Good news for S&W Model 325, & S&W Model 625 owners

[gunfan]

According to Smith and Wesson, you CAN use .45 Auto Rim Brass in modern S&W Model 325 and S&W Model 625 revolvers.

Now all we need are HKS Speed loaders to accomodate the rimmed cases. Hmmmmmmmm...


Scott

 

[Majic]

I think that little tid-bit has been known for quite a while.

 

[ChristopherG]

Why would you want to do that?

I mean, I can see why someone might want to use AR cases for simple single-round handling for range use; but why on earth would you want to use HKS's instead of a moonclip for a speedloader? They're bulkier, they're slower, they cost more...

 

[JoeHatley]

I didn't realize there was any question.



Sure you weren't thinking of the Taurus Tracker 5 shot .45 acp that can't shoot .45 auto rim...

Joe

 

[sigma40sw]

HKS 45 Auto Rim Speed Loaders

HKS used to make speed loaders for 45 Auto Rim. I have 4 or 5 of them.
I use the Auto Rim cases for hunting loads.

Just be aware that the original AR case was of the "ballon head" design and is not as strong as the modern solid head design.

Last I knew, Remington makes a run of 45 AR brass once in a while.
They were also the last to offer a 230 gr Lead RN Factory load.

Sigma

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Hmm. Why would you bother? If you find the steel moonclips annoying try the polymer RIMZ clips. They are super easy to use and work great. Scott Beckham, who makes RIMZ is a member of THR, too.

 

[Majic]

Why would you bother?

No moonclips to keep up with. No moonclips that one day will finally wear out. No moonclips to ever purchase.
There are a few advantages.

 

[ChristopherG]

No moonclips to keep up with. No moonclips that one day will finally wear out. No moonclips to ever purchase.

Yes--as noted, these could be an advantage for the range; but to give up the superior moonclip reload in either a defensive or competitive situation seems, to me, to undermine what is clearly the greatest benefit of the platform/caliber combination of a .45acp wheelgun.

So, AR brass, sure, I get that; but the HKS speedloader? I don't get that. If I'm not getting the advantage of the 2-second reload out of my 625, give me a K or L-frame anyday--for carry or for competition.

 

[Majic]

Like the pistol's magazine, the superiority of the moonclip's fast reload capability is proportional to the number of pre-loaded moonclips. Also like the pistol's magazine, if you damage the moonclip then there is the chance the revolver won't even function.
They offer an advantage, but at a price.

 

[ChristopherG]

They offer an advantage, but at a price.

Fair enough.

I have had clips bend (twice, I think, in probably 6,000 rds) to the point where I could feel them dragging on the recoil shield: but never to the point where they tied up the gun. I threw them away and replaced them with another clip for a buck. Still left me with a range bag of probably 30 loaded clips.

I think it's primarily a time thing. The price, for me, is the time off-range loading and unloading clips. It is a bit of a hassle, I'll admit; but, again, for me, surely worth it.

 

[Majic]

Fair enough.
We both see each other's points.

 

[JNewell]

I have no experience with .45 ACP in moonclips but I do have a lot of experience with 9x19 in moonclips. They're OK, but frankly I think they're slower than a Safariland Comp-<_> loader because I haven't found any brand of ammo that is held rigidly enough to avoid the need to jiggle the moonclip in due to the cartridges flopping around in the clip. Are the .45 cases and clips a better marriage?

 

[Majic]

JNewell,
Like the 9X19 it depends on the maker's case dimensions. Some are slightly larger and will fit tightly while others will be loose and will rattle around. There are several different moonclip designs also that does the same thing with various cases.
It's a matter of manufactors machining tolerances that will ultimately determine if the cartridges will be held tight or loose. In time even the tight moonclips will lose it's tension as the metal's memory is lost from repeated springing in loading and unloading.