S&W 625 and .45 Supers & 450 SMCs

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jski

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Simple question: Can the S&W 625 handle the pressures of the .45 Super or, even more challenging, the .45 SMC?
 
The Super isn’t a huge jump up in pressure over a .45 ACP and .45ACP +P round, so it won’t surprise me if the 625 can handle it. 21,000 VS 23,000 vs 28,000 psi max .

The Super case is a bit thicker than the ACP cases, so if you load for Super use the proper cases.

The Rowland is even more powerful than the Super, with different case dimensions. The Rowland data isnt to be used for .45 ACP or Super cases period.
 
Smith & Wesson will flat out tell you no.

Whether it actually can, is subject to debate.

Will it blow up? Probably not.

Will it shoot loose faster? Undoubtedly.

I considered loading 45acp hot for whitetails, but just grabbed a 629 instead.
 
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You can shoot a Ruger Blackhawk with hot "Blackhawk Only" 45 colt loads. Put in the "convertible" cylinder if you want to shoot 45acp. Problem solved.

Plus you get to own another gun! :)

It's hard to say whether I enjoy my 625 or my BH 45 more. It's better to not have to choose. ;)
 
The 625 is an N frame. N frames are also made in 44 magnum. The question is do all s&w revolvers get the same heat treatment?
 
The frame is not the entire problem. It's not just a simple problem of strength. The gun will most probably not come apart but you will greatly accelerate wear on the other parts of the gun. If you consider your S&W to be "expendable" then go right ahead. Personally I would not do it. If you really feel you need more power than a .45 ACP or a .45 Super with super brass then buy a Ruger single action. S&W has publicly stated that .45 Super is not a problem in their N frames. That is where I would draw the line. It's a lot like all of the young guys I know who buy a Jeep and then shoehorn a small block Chevy into it. It will hold up for a while and then the drivetrain will start coming apart. Not "might" - "will".
 
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Doesn't Ruger now offer a Redhawk in 45 Colt that has the cylinder milled out to take 45 ACP in Full-moon clips? And would that be the end all, be all, hot and cold running bells and whistles 45 to end all 45s?

Dave
 
Doesn't Ruger now offer a Redhawk in 45 Colt that has the cylinder milled out to take 45 ACP in Full-moon clips? And would that be the end all, be all, hot and cold running bells and whistles 45 to end all 45s?

Dave

Check Ruger's website.
 
It would seem that the .45 Super & 450 SMC breath new life into an old workhorse. It would seem a no-brained to support these cartridges.
 
Just called S&W to ask about the .45 Super & .450 SMC in regards to their 625 revolver. To tell the truth, the "kid" I spoke with had to be educated on what exactly the .45 Super & .450 SMC are. He had absolutely no idea. The only thing he really had to say was: "you shouldn't use anything larger than 230 grains". I had to clarify to make certain he was talking about bullet weight.

I expected more informed customer support from S&W!
 
I'd check to see where the bolt cuts are if they're over the chamber I'd be cautious between the chambers would make me feel a little safer.
I suspect the heat treatment and steel used for the 45 acp cylinder is different than the various magnum calibers.
 
Years ago I put somewhere between 100 & 200 rds of .45 Super through my 625-4. Since then it has had a few thousand rds of .45ACP. There is no appreciable wear on the revolver. However as I've gotten older and wiser (my wife would argue that point) I've decided it's just not worth the risk.
 
When we were having bear problems I got a box from Buffalo Bore - I never expected to use them, unless there was a bear at my door, so I asn't concerned about wear...... :what:
 
Some have argued that the N frames aren't strong enough for 44mag (they're strong enough for what I load). I wouldn't think having less meat in the cylinder and forcing cone areas does them any favors.

ACP and +P ACP will be fine, and I'd think Supers to some extent are fine, but general consensus is too stay away from stout loads generating 44mag levels of pressure in a 45 bore Smith.
 
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