45ACP Revolver Opinions???

[vwfool]

I have been thinking about getting a .45ACP revolver and just wanted to get some other peoples input. If you have owned or shot any of these guns in .45ACP please give me your opinion.

.45ACP/.45LC convetible Blackhawk
.45ACP/.45LC convetible Cimarron Thunderer
.45ACP/.45LC convetible 1875 Remington
2" barreled Taurus Tracker .45ACP

Any input would be great. Thanks.

Has anyone ever seen, or know where to get a .45ACP/.45LC convertible stainless Vaquero?? I have thought about having a cylinder fitted to one, but I would rather buy it all as a package deal.

 

[James Bondrock]

I have an "Old Model" (three-screw) 4 5/8" bbl .45 Blackhawk convertible. While I have not shot it extensively, it is very accurate with both .45 Colt and .45 ACP loads, shooting them pretty much to the same point of aim. The skinny trigger offset in the frame, with its creep and takeup, takes a little getting used to. If you want a convertible cylinder for that Vaquero, you will have to go aftermarket.

 

[Preacherman]

I've shot the Blackhawk and the Taurus. However, my favorite .45 ACP revolver has to be the S&W 625. I've got several of them now, and they are wonderful guns! You can also have the cylinder reamed out to accept the .460 Rowland cartridge, which gives them performance somewhere between the .41 and .44 Magnums. (You can still shoot .45 ACP ammo in the converted cylinder.)

 

[BluesBear]

Davidson's has done a couple of special runs of the .45 Convertable Vaquero.

If you already have one you can send it to back to Ruger and have a .45acp cylinder fitted.

 

[RWK]

Vwfool,

May I respectfully suggest you consider revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt, as well as for the .45 ACP, particularly if you own .45 ACP semiautomatics (1911A1s and others). I recommend this because – after MANY years carrying a 1911A1 and seven autoloaders chambered in .45 ACP – I have found the .45 “long†Colt to be a remarkable round:
a) At “low end†pressures, it has muzzle energies/velocities similar to “top end†.45 ACP defensive loads, while
b) Fully loaded and in the right, strong revolver, at “top end†pressures the .45 Colt essentially equals the .44 magnum’s muzzle velocities/energy.

One good example is my current carry load. In my Smith 625-9 Mountain Gun (chambered in .45 Colt), I currently carry Georgia Arms, 200 grain Gold Dots that provide 1100 FPS muzzle velocity. This is from a standard pressure – non +P – round, and it generally exceeds .45 ACP +P muzzle energy/velocity.

 

[Redhawk1]

You left out a good gun in your selection. I have a S&W model 625. At 25 yards I can put all the shots in a 1 inch group. One big hole in the target. Very well made gun and fun to shoot.

 

[Airboss]

.45 ACP

Just another vote for 625 Smiths.Great guns but addictive I have 4 now 3 in .45 ACP and one in .45 LC and have another M-25 comming in this week in .45LC
My Carry gun now is a 2 1/2" custom 625 and its great.No recoil and it goes bang each and every time you pull the trigger-no tap rack maybe bang.
7 to 15 yards ragged holes 25 yards groups you can cover with a cigarette pack
The 5" 625 will shoot beter than I can hold but still at 25 yards Double action2" groups are not uncommon.

 

[Tom C.]

I have several NMBHs in .45 Colt with spare .45 ACP cylinders. While they are very accurate with either cylinder and many different loads, I tend to use the .45 Colt cylinders.
I also have a S&W 25-2 in .45 ACP. It is much more fun. I use the same 200 gr. SWC loads I use for IPSC in my 1911.

 

[hillbilly]

Ssssssssssmith...........Sssssssssmith..........Ssssssmith 625.........preeeeeeciosssss

hillbilly

 

[JoeHatley]

I Bisleyised this.45 Blackhawk Convertible a few years ago. Tons of fun and about as versatile as you can get.



Before you buy, you may want to also check out the S&W 625 line. Some of the finest production revolvers made.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[ACP230]

Although they aren't as strong as the Ruger Blackhawks or the Smith 625s, the old 1917 .45 ACP revolvers are interesting, fun to shoot guns.
I bought one that was made for Brazil in 1938 and brought back to the US in the 1980s. I used it to shoot pins, in PPC style matches, to hunt small game, and as a house gun. I haven't shot it much recently but that may change at any time.

They are a bit more expensive and harder to find these days, but they are still around. I just saw one on some gun board or other for a reasonable price.

 

[DonP]

Cimarron 1873 convertible

I picked up a used model at the local shop. I wasn't really looking for a revolver but it was a great deal and I loved the idea of being able to practice with the same ammo I used in my 1911.

Instead it got me into reloading the 45 colt ammo and it cost me lots of money for new toys, I mean equipment. Now, of course, I have to get a complete CAS outfit too. Darn these guns making me buy this stuff.

Mine shoots great with both 45 Colt and 45 ACP. Very easy to change cylinders on the model I have a push putton releases the cylinder at half cock and you roll the old one out and the new one in. It takes less than a minute once you get the hang of it.

Don P.

 

[snubby]

Heard in a recent gunrag that S&W just came out with a .45 ACP 2.5" bbl revolver called the M325 (I think it's a PD -- Personal Defense-- version). Anyone have any experience with this model?

 

[10-Ring]

I have access through a shooting buddy of a S&W 625 5" 45 acp that is so nice that I have had one on my wish list for a while. The only downside was to get use to the moon clips.

 

[vwfool]

Wow! Thanks to everyone.

First of all, I am already a 1911 nut. Always have been; always will. Although I haven't shot one, I have always liked what I have seen and heard about Model 25's, 625's, and 1917's. I remember getting excited when they started to import the 1917's from Brazil; however to this day I still have yet to run across one. It's hard to find any .45ACP wheelgun in my town, with possibly the exception of a Blackhawk.

I also became a fan of .45 Colt many years ago when the cowboy action bug bit me. In fact one of my all time favorite fun guns to shoot was a '94 Trapper in .45 Colt. Loved the gun but I could never get over that gawdawful ugly push-button safety, so I sold it.

:banghead: Why the didn't Winchester make the current tang safety 10 years ago. Oh well, now I have a good reason to buy another one.


JoeHatley,

It is funny that you mentioned Bisleying a your Blackhawk. That is my plan if I get another Ruger. Always liked the Ruger Bisley but never liked the barrel lengths they offered. I think I will do what you did to your 4 5/8 Blackhawk (hopefully with a 3 screw model) for now due to some cost limitations. THANKS A LOT FOR THE PICTURE, JOE. LOOKS GOOD. You should check out Vintage Industries for some grips. I'll post the site later tonight.

Some day I 'll finally get my 3 1/2 inch and my 7 1/2 inch stainless Bisley Vaqueros, but for now it will have to wait.

 

[P0832177]

Although not listed as an option for you, the S&W 625 is the gun to get! And, well you simply put can not find a finer gun! Now with the advent of the RIMZ, full moon polymer clips, the gun is even more fun to shoot! They come with a full lug barrel that makes the gun balance perfectly. And, should the competition bug bite! The 4" would work for IPDA or pins! I have gone through 5 of them so far! IMHO you will not be disappointed!

 

[SnWnMe]

Don't even mess around with these Rugers. Get a SIX TWO FIVE. It's one of those Smiths that hardly anybody dislikes. The 4" rules SSR in IDPA and the 5" is a great pin gun.

Moonclips are about a buck each. Get 20 of them.

 

[valnar]

Nuthin' wrong with Rugers, but the Smith 625 is the one to get.

Robert

 

[seadog]

Another vote for the 625. I love mine!