From: bobd@marune.acs.ohio-state.edu (Bob DeBula)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: .45 Win. Mag. pistols?
Date: 8 Oct 92 17:41:45 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University

In article <1992Oct7.175053.8171@cbfsb.cb.att.com> osan@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (Mr. X) writes:
#Hi Folks,
#
#Anyone know of any pistols chambered for the 45 Winchester Magnum?  Any
#semi autos?  Anyone have any experience with this round?  The figures look
#very similar to those of the .44 Magnum.  
#

Yup, the "Wildey" (gas operated) pistol comes chambered for the
.45 Winchester Magnum. There was one locally hereabouts in a shop in the
Columbus Ohio area as of a month or two ago. As I remember it, it had
three magazines with it and some ammo. It was $900 in used
(very slightly to appearances) condition. The barrel length
appeared to be around 6 or 7 inches. Due to the unusal nature of the
pistol (limited number of potential buyers) and the price I would 
suspect that it may very well still be there. I would also suspect
that the price is somewhat negotiable if it is still there.

According to "Gun Digest 1990, 44th Annual Edition", the Wildey
was available in 9mm Win Mag. (I think this was subsequently
dropped), .45 Win. Mag., .475 Wildey Mag. (Yee Hah!), and
.357 Peterbuilt. The barrel lengths (some lengths
available only with certain calibers) are 5, 6, 7, 8, & 10".
Weight is 64 oz. with the 5" barrel. Suggested retail was
$1,099.

Also, the L.A.R "Grizzly" (8 or 10" barrel in 45 Win Mag.,
357/45, 45 ACP, 10mm, or 357 Mag.). Suggested retail (1990
"Gun Digest" again) was $725-$1,337 (it varies dependent upon
barrel length & caliber). Weight is 51 oz. with 5.4" or 6.5"
barrel (it is unclear which in the book).

I seem to recall that I saw an AMT Automag (Automag IV?)
in .45 Win. Mag. while browsing at a local shop within the past
year. It struck me as odd because it looked dimensionally 
very similar to a 1911A1 and I was surprised that they would offer 
such a hefty cartridge in this frame size and in a recoil (as
opposed to gas) operated pistol. Although, looking at 
the illustration, I'd guess that the L.A.R. Grizzly
is also recoil (as opposed to gas) operated (ala 1911).

Were I to pursue obtaining one of these, I'd probably opt for the
Wildey for various reasons. I seem to remember the Automag (IV?)
being on super special at somewhere around $450-500 (new).

I think the .45 Win. Mag. cartridge was introduced in anticipation
of the Wildey .45 Win. Mag. pistol (as was the 9mm Win. Mag.).
For whatever reasons, the production of the Wildey pistol lagged
the introduction of the cartridges by several years. I remember
seeing a few boxes of .45 Win. Mag. and 9mm Win. Mag. (doubtless
a collectors item or destined to be) sitting on the shelf of
a shop when there was no pistol chambered for either one.

I believe the .45 Win. Mag. was basically a lengthened .45 ACP and
the 9mm Win. Mag. was basically a lengthened 9mm Luger. Checking
Hornady's Fourth edition reloading manual, I found that case 
dimensions are virtually identical between .45 ACP & .45 Win. Mag.
the big exception is, of course, the case length. Incidently,
The Hornady manual additionally lists that the Thompson/Center
Contender is (was?) also made in .45 Win. Mag.

According to the Hornady manual, the factory loading for the
.45 Win. Mag. was a 230 grain FMJRN at 1300 fps.
Out of a T/C 14" test handgun, they report maximum velocities of:

bullet weight (grains)			max. velocity

185 (SWC or HP/XTP)			1,900 fps
230 (FMJRN or FMJFP)			1,600 fps
250 (HP/XTP)				1,550 fps

I hope this helps to answer your original query.
-- 
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              Disclaimer: These are my views, not the U's

        "If it's in the paper it must be true!" --- D. Doright