45LC vs. 45ACP

[condor]

Question.. Can a 45ACP be fired in a 45LC chambered gun?? Kinda like the .357 and 38spcl. I know Ruger made a combo in 45LC with a 45ACP extra cylinder, but wonder if it was actually needed??? I'm thinking a lighter plinking load for a SAA....

[alland]

No. The 45 ACP would go so far into the chamber that it would not fire. 45 ACP chambers have a step at the front of the case that establishes headspace. 45LC chamber does not have any way for the ACP to headspace. Plus the 45LC chamber is .0066" larger than the ACP chamber.

[Notpc]

I don't think so. 45LC is a rimmed cartridge, the 45acp is rimless. You would need a cylinder cut for moon clips to shoot the acp in or a cylinder that is setup via head space to hold the acp round.

Dang! Beat by 2 min.

[Jimmy's]

You need a 45acp cylinder.

[diveRN]

Yes, it can be done, but the extra cylinder is required. That's why Ruger included it in the combo you refer to. Some folks get the acp cylinder thinking they'll save money, but this purchase pretty well makes that a wash unless you shoot enough to recoup the cost.

If you don't reload and you're looking for a softer shooting round, check out the various commercially available 45LC cowboy action loads. Many have less energy/felt recoil than a worthwhile self defense .45acp round, but are still accurate out to ~50 yards. Though they're typically more expensive per round and harder to find.

My 13 year old son shoots the LC loads I've worked up, everything from mouse fart loads that barely gets the pill to the end of the barrel to heavier shooting, near-max work ups.

[condor]

OK thanks folks... I appreciate all the info... Curiosity satisfied...

[deadcoyote]

Question.. Can a 45ACP be fired in a 45LC chambered gun?? Kinda like the .357 and 38spcl. I know Ruger made a combo in 45LC with a 45ACP extra cylinder, but wonder if it was actually needed??? I'm thinking a lighter plinking load for a SAA....

Despite what Sportman's warehouse will tell you, you cannot fire .45 acp in a .45 LC gun. They also told me I should buy 6.5 creedmore for a 6.5x55 mauser because "it'll work just fine and it's way better".

edit to add: I understand it can be done with a conversion cylinder, but then it's basically just a .45 acp revolver at that point. My experience was them telling me it would run in a .45 colt long gun.

[ARDude]

If you were interested in a double action, there is the Ruger Redhawk. It fires 45LC and ACP. Must use moonclips for ACP.

[condor]

Despite what Sportman's warehouse will tell you, you cannot fire .45 acp in a .45 LC gun. They also told me I should buy 6.5 creedmore for a 6.5x55 mauser because "it'll work just fine and it's way better".

edit to add: I understand it can be done with a conversion cylinder, but then it's basically just a .45 acp revolver at that point. My experience was them telling me it would run in a .45 colt long gun.

Yep that's what everyone's been telling me.. BTW the 6.5x55 works great in my Kimber... :-)

If you were interested in a double action, there is the Ruger Redhawk. It fires 45LC and ACP. Must use moonclips for ACP.

I've got more SA's in both 44BP and Ruger Combo's than I care to own up too. Just wondered if the 45ACP would work in my Virginia Dragoon as a cheap way to go....?? And now know it ain't gonna work without a lot of hassle. Thought about saving some money, and as far as recoil go's I shoot 375 H&H rifles...

Thanks for the advice everyone... (thumbs up)