I am looking into purchasing a 45 Colt handgun as a handy backup gun. I would like a double action revolver rather than a single action. However, I would also like it to be push heavy 360 grain bullets to + P levels. I am looking to get about 1200 fps out of a four-inch barrel.

Can the Dan Wesson 45 Colt handle the higher pressure loads?

yes they are a very strong gun.
You might want to check out the dan wesson 445 super mag. They make it in a 4" barrel. Great carry gun and lots of stopping power.
Nav

Check out a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt......5 1/2 inch barrel.........I'm going to get one of those for a backcountry packin' iron.............

dogtrainer, I think you would be pushing it. The maker of LBT boolits says 335 gr. is max for the .45 Colt and the starting point for the .454. Remember, your brass will have limits too. I use the 335 in my Vaquero for deer at a little over 1100 fps and you do not want to shoot more then six. Shooting a 360 at 1200 from that short of a barrel will require you to wear a kevlar helmet, let alone what charge you need to reach that velocity from a short barrel. Seems to me it would dictate a fast powder which will raise pressures to the limits of any revolver.
You would be better off with the .445 with the larger case that will reduce the pressure. Then again, could you burn all the powder in a short barrel?
My load is the 335 gr. LBT WLNGC, Fed 150 primer, 21.5 gr. 296. It shoots flat to 100 yds and can't be stopped in any animal. Drops deer like thunder and will penetrate a griz. I have shot 1" groups at 75 yds.
Why do you want a 360 going that fast?

the Dan Wesson will handle the +p pressure loads but you might be pushing the 45 colt to much. As another said the 360's is where the 454 plays. But the Dan Wesson will tolerate +p pressures.

If you are interested in the 445 supermag I have the Dan Wesson 445 supermag in a 8" barrel with a burris 2x7 scope. With this gun you will be able to push 180'gr to 2000 fps 200gr to 1900+ fps 225gr to 1850+. 240 gr to 1800fps, 300gr to 1600fps or a bit more.

Good luck

Brian

Have you looked into the Taurus Raging Bulls? Mine is very accurate and a 454 will be very happy in the range you want to shoot it in. I had a Redhawk 45colt, but the throats were way small on it. I couldn't even chamber a round loaded with a 300XTP. I sold it after I got the Taurus. I really liked the looks of the super short Ruger Super Redhawk. Wasn't it someplace in Alaska doing the conversions on them?

If it is a double action .45 colt you want I would go with the Redhawk. I'm sure the DW is up to the performance level you desire from the .45 Colt, but the Ruger is a known quantity at this level. And if you want a four inch barrel shortening a redhawk barrel is not to complicated for a competent smith. One of my many .45 Colt's is a Redhawk with a five and a half inch barrel. Using Hogdon's published +P data with a 360 gr. hardcast LBT I average about 1115 fps over an Oehler 35P. From a four inch barrel you would probably lose 50 to 75 fps from Hogdon's data.

The main thing to consider with bullets in revolvers is that the length of the revolver cylinder determines case capacity. With the heavy weight bullets and a standard length cylinder case capacity can be reduced to much to get the velocity you want. I do not know the cylinder length of the DW revolvers but the Redhawk has a nominal length of 1.750" which is more than enough to accomodate a bullet of .450" nose length. This is a good balance between nose length and shank inside the case for good bullet pull.

If you want more than this than you would need to move into the realm of the five shot .45 Colt/.454 Casull guns.

These links may aid your decision.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45coltlil.php

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/gunnotes.htm

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm

I once owned a Dan Wesson 45 LC. I would not hesitate to say that the gun is sturdier built than the Ruger Blackhawk.

But I have to wonder if you aren't asking too much from even a Dan Wesson for those weights/speeds.

dogtrainer

45 LC out of 4" bl 360's at 1200 -your kidding right? It isn't going to happen!! That's even if you could get those 360's to fit in that Dan Wesson!!! Not enough bl length or enough cartridge/powder room!!! With a 4" bl you'd be lucky to see 1000 fps and that's with a max charge!! And that would be pushing that gun to the hilt!! Do every one a favor and get your self a 454 Casull then you can hot rod those 45 lc's all you want to. I hear a Darwin award winner here?

dogtrainer,

Here is an article I came across you'll find interesting. It is about the DW in .45 colt by John Taffin.

http://www.sixguns.com/range/45coltdw.htm