Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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When the heavy barrel 1955 models came along, handloaders worked up combinations that gained a new respect for the .45 AR. With its heavy barrel, target stocks and full length ejector rod housing, the new revolver was heavier and more pleasant to use than any 1917. The .45 AR’s stronger head and the fact that the cartridge case is better supported in the revolver than the .45 ACP in the 1911 autoloader allowed the cartridge to considerably outperform the .45 ACP. The .45 AR is about as strong as a safe load in the Colt SAA in .45 Colt. For medium game and as a defense load, this is an outstanding caliber.

I appreciate the combat advantages of a .45 ACP revolver with moon clips, and have used this combination successfully in bowling pin shoots. But with top accuracy and hunting more my focus these days, I use the .45 AR for the most part. For informal shooting I sometimes use the more common .45 ACP brass without clips, although some revolvers lose accuracy potential when fired in this manner due to inconsistent headspacing. I have read comments from writers in the popular press who have stated that it is good to have a 1917 revolver on hand to shoot up your off-spec .45 ACP handloads. This is one short step up from lunacy. First, who wants to make up poor handloads? The revolver is more tolerant of light loads and a less than perfect crimp, true, but a high primer or less than perfect headspace is detrimental to revolver function. Pull those bad handloads and try again!