Author Topic: Concealed Carry For Personal Protection: 45 L.C.? (Read 3715 times)

RIFLE MAN · « **on:** March 25, 2003, 04:17:38 PM »

How many of you have enough confidence in the "old" 45 L.C. cartridge that you would or do use it for personal protection? If so, is there a certain one (revolver) that you favor? You know, it's something about that old slow, yet big thumping cartridge that makes it quite formidable in our day. Agree?

Kind regards,
Rifle Man

JohnK · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2003, 05:04:17 PM »

You can get defense loads for the 45 Colt using the same bullets as top 45 ACP loads, why wouldn't I/we have confidence in the 45 Colt?

If I were going to carry a 45 Colt there are 2 (soon 3) guns I would consider:
1) S&W Mountain Gun
2) Taurus 2" snubby
3) Taurus 4" Tracker Adventurer (not yet on the market).

Of the 45 Colts I currently own I've carried a S&W M25-7 in the field, but with it's 5" barrel it's a bit big for CCW.

Any of these would fit the bill nicely. If I were going to carry it for woods protection I'd go with the Mountain Gun and load it up with some 270gr Keiths at around 1050-1,100 fps.

Trails650 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2003, 05:21:11 PM »

Looks like you beat me too this site John :-D

Trails650 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2003, 06:14:56 PM »

:grin: When is that Taurus going to come out? sounds nice.

JohnK · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2003, 06:19:52 PM »

It looks good too, at least in pictures. Heavy Tracker barrel, fixed sights and no ports. 2003 is all I've been told about when.

GJ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2003, 02:08:17 AM »

I carry a ruger NMBH 4 5/8" bbl in a Mernickle PS6SA loade with Corbon 200 gr HP 1100fps. with 6 extras on a cart. slide. I practice almost every week and have all the confidence in the world with that setup.

1badmagnum · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2003, 03:27:09 PM »

the 45 colt makes sense to me,low velocity,excellent stopping power,and the taurus tracker in 2 or 4 inch would be a good choice.
I own 2 taurus revolvers,and 1 semi auto,and the 41 magnum tracker would be my next purchase as I already own a raging bull in 45 colt.

redhawk44p · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2003, 05:31:12 AM »

I load the 230 GDHP ACP bullet in a 45 LC case in my Blackhawk. This bullet has an awesome hollowpoint and by pushing it from 45 ACP velocities up to 1200 FPS you have a load that is controllable, expands dynamically and penetrates very well. I use a firm crimp and have not had a problem with bullet creep at this velocity.

quicksdraw45 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2003, 05:42:23 AM »

I use a .45 colt for home defense and also have carried it when I felt it was a good idea, It is a stainless blackhawk 7 1/2 inch converted to a bisley . In the above posts there are several good recomendations for ammo for it .
I have used single actions for so long that when I shoot a double action pistol it is still fired single action , A semi automatic pistol I have to think about the mechanics of operation .
All the pistols I own are single action or single shot . many people are suprised at how fast that single action will shoot and add to that I hit what I aim at .

daddywpb · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2003, 02:02:52 PM »

I carry a S&W 45 LC Mountain Gun that was Mag-Na-Ported by the factory. Be careful using bullets meant for the ACP that don't have a canalure. A heavy roll crimp will deform the jacket, and without it they will creep forward under recoil. I'm a believer in the stopping power of big heavy bullets. I'd rather have a 45 LC or a 45ACP than a 9mm any day - regardless of what kind of ammo you put in them.

.45 COLT · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2003, 01:58:53 AM »

I can't think of a better cartridge than the .45 Colt for SD. That 230 GDHP can be loaded at standard pressures to better than 1100 FPS. Light TAPER crimp. No bullet creep, low recoil and a BIG hole. I keep my SD loads at or below standard pressures for a very controlable gun. That 230 GD will tend to explode if driven at "Ruger" velocities.

redhawk44p · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2003, 01:15:31 PM »

I was afraid the 230 GDHP would creep forward under recoil also so I loaded five 310 grain bullets with 18.5 grains of 2400 and one of my 230 GDHP loads in my cylinder and fired the five 310s first. I then took the 230 GDHP out and checked to see if the score line I had made at the top of the case mouth on the bullet showed any creep there was none. I repeated this and took the cartridge out again this time there was evidence of some creep taking place. I am not suggesting anyone use this load without extensive careful testing on their own I was simply stating that it is my favorite 45 LC carry load. I have found Gold Dots to be very tough bullets and I think at 1150-1200 fps they would expand greatly and hold together. I know if I saw that mammoth hollowpoint in a cylinder facing me there would be no reason to fire the gun I would be outta there.

bubba15301 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2003, 04:37:55 PM »

i use a ruger bisley- defense load - federal 225 gr semiwadcutters hollow points.

OOBuckshot · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2003, 06:23:39 PM »

I carry a Kimber .45acp for my CCW. I think my Beretta .45 long Colt with a 255gr. swc and 8grs of Unique would get some ones attention. I ordered my gun with a four and three quarter inch barrel to make it a little more easy to carry. It looks like the holster is going to be the problem. Other than a shoulder holster, it is going to be hard to find a belt holster that will work as a ccw for a Colt .45 OOBuckshot

GJ · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2003, 02:04:06 AM »

OOBuckshot check out Bob Mernickles holsters. He makes the PS6SA that carries and conceals a single action very well.

bubba15301 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2003, 05:17:07 PM »

i use a ruger bisley loaded with federal 225 gr hp . i feel i am very well armed . carried in a shoulder holster.

doc-and · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:28:40 AM »

00Buckshot

You've given away my favorite load ie: 255gr SWC over 8grains of Unique. Been using that load since the late 70's, also used it in SASS matches with my 45 Colt NMBH. Got to were I could unload my chambers (6rounds) in under 5seconds and hit each target and knock them down. Good power recoil not bad and it's accurate. I also use this same load in my S & W Model 25, in 45 Colt, my TC Contender barrel and my Italian single action Colt copies. It's a little (ouch) stout in my American Derringer Model 1 and you should see the flame from that barrel!! EXCITING!!

Just my 2cents
doc-and

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2003, 01:17:06 PM »

Rifle Man, just about any factory load other than cowboys will do just fine. The Taurus' will be fine. I get by sometimes with an old Sheriff's model single action.
00 Buckshot, if you can find someone to make you a copy of the original Roy Baker pancake, I doubt you could do any better. In that barrel length they had three slots for either stronghand forward cant or crossdraw/semi-shoulder position.

doc-and · « **Reply #18 on:** November 05, 2003, 04:59:33 PM »

00BuckShot,

Try to locate Gordan Davis, he's in Az. now but does great leather work.
He made me a cross draw for a Sheriffs model that works great on my pants belt. Or he could make you a behind the hip model. I can't say enough about his work been using his leather products since the 70's

doc-and

R. Tillery · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2003, 03:37:24 AM »

Rumor has it that S&W will be introducing the 325PD in 2004. This means an 'N' framed, 6-shot DA revolver, with 4-inch barrel, Scandium frame, Titanium cylinder and Hi-Viz sights. :-D

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2004, 09:07:43 AM »

i have been carrying a ruger vaquero since they came out. wouldnt have it any other way. with the 4 5/8 inch barrel they carry all day, any way. im thinking abt getting one of those mernickels concealables for it. just looking down the bussiness end of it with those 300 grain xtps looking back at ya has took the fight right out of more than one.
sureshot

Flash · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2004, 09:49:54 AM »

I guess a wheel gun is good for self defense when your opponent steps out from the shadows 100 yards away, flings open his chaps and twiddles his fingers over his Bisley grips. For self defense, I am assuming I'm going to face a trigger happy crack head and a semiautomatic in 38 super makes me feel safer but not without a spare magazine.

DzrtRat · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2004, 10:50:40 AM »

You only have to hit him once.

~Rat

Flash · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2004, 11:43:56 AM »

I'm not talking about mexican marijuana, I mean crack, crank, heroin, etc. and many wear vests now. Hitting him once would just get his adrenalin pumping. He might be bleeding like a stuck pig but he still could kill someone. Wheel guns make good trail weapons and cowboy movie props.

Lightning Ross · « **Reply #24 on:** March 07, 2004, 09:07:18 PM »

45 IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO i HAVE 2 SONS IN THE MARINES BOTH WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NINES THAT WERE ISSUED IN IRAQ CARRY WHAT YOU HAVE AND PRACTIC PRACTICE PRACTICE .MINE IS A RUGER BIRDSHEAD 45LC 250 GRAIN NOSLER HOLLOW POINTS 33/4 BARREL HANDY TO PACK.i SHOOT A MEDUIM POWER RANGE LOAD SO RECOIL IS NOT SO BAD AND NEXT SHOT EASEIR TO GET BACK ON TARGET

44 Man · « **Reply #25 on:** March 08, 2004, 12:30:52 PM »

250 gr flat point at 900 fps, Amen! Read Brian Pearce's article on the .45 colt in Handloader Mag February issue. 44 Man

cotton1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 15, 2004, 12:04:27 AM »

i fear no two footed critter when my fist is wraped around the grip of my blackhawk 4 5/8" .45 colt
got her stoked with 250 gr. XTP's when ya take a chunk out of em like a cookie cutter hit em kinda takes the fight out of em fast