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Author Topic: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle  (Read 951 times)

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Offline geezerbiker

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Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« on: May 10, 2011, 10:32:32 PM »
I originally planned to add a .45 Colt barrel to my .223 ultra Varmint but then NEF discontinued that caliber...  Anyway a local shop here in NW Oregon has a used .45 Colt Handi rifle for $265.  Does this sound like too much money?  It looks like it's in pretty good condition or at least I didn't see anything wrong with it.

Tony
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Offline petemi

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2011, 12:07:02 AM »
I guess if it was clean, I'd buy it.  There were places that had them new for quite a bit less, but by the time you add the FFL transfer fee and possibly shipping, you wouldn't save much.

Pete
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Offline Buckwheat Jack

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2011, 02:18:27 AM »
That's about what the new one I bought recently would have cost if I had had to pay shipping. It was $229 from cdnn. Plus FFL fee, local delivery.
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Offline geezerbiker

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2011, 08:07:46 AM »
Thanx guys.  I think I'm going to wait and see if he's willing to deal on it after it's sat there for a while longer.   

What I really want is something that is larger in bore size that would hit harder with a slower moving cast bullet.  I guess a .44 mag or .444 Marlin barrel would be an OK second but I really wanted a .45 Colt...

Tony
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2011, 08:31:24 AM »
geeeeeezzzz buy the thing already we really hate the snooze you looze stories :'( Kurt
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2011, 09:04:03 AM »
I, for one, am getting real tired of kicking myself in the butt..........
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2011, 05:12:49 PM »
Whatcha lookin for?  Why ain't ya shootin the darn thing?  Since they don't make em and most everybody is out of new ones, the price is gonna go up.  Those of us that has em, keeps them most of the time.  Get it and forget if it's a good price or not, it's a damn good rifle.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Antietamgw

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2011, 06:00:37 PM »
Quote from: geezerbiker on May 11, 2011, 08:07:46 AM

What I really want is something that is larger in bore size that would hit harder with a slower moving cast bullet.  I guess a .44 mag or .444 Marlin barrel would be an OK second but I really wanted a .45 Colt...

Tony
If you reload, the .45-70 can go from almost silent to a real stomper. So could the 444 but I've never had one.  I thought about the 45 Colt but I've shot the .45-70 since the early '70's(an H&R Shikari was one of my first!) and consider it more versatile than the 45 Colt.  I just couldn't justify it, especially since I'd probably need some different molds. Didn't stop me from checking the CDNN ad a few times a week though  :) Whatever you decide, enjoy!
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Offline ratdog

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2011, 02:30:52 PM »
if you wait you may loose but there always is a 45-70 out there waiting.
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Offline geezerbiker

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2011, 08:35:31 AM »
I picked up a couple .44 bullet molds for $10 each...  So I'm thinking maybe the universe is telling me I need to get a .44 instead.  The original plan was to take a .45 Colt and open it up to .454 cas...

I'm thinking along the lings of the .444 Marlin might do the same with less hassle.  I'm wondering now if the .444 works OK with reduced cast bullet loads or if a .44 mag would be better...  I'm not in a hurry since I have more than enough rifles for any type of Hunting that's available in Western Oregon...

Tony
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2011, 01:33:33 PM »
I don't know if that shop has the ability to let you shoot it, but one thing I had found out the hard way with my .45 colt is that a lot of them have very loose chambers.  When I purchased mine, they ended up replacing it 3 times to get to one that didn't make my brass into a football.  The first one blew out the brass 25 thousandths at the rear, then the second about 18 thousandths in the center.  The second would barely eject the brass on hotter loads.  If they won't let you shoot it first, however, you could see if you can check it with a go/no-go gauge at least.  My 3rd one is spot on and only allows 2 thousandths growth.  It's actually a little tighter than my Ruger Blackhawk's cylinder, which is also tight.  Not so tight there is ejection issues though, so I am quite happy with it now.  ;)
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Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #11 on: May 14, 2011, 01:39:43 PM »
Years ago I had the 44 Mag 'Shikari', it was fun and easy to feed with cast bullet loads. Nowdays I might go for the 444 and probably use Trail Boss loads with cast; I like those big, long cases (I know, BB, the 45-120 cigars make anything else look absolutely stubby).
Whichever comes along first you probably wont go wrong.
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"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
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45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #12 on: May 14, 2011, 01:49:12 PM »
My first one has a large chamber, had to make the extractor fit the chamber to get the brass out.  just use milder loads out of that one.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline ratdog

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Re: Looking at a used .45 Colt Handi rifle
« Reply #13 on: May 16, 2011, 03:22:17 PM »
i have a 45 colt now you guys got me thinking of the 44 mag again this handy disease is heavy stuff.sure is fun.
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