First revolver? S&W 625. 45LC or 45acp

[MikeInOr]

I have been contemplating purchasing my first nice revolver for quite a while and after a lot of research and consideration I think I have decided on a S&W 625 performance center for my first nice revolver.

Its main use will be a range toy but it would also be nice to be able to carry it when camping.

I am mainly a semi-auto pistol kind of guy but would like a nice revolver for target shooting at the range. I have several .45acp pistols, 1911's and XD(x) so it would be very convent to be able to shoot 45acp. BUT I would also like to be able to shoot .45 LC. I do own a Webley MKIV that was shaved to shoot .45acp but those moon clips are just miserable to pull the empty brass out of.

I see that .45LC bullets are .452 dia and .45acp bullets are .451 dia. Are they interchangeable? Can I use my .45acp bullets to reload .45LC ammo? Will the accuracy go to heck if I do?

If there is a 45acp/45LC bullet incompatibility I will am thinking I will just go for a 629 or maybe just get a nice S&W 357. I have decided I would like SA/DA with a really good SA trigger. I do not have a need for hot loads so the S&W's won out over the Rugers for their legendary triggers and slimmer, lighter weight design.

Is the 625 available in a 45acp / 45LC configuration? If not can a second cylinder be purchased? If a second cylinder can be purchased how hard is it to change the cylinders on a 625?

 

[earplug]

As you own a 45 acp pistol, you would be well served to buy the S&W 625 in 45 ACP.
At one time I owned a couple M-29's and found I seldom loaded them hotter then a 45 ACP.
The 45 LC brass will cost more then 45 ACP if you reload. 45 ACP brass lasts a long time before splitting.
I used mixed brass and found .451 coated lead bullets worked fine. Certain brands of brass had thicker walls and this made chambering a issue with .452 bullets. I cast and powder coated my own bullets.
For range use there are synthetic/nylon? moon clips that are easy to load and unload. RIMZ was the brand I used.
For a pure range gun and a lighter solution for carry I'd look at a L frame .357

 

[mcb]

Go with the 625 in 45 ACP. It is by far the fastest reloading revolver going. I have one I used for USPSA competition for a few years before they changed the rules letting the 7 & 8 shooters play.



As for moonclips there are so many tools (for any budget from expensive to home-made) out there to help you get the rounds on and off the moonclips that its a non-issue. A old golf club handle can be turned into a de-mooner in about 2-minutes with a dremel cut-off wheel.

Find the point in the handle where it will fit easily but closely over your round. Cut it off and then put a shelf on the end as pictured below.



Then you take your moonclip slip it over the front of the round letting the raise area go up the outside of the moonclip. A quick twist of the wrist easily releases the round from the moonclip and the released cartridge falls into the handle. The handle will hold two to three moonclips worth of empties that you can then dump into your brass bucket at your leisure. Makes it easy to sort empty from live cartridges if you have partial moonclips after a match.



ETA: TK Custom will take a 625 in 45 Colt and machine the cylinder for the use with moonclips. It will then be capable of shooting 45 Colt with or without the moonclips. It can then also shoot 45 ACP but will require the use of moonclips for the 45 ACP to head-space.

If you have a 625 in 45 ACP it will fire with or with out moonclips, though ejection is a lot easier with the moonclips.

You can also shoot 45 GAP on moonclips in any 625 that can shoot 45 ACP though that will always require the moonclip for head-spacing.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

My first handgun was a 625 Mountain Gun in 45 ACP. Its shoots better than I am capable. Its the only handgun people have tried to buy from me at the range.

I will never get rid of mine!

 

[Livin_Cincy]

I read numerous times about how 38 is the best caliber to hand load. I never understood it. Then I took the plunge.
1- The bullets are cheaper than 45 for range shooting.
2- The Variety of bullets from Wad Cutters, to Semi-Wad Cutters, to Round Nose Flat point and then to ball ammo.
3- They shoot lead, powder coated, plated, or FMJ's
4- If you go the 357 route you open up your target gun for use for trail or hunting use.
5- Very accurate. It is one of the Bullseye Shooting Calibers.
6- Barrel Lengths abound. 2"-6" with 3" & 5" as well !!!!
7- You can load 6-800 fps target loads all the way to Magnum Velocity Loads.
8- Do to its popularity there are powders developed for the 38 to maximize performance.
9- You have 38, 38+P & 357 reloading choices.

The 45LC / ACP / and Rimmed is a good revolver as well. It is also a Bullseye Shooting caliber. You can buy 45 Rimmed from Starline and they will last for nearly ever... Your brass does not go flying. The 45 Rimmed does not need a moon clip. With both the 45 ACP & 45 Rimmed you are loading a case designed for smokeless powder. The 45 Long Colt is a conversion to Smokeless Powder, like the 38. Your case fill is much less than the rimmed or ACP. Plated, Lead & Powder coated Bullets for 45 ACP may not shoot good in a 45 revolver do to cylinder throat diameters needing a larger diameter bullet. I would look for a 45 revolver that would shoot all three calibers.

The Ruger Red hawk is a DA & the Black Hawk is SA are a good choice for a hand loader. You buy a hammer spring kit & dry fire it to marry the parts so you trigger feels like it is guns smithed. It is very sturdy and can handle and pressure problems from an accidental hot load.

 

[cheygriz]

.45 Colt by all means.

The .452 is lead bullets. The Colt uses .451 jacketed just like the ACP.

For camping and hiking, the .45 Colt will allow you to load bullets from 170 grains to over 300.

A 255 SWC over 8.0 of Unique will give you a very effective, but fairly mild load. I use 9.0 of Unique with Lyman 452424 for ~900 FPS.

 

[jar]

I have more 45acp revolvers then 45LC ones (or 45acp semi-autos) and generally use moon clips but also 45AR with speed loaders.

 

[thomas15]

A 625 is nice. So is a 686, 627, 629 and 929.

As far as moons go as mcb shared, get some tools.

For the above revos, if buying new production, even Performance Center, you will need to have some work done on the triggers.

Finally you must open up your wallet because nice revolvers and nice accessories cost serious money.

 

[drband]

I really like my 625JM in .45acp!

If you already reload 45s you can't beat it!

 

[Pat Riot]

I am biased. As a Cowboy Action Shooter I would say go with .45 Colt.
Here is why;

You can load it mild or load it hotter - not Ruger Blackhawk “hot” but within SAAMI specs it is a respectable thumper.

The brass will last a very very long time if loaded within SAAMI specs. I have cases that I have reloaded a dozen times, at least, and you can’t tell. They look nearly new.

There are some really good hunting loads you can develop or buy in .45 Colt.

But, if it’s purely a range gun or a fun gun there is nothing wrong with .45 ACP either and it’s a darn good defensive round and you can buy them much cheaper than .45 Colt if you don’t reload your ammo.

Bottom line, it’s your call...obviously

 

[Walkalong]

They are both good choices, hard to go wrong with either. I foolishly sold a 625 in .45 ACP. I do still have my 25-5 in .45 Colt, and have been intending to send it off to get cut so it can fire .45 ACP in moon clips as well.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I too am of the opinion that 38 Special is a better for a first revolver for all the reasons that Livin_Cincy states. Plus 38 revolvers are often smaller than 45s.

However, if you want to start with a 45 because you like the caliber, that is no problem. Just be aware that your choices for reloading will be more limited. Or more expensive than 38. Probably the same with factory ammo too.

Originally, the groove diameter for 45 Colt was about .454. This was back in 1873 when the Single Action Army was first developed. After World War Two the groove diameter was changed to .451 to be the same as 45 ACP. The discrepancy between .452 for 45 Colt and .451 for 45 ACP is simply because 45 ACP bullets are usually full metal jacketed. Lead .452 bullets are generally preferred to be .001 over groove diameter, they will be sized down in the barrel. Full metal jacket bullets are a little bit harder, so they usually match groove diameter.

Then again, there is chamber throat diameter, which is worth a whole 'nother discussion.

The S&W Model 625 is a Stainless Steel version of the older blued Model 25. The Model 25 came chambered either for 45 Colt or 45 ACP. Not both. Generally speaking, putting a numeral 6 in front of the model number of a S&W revolver means it is made of Stainless Steel.

As far as I know, it is not a simple task to substitute cylinders for a S&W revolver. Cylinders are usually fitted to the gun. You might get lucky and find one that will drop in without fitting, but probably not. In addition, it appears to me that the current run of 625 revolvers have a shorter cylinder, with the barrel extending further into the cylinder window than the current Model 25 Classic chambered for 45 Colt.

I don't own either a Model 25 or a Model 625.

This is a S&W Model of 1955 Target. It is chambered for 45 ACP. It can be fired with Moon Clips or without, because the cartridges headspace on the case mouths. But if fired without Moon Clips, the empties have to be poked out with a stick. Any 45ACP revolver can also be fired with 45 Auto Rim cartridges. Basically the same as a 45 ACP, but it has a thick rim to take up the extra space of the Moon Clip, and the ejector will grab the rims of the 45 AR to eject them. 45 Auto Rim can be loaded with the same data as 45 ACP.

This is the gun that the later 45 ACP Model 25 was developed from. It is a big gun. Built on the N frame. (Large Frame). Many 38s are built on the smaller K frame (medium frame)

 

[MikeInOr]

If you have a 625 in 45 ACP it will fire with or with out moonclips, though ejection is a lot easier with the moonclips..

Very cool, I would have never guessed a 625 would shoot .45 acp without moon clips.

I appreciate ALL the replies! A lot of GREAT information! I learned a lot!

 

[mcb]

Very cool, I would have never guessed a 625 would shoot .45 acp without moon clips.

I appreciate ALL the replies! A lot of GREAT information! I learned a lot!

Yeah it head-spaces on the case mouth just like in a semi auto. Most rimless revolvers will head-space on the case mouth without requiring the moonclips to fire. The moonclips just are their for extraction and handy for loading all the chambers all at once. My 610 will do it with 10mm Auto and same with the Ruger 10mm's. Obviously you need moonclips if your shooting shorter than the original chamber ie 40S&W in 10mm or 45 GAP in 45 ACP etc.

There are exceptions some of the early Colt 1917 45 ACP revolvers would not head-space without moonclips. Some of the very first S&W 929 wouldn't either, rumors some of them where chambered long possibly 9x21, but who knows. I believe a shaved Webley Mark VI requires the moonclips also since the chamber does not have a hard shoulder in it to head-space on. There are probably a few other exceptions.

 

[Slamfire]

Maybe now I wish I had purchased a 45 ACP S&W revolver, back when the firing pins were still mounted on the hammer, but, I did not miss much. I do believe for a target pistol out to 50 yards, the 45 ACP round is a better round, extremely accurate. But, the 45 LC will do everything the 45 ACP will do, and more. All the time I read of owners who want to shoot 250 grain bullets in their 45 ACP's, and pushing a 250 grain bullet in a 45 ACP to 45 LC levels takes pressure. I would say, a lot more pressure than it takes a 45 LC to push a 250 grain bullet to the same velocity.

You gotta remember, the 45 ACP was considered the minimum necessary for a self defense round, circa 1910. A 230 FMJ 452" bullet has an excellent reputation for lethality, at close distance. The 45 LC pushes a 250 grain bullet at the same velocity at the same pressures. That's gotta mean something.

 

[Tallball]

I have a 625 in 45acp that I like very much indeed. It's one of my favorite firearms. I'm usually too lazy to use moon clips. If I point the barrel up with the cylinder open, gravity does most of the work for me. The brass tends to either fall out with a gentle shake, or just require a tap with my fingertip. I have yet to need a pencil or anything.

45acp is plenty good enough for a range toy or possible SD. I have a Blackhawk convertible 45acp/45colt. The colt cylinder doesn't get much use.

Smith And Wesson Model 625

• Tallball
• Apr 5, 2018

 

[gotboostvr]

625JM owner checking in. No regrets with a ACP over a LC.

You won't be able to drive a considerably heavier bullet considerably faster to make a reasonable difference in the N frames. They don't handle heavy 45's well. You can still drive a 250gr WFN@850fps from the ACP case and that'll do most "outdoors" type duties.

 

[AZAndy]

I have two .45ACP revolvers; a 625 PC and a ported 325. I really like moonclips, and don't find them to be all that much trouble. Swinging out the cylinder and loading it by tossing the clipped rounds in that general direction makes me smile every time. I use mostly Wilson clips and a Dillon mooner/demooner. The tool also handles .357, which is what's in this photo:


Since there's no slide and spring assembly on a revolver to spread out the recoil, a .45ACP slams your hand a little harder than with a semi-auto. I didn't find the experience delightful with the wood grips the 625 came with, so I switched to the basic Hogue Monogrip. Much better for me, though it may not be a problem for you if your hands are meatier than mine.

 

[highlander 5]

Go with the 45 acp,can fire both 45 acp and 45 auto rim. 45 colt is nice but the S&W version I'd be leary of loading hot loads as the bolt stops are right over the chambers . Ruger cuts theirs between the chambers and Redhawks are over built anyway. The 625 is a ball to shoot.

 

[gotboostvr]

Since there's no slide and spring assembly on a revolver to spread out the recoil, a .45ACP slams your hand a little harder than with a semi-auto. I didn't find the experience delightful with the wood grips the 625 came with, so I switched to the basic Hogue Monogrip. Much better for me, though it may not be a problem for you if your hands are meatier than mine.

45acp isn't bad with wood grips. My wife's averaged sized for a woman, and her favorite handgun if mine is my 4" 625 with wooden combat grips. She prefers my 200gr lswc ~750fps load, but can manage hardball just fine. I think it's partly due to how well the combats fit her hand.

 

[AZAndy]

45acp isn't bad with wood grips. My wife's averaged sized for a woman, and her favorite handgun if mine is my 4" 625 with wooden combat grips. She prefers my 200gr lswc ~750fps load, but can manage hardball just fine. I think it's partly due to how well the combats fit her hand.

Maybe if I had well-fitted wood grips that didn't cover the backstrap (N-frame is a bit of a stretch for me if the back is covered), I'd have had a better experience. The red-white-blue ones that came with it were really dreadful and very poorly fitted-- the top of the grips stood proud of the backstrap, for instance. Performance Center, my butt.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

An oddball you may want to consider is the Ruger Redhawk in .45 ACP/ Colt. Here's mine along with a Rossi model 68.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Indeed, if you cannot make up your mind, just go with the redhawk model out now that shoots both 45acp and 45colt, and don't look back. The redhawk will be able to work reliably when your grandchildren get too old to shoot it, imo.

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm no help on the choice of a 45 Colt S&W revolver (25-5) or a 45 ACP S&W revolver (25-2) or the stainless equivalents. I have both and like them very much,

Either will serve you well.

But, if you get a 45 ACP version, get a BMT Equipped moon clip loader/un-loader. A bit pricey but once you use one, you will wonder how you lived without it.

http://www.bmtequipped.com/purchase.php

 

[RealGun]

I have been contemplating purchasing my first nice revolver for quite a while and after a lot of research and consideration I think I have decided on a S&W 625 performance center for my first nice revolver.

Its main use will be a range toy but it would also be nice to be able to carry it when camping.

I am mainly a semi-auto pistol kind of guy but would like a nice revolver for target shooting at the range. I have several .45acp pistols, 1911's and XD(x) so it would be very convent to be able to shoot 45acp. BUT I would also like to be able to shoot .45 LC. I do own a Webley MKIV that was shaved to shoot .45acp but those moon clips are just miserable to pull the empty brass out of.

I see that .45LC bullets are .452 dia and .45acp bullets are .451 dia. Are they interchangeable? Can I use my .45acp bullets to reload .45LC ammo? Will the accuracy go to heck if I do?

If there is a 45acp/45LC bullet incompatibility I will am thinking I will just go for a 629 or maybe just get a nice S&W 357. I have decided I would like SA/DA with a really good SA trigger. I do not have a need for hot loads so the S&W's won out over the Rugers for their legendary triggers and slimmer, lighter weight design.

Is the 625 available in a 45acp / 45LC configuration? If not can a second cylinder be purchased? If a second cylinder can be purchased how hard is it to change the cylinders on a 625?

For 50 bucks you could just buy the right bullet or mould. It is not important enough to make a gun purchase dependent on a common bullet.

I have a 625PC and recommend it, although I had to have the forcing cone recut and the throats reamed for lead bullet diameters. It is better than other versions because it has cut rifling for compatibility with lead bullets. I got rid of the clown grips and am using target style.

There are good tools available for loading and unloading moon clips. Unloading is a snap, so you would want to check that out.

I think you should reserve 45 Colt for a different gun down the road. I think you will do better with a single action from Ruger. Forget the Redhawk DA, because they dropped the longer barrel for 45 Colt, and the gun is really overkill for 45 Colt unless planning on loading up to its full potential in such a gun. The Blackhawk might have similar capabilities but is actually available as a 45 convertible...one cylinder for 45 ACP and one for 45 Colt.