Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters +P 45 Colt article

Brian Pearce article on “45 Colt +P Medium Frame Sixguns” was greatly appreciated by me. In his article, he mentioned some appropriate revolvers that fit in this category. I have an Uberti 1873 and a Cimarron 1873. The Uberti is a much finer revolver in my opinion. I bought the Cimarron sight unseen - mistake. After taking care of the proud metal in some places and proud wood in others it shoots ok.
Mr. Pearce mentioned the Uberti to be in the “capable of +P revolvers”, but he didn’t mention the Cimarron.
I suspect that the Cimarron might fit in this category, but I’d like to know what experts know.
Thanks.

Any “true” 1873 Replica is NOT a plus P rated gun.
Read Elmer Keith. He blew up several trying to load them to + P velocities.

And most Cimarron Revolvers I’ve seen were merely Uberti mfg guns that Cimarron slicked up.

If you want to load hot 45 Colt loads, by a Ruger Blackhawk.

I guess it depends upon the definition of +P.

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/bullets-brass-0

I sure's heck wouldn't hot rod any peacemaker repro, no matter what was stamped on the barrel. That's pretty much asking for a steel sandwich for breakfast.

I know Cimarron's lever rifles are all made by Uberti (I have an 1873 short rifle in 45 Colt that I'm currently fighting with for accuracy) and I think you are correct that they make all the handguns, as well.

I saw an idiot at a local range who “hot rodded” his Uberti SAA. Blew off the top strap and top 3 cylinders.
Stuck chunks of metal in the roof above.

I blew up a brass frame Pietta 1851 Navy repro, and it's nothing I'd ever like to repeat ever again. Once was plenty for me.

I didn't overload it. The timing had gotten a little loosey goosey from shooting the crap out of it, and I ended up splitting a chamber and bending the frame when a ball didn't line up on the bore 100%. Ball was still stuck at the end of the cylinder with a big gouge in it.

I know I junked the rest of it, but I think I still have the cylinder laying around somewhere.

I think there's a distinction between the 23,000psi loads listed in the article and the Ruger/ TC only loads listed in manuals that can run 30,000psi or 32,000cup.

An inspection of the Cimmaron, in particular, the location of the bolt stop notches may help for a judgement call.

A 250gr lead slug at 850 to 900 fps is pretty potent.
Lead bullets can be easier on the gun.

I have a Ruger NMBH that I load for. I don't load too much heat for it in difference for the hands that hold it. :-)

LOL...

The vast majority of Cimarron Model P 1873's are made by Uberti.

I DO NOT consider them a +P handgun in .45 caliber.

Brian is a friend of mine, and I believe he stated the Uberti's made after 1990 were in that category. But a reloader assumes his own risks, and that includes assuming when a firearm was made.

The load I shoot in my 1873 clone and my model 25 S&W is 253 grain flat point - wide meplate - with GC’s & 9.8 grains unique. The bullet resembles a Keith style or maybe a Thompson style bullet. This load, I think, is not high pressure, probably Category I.

I think Mr. Pearce is defining several categories. In this article it was up to 23,000 psi or category II.

And as Rockinbbar wrote it’s post 1990 clones that Mr. Pearce specified. I guess that would include my Cimarron. In another location there was a picture of category II revolvers which included the Uberti (not the Cimarron) but I didn’t remember the portion of the article where he made a more specific statement on what belongs in this category, thanks for Rockinbar in pointed it out.

Thanks again for the response. I should have re-read the article before posting.

For many years my revolvers were 357 or 44 Mag. I am appreciating the 45 Colt more these days.

You can tell Mr. Pearce for me that I’m enjoying his articles.

Is there anything to be gained when loading +P .45 Colt over mid to upper tier loads when shooting cast? Na

Flatter shooting I suppose. It’s nice to know limits though.

Don't some of the Ubertis come with an extra 45acp cylinder?
The 45 colt cylinders should be able to handle the tier 2 loads.

You are correct, and I think that was exactly Mr. Pearce's point for the Category 2 loads.

Ding, ding, ding... Hence my previous post.

Kinda old school about this. Why would anyone load ammo for an old gun and add P? Seems like ignition would be iffy.

Where/ when was the article published? He had a similar article years ago that I've saved in my reloading reference material. I'll look for it and let you know when/ where it was published if anyone is interested.

It is in the April 2022 Handloader in the Pet Loads section page 32

Agreed, especially since there are quite a few newer powders out there now that will give you pretty good velocity in 45 Colt while still coming in under the 14,000 line. That makes hotrodding antique designs seem even less attractive, imho.

Handloader #217, June 2002

In the article he points out there are guns +P loads should not be used in, Colt SAA for example. He also lists guns that these loads are safe in.