.45 Colt revolver recommendations ... (maybe even a classic)?

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MCMXI

MCMXI

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I recently purchased a pair of USFA SAA revolvers in .45 Colt but realize that they're not suitable for shooting loads intended for Blackhawks, Redhawks and T/Cs. I also purchased a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited rifle in .45 Colt and it's my understanding that I can shoot loads with 30,000 psi ratings with that so now I'd like to pick up a double action revolver such as the S&W 625 Mountain Gun. That way I can load for CAS and shoot light loads in the SAA revolvers and the Marlin, then I can load +P type ammunition to shoot in a double action revolver and the Marlin. Am I correct in assuming that all S&W revolvers come with locks now?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I should add, is there a "classic" revolver in .45 Colt that I should consider as well. I'm not adverse to buying a good, used revolver.

:)
 
If you like the "P" mod. Colt grip frame consider FA's mod. 97 in .45 Colt.
It will handle "Ruger only" +P loads, albeit a handful.
Mine has the 4.75" barrel. It's a delight for carrying/hog hunting all day.
 
1858,

While a '629CL' would normally imply a 629 Classic DX, a .44 Magnum, your link does lead to a recent S&W25 - a .45 Colt. Please keep in mind that the 25/625 series are built on the .45 ACP frame, etc, and thus must be rated at 21-22 kPSI, rather than the standard .45 Colt 14 kPSI. Still, not 30 kPSI, so be careful what you feed it if you don't want, at the very least, to stretch the frame. Probably the thin metal between the cylinder stop notches and the chamber ID walls is more limiting there, too.

I owned a 5.5" SS .45 Redhawk for years. It never matched one of my 625MGs in accuracy at 25 yd. It was not dependable, gave odd ftf's with Fed primers and stock springs. The loose and floppy ejector rod/star will occasionally skip over a small .45 Colt rim, not a problem in the S&Ws, and produce a fun 'jam' to clear before it leaves the 'paperweight' status. Ruger's best .45, from the myriad I've owned, is the .454 SRH, certainly capable of any .45 Colt level, but even my 7.5" seemed huge. Still, it has a far better trigger than the RH - still no 625MG, of course.

Stainz

PS Do what you want re the S&W Infernal Lock, but, to me, it is a non-issue - even my EDC 642-2 has one, as do most of my S&Ws - never a problem.
 
huntershooter, thanks ... I took a look at the Freedom Arms website and learned something new today. I hadn't realized that .45 Colt ammunition can be fired in a .454 Casull so that gives me a few more options. I was really surprised that S&W and Ruger only offer ONE .45 Colt revolver each. S&W doesn't offer any .454 Casull revolvers!! Ruger offers three revolvers in .454 Casull/.45 Colt but the target versions are hideous and I can only imagine the recoil from the KSRH-2454 (Super Redhawk Alaskan)!! :eek: I think Freedom Arms may be the way to go but they're kind of expensive. Is that it for choices ... S&W, Ruger and FA? I'll have to do some digging ... there must be other American made revolvers available.

Stainz, where do you find pressure rating specifications for revolvers? I couldn't find any information on the S&W web page. How are we supposed to know what a revolver can or can't do if the manufacturers aren't providing the information? Thanks for the heads up re the 629CL.

:)
 
If you like the Ruger, get it - stronger than the Smith. However, if you're lucky enough to find an Anaconda in .45 Colt, I don't think you'll be sorry.
 
Please keep in mind that the 25/625 series are built on the .45 ACP frame, etc, and thus must be rated at 21-22 kPSI, rather than the standard .45 Colt 14 kPSI. Still, not 30 kPSI, so be careful what you feed it if you don't want, at the very least, to stretch the frame. Probably the thin metal between the cylinder stop notches and the chamber ID walls is more limiting there, too.
Click to expand...

Ditto. The Mountain Gun is not up to Ruger or TC level loads. Get a Ruger Redhawk for that. You could also get a S&W .460 :). You can shoot .45 Colt and .454 in a .460, just be sure to clean the chambers well afterwards.
 
That was basically on the .45 ACP 25/625 - these questions re the .45 Colt variants. Some of the best writers of today, like Quinn, Linebaugh, and Taffin, have written on the S&W .45 Colts. I prefer mine - a 625-6 (bottom, below) shooter and my first-ever S&W, a gift from my wife, a 625-7 (top, below). Both are 'Mountain Guns' - and highly 'packable'. Also shown are a 200gr LRNFP .45 Schofield, 255gr LSWC, and 250gr Gold Dot JHP.

I traded a 5.5" SS Bisley BH .45 for the second 625MG - a great trade. It's arrival spelled doom for my 5.5" SS .45 Redhawk - it soon left, as did my Vaquero. My MGs are my only .45 Colts now. The S&W .45 Colt MG was last made new in '06 - my local 'pusher' still has one new in stock.

IMG_0211.gif

Stainz
 
Putting Quinn with the other two is a bit over the top since he gets most of what he writes from them and others....the USFA's are also up to the 22,000psi loads, but why anyone needs more than a 250-270grSWC at 1000fps is beyond me, unless grizzly, kodiak, or hunting large dangerous game outside the continental US is planned....a 250-270gr bullet at 1000fps sails right through most any critter...even factory loads are fine for black bear.
 
I recently bought one of the latest S&W Mountain Guns in .45 Colt. I have put about 500 rounds through it. I have had no problems with this one and it is very accurate. I only use moderate to light loads(I am a hand loader). It has the dreaded IL but I have just ignored it and it has been no problem. This one was the only one I saw in any shop in my area. I sat there for several months. I was surprised at that but guess that large framed S&W revolvers in .45 Colt are not widely appealing to most typical handgun buyers. I like mine and it is one my favorite revolvers. They made some back in the early 90's I believe but I rarely see any available used. It is a good bit lighter than the Redhawk and is more comfortable to carry for me. It won't take the really heavy loads but I have a Blackhawk in .45 Colt for that. I don't have much use for the really heavy loads in that caliber. A 250 gr. LSWC at 850 fps does anything I need it to here. I use Silvertip or Speer HP factory loads for SD. The .45 Colt is a wonderful cartridge for a reloader. It was originally a black powder cartridge load and it still a very good performer with black powder. There aren't too many handgun rounds that one can say that about that one can get in a DA revolver! Good luck with your quest...
 
I think you will find both 454 Casul and 45 Colt can also be fired in a gun chambered for the 460 S&W. Which of course gives you a gun that can really go from very mild to extremely wild!:eek:
 
I think you will find both 454 Casul and 45 Colt can also be fired in a gun chambered for the 460 S&W.
Click to expand...

I took a look at the S&W 460 but I don't care for the look of the compensator at the end of the barrel. Personally, I like the classic look of the S&W Mountain gun. I use 231 for handgun calibers (I'm using Trail Boss for the Marlin and USFA revolvers) so according to the loading data from Hodgdon shown below, I could shoot Hornady 200 gr or 250 gr jacketed bullets at respectable velocities.

45colt4.jpg


I really want a DA revolver and not another SA one so that basically rules out BFR and FA. Also, I don't want a barrel longer than 5".
 
then I can load +P type ammunition to shoot in a double action revolver and the Marlin.
Click to expand...

If you wanna shoot the high pressure stuff, you'd better not even think Smith and Wesson. The only DA I can think of off hand other than X frames (and your Marlin is lighter than an X frame:rolleyes) is the Redhawk. If you wanna go to 30,000 CUP in a DA gun, don't think anything else, but Redhawk.

There is one other option, the .454 Raging Bull. It's a big gun, but I don't think (not real sure) as heavy as a friggin' X frame. The Redhawk is a pocket pistol compared to an X frame. The Raging Bull is ported, though. I don't like ports, either. If I wanted a DA .45, I'd go with a Redhawk.

Carried my Blackhawk today while on my place tending to things for the coming season. I was loaded with 300 grain XTPs pushed by 20 grains of 2400. Don't need no stinkin' big, heavy DA revolver. :D My 40 ounce Blackhawk will be here with an N frame has turned to dust. And, accurate just ain't the right descriptive word. Someday, I'll have me an FA, but until then, the Blackhawk is all I need in this caliber, though I do have a TC Contender barrel for it.

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=234&category=Revolver

454SS5M.jpg
 
+1 for MCgunner

It's not the frame of a 25/625 that limits it's presssure capacity
it's the thin cylinder walls between the cylinders as
well as the distance toward the outside of the cylinder.
The Frames of N-frames don't vary by much... but you could
bulge a cylinder with a .45 Colt Blackhawk/TC rated load.

Find me a reference of an expert who would be alarmed
shooting .45 ACP +P in a 25/625

I've just ordered some
Double Tap .45 ACP 200 gr. SPeer Gold Dot
rated by DT @ 1,125 GPS and it states it is just
under +P pressure ( which is 23,000 ).

Double Tap also sells .45 Auto RIm 255 gr. SWC @ 900 FPS
DT claims at 16,000 psi I've seen similiar loads from
Reeds Ammo & Research - R.A.R. also limits heavy .45 Colt
loads to Blackhawk & T?"C only.

Nice to know about the Marlin 1894 - I also have one in
.45 Colt but I'm getting it converted this winter to .45 Auto RIm
since I have a 625 and a bunch of .45 A%R ammo.

Randall
 
Just a nit.... the 25 'Classic' in .45 Colt is a friggin joke to be
called that since the 25 wasn't chambered for the round
until the mid-80s - a Classic 25 should be .45 ACP/AR.

R-
 
i have a Walker 1847. I put a R&D cylinder in it to shoot 45 Colt. Staying with Original stuff. I loaded up some 45colt Winchester brass, Winchester primers, Goex 35grains Black powder, Lead cast 255 grain round nose bullets. I also had bought a box of remington Express 45 colt. I started out shooting the 45 Colt black powder rounds. They were a blast to shoot. Very accurate, lot a smoke a real head turner. Large blast Not bad on recoil. Comparable to loading cap and ball lighter than loading max cap and ball for sure. (original cap and ball loads for a walker were 55grains of goex behind a .452 round ball. So then i switched over to the remington express. Thinking this may be a lot stronger. To my amazment the recoil was a lot less. Felt like i was shooting something way smaller than a 45. Accuracy was par. For sure if you serious into 45 colts the only way to go for revolvers is Black Powder. This is the way the cartridge was designed for in the first place. Its much better than shooting smokeless. Anyone who tries it would also agree. After i shot up the box of remington now they only get load with Goex.
 
16 inches of power 4 1/2lbs originally designed to shoot 60grains of black powder behind a .452 round ball. Today i load her up with 45 Colt.

IMG_1899-1.jpg
 
Just a nit.... the 25 'Classic' in .45 Colt is a friggin joke to be
called that since the 25 wasn't chambered for the round
until the mid-80s - a Classic 25 should be .45 ACP/AR.
Click to expand...

Actually, the S&W Model 25 was first chambered in .45 Colt in 1977.
 
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