decent gunrig. Nothin' like strappin' on your gunbelt with cartridges in the loops and sliding your SA into the holster.

 

[BluesBear]

the caliber doesn't possess the stopping power record that the .357 does,

Oh... I wouldn't say that.

The .45 Colt has been causing severe plasma and platelet leakage since 1873.
The .357 didn't come along until 1935.


For a bump in the night I'll grab my .45 Colt over any of my .357s.

 

[Rich K]

I have a Ruger Bisley in 45 LC, that is an absolute joy to shoot. I have taken a couple of whitetails with it, the recoil is mild,it speaks with authority when it hits. What more can I say, it is definitely one of my favorites. It is also more fun to shoot than my 357. Get one, and enjoy it!

 

[Norton]

You mustt have been reading my mind. I may just be going up to the local Guns R Us today to take a look at a Taurus Gaucho.

 

[unspellable]

Why a SA

Every body should have a SA 44 or 45, or at least a 357. It's the same principal as every body should have a Winchester 94. It's just un-American not to. Would my Winchester 94 be the first piece of iron I'd grab to go hunting? No, but I feel better knowing it's in the cabinet.

 

[snafu_72]

My first, and only handgun is the aforementioned Ruger New Vaquero in .45LC. It has a nice heft to it and hits what I aim at. While it may not be an ease to reload and you have to be careful what you feed it the only thing I'd like is to get another so my gunbelt sits better on my hips!
Also, remember a 9mm may expand but a .45 never shrinks.

 

[Stainz]

I second the suggestion to get a .45 Colt Blackhawk convertible, still in the '06 Ruger catalog as BN44X (4.6") and BN455X (5.5"), both at an MSRP of $546. Your local dealer should be able to find you one from one of his suppliers. They are blued and have adjustable sights, as well as the aforementioned separate cylinders for both .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I bought a 5.5" variant as a way to shoot-up my stash of el-cheapo ACP's from my G21... but just had to shoot some of those infernal .45 Colt 'cowboy' loads. I was hooked - a major case of revolver-itis followed. My rationale is for the ability to launch those 'big' Colt rounds when you want/need them - and to plink away with .45 ACP ball ammo at other times.

I went through my SA stage - and really fell in love with DA revolvers - particularly the S&W's. I have two 625 Mountain Guns in .45 Colt - and another variant, the 625JM, in .45 ACP - which is admittedly easier to feed, if you don't reload. You can buy .45 ACP's on a Sunday evening from a discount store - only well-stocked gunstores carry .45 Colts. That Blackhawk convertible will give you both, of course, in one gun. Good luck!

Stainz

 

[ugaarguy]

Stainz,

How's the 45 ACP accuracy in the convertible Blackhawk? In another thread here the wheelgun section they the 9mm accuracy suffers in the 357/9mm convertibles.

To all who are knowledgable on it,

Does the convertible cylinder model lose any strength compared to the standard 45 LC which everyone says will take 44 Mag power loads?

Thanks.

 

[Ifishsum]

...must...obey...the...voices....

I was overcome with the same urge a few weeks ago. There's nothing you can do about it but buy one (mine's a Taurus Gaucho). There's just so much history behind the design and the cartridge, and it's a beauty to shoot. I'm even making some blackpowder loads to shoot for fun

 

[MCgunner]

Does the convertible cylinder model lose any strength compared to the standard 45 LC which everyone says will take 44 Mag power loads?

No, same gun, just an extra cylinder.

How's the 45 ACP accuracy in the convertible Blackhawk? In another thread here the wheelgun section they the 9mm accuracy suffers in the 357/9mm convertibles.

The 9 is .355" bullet in a .357" barrel, not a good combination for accuracy. The bullet will yaw back and forth down the barrel as well as not grab the rifling very well. The Blackhawk .45 barrel is .451", in modern .45 colt dimensions the same as .45ACP. Older .45 Colts were .454". So, I don't see a problem with accuracy with the ACP other than there's a little more free bore before the forcing cone which could affect accuracy a little.

 

[LoneCoon]

Creepy. I had to restrain myself yesterday from taking home a Navy Arms SAA I saw yesterday. I should have got it. I think 275 was a good price for it.

 

[.45 Cal]

I knew I had to have one after the first time I fired one. And, yes, it's expensive, and I don't re-load, but i don't care . Love my Smith model 25 Mountain Gun!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

The "Cool Factor" is too high not to own at least one

 

[quiknot]

the pleasure of having one....

having a 45lc for just over a year...and reached my 1000 round reload...i can say it is truly a love relation....for my reloads it costs me $3.53 / 50..and equipment was just a simple $20.00 Lee "cigar box" reloader....