Author Topic: .45 ACP Handi!!!! (Read 4306 times)

acloco · « **Reply #30 on:** January 11, 2007, 02:47:31 PM »

45 ACP in a Handi would be a cool factor.

I could also venture to see somebody on here cutting a stock to pistol grip style.....ah...well...you get the picture.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #31 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:53:47 PM »

hey h& r pistol grips are out there......all you have to do is cut the head off a bolt ,screw it into the reciever then put on a long coller nut and build a rear stockto screw on the nut......so that way the stock is removeable....just leaving the pistol grip..............ill try to post a pic of mine....jb

mt3030 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:56:16 PM »

I find the 45ACP in a rifle great for plinking and fun. I have been using a Marlin 45 Camp Carbine for fun for years. All three of my girls and two nephews graduated from the 22LR to this rifle when they were learning to shoot semi-autos.I think a handy Handi in this cheap/easy-to-load-for caliber makes a lot of sense.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #33 on:** January 11, 2007, 04:04:41 PM »

...Thanks....

Paul5388 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 11, 2007, 04:07:33 PM »

A couple of things, the .44 barrel offered by SG is a 12 groove. That means it's a micro groove that may be a little finicky about cast bullets.

I have loaded a couple of .45 ACPs to 1100+ fps with a 255 gr LSWC out of a 5 inch M625. There's a lot of .45 Colts that aren't loaded that hot! Regardless, even 1100 fps is enough to do the job on just about anything we run into in the lower 48.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #35 on:** January 11, 2007, 04:21:43 PM »

Your right Paul, the old tried and true .45 ACP is a stopper for sure, and FUN also...if I had to give up retirement and go back on the street and was given a choice between a .357 Mag, a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP the old Colt would win every time....<><....

tallyho · « **Reply #36 on:** January 17, 2007, 07:24:32 AM »

My friend, I just now remembered, you were looking for suggestions about what to call your soon-to-be in 45 ACP...

Well all of a sudden I got a flash of inspiration (well, maybe it was just a glimmer, but it was something) ... are you ready for it...?

The ANDY RIFLE!!!

If I had one in that caliber it would definitely be called my Andy Rifle - especially if I put a certain straight grip stock on it!

Cheers
Kerry

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #37 on:** January 17, 2007, 07:31:09 AM »

I've traded e mail with DW at precision rifle seems he is building three .45 acps at this time, Hummm I wonder. I may get one of thease myself with a 7.62x25 and a .22 Reed Express barrells also. dose it never end?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:23:02 AM »

Hi guys, I just want to keep you updated. The .45 ACP Handi barrel is still a go. It will be a while but all is moving right along. I will be sure to post when I get it and some field test reports. After reading some of the questioning posts I am curious, would anyone else be interested in a .45 ACP Handi barrel if this works out or am I alone in my desire? I can only see this as a great little light weight trail gun with plenty of close range punch. My desire and affection for this cartridge may be from many years of shooting the fine .45 ACP cartridge and becoming aware of it's virtues and fine potential accuracy as well as it's prowess as a defensive round. Because of the large bore diameter if coupled with a trim OD barrel (if thats what you desired) the carry weight of a .45 ACP camp or trail gun could be downright enjoyable. Anyway I am getting one and perhaps if I have luck with mine others may be interested. I look at it and say, whats not to like? Light, accurate, inexpensive and easy to relaod and shoot, powerful beyond it's appearence....<><....

mt3030 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2007, 11:04:52 AM »

Andy:
After all the dust settled, who is doing the work for you? Is there a prefered donor barrel? Cost?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #40 on:** February 13, 2007, 11:49:10 AM »

After things get settled down and calmed down the same guy is going to do the work. I have been working out the logistics of a donor barrel, hoping that a .410 barrel would be sufficient for a stub project. Mt question is the metallurgy of the .410 barrel and lug as opposed to a centerfire barrel and lug. I am wondering if they are made of the same steel. Does anyone here have that info? A .410 barrel would be a lot mosr cost effective than a centerfire barrel for this project. That said I do have a possible donor that I had not planned on scrapping. I bought a .22 Hornet barrel that have been rechambered to .223 Remington from a member that needed sights and the ejector work completed. Thanks to the generosity of canon6 I obtained exactly the sights I needed for the dovetailed application, he had them from an old Topper barrel he used to have. Thanks buddy, they fit and look great. I did some trial and error work on the ejector and got a lot of help and opinions on how to make an ejector conversion work properly but in the end none of the suggestions or opinions worked as they should. After fiddling with the ejector and ordering some parts from H&R (Thanks Gordon!!) and more than one night lying in bed and thinking of how and why the different style ejectors work and comparing a few of my disassembled Handis lying next to one another the light bulb went on and things got very clear and very simple. with a little "shade tree", "back yard", or "tailgate" gunsmithing the ejector now works perfectly. The solution was clear and simple, like most good solutions to problems it is simple and almost foolproof. It was staring me in the face all the time all I had to do was look and see it. I have advised Quick of the process so he can have the ejector on his .357 Mag to .35 Remington working great and will send him the small part he needs to complete the process after he completes the simple little machine operation with a drill press on his barrel lug.
The problem I have run into is the .22 Hornet now .223 Remington barrel (I know who would have evr done that!!!) has excessive headspace and the chamber is rough, it appears as if perhaps there were chips left in when it was reamed and it may have scoured the chamber just behind the shoulder and when I fire it it does produce stretch marks just above the case web, indicative of excessive headspace and a sign of premature case failure. Cases stick in the chamber because of the roughness where brass flows into the possible scour marks just behind the shoulder and force me to use a cleaning rod to pop out empties. I am considering polishing the chamber but feel the damage is past that remedy. This barrel may in fact become the donor barrel for my .45 ACP project. I really wanted to use a .410 barrel as a donor if possible and save this barrel for a superlight .223 carry gun or even to leave at the camp but sadly that may not work out. I enjoyed the time and thought I put into the barrel and the parts were only about $20 in addittion to the cost of the barrel so it was a good learning situation. I did become very knowledgeable about the old style ejectors and how to make them work, especially on conversions. Does anyone here have any suggestions on how to save this .223 chambered barrel?....<><....

One suggestion, if possible when rechambering use a rimless caliber barrel to remaber to another rimless caliber and a rimmed caliber barrel to convert to a rimmed caliber. This is not required but will save you from converting from one style of ejection to another. It is just a bit more than just changing and fitting the ejector if the donor and final caliber are different rim styles.

myarmor · « **Reply #41 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:00:55 PM »

I don't know much about the stubbing process but, and this is just in my mind, I would think a 410 barrel might be lacking enough "meat" to make for a really strong bond. Again I could and probably am off base there $:-\$

But I believe you have a good canidate for the stubbing in that 223. If it's in the shape it sounds, might as well use this if the 410 idea doesn't work. It would probably save you the time and frusteration of trying to get the most out of it, by just buying another one. IMO

How about using a Rimfire barrel for the stubbing? I know it would take a little extra to get the ejector fitted up right, but would be stronger than the 410 barrel stub I would think.
Thanks on keeping us informed, it's a fun idea

Mac11700 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 13, 2007, 02:49:27 PM »

Before I would scrap the barrel Andy...I would consider having it rechambered to 225 Winchester...With the older twist..it seems to be a likely conversion...unless of course you choose to use it as a stub...

Mac

MSP Ret · « **Reply #43 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:59:37 PM »

No way I would scrap this barrel Mac, I have a particular affection for it I cannot quite describe. I liked the nice trim lines when I got it and when I got the sights from canon6 on it got even better. Then when I finally figured out the deal with the ejector I got to appreciate it even more. Just a little work, drill one hole in the lug (step drilled, 1/16, 3/32, then 1/8) add an extra part, an ejector button along with a standard .223 ejector scavagenged from another of my .223's and it works slick. I have test fired it a couple of times and have decided it is not to remain a .223 but it will become something special. I have to just decide what. Thanks for the .225 Winchester suggestion. All I could find sp far that would clean up the chamber and use the same same bore diameter is the .219 Zipper. Does anyone out there have the specs/diimensions for the .225 Winchester or even a 22-250? They are not in my older book. Thanks....<><....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #44 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:04:35 PM »

Here ya go MSP..

Tim

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/225w.html

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/22250.html

MSP Ret · « **Reply #45 on:** February 13, 2007, 05:05:49 PM »

Thanks Quick, it looks as if each might clean up that chamber in the .223....<><....

Mac11700 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 13, 2007, 05:27:17 PM »

I kinda like the 225 case more than the 22-250...since it's a rimmed one...and being a bit more nostalgic and all for an older make of barrel...but I'm sure both would do nicely...

Mac

db22 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:52:34 AM »

MSP Ret: I agree with you -- a .45 ACP barrel would be a lot of fun, and find some use, too. Last year a friend at the gun club acquired a .45 ACP barrel for his Contender carbine, and I put a few rounds through it -- a nice, satisfying report, and just enough recoil to remind me that this weren't no .22 I was shootin'! .45 ACP is another caliber for which I have an overflowing bucket of brass and usable dies, but no gun. The combat-pistol competitors at the club leave good brass all over the place! Those guys must be made of money, to shoot factory loads and leave the brass for me to pick up.

The .225 Win sounds like a good bet in a bull-barrel for the Handi. Anyone ever consider the old .220 Swift?

ccoorreeyy · « **Reply #48 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:57:02 AM »

The 45acp sounds like a fun, quiet, cheap time handi to me!!

kodiakemt · « **Reply #49 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:09:02 AM »

I would buy one if the price was not too bad. Love the 45ACP!

MSP Ret · « **Reply #50 on:** January 05, 2008, 11:54:56 AM »

Hi guys, here it is almost a year to the day and I have finally sent out my parts for my long awaited and desired .45 ACP Handi. I am hoping to have it in a couple of months or so and for now the decided upon specs are a 1:16 SS barrel of approximately 18" length and a possible muzzle brake. There will be a dedicated fitted and bedded forearm for this barrel which will be a bit larger in diameter than a standard Handi barrel. I am having the receiver drilled and tapped for a standard Handi scope rail so I can mount a scope to use to break it in with and to help decide which load the carbine/rifle likes best for accuracy. I can then replace the scope with either a Red Dot or receiver (top of chamber) mounted peep sight, whichever I decide on. If I do go with a peep I will most likely use a Williams medium or high dovetailed front ramp to hold the front sight. I am really looking forward to this project and the barrel. I think it may very well become one of my favorite plinking and close range varmint guns, up to 50 yards or so. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed....<><....

Pharmboy · « **Reply #51 on:** January 05, 2008, 02:09:16 PM »

I'm happy for ya MSP. You sure are persistant. I admire that. Sure do miss MT30/30. Wish I was that level-headed.

Pharmboy

db22 · « **Reply #52 on:** January 06, 2008, 01:46:08 AM »

Andy -- One of my buddies at the club has a TC Carbine with a custom .45ACP barrel, and he let me shoot half a box of cheap ball ammo through it last year. Sure enough, it was a real fun gun to shoot. Almost no recoil, quite accurate, and that big .45 slug kicked up lots of dust at the 25-yard berm! Like everyone else here, I can't wait to hear how this turns out!

Dave

MSP Ret · « **Reply #53 on:** January 06, 2008, 02:42:52 AM »

I am really looking forward to it and think it may spend quite a bit of time with me out and about in the woods. I will keep you all posted on it....<><....

P.S. that .223 with the rough chamber I spoke about is now a nice .22-250, in case anyone is interested...it worked out great..., Thanks Wayne, and thanks for the wonderful .35 Remington also!!!!....<><....

Chilachuck · « **Reply #54 on:** January 06, 2008, 03:30:11 AM »

Why not load down a .45LC?

Well, I have a .45ACP loading set up and about 1500 cartridges and a couple of 1911 variants, and nothing at all for .45LC, not even a barrel. If I get a barrel, I'd like it to be for a .45ACP. (I figure it'd be close enough to the Colonial era black powder rifles used on East Coast for white tails to do the job on the local black tails.)

And there's the "detonation" question I've been reading up on recently.

The Kabooms sound like they are from a variety of causes, but one that really caught my eye was a complication of a long setback, bringing to mind the long throats in the .357 barrels.

Seems that with low power loads, the grit from the primers used for those loads was blowing past the bullet and building up in the throat. After several shots, the build up was enough to stop a low power load "in the barrel". Kaboom.

If the experts are having trouble recreating low power "detonations", it might be because they are cleaning the test gun too often, and clearing out the crud that causes the kaboom.

So, anyhow, to thoroughly mangle the subject, I'm going to be wary of low power loads. (Especially in the .357 barrel.)

coyotejoe · « **Reply #55 on:** January 06, 2008, 04:26:10 AM »

Regarding that Sportsmans Guide add, am I the only one who noticed the note at the bottom saying Sorry, sold out? Numrich arms has sold a lot of H&R barrel blanks, turned to contour but with no underlug, I think they still list a few.

Chilachuck · « **Reply #56 on:** January 06, 2008, 05:49:03 AM »

Uh, coyotejoe? Did you look at the date on the post with the link in it?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #57 on:** January 06, 2008, 07:05:03 AM »

Guys, I resurrected this thread to let you know what I was talking about when I mentioned my LONG awaited .45 ACP barrel for my Handi, hope it did not confuse you....<><....