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Thread: Which DA revolver for .45 Colt?

  1. #1
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    Idaho45guy's Avatar
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    Which DA revolver for .45 Colt?

    My 2000th post on CB is entirely appropriate to the forum as I am contemplating replacing my Ruger Bisley 5.5" in .45 Colt with a revolver in the same caliber.

    I love my Ruger! It is accurate, beautiful, wonderful trigger, and makes me smile. However, it's actual job is to be big medicine for woods carry during those rare times I am on the outskirts of grizzly country.

    In studying bear attacks, and even cougar attacks, a single-action is not ideal. I double-action is.

    So, I am aware of a few revolvers available in .45 Colt. And I understand that I can get a revolver in .45 Casull and have the option of just shooting my .45 Colt loads in it.

    Looking for a revolver in stainless, with 4" barrel or less, strong enough for hot .45 Colt loads, popular enough to find holsters for it, and under $1000.

    The Ruger Alaskan seems to fit the bill, as does the S&W 625 Mountain Gun. Any other to check out?
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    I've always been a S&W Model 25 fan.
    N frame Smiths just seem to fit me.

    With the moon clips, it'll shoot .45ACP.
    And I think the cylinder is too short for store bought .410s, but using their hulls should be a good place to start for shot loads.
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    I wouldn't run a S&W N-frame 45 Colt much past old-school blackpowder ballistics--255 grain bullets at 950-1000 FPS. The Ruger Redhawk/Super RH variants in 45 Colt are capable of safely containing far more intrepid load levels. Both are excellent revolvers.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

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    Ouch! I just went on Gunbroker and tried to see what the Ruger Alaskans were going for. Only two on there. One was NIB and had 20+ bids to over $1700!

    MSRP is $1400.

    The only S&W in .45 Colt under $1000, new or used, is the Governor, and by the looks of it, I don't think it would stand up to hot .45 Colt loads.
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

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    Quote Originally Posted by 9.3X62AL View Post
    I wouldn't run a S&W N-frame 45 Colt much past old-school blackpowder ballistics--255 grain bullets at 950-1000 FPS. The Ruger Redhawk/Super RH variants in 45 Colt are capable of safely containing far more intrepid load levels. Both are excellent revolvers.
    Yep, just checked out a Governor forum and they are running a 250gr with 9.0 grains of Unique. They stated the Governor is rated at 21,000 CUP.
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

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  7. #7
    Boolit Man
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    I had a Ruger Redhawk. Nice grip and heft but trigger not so nice

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    Quote Originally Posted by boatswainsmate View Post
    Perfect! Now to try and find one for $1000 or less...

    Ouch, again... Used ones are going for nearly MSRP prices.

    I had no idea that the revolver market was so crazy.
    Last edited by Idaho45guy; 09-28-2021 at 05:07 PM.
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    My choice is the Ruger Redhawk, but if I had it to do all over again, I might have the Super Redhawk Alaskan.

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    Well, it seems used Blackhawks like mine are going for over $1000, so might be able to sell it and then afford a Redhawk.

    Mine shows well...

    Attachment 289362
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Idaho45guy View Post
    Well, it seems used Blackhawks like mine are going for over $1000, so might be able to sell it and then afford a Redhawk.

    Mine shows well...

    Attachment 289362
    That is the one SA revolver I'd love to add to the safe someday

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    Quote Originally Posted by Idaho45guy View Post
    The only S&W in .45 Colt under $1000, new or used, is the Governor, and by the looks of it, I don't think it would stand up to hot .45 Colt loads.
    A Model 25 for a decent price might be a 'wait, and hunt a used one down' sort of project.
    A buddy had one he treasured. He's a over the road trucker gone for weeks at a time.
    A few years ago he got home and discovered the wife sold it for some give-away price.
    Ya might be able to hit on a deal like that.
    (the wife was in poor health, and passed away before he could throw her out on the street for that)

    Anyway:
    Plain vanilla, cast .45Colt loads were always plenty for me, and a real hand full in my Bond derringer, however;
    if ya want one of the big sasquatch stompers, ya might want to put a .454 or S&W .500 handgun into the equation, and on the list.
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  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Ruger Redhawk for DA and stout loads. I had one and I liked it but I like the Freedom Arms Mod. 97 in 45 Colt a LOT better. The Super Redhawk is just too god-awful ugly to ever live in my gun safe..
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    You mightwant to define "hot loads" prior to purchase, unless your going with the Redhawk. Smiths won't take much in the way of hot and the top of what they do take, since they're so light, recoil somewhat.


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    RH, SRH, or DW. Smith and hot loads don't belong in the same camp.

    Quote Originally Posted by Idaho45guy View Post
    In studying bear attacks, and even cougar attacks, a single-action is not ideal. I double-action is.
    Sorry, 12ga with slugs is THE BEST bear defense you can carry with you short of staying home and watching them on youtube.

    If you want to hunt with a DA, that would be great for large game but defense against very dangerous game a handgun of any make model or caliber would not be my first choice.
    Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6° 30min chamfer? Click here to send me a PM You can also find me on Facebook Click Here.

  16. #16
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    My experience with Redhawks and Super Redhawks is a bit dated, but I was eminently pleased with a 5½" stainless Redhawk in .44 Magnum. The Supers came out in the same time frame, and they were way to big and bulky to be a reasonable carry gun in my opinion.

    This was way before Ruger started chambering them in anything except .357, .41, and .44 Magnum.

    Now I think they make one with a 4.2" barrel to be legal in Canada. It might just fit your bill.

    Robert

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    I have 2 custom 4" RHs in .45Colt and they would be my choice for dangerous animal protection. They will take any .45Colt load from cowboy action to loads beyond BH levels................
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  18. #18
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    I think you've already discovered that the Ruger Redhawk in 45 colt is the better choice to fit your needs. Yes,, on GB & all, prices are kinda high right now. BUT,, careful looking, shopping local gun shows & trading places, auctions etc, you might score one for a price closer to your $1000 mark.

  19. #19
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    If you want big time power you have to pay the price, money wise & recoil wise, there's no free lunch. You might want to re think the single actions though, they aren't as slow as you think if you practice..... some people don't like to practice. Big, nasty critters aren't impressed with a shot in the dirt, you have to hit them.
    That Ruger bisley you have is a dandy gun & you can become very good with it & very fast with it if you practice. If you must get the DA, get the Redhawk.......and practice!!!

    Dick

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    I am not convinced that heavy "Ruger Only" loads are needed in the .45 Colt for protection from large animals. Larry Gibson pressure tested for me .45 Colt loads using the Accurate 45-290H ogival flat-nosed bullet with 7.5 grains of Bullseye, which give 855 fps from a 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk and 880 fps from my 5-1/2" Colt New Service, at pressures approximating .45 ACP. Velocity and pressure data below from Larry's Contender test platform.

    Accurate, clean burning, astounding penetration. I use the same charge with 250-270 grain cast for 900+ fps, very satisfactory and does not shake the SAA clones or New Services apart.

    Attachment 289376Attachment 289377
    Last edited by Outpost75; 09-29-2021 at 11:13 AM.
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