Got an itch…

[TheGhostRider]

Does anyone make a lever action in .45 acp?
Imagine… 20” barrel side gate, brass receiver with a hexagon barrel.
Talk about fun! Load on Monday and shoot till Sunday!!!
I think Henry has some work to do!

 

[Michigan Slim]

I've wanted a 73 modified to 45acp. It can be done but the mod would cost as much as the rifle.

 

[Ark]

I don't think anyone does, due to the issue of standard round nose 45acp being unsafe to feed through a tubular magazine.

Several 45LC options out there, though.

 

[TheGhostRider]

I don't think anyone does, due to the issue of standard round nose 45acp being unsafe to feed through a tubular magazine.

Several 45LC options out there, though.

I thought about that.
I’ve ran .38 Spl ball rounds through my Henry Bigboy without issue.
I don’t know if it would be that risky with a fat old 230 gr ball round.

 

[92FSTech]

More recoil and inertia with heavier .45s....I don't think a commercial manufacturer could be convinced to saddle themselves with the liability. However, a custom build, loaded with round-nose flat-point handloads...that would be quite the thing! I imagine there might be some difficulty designing a tube mag to properly feed non-rimmed cases, but once that's overcome it would be an awesome gun! I've heard of that exact conversion being done with 1873s, so I know it's possible...just very expensive.

 

[nipprdog]

I don't think anyone does, due to the issue of standard round nose 45acp being unsafe to feed through a tubular

??? Round nose are fine. It's the pointy ones that aren't.

 

[Mgderf]

??? Round nose are fine. It's the pointy ones that aren't.

I wouldn't think a ball .45acp round would be sharp enough to set off a primer.

 

[Gabriel]

There are companies that do conversions, but it's pretty spendy.

 

[snapping turtle]

Does anyone make a lever action in .45 acp?
Imagine… 20” barrel side gate, brass receiver with a hexagon barrel.
Talk about fun! Load on Monday and shoot till Sunday!!!
I think Henry has some work to do!

Levers work best with rounds that have rims. The old rest on rim or rests on shoulder issues.

The major exception I see is 35 rem and i have one in my collection that would sometimes have a light primer strike because the round rest on the shoulder and marlin made the chamber a bit long. I use fireformed cases in that 336sc and solves the issue and I knew that when I purchased that marlin. Got it for a very good price because it went click instead of bang when the owner was hunting. I handload for 35 rem so no big deal. Savage and browning make levers that use autorimmed rounds. So it is very doable as is everything

can it be done yes. Most not be worth in over a blow back auto of we would see a 9mm lever first for cost savings. Henry most likely looked into it when they made the homesteader 9mm. I think you will see a 40 or 45 cal homesteader before a 45 acp lever action.

 

[Michigan Slim]

I've heard of it being done by a Wild Bunch shooter, I'm sure, to match ammo. I'm going to go search the Forum.

EDIT: Found a mention of Cody Connager at The Cowboy Shop doing the work on a 73 conversion.

 

[Noble Sniper]

Henry Honesteaders….So what’s the word on these? Pass muster with the beta testers?

 

[Slow Hand]

If you aren’t set of 45 acp and are looking for something fun with higher capacity, again, just for fun, there is the .45 cowboy special. Basically an acp length case with the colt sized rim. Far s I know, it’s a handloading only type of deal and I’m not sure how it would function in lever guns. I’ve shot a good bit of l45 Schofield in various lever guns over the years but that much shorter of a case might be too much.

 

[MrSmitty]

POF makes a lever 9mm that uses mags, probably a .45 acp might be in the future, if they get the bugs out of the 9mm....