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The S&W model 1917 (including originals made 1917-1919, the Brazilian contract ones of later date, and the new "Classics" line ones), as well as the Colt 1917 and the S&W model 22.
The S&W governor also shoots 45acp with moon clips along with the 45 Colt and .410 shotshells, if I am not mistaken.
Just go to the Gunbroker, and in Revolver sales and also Curio & Relic sales -which is listed under "Firearms (Collectible)" - put in "45acp", also ".45acp", and then, just in case, both of those with a space between the "45" and the "acp" (".45 acp"). Should turn up a big hunk of them
Ask Indiana Jones...while he sometimes carries a Webley or an earlier Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector model, he also carries an Smith & Wesson M1917 in .45 ACP.
Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible. Cylinder change from 45 Colt to 45ACP. Great way to use up ammo that won't feed reliably in the semi's. Good hunting revolver as well as a lot of fun at the range.
The least expensive new S&W entry into the world of .45 ACP revolver shooting is the MSRP $689 new 'Governor' model (Street price $550-$600+.). It does chamber a few other different calibers, but, like all other S&W .45 ACP revolvers, it needs moonclips to support the rimless .45's. I bought one because it is very similar to the 325 Night Guard in it's build. The longer cylinder and frame add up to nearly two more ounces more of mass than the 325NG. Mine was over $300 less than the least expensive 325NG I could find locally - and that was my excuse for buying it!
Who am I kidding? I bought it because it would chamber other goodies, too. My spare Hogue/S&W .500 Magnum grips are an improvement to recoil control. The S&W 625JM is a great but pricey .45 ACP-only revolver. The Ruger Blackhawk .45 Convertible is the least expensive way to shoot .45 ACP's, albeit in single action. Fun and frugal big bore.
All of you neglected to mention the S&W Model 25-2, Model of 1955, that was original chambered in 45 ACP and designed to be fired with half moon clips. It was built on S&W's N frame similar to to the 44 Magnum (Model 29).
There have been a number of them made over the years starting with the S&W and Colt 1917s. One can be seen in the classic 1939 film "The Grapes of Wrath" when the cop shoots a woman and he is disarmed. When the man dumps the ammo you can see the two clips (DA revolvers use clips to hold the rimless 45 ACP rounds) fall from the cylinder.
... on a recent adv. card asking for subscribers fo Guns & Ammo, they pictured
a 1-inch-barrel revolver, .45 ACP, stainless. I want one. I think it was S&W, but not a huge-framed one. Any guesses? Or a Used one for sale? Thanks.
That Governor looks very interesting to me since much of my shooting is at mice.
I also like 45-auto in a revolver and would like the ability to run 45LC from the same gun. Now, if they would just make one 4 or 5" in stainless with a titanium cylinder and no lock, I think I'd have to buy one.
You can still get the M1917 new from Smith and Wesson, list price is $999, Bud's has them for $794. There was also a crop of M1917s made by S&W for Brazil in the 1930s that have been re-imported to the USA. They have a big Brazilian crest on the side plate.... I wish I'd bought one!
In order for the Governor to headspace via it's rimmed cartridge fare, ie, .45 Colts, a vestige of the original cylinder OAL in the form of a thin ring is present. This prevents loading .45 Auto Rims. It will work with moonclipped .45 ACP's and .45 GAP's; .45 Colt and .45 Schofield; and 2.5" .410's. While the 625JM is a great .45 ACP plinker - and I love mine - the Governor is hundreds of dollars cheaper - and remains the cheapest new S&W revolver that will fire .45 ACP's.
A moonclipped 5" 625 .45acp revolver is the USPSA revolver. Makes a dandy steel & ICORE Limited gun, too. A 4" .45acp is probably the best overall choice for match shooting with a revolver, as it's also legal for IDPA.
Here's my 5" 625 I use for USPSA:
And speaking of moonclips, I can't believe no one posted the JM vid as a demo of reload speed potential:
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