First Single Action. Convertible or not?

[Denver1911]

Hello,

I am probably shopping for my first single action and am leaning toward a Bisley Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel in 45 Colt. I reload and plan to get dies for the 45 Colt. This gun is a "just for fun" piece and will be used for target shooting only. Others on a different forum suggested the convertible (45 Colt / 45 ACP). Why would I want that version if I will be reloading? I would imagine the cost of loading the Colts would be on par with the ACP, so it's not a cost issue. I could always download the Colts so recoil is not an issue. Other reasons to go with the convertible?

 

[BearBio]

Why not? I rarely shoot 45 acp in mine but I have about a dozen 1911s, so why not have then option?

 

[Silent Sam]

ACP cases are everywhere and cheaper than Colt cases if purchased and can be loaded to "enough" for many tasks. 1911 mags make good SA loaders

 

[Rclark]

It seemed like it would be 'nice' to have convertibles when I acquired mine.... But I've found the .45 ACP cylinder(s) just sits in the case, and rarely gets used. I did some initial testing for fun with .45 ACP, but that is about as far as it went.... I have two convertible flattops BTW, and reload. Just can't get away from shooting .45 Colt . That's been my experience. Still it is your call either way. One thing going to .45 ACP is cases are bit easier to find. A lot of shooters leave them lying all over the ground for free pickup. Nobody leaves .45 Colt cases on the ground . Mine go right back into the box where they came from!

 

[500we]

I have an FA 45 convertible, as well as 2 Ruger .45 convertibles, and a .45ACP (only) Blackhawk.I can tell you that many times the ACP cylinders will be more accurate than the .45 Colt, despite the fact that it seems illogical.
I'd try to find a convertible.

 

[pisgah]

You are correct, of course; when it comes to a .45 convertible the feature has little practical value to the handloader, unless he happens to have a bountiful supply of ACP brass he wants to use. But for the non-handloader, or for a person who just fancies having the maximum number of options, they can be a heckuva lot of fun.

 

[charlesappel]

The first thing I do with a .45 convertible is take the .45 Colt cylinder out of the gun and put the .45 ACP cylinder in. I really like the fact that the empties come completely out when using the ejector rod. In short barreled .45 Colt revolvers the cases sometime hang. Not a major issue but it is mildly annoying. It seems to me that the .45 ACP is close to being the ideal single action cartridge. It has enough power for most jobs and a huge selection of factory ammo available for it.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

What 500we said +1 My 7 1/2" Bisley BH is more accurate when shooting it with .45 ACP. At 25 yd., rested ,and using Hornady XTP bullets and a mid range load, mine shoots them all into one ragged hole.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

Why not have two guns in one, basically?

 

[eveled]

If you end up with a box of acp, that don't cycle in your 1911 you have a good way to use them up. I can't think of a good reason not to get a convertable. Of course if a good deal pops up on a non convertable only you can decide if it is what you want. Ed

 

[mike56]

Just purchased 2 convertibles. A .45colt/.45acp. Can not believe how accurate the acp is, considering the jump.

Made me grab a .357 gun. I can shoot the .357, the .38 special and 9mm. That might be the ultimate end of the world gun? Going to tune up the trigger some and maybe get it plated/coated for weather resistance.

convertible if you get the chance.

 

[dakota1911]

I would vote for the convertible revolver myself.

 

[Hondo44]

Denver,

I think you've heard all the best reasons for the 45 ACP extra cylinder. I personally have no use for them. But if you have a choice between a one cyl gun and a convertible, you might think about getting the convertible. After owning the gun for awhile, you might develop an interest later and decide it might be fun to try ACPs. It's a heck of a lot harder to find an ACP cyl for your gun and one that fits. Ruger will not add one for you and even if they would, it would be costly. Since this is your first SA and they tend to 'grow' on people, you might want to keep your options open for the future.

One other consideration is even if you never use the ACP, at some time in the future if you decide to sell the gun, usually you will find a greater market for a convertible than a single cyl gun.

Your choice of course but hopefully you've received enough information and opinions to help you make an informed decision.

 

[eveled]

I tend to buy my guns used, so the other guy takes the big hit money wise. As such I dont' have any true convertables they don't show up very often when they do they are almost at full retail.

If I were buying new I would definately go with a convertable. I consider .38 / .357 to be the ultimate convertable and the best bargain, two good cartridges and you don't even have to change the cylinder. Ed

 

[wideglide]

The 357/38 special/9mm convertible is a great thing to have. I bought it to shoot less expensive 9mm but now get better price and availability on 38's. I've still not fired a 9mm through my new convertible but have put a bunch of 38 specials down range. Who knows, in 6 months 9mm might be cheaper and I'll have the flexibility to go back an forth between cals. I also have the Single Six convertible and fire the 22lr 20:1 against the 22 mag but just knowing I can switch for the heck of it made it worth the few extra bucks to get the convertible.

 

[Ladobe]

Just personal choice I guess. With all the covertables I've owned the extra cylinder seldom if ever got used. So most were resold with the extra cylinder unfired.

 

[CraigC]

The .45ACP has a lot to offer in a single action. It's a much shorter case and thus FAR more efficient for loads up to ~900fps than the cavernous Colt case. Its short length also makes ejection a snap. It also doesn't suffer from 140yr old ambiguous chamber dimensions. All of which is why I plan to have an Old Model .357 converted into a 4" .45ACP and NOT a .45Colt or a convertible.

 

[DGW1949]

Hello,

I am probably shopping for my first single action and am leaning toward a Bisley Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel in 45 Colt. I reload and plan to get dies for the 45 Colt. This gun is a "just for fun" piece and will be used for target shooting only. Others on a different forum suggested the convertible (45 Colt / 45 ACP). Why would I want that version if I will be reloading? I would imagine the cost of loading the Colts would be on par with the ACP, so it's not a cost issue. I could always download the Colts so recoil is not an issue. Other reasons to go with the convertible?

You are partially correct....meaning, not quite.

The 45ACP will be a "bit" cheaper to reload due to it using a "bit" less powder for a given power-level. That is because it will always produce more pressure per X-amount of powder (under a given bullet) than the same load in a 45Colt case will produce...which translates to more velocity...which in turn, translates to more power. In other words, the smaller case is more efficient.
On the other side of that coin....we have that big-ole 45Colt case, which does not play well when "downloaded so recoil is not an issue"....meaning that when we begin loading lighter bullets and/or lighter powder charges than the 45LC cartridge was designed for, we quickly drop operating-pressures below the point which most powders require in order to burn correctly. The usual symptoms of that are sooty cases, incomplete powder burn, erratic velocities, poor accuracy, and/or bore fouling...all of which get more pronounced as combustion pressure drops.

What I'm getting at here is that if you've got your heart set on any type of .45 revolver, AND if you have plans for "downloading so recoil is not an issue", I would suggest that yes....you'd be much better served to buy a "convertible" model and do your downloading with the 45ACP case.

Hope this helps.

DGW

 

[Rclark]

loading lighter bullets and/or lighter powder charges...

That is why you use a powder like Trail Boss which eliminates that problem in .45 Colt which does play well! Use the right powder for what you are trying to do ... and all will be well.

 

[DGW1949]

loading lighter bullets and/or lighter powder charges...

That is why you use a powder like Trail Boss which eliminates that problem in .45 Colt which does play well! Use the right powder for what you are trying to do ... and all will be well.

True that....but....the last time I looked, TB-loads require more powder per X-amount of power than does "more conventional" powders, so I'd reckon that it cost more to use.
Just sayin' that if we're talking a .45 revolver, it would be hard to load a 45LC as cheaply as a 45ACP. After all, a pinch or two of Bullseye or Unique in the (much) smaller case translates to a lot of rounds per pound, eh?

DGW