Which .45 ACP Revolver?

The New Vaquero works for me.

Conelrad

I have the Blackhawk convertible and really like it. It shoots both calibers better than I can hold, and is a great woods carry gun.

Can’t go wrong with a S&W 625. Be like Jerry.

ATLDave said:

Can’t go wrong with a S&W 625. Be like Jerry.

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<nodding> S&W (6)25 would be my choice. Don't currently know any Jerrys, though.

JMHO so take it as such.

45 ACP makes very little sense in a single action gate loaded revolver. It brings no advantage other than if the owner is already heavily invested in the cartridge.

45 ACP in a double action revolver on the other hand is the fastest reloading revolver going. Moonclips for rimless cartridges are more robust than rimmed cartridges. The short fat cartridges eject cleanly and short fat cartridges with round nose bullets load quickly. The 625 is likely the fastest reloading revolver going. It is also one of my most fun.



If you're weight constrained then look at the Scandium framed 325. If you like the old school look find a Model 25 in 45 ACP (45 Colts version can be converted to fire both). If you want even more cartridge flexibility look at S&W Governor to add both 45 Colt and 410 shotshells to the 45 ACP. And if you want a boat anchor look at the Ruger Redhawk in 45 ACP/ 45 COLT.

I would go with a stainless Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible.

I have a couple 625’s other than gun games where they are “it”, I’d carry a 1911/2011 or some other semiauto 45.

I really like the S&W 625! After looking at the Redhawk convertible and 625 I decided I liked the 625 better and also decided I would rather have a very accurate .45 acp revolver than a ho-hum accuracy convertible. I was saving up to buy one when a Dan Wesson 744 came along at a too good to pass up price and I abandoned the 625... for now. I too wanted a .45 acp revolver because I already reload .45 acp and didn't want to have to setup another Dillon head for a new cartridge. I ended up setting up a .44 mag Dillon head.

For a gun to carry in the woods I really like my XD mod 2 in .45 acp. It is much lighter than the 625 or Redhawk and holds considerably more rounds. What shocked me about the XD mod 2 was how good the trigger is and how comfortable the grip is. ...but it obviously will not satisfy a revolver itch.

You must have and be familiar with the 1911 type since you have lots of 45acp.You also said the western bug.I suggest the Ruger Blackhawk convertible.
I’ve had mine for decades and thousands of rounds.I bought it used.there just isn’t a better all around woods gun shot shells to heavy big game rounds.

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Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!

I have a Model 25, shoot it on a regular basis, 99%of the time in single action. I have a ROA, and all three cylinders to go with it. 45C, 45ACP and the cap and ball. I have access to a Uberti Cattleman, AKA, Colt SAA, with both cylinders. I also have a Gold Cup, which is a single action auto loader. I guess my point is unless one is in a speed contest or a gun fight single action is more conducive to accuracy. JMHO.I might also add in the hands if a competent pistol shooter either cartridge is capable of some pretty serious accuracy. Power factor edge goes to the 45C.

Definitely 625. With a big ol' box of moonclips. You can even get the JM model if you want.

I have a 1970's era S&W 25-2 "Model of 1955" Target and a post-lock model 22-4 (copy of the M1917) but neither of those is really what I would pack hunting. One of these years I want to get a 4" Miculek S&W. Don't know why I haven't yet.

Guess I'm old fashioned. Don't like semi- auto cartridges' in revolvers. Too many fine semi-auto's out there. I don't compete , so super fast reloading is not a concern for me. Plus moon clips are just another part to lose or damage.

I came across this 625 in a local shop this summer. Had my eye out for a while, and and you dont see them to often around here. Model of 1989.

Who ever had it last had backed the strain screw out, which made for a super light "custom" DA trigger in the shop, but in reality, gave a couple of misfires every cylinder until I figured out what was going on and turned it back in. Works great now, and has a DA trigger Im more accustomed to.




Shoots great too!

This is a couple of cylinders full at 10 yards, DAO.


It is kind of touchy about what moon clips it likes though, and so far, thats the chrome clips from the Revolver Shop. The others Ive tried, plastic and metal, all seem to not want to seat properly. All of them drop right in my 1917 S&W, but my 625 and Governor both seem to be picky, and only like the RS clips, which seems a little odd.

Well, I gotta suggest Old School. I am very, very happy with my S&W and Colt 1917s, and shaved Webley MkVI. Also love my customized Colt NS in .45 LC.

I do consider moon clips a major disadvantage of the 625 or any .45 acp revolver (except I think <strike>Tarus</strike> Charter arms makes a .45 acp revolver that doesn't require moon clips).

There is something extremely therapeutic about thumbing rounds into a revolver chamber one at a time. The rounds just feel good in my hands and the slowness of one round at a time is just relaxing to me. If I just wanted to slap a bunch of rounds into a gun and go a semi auto is the way to go.

I really have to say that one less cartridge to stock / reload for is a really big driving factor for me! I did look at the 625 in .45 lc quite hard.

I like my S&W Model 625 and I also like my Ruger Blackhawk 45 convertible. I shoot both of them well (for an older guy).

The Blackhawk doesn't need moon clips. It handles 45acp just as easily as 45 colt.

I don't really NEED moonclips for my 625. It's easy to dump the empties out. If I give the butt a tap, typically five of the empties will drop out and the other one will be most of the way out. Occasionally I have to actually use a fingernail. For SD I would use moonclips. For anything else they're not necessary. I can't imagine needing a reload while hunting.

I also have a Charter Arms snubby that holds the rims with little springy things. It's a cool idea and works fine, though it isn't as fast to unload as regular cartridges, IIRC.


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I was originally looking for a 25 in 45 Colt. Ill still probably pick one up too if I come across one.

I can just drop the 45acp's into the cylinder on the 625. They just have to be pulled out by hand after being shot, as the ejector star wont pick them up. They shoot fine when loaded that way too.

And, there is always go with 45 auto rim too.

Im always on the lookout for a 547 at a "reasonable" price too. 9mm with no moon clips and they eject.

Moon clips are the way to go though.

shootstraight57 said:

...I also have and I guess the western bug from the movies got to me. LOL
It can be of single or double action...

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Sorry but a modern double action revolver doesn't have much to do with the old West. A more traditionally styled single action revolver, with an accessory cylinder chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge would be closer to satisfying the motivation you describe above.

Dave

I really like the Ruger BH convertible in .45 Colt/.45 acp. The S&W 25/625 in .45 acp is perhaps the best .45 acp revolver made. I have a model 1917 Colt in .45 acp that I really enjoy shooting. I prefer the .45 Colt in revolvers, but the Ruger BH convertible might be the best for your hunting needs.

S&W 1917...... DAMMIT!



Todd.

My favorite is the re-issue of the S&W Model 22:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_22

But it has fixed sights, a square butt, and is not stainless steel, so it is difficult to recommend it on a practical basis. I just like its looks. Fortunately, mine has a good trigger and shoots to point of aim for me. Grips are a problem, though. The factory grips look very good, but are not a good shape for me.

I have a 3,4,and 5 inch 625.I think they are great.