Birdshead 45 ACP

[Ben]

Just couldn't stand the temptation today.

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/87654.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/987.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/990.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/986.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/985.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/989.jpg

[drklynoon]

I love the look of it. My SSM birdshead is a nice gun. I congratulate you on monies well spent.

[just10mm]

Nice Rosco, I've been eyeing one of those myself...

[smoked turkey]

Well Ben you sniffed out another good one looks like. I had no idea they had ever made one in 45 ACP. Good find and a nice single action revolver.

[smkummer]

It sure is pretty but is the recoil acceptable?

[Mustangpalmer1911]

Beautiful. I am a little jealous.

[Love Life]

Very nice.

[jmsj]

That is just too cool!!
Let us know how she shoots.
jmsj

[Ben]

A .452 " cast bullet is a snug fit in the cylinder mouths.

This puppy is tight ! !

Ben

[sundog]

Aaaahh, Ben. Whadyago and put those pictures up there for, huh?

[rintinglen]

Gun's no darned good--there's a hole in the barrel where the boolits will fall out!
Beautiful pictures, though.
Show off.

[makicjf]

I love mine! It was really tight as well, so went to the cylindersmith for surgery. Its a good shooter, and I use it for carry and have shot cowboy matches with it. Recoil, IMO, is easy with hardball level loads. I do have to concentrate on squeezing hard with my ring finger and middle finger with a pinky udner, almost behind hold for rapid follow up shots. it will roll up a lot without a good squeeze. great, handy little revolver. mine shoots to poa with 200 grain pills, and about 3 inches high with the lee230 tc and the lee 252 swc.
Jason

[Ben]

Thanks Jason,

That is some good info for me.
What did the work on yours cost if you don't mind me asking.
What exactly did the " smith " do to yours.

Ben

[makicjf]

Ben,
I do not recall the exact figure ( I should I have sent 2 or 3 Ruger 45 ACP cylinders), but somewhere between 40-50 bucks sounds right. May be less but don"t think its more.He opens the throats to a uniform .4525 which really helps when shooting cast. I think the websiite is Cylindersmith.com. Quick turn around, easy instructions.
heres a link
http://www.cylindersmith.com/

[Dale53]

I don't have a birdshead grip but I do have a Ruger Bisley Convertible in .45 Colt/.45 ACP. Both cylinders were undersized. Using a "made for the job" reamer kit I reamed both cylinders (also did a couple of friends convertibles) and ALL of the revolvers now shoot like NRA Target guns with no leading. I would encourage the O.P. to have Cylindersmith ream the cylinders.

I reamed to .4525" (same as Cylindersmith) and size my bullets to .452 for both cylinders. My favorite load for the .45 ACP is the same one I use in my 625's. It is 4.0 grs of Bullseye or equivalent (currently 4.0 grs of Titegroup) behind a MP moulded H&G #68 200 gr SWC. Right after reaming the cylinders, I shot this one at 50 feet (hadn't even had time to zero the gun) off an improvised rest:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/img072.jpg

The same bullet ahead of 7.0 grs of Unique makes a good defense or varmint load.

Dale53

[Ben]

Dale,

I slugged my bore today. The slug went down the barrel ( started out at .454 " ) with no tight spots felt anywhere.

The slug that went through my barrel miked .451" on all sides.

The slug that I had just passed though the bore , minutes earlier, was pushed with little effort through each of the cylinder mouths. Snug,.... but went through without a problem.

I'm guessing ( I don't have any accurate pin gauges ) my cylinder mouths to be 4520" - 4525" or so ? ?

I think I may be OK on this one.

I think I'll start out with some .452 " sized cast bullets and about 4.0 of B'eye and see what this puppy will do.

Ben

[Dale53]

Ben;
I have heard that a number of the smaller frame Vaquero's have the correct dimensions. It sounds like yours has. If the .452" sized bullets shoot well and don't lead, you're home free!

Dale53

[Ben]

I'll know very soon.......................

Ben

[Ben]

The design and concept of this revolver is more than 100 yrs. old.

It was originally conceived to allow store owners / sheriffs to have a good short range protection revolver that could be swung into action at a moments notice.

Bad guys BEWARE ! ! Looks like it is still a viable option for close range self defense.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/985.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0922.jpg

[94Doug]

Very nice, Ben!

Doug

[jonp]

Walk into a gunshop to buy targets and walk out with a new wheelgun. Do I know that feeling or what...Congrats on the Birdshead

[Ben]

It is a helpless feeling isn't it ?

Ben

[scattershot]

Walk into a gunshop to buy targets and walk out with a new wheelgun. Do I know that feeling or what...Congrats on the Birdshead

Well, you needed something to shoot those targets with, didn't you? Makes perfect sense to me.

[gunfan]

I like it!

Scott

[Kull]

Nice find. Seems like the 45 ACP cylinders are getting the right size throats but for whatever reason the 45 Colt cylinders are tight. My convertible was that way. 45 ACP cylinder was .452" but the 45 Colt one was .450".

You can, if you have to but it sounds like you don't, ream your own cylinders rather than send them off. Pretty sure cylindersmith is using a Manson reamer.
http://www.mansonreamers.com/

[lars1367]

Ooooo, that's purrdy!!!