45acp revolver

[W.E.G.]

Does anyone know how the HEAD/WEB THICKNESS of 45 Auto-Rim compares to the web thickness of 45 Super?

Here's what I know about ACP versus Plus-P versus Super.

Screen-grab from a YouTube video.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Can I guess, you meant to say "left to right"?

Oops. Yup, left to right. I mess that up a lot.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have two. Unfortunately, the Ruger (Redhawk) doesn't use the same moon clips as the S&W 22-4, and they aren't as robust. As a result, it is normally loaded with .45 Colt.

 

[Monac]

I've got a pair of Brazilian M1917 S&Ws plus a Webley MkVI cut for moonclips. I mainly shoot the Webley with .45 Autorim ammo because I download my handloads with those.

One of the Brazilian's is my nightstand gun.

FWIW, I've also a couple of Pietta 1858 Remingtons with conversion cylinders counterbored to chamber .45 Autorim.

45 ACP Revolvers

Here is a fairly unique mix of revolvers shooting the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge, along with the unusual .45 Auto Rim cartridge. (text continues be...

www.youtube.com

Thanks for linking to your video, and in particular, for showing how to use that tool to remove spent cases from the full moon clip. I can get rounds into the clip OK, but I have spoiled a number of clips getting them out. I should also get one of those hand rests, at least for picking out which ammo groups best.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Thanks for linking to your video, and in particular, for showing how to use that tool to remove spent cases from the full moon clip. I can get rounds into the clip OK, but I have spoiled a number of clips getting them out. I should also get one of those hand rests, at least for picking out which ammo groups best.

Have a look around on eBay -- that de-mooner was included with a set of full moon clips I purchased there.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't have any 1917 half moons at all.

I have a couple running around here somewhere.......

 

[Walkalong]

Not in great shape, but I got it cheap, and it's fun.

 

[Antihero]

I have a 4 inch 625 model 1989 and a new 22-4 4 inch model 1950. These two pistols along with the K frames are my favorite pistols period.
Years ago I sold a 625 model 1989 with a 5” barrel and I have kicked myself ever since. If I run across another 5” at the same time that I have the jingle, well…

View attachment 1212088

View attachment 1212089
I’ve been playing with a heavy weight for reasons that would be considered crazy in the lower 48, but here I Alaska every firearm other than plinkers have a heavy bullet loading. This is for woods carry or most of the time around the homestead.
I’m playing with the 304 grain NOE in the ACP revolver can be loaded long. I load this one to 1.385 which is 1/10 longer than the standard COL of the 45ACP.
This loading is for special purposes and the standard fair is 160 grain on the light side, but I have 5 molds from 200 to 260 grain that are for every day use.
I do have a new 290 grain mold that is probably going to be a better choice than the 304.
I have picked up 500 new Remington AR cases that will be used instead of the ACP cases.

304 gr in a 45acp?!?!

Tell me more, what velocity are you getting??

 

[StrawHat]

…Go to Ranch Products (the modern inventor of the full moonclip) and buy their 625 moonclips in bulk at a huge cost savings.

Almost. When S&W decided to go with the modern full moon clip, they went to Ranch Products to have them produced. S&W provided the drawings and specifications for the 45 ACP moonclip. S&W did not want to manufacture the moonclip so they subcontracted the process to Ranch Products who still make them.

As for Mr. Jerry, his involvement came latter.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

Oh, yeah I have a good supply of Ranch Products clips, and some Wilsons.
My application has been for 6 and 2; I don't have any 1917 half moons at all.

I wish I could find my picture of some of the alternate designs by Smith. There was one that looked like it was competing with the revolver for the number of parts.

Here is the patent issued to Joseph Wesson for the original 45 ACP full moon clip.




Quite a bit more complicated than the one they introduced 7 decades later!

Kevin

 

[dickydalton]

I don’t believe it will take auto rim but it will take .45 Colt + the ACP

https://ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5050.html

Nope it won't take auto rim but my 1917 British proofed AR does.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I had a S&W Model 625 Mountain Gun in .45ACP - as I just lamented in a separate post, I wish I’d held onto it!

I had a pile of moonclips from Wilson Combat, of all places, and a demooner tool from a company I don’t recall off-hand. I carried the gun in a Barranti Leather Co. Summer Classic IWB holster and used “Moon Pouches” from Jeffrey Custom Leather to carry one or two spare moonclips.

 

[Frulk]

Man that’s a good looking leather set up right there.

 

[TheFrontRange]

@Frulk thank you!

 

[KnightHawk]

304 gr in a 45acp?!?!

Tell me more, what velocity are you getting??

Well truth be told I was doing testing and then life got in the way. But, now that winter is over so I’m wanting to get started again.
The 304 NOE actually weighs in at 317 grains which is heavy. I’m sizing .452 using BLL and seating to 1.383. I’ve been working with Bullseye and so far I’m up to 720 fps and have one more level with bullseye. I figured bullseye was going to be too fast and next up is Power Pistol and 2400.
Also I have a new mold that comes in at about 290 grains which is a weight used in the early Webley’s running about 650 fps.
I was hoping for about 850 fps with the 304.
I know that with the 290 I believe 900 fps should be doable with 2400.
Probably the idea will be the 255 Lee at about 1000 fps.

 

[Tallball]

I have a Blackhawk with a 45acp cylinder, a Charter Arms Pitbull, and a S&W 625. Different handguns for different purposes. All of them function properly.

I shoot 45acp for most of my "big bore" revolver shooting because it's inexpensive and easy to find.

Moonclips aren't necessary in any of my revolvers that shoot rimless ammo. Use them if you feel like it.

Smith And Wesson Model 625

• Tallball
• Apr 5, 2018

 

[Bullet Bob]

"Only stuff you'll find that works for Auto Rim is extremely old Smiths and Colts and, actually, those are probably the ones worth going for as modern .45 ACP DA revolvers leave a lot to be desired."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any .45 ACP double action that takes moon clips will also take Auto Rim, including modern guns like the S&W 1917 Heritage and Classic lines.

The 2001-ish Heritage model in this picture (the middle gun) doesn't leave me with anything to be desired, and shoots Auto Rim like a champ:

 

[jmorris]

I like Smith 625's(and 325's), but the prices have gotten a bit crazy on them lately.

What's the ballpark on something like that 625-8 in its box?

 

[Jim Watson]

Although the .45 Auto Rim has been magnumized in reloads, its factory load is a bit lighter than ACP.
Or used to be, I find no separate listing for Auto Rim in the current SAAMI.
CIP still has it at 1200 bar instead of 1300 ACP.

 

[entropy]

What's the ballpark on something like that 625-8 in its box?

View attachment 1212247

We have one in the case at just under $1000. It's a JM.

 

[jmorris]

At what prices are they leaving at though?

I can't sell that one, that was my best finish at natonals.



Not to mention, who wants a gun with someone else's initials engraved on it?

 

[v8stang289]

What's the ballpark on something like that 625-8 in its box?

View attachment 1212247

Right around $1k is what I've been seeing them at. Not sure if they're all selling at that price.

The pre-lock and shorter barrels are what's really going up. $1500 and way up depending on box, papers, etc.

 

[entropy]

At what prices are they leaving at though?

I can't sell that one, that was my best finish at natonals.

View attachment 1212251

Not to mention, who wants a gun with someone else's initials engraved on it?

Jim Marshall, Joe Murtz, Jerry Michaelson, et al

 

[Walkalong]

I foolishly sold this one, sometimes I am such a maroon!

 

[KnightHawk]

I foolishly sold this one, sometimes I am such a maroon!
View attachment 1212254

Yeah I would have to agree with you unless it was a medical emergency.
But I’m guilty of that exact stupidity when I sold my 5” 1989.
But I bought a used 4” 1989 with the box for $1,000 and was happy to get it.