45acp Revolver

I have the 625 5" Bbl. w/full underlug that was dropped
from production 1/1/2008 My favorite revolver Not stressed
with the low pressure .45 ACP compared to the Magnum N
frames. It's 45 oz. the current offereing 625JM has the Mlacek
grips and is 42 oz. You can find them on gunbroker and you
won't lose much - course with a S&W long term they have gone
up. Depends on the model. I think the best way to carry my
5" Bbl. would be a vertical shoulder rig. If i were on a walk about
in the woods with my lever 1894 it wouldn't bang against
a strongside holster. Nice big range gun.

The other to consider is the Model 22 4" Bbl with fixed sights in .45
ACP so it's a M&P on Steroids. lighter in the forward frame and slender
barrel it's only 36.8 oz.

Full moon clips, it will also fire .45 AUto RIm you can get heavy SWC loads
from buffalo Bore and Double Tap.


Randall

I recently acquired one of the new 625 JM models. So, like you I spent some time searching for one. I do not think you will have any problem reselling it if you so chose, it is a popular model. I also have the 325 Night Guard, which I carry quite often. Ruger also makes a model that you can swap out the cylinders and have either .45 acp or .45 lc. There may be Taurus model with out there as well, but the Smiths seem to be easier to come by, at least when I was hunting one. Good luck.

I picked up a pre-owned SW 625-3. Great gun. Very accurate, the weight really dampens the recoil. More fun to shot than my XD 45. It does take a little time getting use to "mooning" and "de-mooning".

TuckerNielson Hello all,

I am a new enthusiast and I've always had a softspot for wheel guns. I am however limited to 45acp -

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Nothing wrong with that cartridge, accurate and plentiful.

So I believe my only option is a SW 625.

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In double action revolvers there are quite a few options, if you are open to getting a used revolver. Colt and S&W have been making 45ACP wheelguns since 1917 and Taurus maded a few in the 1990s. The are also more than a few custom 45ACP revolvers made from S&W M28s that are worth considering.

My preference is for the older S&W M25-2.



Built by S&W as a target revolver, it is an accurate platform that performs well on targets and game. They were discontinued in the last century but occassionly they show up on the market.

This is my CCW



A reworked S&W M28-2. The barrel was rebored and rifled to .452, The original cylinder was replaced with one cut for the ACP cartidge. I built this one in the late 70s, long before the Mountain revolver was offered by S&W.

I can't find any gun shops in my area that has one for rent. So my question is, what is the general consensus of this gun?

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I have never used one of the 625s but if they are built like the older models, they should be top shelf. If you can rent an N frame in 44 Special or 45 COlt, the handling characteristics should be the same.

If I buy one and find that it isn't my cup of tea, is there a strong used market for this gun?

Thanks in advance,

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In my neck of the woods, 45 ACP revolvers do not stay for sale very long.

Good luck, the ACP is never a bad choice.

How about an original M1917? I regularly see them sell on Gunbroker, et all, for less than the "classic" re-issue.

I bought a very, very nice M1917 for less than the cost of a classic version. My gun, with carefully installed new rubber grips, looks like it's a year old, it's so nice. Why get a copy when you can have an original for a lower price?

You can't beat the 625JM for a real value in a current stock new S&W. It has the Miculek grips mentioned earlier - and a spring-loaded front sight, for fast changes. Mine, below, has the Classic/DX style HiViz sight as it's only visible change - one that takes seconds without tools (Most front sight changes require a pin to be punched out, a replacement sight to be drilled, and a new pin fitted.). The moonclips are $35/100 delivered from Ranch Products' You can load five levels of at least 21 loaded moonclips in a metal .223 ammo can - that's 105 clips - 630 rounds!



Stainz

Love the 625. After acquiring it back around 1990 I won a couple of 1911's. Still love the 625 and could really care less about the 1911's. One is going to my son the other to market. 625 stays.

Stupid question: do moon clips affect revolver reliability? Any chance that they increase FTF or allow light primer strikes?

thanks!

No, because the cartridges are still supported by a shoulder in the chambers. For that matter, the clips are not needed to fire the revolver, just for case extraction.

The Lone Haranguer No, because the cartridges are still supported by a shoulder in the chambers. For that matter, the clips are not needed to fire the revolver, just for case extraction.

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LH from what I hear, some of the newer S&W have the cylinder bored stright through. On those the clips are needed for headspacing as they are needed in the Colt 1917 model. But the clips do not cause reliability problems if properly used and not bent.

I have a 625JM and love it. It's also the handgun I am most accurate with. I am not positive about re-sale value, but I do know the local gun shop would LOVE to have more and when they get one in stock, it's gone very, very quickly.

my absolute favorite gun of all time is my 1917 S&W....even over my beloved Hi-Powers [depending on time of day,and fullness of the moon]. Combining as it does,the easy to reload,versatile .45acp cartridge,with the swift reloading of the moon clip,NO loss of valuable brass, together with the reliability of the revolver.What's not to like?

No, because the cartridges are still supported by a shoulder in the chambers.

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LH from what I hear, some of the newer S&W have the cylinder bored stright through.

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Actually, you are both wrong.

Older S&W's, prior to the frame mounted firing pin, (1917, 1950, 25, early 625, etc) were chambered & headspaced correctly, and could be fired without clips to support the cartridges.

Now, they still have chambers with shoulders & reduced diameter throats as always. They are not "bored straight through.

But they are chambered with excess headspace, and the frame mounted firing pin can't reach them.

In fact, my 625-6 & my buddies 625JM are chambered so deep, I doubt if a hammer mounted FP could reach them reliably.

Why this was done after making them right for 80 years is anyones guess.

My guess is, cylinder fitting is not as critical if headspace is not held to spec, and it is cheaper to make them that way.

Doesn't make it right though!

rc

I haven't fired a 625 or an original or new-production 1917. I've read that Jerry Miculek likes his pretty well , as do quite a few folks here at THR.

The 4" Thunder Ranch model 22-4 (blued, with fixed sights) is a lovely revolver and a lot of fun to shoot.

woad yurt said:

I bought a very, very nice M1917 for less than the cost of a classic version. My gun, with carefully installed new rubber grips, looks like it's a year old, it's so nice. Why get a copy when you can have an original for a lower price?

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and

Stainz said:

You can't beat the 625JM for a real value in a current stock new S&W.

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I think that they're both right. It's hard to go wrong with an N-frame Smith in .45ACP.

Welcome to The High Road, Tucker.

Tucker, if you like single action, Ruger makes a version of their Blackhawk that can switch between .45acp and .45 colt. Might be worth checking out.

Here's my gun porn, a 625-2 that has Belgian proof marks and locks up like a bank vault. Can you be disappointed with a 625 ... I don't think so.

Had a S&W Model 25-6", sold it because the half-moon clips were a colossal pain; loved the accuracy (originally developed as a large-caliber competition target weapon, I hear); big brawny brute in 45ACP, but I was happy to trade it even for a S&W Model 19 .357 Magnum, which I still have and love.

Location?

Tucker,
Where are you located?
If you are in the PNW, I would be happy to set you up with a test drive.

Best,
Gary

Hey Danno1125 sorry you and the 25 didn't get along. With full moon clips reloads are lightening fast and never a problem - heck a lot of guys have their 'other' revolvers converted to take moon clips just because they so fast to fill a cylinder and are a pleasure to use. Then again I love N frame S&W's - yes big and brawny but they'll shoot full house loads all day and forever without shaking loose and without punishing your wrist too much. That said the 19's a really nice model too so long as you don't feed it a steady diet of magnums

BLIND JUSTICE - "The other to consider is the Model 22 4" Bbl with fixed sights in .45
ACP so it's a M&P on Steroids. lighter in the forward frame and slender
barrel it's only 36.8 oz."

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Just this past weekend one of my gun show buddies showed me his Model 22, 4" .45 ACP. Although I was unable to shoot it, handled it quite often over the weekend when we had tables together at the Boise Gun Show. With a good holster and belt, that revolver would be very packable out in the boonies.

I really liked how it felt in hand. That's the way I'd go, if I were buying a revolver in .45 ACP. (He also got 900 rounds of new, unfired .45 Auto Rim brass along with it. Such a deal!)

L.W.

Just as another option, you can get a SAA with a 45ACP cylinder.

Please reconsider buying a Blackhawk convertible in .45 - they are cruel and infectious!! Seriously, I thought, what a great way to shoot up some of my then gone G21's stash of ammo - wrong! I had to try the stinking .45 Colt cylinder - and some 'cowboy' loads. The horror. Soon, I had more SA and even DA .45s - a levergun, too. It was the cartridge I started reloading for - how evil can one simple gun be?? I blame it on that convertible Blackhawk. I should have tossed that .45 Colt cylinder... or just bought a 25/625 to begin with.

Yeah, that's the sane answer - buy a 22, 25, 625, or 1917... which ever one you want... cash in the kid's college fund - maybe he can be chief fry guy at McD's - just do it. You'll thank me later.

Stainz

I have two M-25s (four and six inch) in 45 LC and a 3 1/2" M-25 in 45acp.
Nah, I don't think too much of those N-frames.

I have 2 625's...a 3 inch and a 5 inch...both model of 1989. Love them both, but the 5 inch is the most accurate gun I own. I will never sell either one.