Iowegan

45 Convertibles are a different animal than a 9mm/357 Convertible. Besides the obvious difference in caliber, the barrels for all US made 45 cals produced since 1951 have .451" bores, which is the same bore diameter used in 45 ACP pistols such as a 1911. As such, 45 ACP ammo is about the same accuracy as 45 Colt in a Ruger 45 Convertible.

I own two 45 Convertibles ... a heavy frame Vaquero stainless with a 5 1/2" barrel and a blued BH with a 4 5/8" barrel. After putting both guns through their paces, I found 230 gr LRN bullets in the 45 ACP cylinder shot exceptionally well in both guns and rivaled my 255 gr LRNFT 45 Colt loads. 230 gr FMJs were OK but not as accurate as lead bullets. At 25 yards, the 230 gr LRN bullet's POI was about 2" lower than with 45 Colt 255 gr LRNFT bullets so a slight holdover was required with the fixed sight Vaquero. A couple clicks on the BH's elevation screw took care of the difference.

Meeteetse

I've had a single six, .357/9mm and 45/45 Blackhawk convertible since the 1970's and would never be without one. Actually I have two of each in the available barrel lengths.

Personally I like the big 45/45 but the 38/357/9mm is a very handy gun. You can often find 9mm ammo on sale and even if you don't like it for personal defense or whatever, you can use it as practice ammo for more trigger time.

I like the 38/357/9mm because of the availability of ammo anywhere you go. The 45/45 is sometimes harder to find, especially the 45Colt, and the 45acp hardball is more expensive than 9mm hardball.

Even if you have to wait a little while, getting the convertible model is the way to go. Many years ago I sent a BH in to have a second cylinder fitted (9mm) and it was well worth it. I guess Ruger still does that but the price has gone up and I'm told they are not currently fitting cylinders because they are so busy with other gun sales. I personally don't like stainless, but if you do, but it. My blue guns still look great after many years of use. If they have a few rub marks from holsters, to me that is just history.

wingspar

There is probably some good things about sticking to different handguns specifically for the caliber rather than the convertibles. With the .357 you already have the ability to shoot .38's, so the addition of 9mm is appealing. I’m still hashing the idea around in my mind. After reading Iowegan’s writeup, it confirms some of the things I’ve heard about the .357/9mm convertibles, but I don’t know if it’s a deal killer or not, and do I really need another 9mm?

There seems to be a loss of accuracy with the 9mm in the BH, and I’m not all that good with handguns anyway, so would that little bit of loss frustrate me, or would I even notice it? Something only I could provide the final answer to by experience, and the only way I’ll get that is to actually buy one and shoot it.

As for swapping an AR upper for a different caliber? Sounds appealing, and one would think it would work out quite well as it’s much different than swapping out a cylinder on a revolver.

wingspar

Some more good points. The only reason I’m not looking at the 45/45 convertible is that I do not want to add .45 LC to the 9 different calibers I already have, and also it’s an expensive round to shoot. Although, if money was no problem....

What is your experience with the .357/9mm convertible on accuracy between the calibers and cylinders?

Meeteetse

The 38 and 357 loads I have chosen for the gun are very accurate. I don't shoot groups on paper, I shoot things and this gun hits what I shoot at. The 9mm is less accurate, but not significantly so. I like it because I can buy the cheap 9mm ammo and shoot a lot, so I'm not looking for extreme accuracy, mostly just fun. If you are an accuracy fanatic then you might be disappointed with the 9mm, but you can still have a lot of fun. In a survival type situation it is nice to have another ammo option. When I used to reload, occasionally I would find a load that my semi-autos didn't like, and the convertible was the perfect way to use those loads. It isn't always about accuracy. Sometimes it is about fun.

pell

Iowegan ...

First and foremost, the following is not meant as a challenge or a criticism. I'm interested in the 45LC/45ACP gun and, given the seemingly constant discussions of 45LC handloads, throats, and accuracy, I wonder:

- Have you measured the throats of the 2 cylinders?
- Have you measured your bore? (see Jeff Quinn @ GunBlast ... "I have a pair of .45 Ruger Vaqueros that were shipped with a proper bore diameter of .452 ..."
The SAAMI pdf shows the 45 Auto Rim groove diameter @ 0.451, 45 Auto Match, 45 Auto, 45 Auto +P, and 45 Colt @ 0.450. I suspect that they're all the same spec within some (unstated) +/-. I'm aware that SAAMI is, at best, advisory, but it does seem to reflect practices.
- Any information re muzzle velocities and bullet diameters of the 230LRN and 255LRNFT in your application?

wingspar

Thanks for the info. I’m not a tight group shooter either, but I do like to hit what I’m aiming at. I have an 8-inch steel plate I use a lot. As long as I can hit that from 50-feet, I’m happy, but if the 9mm cylinder is off just a little in accuracy from a good shooter, an average or less than average handgun shooter like myself might be unhappy with it. Sure wish there was a way to try before I buy, but I only know of one rental place within a days drive, and I’m sure they wouldn’t have one in their rentals. I’m almost leaning away from the convertible, but I guess the final decision will be when I actually go to buy one.

Meeteetse

You will never really be able to tell the difference except your groups will be a little larger. If you can shoot as you say, the steel plate at 50' will ring all day with the 9mm cylinder in the gun.

Iowegan

pell, First let's yak about bore diameter. There's really nothing you can do about it so there's really no reason to measure it. Further, I have measured tons of 45 Cal Rugers and have yet to find one out of spec. There is one issue that is fairly common in all brands of 45 cal revolvers and that is bore a constriction where the barrel threads into the frame. Not only will this give a false reading when slugging a barrel, it will cause bore fouling (lead buildup) starting about an inch in front of the forcing cone. The reason why this shows up more in 45 cals is the bore is larger making the barrel thinner than a 44 or 357 cal so when the softer barrel is screwed into the harder frame, it will yield and cause a constriction. The only real fix is to send the gun back to the factory and have a new barrel installed. Some people use the "fire lapping" technique with some limited success but I do not recommend it.

If you want meaningful results when slugging a bore, you need to have the proper equipment and know how to use it. Forcing a lead sinker down the barrel just won't get it. Like the old lab standard .... measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a piece of chalk, and cut it with an axe. That about as close as you can get unless you use Cerosafe, calibrated shims, and a micrometer that measures down to .0001".

The single biggest issue with Ruger 45 cals are the cylinder throat diameters ... most being too tight. The optimum throat diameter for lead bullets is .4525". This will allow a .452" bullet to enter the forcing cone without being sized down. Once the bullet is in the bore, pressure will cause the bullet to obturate and maintain a good seal with the bore until it exits the muzzle. This is essential for good accuracy and minimal bore fouling, which always go hand-in-hand.

My heavy frame Vaquero had very tight throats and wouldn't hold a group under 5" @ 25 yds no matter what ammo I tried. Not only were the throats way too tight in both cylinders, they were slightly oval and varied several thousandths from largest to smallest. My BH Convertible was shipped with a perfect 45 ACP cylinder ... exactly .4525" for all six holes. The 45 Colt cylinder didn't fare as well with all throats being about .450". After reaming the three cylinders with a .4525" Manson reamer, they all shot very nice groups. The Blackhawk is slightly better and can get 25 yard groups under an inch from a bench rest using 45 Colt ammo loaded with 8gr of Unique and Hornady 255 gr LRNFT bullets.

Getting good accuracy with lead bullets in any revolver can be quite a challenge. I wrote a short document that helps explain "obturation", bullet hardness, bullet diameter, chamber pressure, throat diameter, bore diameter, and how all these variables work together. Basically it's a process where chamber pressure must match bullet hardness with the proper diameter bullets, throats, and bore. You can find the "Lead Bullets and Revolver" document in the forum library or just click on this link: http://rugerforum.net/library/19869-...revolvers.html

wingspar

I’m all over the 8-inch plate at 50 feet with a Glock. I miss once in a while, so any little bit of less accuracy will really show up at 50-feet for me. I guess time will tell. Which button I click on when it’s time to buy.

Dutchie

I have the 6.5" single six in .22LR/.22 Mag, a 6.5" BH in .357/9mm, and a 4.75" BH in
.45LC/.45ACP. My findings with the BH in .357/9mm is the same as Iowegan's. The .357 and .38 spec are fine with good accuracy. The 9 mm rounds are terrrible (I'm a bullseye shooter) and most end up keyholing. The .45 BH is great with both calibres. It's a real hoot to use .45ACP loads when shooting regular CAS matches and I come to the loading table with the ACP loads when I'm not shooting a Wild Bunch match.

wingspar

Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards the .357 and not the convertible. I don’t get to the LGS very often, but it does seem like they had one in their case last time I was in there. Don’t know if it’s used or new. If it’s there next time I go in, it will come home with me.

The .45 ACP/.45 LC is appealing but it would mean adding the .45 LC to the 9 different calibers I already own and shoot. The .45 LC ammo is also expensive and not in as plentiful supply.

rclark

Makes sense if you aren't a reloader . The .38/.357 will be a better fit in your case.

wingspar

I made the decision years ago that I would probably never reload. There is some benefits to .357 also if you reload, but for my safety, I’ll stick to new factory loads.