you would need at least another 10 ounces of weight (in most cases), for it to be +P rated in .45 long colt
and please note: not all .45 long colts that are capable of handling +P ammo, have the designation on the barrel. For example: the BFR .45/.410 can easily handle the +P ammo, but (at least on mine), it does not say that. Mine is the 5+ inch barrel and it weighs 60 ounces. You see the big difference between the weight of your SA revolver, Mister_Torgue, and my BFR?
Basically, an easy way to remember it is that if the gun weighs as much as a .44 mag handgun of same size, then it (most likely) can handle the +P. For a handgun the size of yours, it would need to weigh at least 45 ounces (or more), to be +P safe.
think of it this way: .45 long colt +P is roughly the same power as a .44 magnum. Thus, you want the same weight to handle the load. Gotta love all that extra metal (at least for the powerful loads in +P).
First of all - these are reproductions. As such, they probably can not handle the higher pressure calibers available today (but that werenât available back in the 1800âs).
Second, the .44 magnum - not sure if Cabelaâs got that right. It might actually be .44-40, which is a lower pressure, lower performing cartridge. However, .44-40 is nothing to sneeze at, just not quite as powerful as the .44 magnum.
Third, regardless of the above, a 35 ounce handgun firing bullets with energy in the realm of a .44 magnum (or .45 long colt +P), would have substantial kick - quite unpleasant, in fact. My Ruger Redhawk with a 4 inch barrel, in .44 magnum, weighs around 46 ounces and kicks a bit even with the lighter magnum loads. Taking another 11 ounces off of that would be no fun to shoot.
So, bottom line, I would not try +P ammo in your Pietta .45 lc handgun.
I own the Uberti 1873 Cattleman and everyone here is spot on. No +P. Get some âcowboy actionâ loads. Cast bullets. Youâll be happy and theyâre plenty smokey! Now you need a quick draw holster and some snap caps to practice with at home for fun!!
It is a thing of beauty isnât it? Not all that practical but when you want things to blow the F up accept no substitutes. Well, except maybe for a .500 S&W.
It was bright and sunny so I wanted to take a picture for size comparison between my wheelguns. And to get more details in the frames since my other pictures are indoors and fuzzy. edit Ok this image is also fuzzy. Ugh!
Top: Pietta 1873 SA in .45 LC
Middle two: Umarex Colt Peacemaker CO2 BB
Bottom: Heritage Rough Rider .22 mag / .22 LR
These CO2 revolvers are pretty close to size (being licensed by Colt helped) but obviously not in weight. You can even do C-O-L-T with the hammer. Speaking of which the hammer isnât flush when all the way down.
Itâs practical for who ever wants it. For me, itâs too big to carry, I tried, but itâs over 5 pounds. On the belt isnât going to work unless I use suspenders. I bet it would be OK on a shoulder rig, Iâll have to try it.
I love big guns. I even have a 500 mag. I just enjoy shooting big rounds.
Besides, it makes snowflakes melt, and that makes it worth the $2k price tag.
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