Which .45 Colt?

Hello fellow handgunners!... I have not posted very much on here, and it has been a long while since the last time...but I do stop by and read posts now and again (great site and info!)....I still handgun hunt when I get the opportunity (10" t/c contender .357 mag. and .22 match, also ruger single six) ....But here is the reason I'm posting today....I want to get a revolver chambered for .45 colt and would like to get some recommendations on strong and accurate choices....I will be using this gun for mostly Missouri deer and I do handload when needed(cast boolits preferred)...Thanks!!

Can't go wrong with a Ruger Bisley.

And that would be my suggestion as well!

x3 on the Ruger Bisley !

I just got one myself, so X4. I haven't shot it yet, but I'm expecting big things from it!!! (Bisley SBHH)

How bout the Ruger Bisley "Hunter"? Scope rings capable...

X 5 The Ruger 45 bisley is definitely my first choice.

I love the 5 1/2-inch barrel the best.

Wow!...Looks like Ruger Bisley all the way!...Is the Ruger that much better than the Freedom Arms, Colt, or S&W?...or just price to performance?...Thanks!....btw, I really like that 5 1/2 s.s. ruger you have there Whitworth!!!

I'll say no. It's not "better" than a smith or a Freedom Arms. But I believe it a better choice for a 45 Colt "bang for your buck" gun.

FA's don't come in 45 Colt so you'd have to spring for the extra cylinder if you want a dedicated 45. That said, even though it's really expensive it is worth the money.

The smith is a great double action gun but it doesn't have the strength the Ruger has.

The Ruger is an very accurate out of the box gun, highly customizable, and a great first gun for the sixgun hunter.

Actually the Model 97 Freedom Arms is available in a 5 shot 45 Colt. I prefer the 97 because it uses a transfer bar safety instead of the hammer block on the 83. If I was planning on going to really heavy loads I might opt for a 5 shot FA over a Ruger. Of course there are 5 shot conversions for Rugers.

All that said, Rugers are unbeatable for bang for the buck.

I've got a Colt Anaconda in 45 Colt, and won't trade it for anything... right now. But I baby that gun. The bisley SBHH that I have coming is going to be my true work horse for the 45 Colt loads.

Yes this is a fact. I should have pointed that out seeing as how I own a 97 in 45 Colt. My kids are making sure I don't sleep enough to speak in public.

Thanks for the replies folks. I am seriously considering the FA97 or FA83 (multi cylinder)and the Ruger Bisley....I prefer accuracy over price!...But if the Ruger Bisleys are very close in practical accuracy to the the FA's then I might go the Ruger route....Does anyone own both in .45 LC?....

MOHunter,

I'm partial to this 45 Colt; M97 with 5.5" tube...



It's very handy to carry around on the belt and wicked accurate!

I also have the bigger brother version, too.....



No complaints here either, but for a pure breed 45 Colt, I like the M97 the best.

My personal experience is that I have never owned a Ruger that was as accurate as my FA revolvers (and I have owned many Rugers). I expect that many will dispute this based upon their experience --- but that is my experience.

I also own a M97 in 45 Colt. It is my favorite "packing gun." Small, light and with a big hole in the bbl. However, if you have not had any experience with a M97, you should handle and shoot one before you buy. I love them (all three of mine), but they do not fit everyone.

No doubt that the chances of getting an accurate FA from the factory are much greater than that of a Ruger. That is what you get for the money -- a hand-built revolver. However, when it comes to bang-for-the-buck, it is hard to beat a Ruger. The price of admission is much lower. I am particularly fond of the Williams Shooters Supply distributer exclusive Ruger Bisleys with a 5 1/2-inch barrel. I customized mine a bit, but out of the box it shot lights-out. Obviously you can't go wrong going the FA route.

I have that bisley SBHH in 45 Colt coming that Junebug found. What, if anything, can be done to it to help the accuracy? Of course I am going to shoot it and see how it does out of the box, but are there things that can be done to help with accuracy? I'm talking about things that can be done to the gun itself, not just finding the right load that the gun likes.

I own a bh 5.5 in 45 colt and a sbh10.5 in 44 mag. While i like to carry and shoot my 45, it is as accurate as i am, i really like shooting my 44 more. It is accurate and has nothing done to it. I just enjoy 44's better. Seems like i can load 44's hotter and with more bullet choice. More meat around the cylinders. The pros for the 45 is it rolls off the tongue and sounds more powerfull and definantly more prestigious when you name drop a 45 colt.

Slug your barrel and cylinder throats. If anything, you want the throats to be slightly larger (.001") than the bore. My Bisley 45 had throats that measured .4505, same as the bore. I couldn't push a bullet through them without a hammer. Shot terrible. I honed the throats so that a 250 XTP (.4515") would go through with little to no effort and what a difference that made.

Thanks Rod. Slugging the barrel and throats... is that something I can do, or do I need to take it in? I don't know what "slugging" is.

Thanks!

I own both the Stainless Ruger Bisley 45 Colt and the Freedom Arms 97 45 Colt. Both guns are 5.5 inch barrels. I sometimes shoot the Ruger better than the FA but that is on me and not the gun.

There is really no comparison in quality. The Ruger is the Chevy Camero and the Freedom is the Maserati. The FA is much lighter and sometimes more to deal with recoil wise. The difference in frame size is very noticeable.

In my limited opinion, there are light years of accuracy between a revolver that shoots 1-2 inches at 25yds and on that shoots one hole groups. The Freedom comes with the 5 shot group shot at the factory. Mine looked like a 2 shot ragged hole but all 5 shots were there.

You can't really compare the two fairly.

If it's in the budget, I'd buy the FA every time.

You can use a 1/2 oz egg sinker or a cast bullet. You will need a hammer and something to use for a "drift" to push the lead through. Brass is best, but I use a 3/8" blunted steel spike that I wrapped electrical tape around so as not to ding the rifling. Start the lead at the muzzle and tap it through the bore. Measure the diameter when it pops out the other end. Do the same for the cylinder and compare the measurements.

Thanks for all the feedback folks!....I have owned a number of Ruger pistols, just not in .45 LC (but that might change soon also!)....I think I would like to get the FA 83 or 97...Looks like at least a 10 month wait according to the FA site, unless I find one that is already out there?....How does the dimensions of the .454 cylinder differ from the .45 LC?...Is it just where the throats begin?.....

What do I do with this information? Take it to a gunsmith and have him match things up?

If the throats are the same as, or smaller than, the bore you may want to have them reamed. See how she shoots first and go from there.

Yes. The difference is in the length of case that will chamber. You can shoot 45's in the 454, but be sure to clean it up good before you go back to the longer case.

Thanks s4s4u, that' what I figured....I will have to contact the two local dealers here in my part of Missouri and see what they have in stock and find out what it will take to get one of these fine pistols...I have wanted one for a long time now!...Thanks again folks

MO,
Keep a check on GunBroker. They frequently have to two FA's your drooling over. Here's a M83 454 Casull with 45 Colt and a M97 45 Colt with 4.25" and a M97 45 Colt USED with 4.25" and rounded butt.

I would suggest you try the trigger on a S&W Model 25. The new classic with a 6 1/2 inch barrel isn't bad and any 25-5 6 inch does well too. If you are a deer hunter this gun will shoot all the deer loads you need. I love my Ruger Bisley SS 5.5", it's a tank and will take all the Ruger only loads I care to use but any 20,000 psi load will do just fine in a S&W and it is easier to squeeze good groups out of it, quicker hammer fall, crisp sear release, less over travel.

I would agree that out of the box the S&W trigger is typically much better, but who leaves well enough alone? All of my revolvers have their triggers worked over and frankly the SA Rugers are as slick as anyone could ever want. I love the N-frame .45 Colt, but prefer the option of being able to load it hotter -- much hotter -- if need be. JMHO.

Yeah Whit, all my triggers get worked also and I agree, the Rugers are as good as any.

Bisley. It will give you options later if needed.

My choice would be the old model ruger redhawk, if you can find one. If you can afford a new s&w, then by all means do it. I settled on a super redhawk in 454. It's not a true 45lc and it wasn't what i wanted but i stumbled upon it in a pawn shop and he price was too low to pass up. Someday I'll get my redhawk. No offense to the single action blackhawks or freedom arms, but i wrecked my wrist in a motorcycle accident years ago and i just can't shoot single action pistols any more.

Install a Hamilton Bowen rear sight on the Ruger for a better sight picture.

On my 5.5" Bisley, I had the cylinders reamed out, basically to where the bullets would drop through the cylinder without catching. I also lapped the barrel with Beartooth's lapping kit, and the accuracy of the Ruger is very good now.

Another vote for the Ruger Bisley. And yes it is better than a S&W. Start thumping heavy 45 Colt loads through both & see which chums first? I doubt you'd loosen a Ruger in your life time. If you care to spend more try a BFR or even FA's. They're great but the Ruger gives the most value & you can do what ever you want to it as you go along & form your own preferences. $115 for a top notch action job from Mag-Na-Port & you'll have a sweet shooter.

Ruger Bisley by all means. It's digestive track is great. Hot loads? No problem. Light loads? Why not. Customize to your own preference without shelling out an arm and a leg.

I have a standard blued Bisley with a Leupold base and rings. It has a Belt Mtn pin, Wolf springs and Power Custom pawl. Kind of the standard bling I have added to most all of my Ruger SA guns. I think it has better balance than the Hunter (had one of those too). This gun shoots better groups than most would believe. I had my buddy jig grind the chambers to within .0002" he did the same with my 4 5/8" SS Ruger 45 Colt. I also have a 625 S&W it shoots great too but as stated it will not take the loads the Ruger will. Then last is a model 25 S&W another bone stock gun that shoots great I run even lighter loads out of this gun.

I shoot one load out of the Rugers it is a 250 XTP over 2400. The Smiths i shoot 250 gr hard cast over a bit lighter load of 2400.

One other option in .45 Colt: Buy a Redhawk 5.5 inch barrel in any smaller caliber and send it to Clements or Bowen and have them rebore it to a minimum spec .45 Colt. The brass will last longer, it will be more accurate and a set of custom grips and an action job can be done at the same time.

MO--l have a SW Model 25-3 in 45Colt....lt is THE most accurate handgun l have ever owned...Period...l cant say why.. l got is used off the net ap years ago..0ver the last 40yrs l have owned maybe 30 odd big caliber handguns in 41 44 45.. Mostly Smiths except for a couple Ruger BH an Colt Model Ps...l have just found nothing that can come close..l shoot IHMSA in revolver...A new PC Hunter wont shoot as well either.. l did fire a buddies FA Silh Model in 41 Mag that was nearly as good... FA is too $$$ for me...The 25-3 was a 125th Ann Comm gun made in the late 70s..They are quite easy to find.. lf you can..Find a used one as l did..Leave the NIB ones to the collectors..


ps
The 25-3 does not have the big throat issues of the 25-5

I have finally saved enough money to purchase a premier grade Freedom Arms! I have decided to try and find a pistol in .454, with an extra cylinder in .45 colt or .45 acp....But if I find a FA97 in .45 colt with a .45 acp cylinder that would be great too!...I was going to purchase the new Ruger 5.5" Bisley convertible, but on the two guns I was able to put in my hands, the fit and finish of the grips on the grip frame at the top of the back strap was so bad that I would have cut my hand during recoil! I then decided I didn't want a diamond in the rough, I want a diamond!....So now that I know I want a FA, are there any preferable years of manufacture? Any thing to look for or avoid?...For example, I have read about different firing pins? Was one better than the other?..Thanks everyone for your input, it is very much appreciated!

As far as the firing pin I had an older model and they upgraded it. It is now field replaceable as long as you have the pin. This is as I hear it.

Yup new models are much nicer in that the firing pin is replaceable in 2 minutes if need be. Simple simple simple. Go w the model 83. Itll let ya ring out the 45 colt for everything its worth and then some. Then ya still got 454. Easy choice imho. Congrats!!!

I agree. If you search enough I think you can find an 83 and send it in for a 45 Colt cylinder, trigger job and still come under the wire than for a new one. Good hunting

MOhunter,
there's currently two FA M97's in 45colt and a FG M83 in 454 w/45colt cylinder on GunBroker.

If you want 44 magnum level of power or more then you'll probably be happier with the 83. I enjoy a 97 up to about 250 @ 1100 fps. The 83 is comfortable with 250 @ 1350.
Honestly, the 45 Colt is all you need. I wouldn't bother with the 45 auto cylinder unless you just keep a ton of that ammo for plinking. You can load a lot of 45 Colt loads for the price of that cylinder. The 454 is all you need if your load interests start at maximum "Ruger only" 45 Colt level and go up. I get excellent 454 accuracy starting at about 300 @ 1200 and going up.
If you don't want to hand load all of your ammo then just get a 44 magnum in Ruger or FA and start smacking down deer right now. I did just that for a lot of years.

After 5 pages of advice, what is the path forward?

I want to get a Freedom Arms 83 (non ported barrel) in .454 hopefully with a second cylinder in .45 colt or .45 acp. I have been looking, and finding that I can probably find a pistol with an extra cylinder for darn near the same price as one with only the original cylinder. I have yet to find out what serial number range have the newer firing pin? At some point I will get another Ruger....

There is a 4 or 5 in Redhawk at my local shop right now in stainless .45 colt.

Awesome thread string and one I needed! You guys know some stuff about some stuff.
Time to set the money makers(beaver traps)for a new Ruger Bisley. Or BFR. Or FA....

Wait, is there a wrong answer?

If I was going to go with a 2nd cyl. it would definitely be the 45 Colt over the ACP but honestly I don't think you need to go with another cyl. Just load the 454 a bit lighter... Super accurate guns though - there isn't anything that a 454 can't kill.

I agree on the Ruger Bisley. My personal preference is 44 Magnum but the 45 Colt will be great for deer.

One other consideration that I think might be worth noting. I love my 454 FA and I love to download it to 45 colt spec's for plinking. It is very easy to do. But with the twist rate of 1:24, I have not been able to get 335 and 360 grain bullets to work very well at lower velocity. Up to about 270 grains, it's a one holer with reduced charges. If it is the barrel twist that is giving me issues, I might guess that it would be the same with the Colt cylinder.

Once I figured out that my FA would work well with more traditional weight bullets and reduced loads, I scratched buying an auxilliary cylinder off my list. If I were to do one, I would probably lean to the 45 acp, as I have lots of those, that I shoot in other guns. And not having to worry about trimming cases would be nice ;^)

Craig

What .45 Colt barrel length do you guys like the best? For a hunting application I had assumed a 7.5" barrel would be best but it seems like a 5.5" is more popular, at least in this thread.

(still trying to decide between the Casull or Colt as well)

Hello all! This is an old thread, but I started it, so I would like to give an update. I would like to first thank each and every one of you that gave advice! I purchased a 7.5" FA83 field grade .454 with a spare .45 colt cylinder yesterday from a local gun store. This gun was sold as used, but didn't look to be fired much at all, the .45 colt cylinder didn't appear to be fired at all! All in all for $1500, I felt it was a good deal. I still have not shot it yet, but I will this weekend.
I went to the store to check out the new 5 shot .454 Ruger Blackhawk...again, terrible fit and finish! Metal shavings and burrs every where and you could see day light thru the top of the grips/ grip frame!...Then I saw the FA next to it and purchased it! ....Thanks again folks!

Good deal for a "convertable" model.

MOHunter, You won't be disappointed, but your mindset on revolvers will never be the same again.

JB, I only have the lowly Blackhawk .45 colt six shot. It's a 5.5" and light as a feather compaired to my Dirty Harry S&W and a 7.5" Super Blackhawk. Anyway, don't see where I would need a 7.5" to make 50, 75 or even 100 yard shot. I'm sure there are more experienced views here on this.

This one!

Keep in mind the Ruger costs roughly half that of your used FA price and for a nominal fee it can be cleaned with custom grips and a trigger job. Expecting the same fit and finish is unreasonable, but the Ruger can be carried safely with a round under the hammer.

Whitworth-Yeah, I know, I have had a number of Rugers over the years. I still own some Rugers. I will probably purchase more in the future for another project (after my single six project). I never expected the Rugers to be as well made as the FA's, it just seems that the fit and finish of EVERY one of the Rugers with the bisley grip frame that I have handled in the last year has been terrible. I have been a machinist for over 25 yrs and know what is to be expected at different price points. I am not sure what is going on at Ruger with the bisley grip frames, none of the other Ruger revolvers I have had have been that sloppy? I am a Ruger fan, just disappointed in the quality of the current bisley grip framed guns...Plus, I always wanted a Freedom Arms!

Want is the best justification I can think of! Congratulations on the score! We do expect photos!

I know that out of the box Rugers can be a bit rough, but my .454 SBH is one of the most accurate revolvers I currently own, so I can forgive some of the rough edges!

[img][/img] Cost $720 with both 45 Colt and 45 ACP cylinders, couldn't be happier. Adjustable sights allow me to tune in loads not to mention difference between 255 Colt and 230 ACP.

For those that may not be aware,
Buffalo Bore makes a 255grn 45ACP that would do fine in a revolver or rifle.