Question about .45's

[LL617]

If this is in the wrong area, I would appreciate it if Mr. Moderator would move it.

I know that you can substitute some ammo in some revolvers--
You could put .38 ammo in a .38SP revolver;
You can put .38SP in a .357 revolver.

Can you put .45 ACP ammo in a revolver that shoots .45LR?
Is the reverse true?

Spouse is thinking of getting a .45 SA [daughter likes the Glock]. I was thinking of getting a .357 [for the larger zombie squirrels that might try to eat us] but would move up to a .45 so we could share ammo. I know the Governor is out there, but I would really like to go toward a heavier gun to get less recoil. I don't want to end up with a revolver that I can't share ammo with my daughter.

Thanks.

 

[P&R Fan]

When you say .45 LR I assume you mean .45 Colt. (Often called .45 Long Colt). If that's the case, the two are not interchangeable. In a .45 ACP revolver you can shoot .45 Auto Rim without any trouble though.
Jim

 

[jaykellogg]

.45 acp (automatic Colt pistol) is one you could go with. If your daughter buys a Glock .45. I believe Taurus makes revolvers in 9mm & .40 cal which is commonly chambered in Glocks. A few years ago you could get a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 and it came with another cylinder for 9mm. If your daughter gets a 9mm, that would be an option for you.

If you want to share ammo with the spouse you could get any of these.
.45 Colt
.44 Special
.357 magnum
These are all common chamberings in the Colt SAA and clones. You can easily find a modern S&W that will work in these.

S&W does make some DA revolvers in .45 acp, but that isn't used in the SAA (single action army).

 

[Texas Star]

I am a little disturbed that you think you can fire ".38 ammo " in a .38 Special. That is true only if the lesser powered round is the ancient .38 Long Colt. The .38 S&W regular is slightly larger in both case and bullet diameter. DO NOT fire it in .38 Spcl. or .357 guns.

I think your best bet is a .357 Magnum, but you'd better fire just .38 Special ammo as you learn. Blast and recoil with .357 ammo will be intimidating to a new shooter.

If you want a .45, the best choice is a Colt Govt. Model auto. But it is not the best gun for a new shooter. A revolver is less complex and safer for beginners.

You obviously have much to learn about guns. I think you'll enjoy the learning experience, but read a lot and don't rely too much on what most gun store clerks tell you. Most of them are full of what a deceased gun writer used to call, "condensed apple pie." Many will also steer you toward what they want to sell, whether it's the best choice for you. A lot of them are no better than car salesmen.

 

[LL617]

Oh, I am definitely a newbie.

I've been reading much but there is so much to learn, even if you restrict yourself to one manufacturer and type--like the S&W revolver.

Question came up because spouse wants to buy ammo in "bigger batches" [so to speak] and have it all shared between us. SA's don't come in .38SP which is what I have. Spouse also is thinking of higher calibers. In looking up what S&W made in revolvers, or had made, I noticed listings for .45 acp and .45LC [I guess that means "Long Colts"]. I liked the looks of the model 25 and wondered if I got it, whether I could share ammo with a Glock--if it used the .45 acp. Reading about the different ammos--GaP, acp, LC hasn't helped my understanding much.

I just wish there was a range that had one around here to try!

I keep referring to revolvers because, except for the Browning .22LR target pistol that we have, I am 12 sets of thumbs using an SA--the battle would be long over before I could get one to properly fire.

 

[Alpo]

You want a Single Action revolver?

Your spouse wants an autoloader?

You want 45?

You want to be able to share ammo?

Buy a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 45. Comes with both 45 Colt (or 45 Long Colt, if that name makes you happy) AND 45 ACP cylinders.

That way you can put the 45 ACP cylinder in the Ruger and you spouse can get the Glock or Colt and S&W or Whatever 45 autoloader of his/her desire.

While there are FEW single actions in 38 Special, there are many in 357 Magnum, and 38 special shoots very fine from a 357 gun.

I just re-read you post, and now am slightly confused. When you say SA, do you mean Single Action (that's what I think of when I see SA) or did you mean Semi-Auto (which is kinda what your post reads like)?

If you want a Double Action revolver, in 45 ACP, so you can share ammo with the spouse/daughter (who wants a Glock Semi Auto?)I suggest the Smith 625.

 

[jaykellogg]

OK, I now believe by SA you mean semi auto. In the future it would help to spell that out. Or just say "auto". Technically auto is a machine gun, but most folks refer to semi auto's as autos. and full autos as either full auto or FA.

Anyway, there are a LOT of .45acp auto pistols and there is the S&W model 625 which is a revolver in .45acp. Another option would be to go with 9mm. You can buy 9mm in revolvers and (semi) autos. The advantage of 9mm is it is the cheapest centerfire to shoot and in an auto it has the highest magazine capacity.

As I said in my earlier post, Taurus makes revolvers in 9mm and .40 cal.