Scandium .45ACP S&W!

News to me anyway...

This gun here (http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=294660&item=865230&sw_activeTab=2)

Just noticed that I'm not the first kid on the block to see this one...

Why bother since you have to use clips. I'd rather have 44 Spl of 45 Colt. Remember that the 'scandium' frame is aluminum with less than 1% scandium. Frame will then weigh about 1/3 of steel.

Although I don't care for the scan or the ti craze, the moonclips make for a faster reload than a speedloader. On a snubbie the .45acp makes better sense as there is more postive extractions with less problems because of the shorter cartridge case. Now if defense shifts to four legged creatures then the larger cased cartridges are better suited.

I ordered a 325PD last Friday. Hope it doesn't take too long to come in...

Joe

Response to "Why bother, since you have to use clips?" No you don't. Just buy .45 AR (Auto Rim) brass and rock 'n roll. No clips required. In fact, that was the whole point behind making the .45 AR cases in the first place. They have an extra-thick rim that takes up the space that would normally be taken up by the moon clips. In fact, a friend of mine who shoot both says smaller groups can be obtained with the .45AR case, because it holds the cartridge headspace in the cylinder much more constant than the moon clips are capable of doing.

Despite rumors that Auto Rim cases are no longer available, Remingon makes them, but my personal choice would be Starline, available online at around $100/thousand.

JoeHatley,

I was at my local shop this week and they had one. It has no weight so it is a great carry gun but the grip sucks. You will want to get new ones. I also hear it kicks like a *&^%$.

I've shot one and it was pretty nice, of course, they were handloads, loaded by the friend that bought the gun. He shoots it in IDPA, the load makes power factor, but it's not as stiff as factory stuff, for sure.
But as a defense gun, it's still controllable with say 185 gr HP stuff. This is NOT a range gun though, it's made for carry.
I like it. A bit on the pricey side though.:(

Why bother since you have to use clips.
To many, moonclips are a feature, not a bug.

Love the Moon clips.....recoil is minumal....thanks to the grips which help loads with control!!!! Gotta love diff. of opinions :-)
Loandr.

What do you get, about two inches of penetration with a .45ACP out of a 2" barrel. :rolleyes:

Punny you mention that:rolleyes: Posted results over at USN, BUT crono'ed
my CS45, 325PD, and sig 220 was only about a 50fps. loss in velocity from the 220 in a 4.5 in barrel, off the top of my head think it was 855 and 866 fps. for the 325, each string was 6 shots then the crono adverages. NOT TO shabby Huh my friend? This gun is a keeper! standard Winchester ranger 230 grain used in all. I found the +p didnt have much of a velocity gain as well, not enough to warrant the extra kick anyhow :-)
Loandr.

I hate looking at the S&W site. Asside from seeing a ton of things that i REALLY want, the MSRP sticker shock gives me a headache.

Ive got a fair lump of cash set asside for the first company to come out with a LIGHTWEIGHT FIVE-SHOT 45.acp revolver with a bobbed hammer, getting closer...

The 325PD can be had for alot less than the catalog retail!...dont let it scare ya sir. its worth the jump.....BUT bobbed Hammer.....good idea :-)
Loandr.

You know what just kills me about that gun? They make a light, compact personal defense/CCW-type revolver, complete with stubby barrel and compact grips, and then fit a humungous set of Sure-Snag adjustable sights on it. What the heck are they thinking?

I'm swaping out for a pair of Big Dot Express Night sights on mine,
Loandr.

Should mention that the Crono used was with the help of "Mavrik" a fellow THR member, it was with his assistance that made it possible :-)
Loandr.

A local dealer has a couple of these. They looked nice, but I didn't handle as I would have left with one!

Smart man Halvey, :-) "I feel your pain sir" ...been there. :-) If ever in Fl your welcome to shjoot mine.
Loandr.

One of the nice things about that gun is taking advantage of the short 45ACP case, they set the barrel further back into the frame making it a real pug nose. I would have preferred that they just added the extra length onto the barrel and made it a 3", but it has benefits either way.

I purchased one used about a month ago and found it to be very accurate and fun to shoot. I did not find the recoil to be excessive although it is noticeable when compared with my 4" 625 using the same load.

I had fondled one up at a local dealer and was able to resist because of the price. I could not let the used one go. This one is a keeper!

Greg

Good point David , wish it was 3 inch barrel as well :-)
Loandr.;)

I gotta agree with Tamara about the sights. Maybe a little more compact style grip like boot grips?

what other grips are available for the 325pd?

what other grips are available for the 325pd?

Pretty much anything you can fit to a round-butt N frame. I have a 4" 325PD with the small, round Ahrend's grips and it does smack the shooting hand pretty good. The larger Ahrend's as shown in the pic on S&W's site would be better for shooting at the range, but the smaller grips are better for carry. You could install Hogue rubber grips or any of several other available options.

.45 ACP, much as with 9mm, uses a fast powder. Barrel length has much less effect on such cartridges than it does in magnums that use slower powders. This is why 9mm ballistics rival .357 magnum out of a 2" gun.

Anyone who has not used moon clips has no clue as to WHY you'd want one. Speedloader takes on a whole new meaning with 'em. Also, in my old S&W WW1 .45 revolver, I could load the cartridges individually. They head spaced on the rim in each cylinder just like they do in a revolver. A nail or pencil or something will punch 'em out easily. Auto rim will eject, but you CAN shoot .45 ACP brass without the moon clip.

Great board. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I understand the thin chamber walls of steel cylinder n-frame S&W .45 acps meant that these guns couldn't safely handle .45 Super rounds. Does the titanium frame of the revolver in question improve the strength such that .45 supers could be fired in this revolver?

I believe the frame is Scandium and the cylinder is titanium. Scandium is an aluminum & scandium alloy. My guess would be not as strong as titanium. What is the deal w/ this material anyway, is the frame that color or is it some kind of coating/paint? Will it chip? Why can't they make it another color closer to a blue finish or satin stainless? I think the greyish pins are titanium too.

I would be hesitant to shoot excessive pressure round in that revolver for a couple of reasons. One, I don't think the scandium is of the strength of steel and shooting high pressure loads in it might be a lot like shooting +P in a non- +P rated .38. It'd accelerate wear and loosen the piece up. Two, the .45ACP round has a good portion of brass unsupported at the back of each chamber in order to accommodate the moon clip. That would make me nervous about loading it too hot.