45 Long Colt Options

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Leaky Waders

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Hi,

I saved a little money and my wife has given me the green light to get another 45 long colt.

Anyways, presently I have an old vaquero with power custom parts. It's a fun gun to shoot. I got it for the built in safety factor as I learn to reload.

Now, I'm considering adding a colt 4 3/4 new colt saa or a mountain gun s&w's. Basically check out all of my options...

Does the ejector star on the mountain gun get hung up sometimes on the ejected brass?

Is there really a noticeable feel between rugers and colts (there does seem to be a different feel to me, but maybe I'm bias or not comparing similar sized grips...)

If you had a choice between a newly manufactured black powder frame and a newly manufactured second + generation frame, which one would you get and why?

I wish Hickok45 could do a video comparison...instead I'll start looking at local gun stores and see what they have in stock.

L.W.
 
"...a Colt 4 3/4 new Colt SAA or a mountain gun S&W's..." Wouldn't be either. Anything with 'Colt' on it will cost more. $1300 plus for a 4 3/4" SA, retail. Certainly not a black powder frame. Far too limiting.
A Smith Model 25 Classic could trick me though. Even though the thing won't fit my hand. MSRP isn't cheap either.
"...built in safety factor as I learn to reload..." No such thing. Reloading safety, like shooting safety, is in your head. Reloading isn't rocket science. Follow your manual religiously and you'll be fine. Any questions you may have can be answered on the reloading forum.
 
Does the ejector star on the mountain gun get hung up sometimes on the ejected brass?
Click to expand...

I don't have a mountain gun, but I have another N-frame S&W .45 Long Colt. It ejects cleanly, but I have "service" type grips on it without a big shoulder on the horn. It is going to depend upon what kind of grips you put on it - some of those big squishy oversize rubber grips might cause that. But inherent in the design of the gun, no, it is no problem.
 
A couple of months ago, I thought I was interested in a .44 mag revolver.

The experience of a friend who purchased a 629 cured that interest.

Now, I'm considering a .45 Long Colt, instead.

I'll follow this just to learn.
 
Here's a picture of the mountain gun... I think you should buy it.

S&W%20160932_large.jpg


Here's the Ruger Redhawk in .45 LC

5027.jpg
 
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"...experience of a friend who purchased a 629 cured that interest..." What happened? Just curious.
A .44 Mag can be loaded to .44 Special velocities. Just like a .357 Mag can be loaded to .38 Special velocities. Either way, .44's are big revolvers. They have to fit your hand. 629's aren't very forgiving that way. Ruger SuperRedhawks are. Great big buggers with the same grip size as a GP100.
"...considering a .45 Long Colt, instead..." Still a big cartridge. Difference is the velocity of the bullet. The revolver still has to fit your hand.
 
What happened? Just curious.
A .44 Mag can be loaded to .44 Special velocities. Just like a .357 Mag can be loaded to .38 Special velocities.
Click to expand...
Too much recoil to be of value for practice. To each his own. If people like .44 mag, more power to them. Not my cup.

.357 mag is tolerable. .44 mag is not of use in this case, and in reality, not needed by me.

Bear defense in AK? I'll take a large caliber carbine.

For a large bore revolver, I'm looking at .45 Colt. Good enough for me.
 
Proper grips and technique make a world of difference when shooting any centerfire handgun, especially a .44 magnum.
 
Granted. My friend is a very experience shooter.

It's not that he "couldn't". It's that he chooses not to.

Some things are just not worth the effort.

But back on topic, which is .45 Long Colt.
 
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Hmm, I wonder what I would buy...

IMG_3430.jpg

The 625MG, actually, the 625-7 top above, was my first-ever S&W. My wife shocked me with it - bought it new for me 8/02. I had sold my Ruger BH .45 Conv to fund it's purchase - got to the gunstore - and it was gone. Sold! My wife gave it to me days later on a vacation to Gulf Shores - said vacation funded then by the BH sale. I keep taking her back there, but no more S&W shockers.

I had a SRH .454 - from which I shot a lot of .45 Colts. I bought a new 5.5" RH in .45 Colt. Both, but especially that RH, would occasionally have the ejector star skip over the dimunitive rim on the Colts - never a problem with the S&W. Eventually, all of the other .45 Colts were gone - save that S&W MG - and it's older 625-6 sibling, bottom above. It was LN and a trade for my 5.5" Bisley BH in .45 Colt. It's my 'shooter' now, as the sentimental value attached to the other one prevents me from trying to wear it out. .45 Colt is the reason I started reloading over seven years ago.

Incidently, my second S&W was a 4" 625-8 in .45 ACP, eventually replaced by a 625JM nearly five years back. Frugal big-bore - buy reasonably priced ammo for it anywhere (Before 'The Hoarding' began!). Third new S&W - my 629 Mountain Gun - eventually replaced by a standard 4" 629, which I like far better. Their diet was/is from my 'kitchen': .44 Russians, Specials, and my wimpy/girley-man Magnums (Mr. Keith would cringe.). I do have some .500 Magnum Hogue monogrips for 'real' Magnums - and I've found several boxes (Rem, MagTech), oddly with 44 rounds in them, in the waste cans at the public range over the years. Never bought or reloaded 'real' Magnum level loads, however. I love my wimpy 700 fps 240gr LSWCs in .44 Russian cases from that 4" 629 - quite a 'poof' load - yet surpasses 'major' power factor requirements with ease.

The .45 Colt - like the .44 Russian/Special - is a reloader's loading - they are just too dear these days if bought commercially. If you don't reload, the .45 ACP 625JM is the frugal big bore to buy. I'll always love the .45 Colt, however... viable here as long as my basement 'factory' exists! Love my S&Ws... the Rugers are but a memory here!

Stainz
 
Thanks for the replies so far...what I meant by the safety factor in reloading is the old vaquero's ability to be loaded to ruger/contender loads via the manual.

Thanks for the review Stainz. I do like the mountain guns. If i get one mine would probably be new with 'the lock'. While I don't prefer the lock, my 686 and ladysmith both have them and it doesn't bother me. I wasn't sure about the ejector though. I had heard of some people having problems with them. Maybe it was internet hype?

What kind of brass are you using for reloads? I have starline.

To me, the flip side of the mountain gun would be the colt saa. Both of these platforms I've always wanted. Maybe I'll search for a non-lock mountain gun while i purchase a new colt now?
 
There are a lot of choices out there. I shoot a Beretta Stampede for my 45 LC. I have a friend who shoots a similar Cimarron. Nice shooters and very good looking to boot. And WAY less expensive than a Colt. No, you can't load them to 44 mag levels, as you could with a Ruger. I've never understood the appeal of doing that.
 
Well... I'm partial to the S&W in 45 Colt. Here is a picture (not of mine, but identical to mine). I prefer blued to stainless YMMV.

4053750019_2c425f0851_o.png

to Nematocyst:

The 629 is a pussy cat with medium range 44 mag loads or 44 specials. I like the added flexibility the 44 gives you on the top end.

You are dead on about the "bear" business. A bear pistol needs to be as small as possible so you don't hang up your rifle on it. :rolleyes:
 
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Yeah Nulfisin, I don't want to shoot excessive pressures either. If I want something to sting my hands I can catch a baseball without a glove or shoot 158 jhp's out of my j frame 357.

So I made my rounds to a couple of gun stores - had to pick up some more primers and bullets. They had a few colt saa's - the few they had were too gawdy for my tastes. Too much commemoration to not be stared at on the range or field. Many ubertis - some were smartly engraved or etched...I'm not too sure of their process that looked nice.

One shop had the mountain gun, or it's look alike in 45 acp. I was so ready to handle it until I saw the acp on the tag through the glass. I mean it's hard enough for me to walk past the 1911's but to throw that thing out there just makes it harder to stay focussed.
 
I used Georgia Arms .45 Colts for some time - they use Starline brass. I do have a mix of others. Seriously, I don't remember either of my 625MGs ever skipping a rim and jamming a la the Redhawk. It's ejector drooped moore, yielding the jam when you were in a hurry and emptied horizontally. With the muzzle almost vertical, I never had a problem in either the SRH or RH. Of course, .45 Schoffield brass (Starline) has a real rim and never gets skipped over in either Ruger.

The 625JM is a 4" full lug in .45 ACP, while the traditional looking partial lugged Mountain Gun look is available in the 'Classic' S&W remakes like the 22 and 1917. Neat lookers, but blued guns get very old looking rapidly around me, so I prefer SS.

Stainz
 
Keep in mind that the Army went to a larger-rimmed version of the .45 Colt when they used a DA .45 Colt, the M-1909. The small rim on the .45 does bother me in a DA gun.

I'm sure that the S&W's work most of the time, but all of my guns HAVE to be as reliable as possible. None is intended solely for recreational shooting.

Lone Star
 
All 45 Colt Ruger or S&W revolvers are great guns. Colts aren't for shooting anymore. Just collecting. My two Colt SAs aren't in the picture, just the safe. I've also got a 4" Redhawk that's not in the picture. All guns in the picture are 45 Colt.
45Colt01.jpg
 
I can recommend either of these. I want a Redhawk in .45 Colt.

S&W 25-5 and Colt Anaconda

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I used Georgia Arms .45 Colts for some time - they use Starline brass. I do have a mix of others. Seriously, I don't remember either of my 625MGs ever skipping a rim and jamming a la the Redhawk. It's ejector drooped moore, yielding the jam when you were in a hurry and emptied horizontally. With the muzzle almost vertical, I never had a problem in either the SRH or RH. Of course, .45 Schoffield brass (Starline) has a real rim and never gets skipped over in either Ruger.
Click to expand...

So use .45 S&W (.45 Schofield) brass and load it to .45 ACP pressures. (not a good idea if you also have an old top-break)
 
I've owned a Vaquero, two New Vaqueroa, a Blackhawk, a Accusport Bisley, a Redhawk 4" and a Mountain Gun (blued) in 45colt. I only kept the Mountain Gun. The Redhawk has always seemed like an ideal platform for the 44mag cartridge, but a bit to heavy for the 45colt unless you are shooting the 300+ grain death loads. That isn't a 45colt, that's a 45magnum. The New Vaqueros are nicely balanced, but I like the feel of the original Vaquero although it is a bit on the heavy side. The Accusport was nice, but I really dislike the bisley grip feel. The Blackhawk was to ungainly, and felt awkward to me. The 25-5 with a 4" barrel was very nice, but muzzle heavy. The Mountain Gun was just right (do I sound like Goldilocks at this point) with a nice balance, light weight, and very pointable. I would prefer something like a S&W 22-4 Thunder Ranch, only in 45colt, but they don't make one at this point.

I said all of that to preface this comment. I think the beauty of the 45colt cartridge is that it works well for critters (2 or 4 legged) without having to push the pressure and velocity to magnum levels. You can amp it up if you like, and that's fine, but an amped up 38special is basically a 357. An amped up 40S&W is basically a 10mm, and an amped up 45colt is basically a 454cas. It's hard to tell where the line is, sometimes, but why buy a firearm intended for one cartridge and push it to do the work of another. The 45colt in a Mountain Gun is an ideal match, for me, because the gun is strong enough for the cartridge, but not overbuilt to handle mega loads, and that makes it light and handy.

I love Rugers for their durability. A 44mag Redhawk or Super Blackhawk is a perfect combination, to me. I think S&W should take a pointer from Ruger and beef up their model 29's so there was no concern of shooting them loose. But it would be nice to see Ruger learn from S&W and make a lighter DA 45colt revolver that was a little lighter than the Redhawk. Until then, it's the Mountain Gun for me.
 
I love the 4" barrel - it's long enough to use at 100yd, if you can do your part, yet short enough to holster carry easily. My two greatest regrets with the MGs are the laser-etched barrel writing - easily 'erased' with agressive cleaning/light polishing - and the black/black sights. The latter can be improved upon. I went with the heftier barrel production 4" 629 because it was available and had the larger hammer & trigger as well as better sights - no such choice with the 625 in .45 Colt. If they ever make another run of .45 ACP 625MGs, I'll quickly take my place in line to buy one.

Stainz
 
I have never understood the desire to ''magnumize'' everything. That off my chest, I own both Colt Model P and Smith & Wesson M25 in 45 Long Colt. Both shoot great. I also have 44mags in a 629 6'' and a M29 in 8''. I dont care for Mtn Guns. They feel a bit bulky. Probably because of that long grip. Most versatile handgun I own is a 629 6'' p/r.
 
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