Convertibles useful/practical/popular?

[BeagleDog]

I'm really just getting into the SA's, almost exclusively Blackhawks. I'm wondering if the convertibles have any popularity out there. I'm looking at a 7 1/2" .45LC/.45acp and I started asking myself what really is the point of the acp? Likewise the .357/9mm although I can see using the 9 as a little cheaper round when just plinking. But then I started asking myself if I get use to shooting the acp or 9, do I then need to relearn the LC and .357? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[bigboredad]

As for popularity goes just try finding a .45 acp cylinder for sell I've seen them sell for as high as 150.00 and it seems 100+ is the norm . As far as what the point well if you have .45 ac[ pistol then chance are you have a lot of brass and or ammo already loaded up. Also brass is a whole bunch easier to find and is much cheaper for the acp. Reloading for the acp in the Ruger can open up a whole new world. handloads.com has a great article on loading the .45 acp in the Ruger and it has some very impressive performance. Also if you just want to practice on the cheap loading for the acp can be much cheaper. As far as relearning that is not a issue you can work on trigger control sight alignment grip and a whole host of other things that will make you a much better shot no matter what you shoot and practicing with a round that a gentle recoil is never a bad idea. All of this of course is jmho ymmv. I'm sure you will get a lot better advice. But for me I love my convertible and have no plans of letting it go but I'm looking to add another

 

[bnewberry]

First pistol I ever bought was a .357/9mm convertible Blackhawk. It was only a few dollars more than a non-convertible one and seemed like a good idea at the time.

I figured I could use the cheap 9mm that was available at the time.

Once I started reloading, I didn't need cheap 9mm!

I've used the 9mm cylinder a few times, mostly to shoot 9mm that didn't work well in an auto pistol.

If I were buying new today, and a convertible was only a few dollars more, I'd go for it. Otherwise no.

 

[wizofwas]

I love my 45 convertable. 45 acp are cheap and if you reload, the brass is easy to find. I didn't notice any difference in shooting the 45 acp or the 45 C with factory rounds. And if you go with the Blackhawk, you can buy or reload Ruger only rounds for it.

 

[JWhitmore44]

There are more self defenses rounds offered in 45 acp if you so choose to use your Blackhawk or Vaquero for that.

 

[Hugh]

I do not reload ammunition, so I won't go there.

I can sure see a use for the .45 ACP cylinder in the .45 Cal Blackhawks, and Vaqueros. Lots of .45 ACP ammunition around, and certainly costs less than .45 Colt. You can send a lot of ammunition down range at fairly decent cost. For hunting and other field use load up with .45 Colt. You have a lot of range time holding up that 2.5 - 3 pound hunk of steel. In the field there is no adjustment to make for a different firearm. I would like a .45 ACP cylinder for mine.

I'm not so sure I understand about the .357/9mm though. You can already load and shoot .357 Magnum or .38 Special. Maybe they figured 9mm is close enough, and folks might like it. Shoot .38 Special for range time and plinking; .357 Magnum for the field and those special occasions.

 

[Rclark]

As far as relearning that is not a issue....

That is correct. You can do all of the 'learning' with a .22 for that matter. Doesn't matter the caliber.

1) You can shoot two calibers out of the same gun. 2) Another for me to .45ACP is the brass is free. I haven't had to buy any yet as, for some reason, people leave it all over the ground. Can't say that for .45 Colt . 3) .45ACP make good plinking rounds. 4) Less powder, so cheaper to shoot. Other than that I can't think of any other 'point' per-se.

Well, for non-reloaders .45ACP is much more plentiful than .45 Colt. Gotta say that!

Handloads .45 Auto Article Note that the Ruger Only Loads here are for the Blackhawk 45 convertibles NOT the medium frame Flattop convertibles.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Besides . . . they are fun.

 

[jimbo1096]

Hey - it's just fun and expands the use of a great firearm. I admit I've used the 45 convert a lot more than the 357/9.

 

[Shooter973]

My convertibles (Both 45's) are equally as accurate with the ACP's as I can shoot out of an Auto. I've never even installed the 45 Colt cylinders as I already load 44's and 357's. Just don't need 45 Colt. :roll:

 

[norfolknova]

I think my next Blackhawk will be a convertable. Maybe i will be lucky and find one at the next gun show on the less expensive than the LGS side. Like as has been said 45 ACP is cheaper to buy, so it has to be cheaper to reload also

Matt

 

[Rclark]

has to be cheaper to reload

Only because you can pick up brass off the ground. Otherwise it is like any other cartridge to reload. Primer/powder/bullet all cost the same .

Just don't need 45 Colt

Gasp. That's terrible. :shock: I suppose though it's like me that doesn't need .44Mag. Have the .45 Colt for that .

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

Just a bit.

 

[SAJohn]

I will bet most of you have noticed that when a convert cylinder (.22 mag, 9mm, 45acp) comes up for sale, it is usually in about NIB condition.

 

[Rclark]

I have noticed that in .22Mag. And from experience, my son has the Single Six and I shoot a Heritage RR. His had a box of 100 run through it once and that was enough. Mine hasn't see a single 22Mag cartridge.

I think once the 'novelty' wears off, I'll be back to shooting mostly .45 Colt too. FYI, I mostly bought the convertibles for the .45 Colt in the medium frame flattop... The .45ACP cylinders were just 'bonuses'.... However, keeping some Trail Boss .45 ACP around will be nice for when the wife wants to shoot it. Nice easy light accurate 200g poppers. Been experimenting a bit with 250g RNFPs too in the .45 ACP as I won't be shooting them out of a bottom feeder (don't have one, and no intention of getting one at this time).

One thing nice about .45ACP in the revolver is there is no constraints other than pressure on how you load it. No thoughts of 'will it cycle the action, or spit out the spent case, or is it to hot and beat the slide to death'....

Oh, one other thing I noticed... Some of the spent cases I picked up had a 'bulge' near the web. Some of these even after resizing did not seat into the revolver very well (tossed them after one firing). So, another benefit of shooting .45 ACP in a revolver is that the case is 'fully' supported all around. Just an observation.

 

[JWhitmore44]

Seems like you can always find cheap 230 grain lead round ball bullets at gun shows. Only thing that comes close is 38/357 158 grain lead. I think I have put about the same number of 45 colt and 45 acp though my Vaquero. But my Vaquero didn't come with an ACP cylinder. had to find my own

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I will bet most of you have noticed that when a convert cylinder (.22 mag, 9mm, 45acp) comes up for sale, it is usually in about NIB condition.

Yep, probably they are for sale because their owner doesn't appreciate their usefulness.

Ya don't see "experienced" ones for sale because they're still being used . . . like mine are.

 

[SAJohn]

Ale-8, Good point.

John

 

[Anonymous]

I will bet most of you have noticed that when a convert cylinder (.22 mag, 9mm, 45acp) comes up for sale, it is usually in about NIB condition.

Yep, probably they are for sale because their owner doesn't appreciate their usefulness.

Ya don't see "experienced" ones for sale because they're still being used . . . like mine are.

PLUS, the cylinders are hand fitted by Ruger. On mine, the last three numbers of the serial number are etched on each cylinder, so you should never buy a cyl at a gun show unless you get it re-fitted for that gun.

 

[Specs]

Along with the ideas mentioned above, I'd like to add that my 357/38/9mm will handle a wide range of ammo. and in an ammo drought I will have a good chance of finding SMOETHING to shoot. Additionally, I don't reload, so while 38 spec is cheaper, 9mm is way cheaper and makes for some really cheap centerfire fun.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I will bet most of you have noticed that when a convert cylinder (.22 mag, 9mm, 45acp) comes up for sale, it is usually in about NIB condition.

Yep, probably they are for sale because their owner doesn't appreciate their usefulness.

Ya don't see "experienced" ones for sale because they're still being used . . . like mine are.

PLUS, the cylinders are hand fitted by Ruger. On mine, the last three numbers of the serial number are etched on each cylinder, so you should never buy a cyl at a gun show unless you get it re-fitted for that gun.

They are all factory fitted and numbered.

You have a better than 80% chance of having a cylinder you find on the 'net or at a show dropping right into your gun and working properly.

Exercising common sense in checking out the fit and operation is indicated, of course.

JMHO

 

[DGW1949]

Along with the ideas mentioned above, I'd like to add that my 357/38/9mm will handle a wide range of ammo. and in an ammo drought I will have a good chance of finding SMOETHING to shoot. Additionally, I don't reload, so while 38 spec is cheaper, 9mm is way cheaper and makes for some really cheap centerfire fun.

To me, the above comments perty-much say it all.

DGW

 

[tacklebury]

I love my .45LC/.45ACP combo. The .45 ACP is just as accurate with my reloads that I do for my .45 EAA Match Witness and actually can outshoot it at 30+ yards. It's really nice to be able to buy some cheap .45 acp also to plink with when I haven't had time to reload enough.

 

[flatgate]

Me? I've little use for the convertibles. I like .22 LR as is. The rest of the centerfire convertibles get only "collector" interest from me.

Yeah, I know, I'm out in Left Field, but, the question was posted......

flatgate

 

[Anonymous]

PLUS, the cylinders are hand fitted by Ruger. On mine, the last three numbers of the serial number are etched on each cylinder, so you should never buy a cyl at a gun show unless you get it re-fitted for that gun.
-----------------------------------------------------

They are all factory fitted and numbered.

You have a better than 80% chance of having a cylinder you find on the 'net or at a show dropping right into your gun and working properly.

Exercising common sense in checking out the fit and operation is indicated, of course.

JMHO

Ale: Ruger marks the cylinders for a good reason. Look at their parts list for a revolver and it will say is has to be factory fitted. I asked a gunsmith at a large chain once if they could do it & they said no. Common sense checking out fit? 80% chance? My Dad was a machinist 50+ years. He could spot a few ten-thousandths off by eye, but I think he'd break out the tools for this stuff.[/quote]

 

[Ale-8(1)]

They are marked to make sure they are shipped with the proper gun.

Yes, they are fitted, but Ruger manufactures to close enough tolerances, however, that an "after the fact" match is very possible. If you note the transactions here involving cylinders, the overall length is always a matter of concern. I have bought some cylinders here, and by carefully buying the proper length have had no problem with them fitting into the gun. I have also had no problem with them "timing" properly.

This is not a guaranteed thing, but it's not all that unusual, either. It's a matter of knowing what you are doing and playing it careful.

JMHO

 

[Scott]

My 1st single action was a single six convertible and I shoot a lot of LR for plinking but almost exclusively mag for hunting with it. I wanted a .45 convertible BH as my next gun, but got impatient and bought the single cylinder model, figuring I would get an ACP cylinder made. Then I started reloading and don't see a need. I load heavy and light .45Colt and have everything I need to load .45 Schofield, hoping that will be a replacement for the ACP. I still like the idea/novelty of more calibers out of one gun, but for now I'm happy with what I have.

 

[Rclark]

Then I started reloading and don't see a need. I load heavy and light .45Colt and have everything I need to load

I feel the same way .... But as a reloader I had to buy some .45ACP dies and have at it . It has been fun trying different .45ACP loads that match my .45 Colt loads for POA and if course accuracy. Still on the 'march' to find the perfect match. Been a fun learning experience. Plus get a feel for different powders and bullets in this shorty cartridge. Also the taper crimping feel is different (yes I've over crimped a few!) so some learning curve there. Like I said after the novelty wears off, I'll probably not shoot .45ACP much... but I'll know what works and what doesn't, what I like, don't like, etc.... All be in the logs for later reference if I get the bug again. Right now I still have the 'bug'!

 

[M'BOGO]

The .45 models are great. The bore difference isn't an issue as with the .22 and .357/.355 models, which do not offer neccessarly "national match" accuracy, but useful for plinking.

The case volume differences with the two .45 loads make for full range of useful case capacity, with a wide range of slugs. The 200 g SWC's in a .45 colt case leave a lot of air in the case.

The .45 convertable is very useful for someone on a budget who doesn't reload. They could buy a box of boutique hunting ammo for the .45 Colt. Practice with the economy ACP, and load defence ammo for the nightstand. While saving pennies for reloading gear.

In my eyes, they are the bee's knee's..

 

[flatgate]

I've only experimented with the convertible cylinders a wee bit. I had trouble with POI vs. POA when the gun was sighted in with it's "main" cartridge.

I'll stick with my "Ruger Only" loads in .45 Colt that toss the 325 grain bullets out there at 1,200 fps or so.

flatgate