45acp revolvers.. what holds up well?

[mrming]

At this point I'm aware of the s&w 625's, and the taurus tracker. Are there any other common 45acp revolvers? How well do they hold up to long term use?

Just intending this to be a plinker, might try and use it for carry when offroading. Not intending to use it for anything it shouldnt be, if I find myself needing something for wild bore /small bear I'll get a 41 mag.

I just expect it will be beat on fairly heavily and am concerned about buying a revolver just to have it wear out in under 5k rounds.

 

[P. Plainsman]

If you like single-actions, Ruger offers the Blackhawk in a convertible format that includes both a .45 Colt and a .45 ACP cylinder. Blued finish, rosewood grips. Model numbers are BN-44X (4 5/8" barrel) and BN-455X (5 1/2" barrel).

If you prefer fixed sights, Davidson's offers a special model stainless Ruger Vaquero that comes with the .45 Colt / .45 ACP cylinders. Handsome gun. It's listed on the current Ruger website.

I don't know (and would be interested to learn) whether the .45 ACP cylinders on these single-action Rugers come with moon clips, or operate by some other method.

Anyway, by all accounts the Blackhawk/Vaquero is one of the toughest guns ever.

I would be surprised if the Taurus .45 Tracker were as durable. It seems like a neat little gun -- the Taurus ribber grips are great -- but part of the appeal of the Tracker is that it's built on a "compact" frame. That has to have some effect on durability.

To the extent you want to carry your revolver offroad, the Vaquero and the S&W 625 weigh about the same, the Blackhawk is somewhat lighter, and the Taurus is lightest of all.

 

[JoeHatley]

Dan Wesson makes a double action revolver and Ruger, along with many others, makes a convetable single action.

The .45 acp is a round that's pretty easy on guns. Any quality gun should last several lifetimes.

Enjoy your search...

Joe

 

[Dobe]

Moon Clips

I don't know (and would be interested to learn) whether the .45 ACP cylinders on these single-action Rugers come with moon clips, or operate by some other method.

Plainsman, I haven't seen one either, but I will take a guess at just how the Ruger SA Blackhawk works. I can't imagine taking the cylinder out each time to reload, so I am guessing that it will not use moon clips.

Since the 45 ACP headspaces on the mouth, and ejects via a push rod, there should be no problem with loading and unloading as with a rimmed cartridge.

Dobe

 

[P. Plainsman]

That makes a lot of sense. The spec sheets for those guns on the Ruger website don't mention any moonclips.

And as you point out, using moonclips on a traditional, loading-gate SA revolver would be a serious pain.

 

[mrming]

Hmmm. A 45LC/45ACP convertible could be nice. We'll see what I can turn up this week at the local shops, I already know of at least one place that keeps the 625's in stock at a good price.

Then again, I think I decided on 45acp just to keep ammo logistics simple (already am usually taking 5 calibers to the range..gets a little annoying.)

 

[Dr.Rob]

Many old 1917 Colts and S&W's are still flinging lead. Guns last a long time if you take care of them.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Good 1917 Colt

well taken care of 1917 colt can last for some more generations.

Fitz

 

[stans]

I agree, the 1917's (Colt or S&W) will last almost forever if given proper care and not feed a steady diet of hot ammo. By hot ammo I am referring to the various +P stuff.

 

[Dienekes]

The Ruger convertible .45 does not use moon clips. No need; ejection is one at a time as per usual.

Good guns, but I prefer the old models over the new ones. Still, a good choice.

Most of the wild bores in this part of the country can be found drinking coffee in the local cafe about 10:30 AM.

 

[ChristopherG]

If I were after a 45 revolver, I'd have to have a real good reason NOT to buy a 625. The over 5,000 rds I've put through mine have had no apparent affect on function, despite the fact that most of it has been fast double-action. It's a fine gun, and ergonomic, and accurate--the gold standard for 45 revolvers. Why not buy the gold standard?

 

[Tom C.]

I have examples of both the Ruger NMBH .45 convertible and a S&W Model 25-2 in .45 ACP. Probably isn’t much difference in accuracy between them. Both have been slicked up. The Ruger is shot without moon clips. Ejection is via the usual single action ejector. The Model 25-2 is shot with or without moon clips. When shooting without clips, the empties are pulled out individually. I find it a pain to use moon clips, so if I’m not interested in speed reloads, I don’t bother to use them. The only catch is, if you don’t plan to use moon clips, don’t lighten the main spring too much, or you will get misfires when firing double action due to variations in case length (short cases). Both headspace on the case mouth. With moon clips, the Model 25 headspaces on the rim/moon clip. Headspacing is more consistent with the moon clips.

 

[Majic]

Switch over to the .45 Auto-rim cases and you can throw the moonclips away.

 

[Tom C.]

I have a bunch of AR cases. I prefer to load one load for the 1911 and the revolvers.

 

[fedlaw]

While I cannot comment on the longevity or durability of the 625, having put only 300-400 rds. through mine, I can tell you that it is beautifully made and finished, it is reliable, it is breaking in nicely and at this point, I can shoot 3-4" groups, offhand @25 yds.
BTW I got the moonsetter tool from Pat at [email protected] and recommend it.