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45 Long Colt Revolver for conceal carry

frankgon4
Is there a 45 long colt in double action revolver that is small enough for conceal carry? (3 inch barrel or shorter).
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14 comments

Date Votes
  • beantownshootah
    That's a tall order for a production revolver. .45LC is most popular in single-action cowboy-type guns and big hunting type guns. Small concealable guns? Not so much.

    In more conventional large frame guns, Smith and Wesson has a DA model 25 in .45LC, but not with a barrel shorter than 4". Ditto for Ruger with its Redhawk.

    Ruger makes an "Alaskan" Super-Redhawk with a short barrel in .454 Casull. You could use it safely fire .45 LC rounds if you liked. While it has a short barrel, I wouldn't call this a "small" revolver. Note that with the snubnose version, the frame entirely encases the barrel! :

    rugeralaskan.jpg

    Smith has its 2.75" bbl version in .460SW, which can also fire .45LC if you like. Again, not exactly a small gun; note the full sized Beretta 92 in size comparison:

    2257265898_7a4a68befd.jpg

    Charter arms has its Bulldog "Pug" in .44 Special, which is ballistically similar to .45 LC, so that might be worth a look. This is probably the closest thing to a normal sized gun in this type caliber in current production that I know of:

    charter_38055.jpg

    Taurus makes the .45LC/.410 shotshell "Judge" revolvers with short barrels. While these are smaller than the Ruger and Smith hand-cannons, they're not all that small either, and personally I'm not a big fan of the .410 combo guns:

    http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=662&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=41

    4510PD-3SS.jpg


    Taurus USED to make a .45LC snubnose revolver called the model 450. This is probably your best bet. . .if you can find one. Yeah. . .I think the barrel is factory-ported:

    P1060035.JPG
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  • frankgon4
    Thanks BeanTownShootah.
    Good information. As they make conceal carry for .357 mag and .44 special, I did not think the 45LC would have to be so big.
    T am not a big fan of the Judge for the 45LC as well. It is also way too big for me to use as an everyday conceal carry.

    Thanks again for the feedback.

    Frank
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  • Mark G
    If you must have a 45LC for CC, go with the Taurus 450. I have a 445T in 44 Special that my wife used as her carry gun. The factory porting and Ribber grips make felt recoil manageable. It is about the size of a K frame S&W and speedloaders are available. If you are not dead set on the 45LC, look into the 44SPCL or even the 45ACP revolvers. Some other manufacturers make these calibers in carry sizes.
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  • CS8161
    How about a two shot derringer in 45 Colt? Bond Arms makes one.
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  • beantownshootah
    I'm all for a small DA .45LC revolver, but the practical reason why its so hard to find these is generally low demand.

    Small snubnoses in .45ACP/.44special/.45LC just kick like mules, and the average schmoe doesn't want to deal with the recoil. For .45ACP in particular, moon clips are a deal-breaker for most shooters too.

    On top of that, relatively low popularity of .44 special means ammo is expensive (usually nearly as expensive as .44 magnum) and can be harder to find than the usual 9mm/.38./.40/.45. Ditto for .45LC.

    Practically speaking, the larger case diameter of the bigger rounds means that if you want to cram in 5 or 6 rounds, the cylinder has to be bigger than the typical J-frame snubnose, which in turn means a larger frame is necessary.

    Now the manufacturer has a problem. Tooling up for a special small/medium frame size for a gun that is unlikely to be popular doesn't make business sense. Instead, the manufacturer can stick the .44/.45 cylinder into a current production larger frame size (like a K or N), but then you end up with a gun that just isn't that small anymore.

    While most of the manufacturers have put out small .44s or .45s at one point or another, demand for these is always low. So far as I know, only Charter keeps a .44 special snubnose in production, and in its case, that's probably more for historical reasons than sales volume (since the .44 special Bulldog is Charter's trademark).

    I've gone through these mental gymnastics myself, and ultimately decided that I will just stick to my wimpy .38+P.

    Also, I'm just not entirely convinced that .44spl/.45LC ballistics are really going to be any better than .357 magnum from a snubnose.
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  • Mark G
    quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
    I'm all for a small DA .45LC revolver, but the practical reason why its so hard to find these is generally low demand.

    Small snubnoses in .45ACP/.44special/.45LC just kick like mules, and the average schmoe doesn't want to deal with the recoil. For .45ACP in particular, moon clips are a deal-breaker for most shooters too.

    On top of that, relatively low popularity of .44 special means ammo is expensive (usually nearly as expensive as .44 magnum) and can be harder to find than the usual 9mm/.38./.40/.45. Ditto for .45LC.

    Practically speaking, the larger case diameter of the bigger rounds means that if you want to cram in 5 or 6 rounds, the cylinder has to be bigger than the typical J-frame snubnose, which in turn means a larger frame is necessary.

    Now the manufacturer has a problem. Tooling up for a special small/medium frame size for a gun that is unlikely to be popular doesn't make business sense. Instead, the manufacturer can stick the .44/.45 cylinder into a current production larger frame size (like a K or N), but then you end up with a gun that just isn't that small anymore.

    While most of the manufacturers have put out small .44s or .45s at one point or another, demand for these is always low. So far as I know, only Charter keeps a .44 special snubnose in production, and in its case, that's probably more for historical reasons than sales volume (since the .44 special Bulldog is Charter's trademark).

    I've gone through these mental gymnastics myself, and ultimately decided that I will just stick to my wimpy .38+P.

    Also, I'm just not entirely convinced that .44spl/.45LC ballistics are really going to be any better than .357 magnum from a snubnose.


    Beantownshootah,

    I must respectfully disagree with you on this subject. The 445T that I have has very manageable recoil. The porting and grips help with that. With cowboy action shooting on the rise, several 44 special and 45LC rounds are available. My 445 is about the same size as my Colt Cobra. Reloading will keep down the cost. Moonclips on a 45ACP can act as speedloaders. A 246G SWC bullet will knock down anybody hit with it. I also have 200G Silvertip JHPs. Having 5 rounds vs. 6 357mag doesn't bother me. If you want to talk about recoil and muzzle flash, fire a 125G JHP 357mag from a 2" barrel. Firearm availability is the only drawback I can see, but once you have one that part is over.

    Frankgon4,
    I would suggest that if such a gun is desired, find a range that has one and shoot it to see just what you are getting before you buy.
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  • dfletcher
    As mentioned a 45 Colt caliber revolver will not be as concealable as a J frame nor as popular, but having a Taurus 415 in 41 Magnum (ported & all titanium) it is quite "do-able" for folks who I think have some experience. It does kick like an SOB though, I removed the rubber grips and use a set of Nills (wood) cut down to boot grip dimensions. It is a handful with the heavier stuff.

    I'm fairly tall & thin, that helps too.

    I think Taurus has the only game in town on the smaller large caliber revolvers, unless you want to look at the Smith lightweight N frames. But those are quite a bit larger than the Taurus. I have a 3" Model 57 and the size difference is considerable.
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  • ruger41
    What about a Colt or Uberti/Cimarron SAA with the 3" or 3 1/2" shopkeeper/sheriff barrel setup? You can even get the 3 1/2" with an ejector rod now. http://cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/CA332-NewSheriff.htm#

    I know you are mainly thinking double action but if you cannot find what you are looking for, a single action in that caliber would make a decent defense weapon.
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  • 32 Magnum
    I've owned a Taurus Model 450 Total Ti in 5 x .45 Colt for about 10 years, it is slightly larger that a "J" frame - but not as big as a 'K' frame. It is ported with a 2.5" barrel and has the soft "Ribber" grips. It handles very well for me and the recoil is manageble with lighter weight 200 gr. higher velocity rounds all the way up to Hornady 250 gr. XTPs. It is also rated for +P rounds, which can bring it close to .44 Mag power levels, using the CorBon hot loaded .45 Colt rounds. It weighs only 19 oz. unloaded, which would make shooting those +P loads a pretty nasty proposition, IMHO.
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  • frankgon4
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    How about a two shot derringer in 45 Colt? Bond Arms makes one.

    Not sure I want to shoot a 45 LC out of a derringer. I did like your 460V that you have for sale on Gun Broker. Maybe later in the year to add to my collection as it shoots 460, 454, and 45. I try to purchase one gun a month.
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  • frankgon4
    quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
    I'm all for a small DA .45LC revolver, but the practical reason why its so hard to find these is generally low demand.

    Small snubnoses in .45ACP/.44special/.45LC just kick like mules, and the average schmoe doesn't want to deal with the recoil. For .45ACP in particular, moon clips are a deal-breaker for most shooters too.

    On top of that, relatively low popularity of .44 special means ammo is expensive (usually nearly as expensive as .44 magnum) and can be harder to find than the usual 9mm/.38./.40/.45. Ditto for .45LC.

    Practically speaking, the larger case diameter of the bigger rounds means that if you want to cram in 5 or 6 rounds, the cylinder has to be bigger than the typical J-frame snubnose, which in turn means a larger frame is necessary.

    Now the manufacturer has a problem. Tooling up for a special small/medium frame size for a gun that is unlikely to be popular doesn't make business sense. Instead, the manufacturer can stick the .44/.45 cylinder into a current production larger frame size (like a K or N), but then you end up with a gun that just isn't that small anymore.

    While most of the manufacturers have put out small .44s or .45s at one point or another, demand for these is always low. So far as I know, only Charter keeps a .44 special snubnose in production, and in its case, that's probably more for historical reasons than sales volume (since the .44 special Bulldog is Charter's trademark).

    I've gone through these mental gymnastics myself, and ultimately decided that I will just stick to my wimpy .38+P.

    Also, I'm just not entirely convinced that .44spl/.45LC ballistics are really going to be any better than .357 magnum from a snubnose.


    Thanks, I do carry a .357 magnum for conceal carry (Ruger SP101). The 45 LC in double action conceal is more of a want than a need. Not sure I would want to fire a 44 magnum out of a snub nose. 44 special may be an option. Thanks.
    Frank
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  • frankgon4
    quote:Originally posted by 32 Magnum
    I've owned a Taurus Model 450 Total Ti in 5 x .45 Colt for about 10 years, it is slightly larger that a "J" frame - but not as big as a 'K' frame. It is ported with a 2.5" barrel and has the soft "Ribber" grips. It handles very well for me and the recoil is manageble with lighter weight 200 gr. higher velocity rounds all the way up to Hornady 250 gr. XTPs. It is also rated for +P rounds, which can bring it close to .44 Mag power levels, using the CorBon hot loaded .45 Colt rounds. It weighs only 19 oz. unloaded, which would make shooting those +P loads a pretty nasty proposition, IMHO.

    Thanks, I will look into the Taurus Model 450.
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  • frankgon4
    quote:Originally posted by ruger41
    What about a Colt or Uberti/Cimarron SAA with the 3" or 3 1/2" shopkeeper/sheriff barrel setup? You can even get the 3 1/2" with an ejector rod now. http://cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/CA332-NewSheriff.htm#

    I know you are mainly thinking double action but if you cannot find what you are looking for, a single action in that caliber would make a decent defense weapon.

    Interesting thought. I only have one Single Action in my collection (44 magnum Ruger Hunter Super Black Hawk). 45 single action could be an interesting addition.
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  • minitruck83
    quote:Originally posted by frankgon4
    quote:Originally posted by ruger41
    What about a Colt or Uberti/Cimarron SAA with the 3" or 3 1/2" shopkeeper/sheriff barrel setup? You can even get the 3 1/2" with an ejector rod now. http://cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/CA332-NewSheriff.htm#

    I know you are mainly thinking double action but if you cannot find what you are looking for, a single action in that caliber would make a decent defense weapon.

    Interesting thought. I only have one Single Action in my collection (44 magnum Ruger Hunter Super Black Hawk). 45 single action could be an interesting addition.


    If you do, go with the old trough style without adjustable rear sights. The Blackhawk rear sight will eat your thumb.



    I like that 3 1/2"! Didn't know they added the ejection rod. They just don't look 'right' to me without one.
    I've got an early Vaquero 4 5/8" that I can only carry a few days in the winter, (Florida doesn't have many jacket wearing days.) The 3 1/2" has a smaller frame than the old Ruger, and might hide well under a long T shirt. I'm more comfortable with my SA's than any DA I own, and think I might be a bit less inclined to fumble under pressure with one.


    Dammit! Now I've got something else to drool over. [V]



    Allen
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