First Revolver...recommend 45ACP, .357, .44?

Status
Not open for further replies.
New idea S&W PC 627

New shooter gets easy to shoot and reload 38 spl. or Remington 357 magnum.
Eight shot moon clipped cylinder for shooting various revolver games.
While some range games are six shot limited , others work well with 8.

I don't own a 627, I have shot against others with such a gun. the 627 is a bit less expensive to shoot then a moon clipped 45 acp if brass is not factored in. I find lots more range brass in .45 acp then 38/.357.
 
My wife carries a 4" GP100, great pistol to shoot.
I carry an S&W Model 21 .44 special.
I had a 6" 629 .44 mag and once I spent a day at the range with the M21... I sold the 629 to a friend.
I carry the M21 in a Galco silhouette and carry a couple of speedloaders stoked with either Blazers or my own handloads.


Jim
 
Can you shoot a .38 in a GP100 or any Ruger .357 for that matter?
Click to expand...
You can shoot .38 Special in any .357, period.

The .357 began life in the 1930s as a high-pressure .38 Special called the .38/44 and was sold with warnings, "For use in Smith and Wesson .38/44 revolvers only." This was because the S&W .38/44 was built on their .44 frame, and so had very thick cylinder walls with only .38 chambers.

Shortly after introducing the pistol and cartridge, S&W (and Winchester, who developed the cartridge itself) woke up and smelled the the coffee -- .38/44s, being identical, dimensionally to the .38 Special, could be fired in any .38 Special revolver. So Winchester lengthened the case about .08" and S&W bored the chamber with the forcing cone a bit farther forward, and the cartridge was re-named the ".357 Magnum."

Thirty-eight Specials, .38 Long Colt, and .38 Short Colt can all be fired in any .357 Mag.
 
RCBS sells a carbide die set for.38/.357 that includes a fitted washer to put under the sizer or the seater die nut to move it from .38 to .357 as a convenience, FWIW to you.

I like them all but have a slight shooting preference for .45 acp revolvers. To that end I've got a 25-2 6" S&W, both Colt and S&W 1917's, and a magnificent converted Webley MK VI .455 breaktop revolvers for that caliber alone.

With that preference in mind I've got a S&W M27-8 8 shot 3 1/2", a S&W M66 2 1/2", and a 6" Colt Python to shoot 38/357 as well as two S&W M14 (or pre-14)s, M49, M36 3", M10 4", M442 (x2), and a Colt DS for .38 only.

I have a S&W 5" 629 Classic with full lug barrel too, but seldom shoot it.

Recommendation? = All of the above, and more. :)
 
GP100 (.357/.38) is your best bet. You can shoot the cheaper .38 rounds for practice, and the .357 is going to put anything human-sized down.
 
+1 for GP100 in 357. I don't think you can go wrong with a 357... for a while, for economic reasons, I had only one handgun and it was a 357. It's very versatile and I think a great all around gun.
Good Luck and have fun whatever you choose.
JohnnyOrygun
 
.44 stuff for reloading is still going to be a bit more expensive than .357. If you think you'll shoot a lot then the .357 would be a little cheaper over the long haul. If it won't be more than a 1000 to 2000 rounds a year then the little added cost may not matter or cost overall may not be an issue in the first place.

If the cost isn't a big factor and you have a fascination with .44 Mag then go for it. In talking about .44 Mag's with one of the range guys the other night he mentioned that the .44 mag reloaders have a lot of fun doing special big flashbang rounds for show. And it's always easy to load down to a fun but milder target round for "plinking".... although somehow it just doesn't seem quite right to say plinking and .44 Magnum in the same post.... :D
 
Well - the deal is that everything mentioned is just fine . And some not mentioned are also pretty good choices as well.

I have owned a number of handguns in .357 Mag. and perhaps my favorite one would be the S&W Model 19 . I've owned a couple of the L-frame Model 686's and they were also very nice, but since they are heavier than the K-frame there is a handling difference. There is also a strength difference if you like shooting heavy loads, then I would say the M686 would have some advantage over a K-frame, both in durability and in recoil reduction .

I've also owned various models of Rugers, Dan Wessons, Colts, in the .357 mag and they all served well.

I presently shoot a .44 mag. Why ? Well, I tried one of the Taurus Tracker models with 4inch barrel in this chambering and find that I like it for what I do.

The size is almost the same as the S&W L-frame guns yet I have the advantage of the .44 mag. I primarily shoot .44 Spl from this gun and it is smooth, tame, and a fun gun to shoot. I shoot a few magnums now and again and would use those for hunting deer or black bear . If you want heavy loads as a steady diet then I suggest a larger frame gun.

It's all good - what matters is what fits you.
 
You can't go wrong.

Now, my real opinion. A S&W current production 625JM is hard to beat. It's best feature is the spring-loaded front sight - easily changed without tools. You can load your .45 ACP ammo to any power level, as there isn't an action to work. Also - you'll feel the recoil more. Any bullet style can be used, too, including standard .45 Colt fare - like 255gr LSWC. Moonclips make reloads faster as well - and the moonclips are easier to find and more frugal as well. A different shell holder and you can load .45 Auto Rims, which won't need the moonclips. Look at that muzzle - it's a real big-bore, too!

Of course, the utility of a .38 to .357M in a .357M chamber cannot be ignored. You can load poppers to pounders. If you start with something like the current 627 Pro, you'll have even more utility. Eight shots is good - and the advantage of moonclips, even if they are brass-maker dependent and don't 'jump' into the bores like the .45 ACPs do, is pretty significant. That model also has the spring-loaded front sight - but a tapered lug.

IMG_0582.jpg

Both models I mentioned are 4"-ers and run $720-$750 new at a decent shop. Both come with decent triggers. I will have had the 625 for four years in Feb - the 627 ca,me last May (... and with Hogue rubber grips! It now sports Miculek's like the 625 - an acquired taste in grips, to be sure.). Good luck!


Stainz
 
It sounds like you really want a .44. Does your neck of the woods include bears? If so, a .44 is what you want. If not, go for a .357. Of those listed I would pick the 686. The .44 would be considered too big by most people for range work or even HD. The .357 fits those roles better.

.45 ACP belongs in autoloaders IMO. That's what it was designed for anyway. I much prefer rimmed cartridges in my revolvers.
 
IMO it's hard to beat, or even equal, a .357 revolver in terms of sheer versatility. Off hand, I can't think of a single CF chambering that offers as broad a range of viable ammo options off-the-shelf-and-available-durn-near-everywhere than it does.

Brand, action type, configuration, etc. are subjective, so whatever feels best to you and seems to suit your tasks and your budget needs best will likely prove entirely satisfactory.
 
Ok.. first will be 4" Ruger GP100.

Second will be a 5" S&W 629 .44..

That's the plan.. at least for NOW.. to be continued.
 
S&w 625

Took my seven year old out and he shot both my 625 and my M-14, both with UltraDot scopes. He shot then off a table rest and does pretty good with both.
The more we use the 625 the more I appreciate its virtures.
Loading the moonclips is much easier, the weight soaks up recoil and the varied loads one can concoct for .45 ACP seem easier for me then 38/357.
Another thing about .45 acp is often at the range new once fired brass appears like magic out of the air.
 
Hi Hawk45,

You are a very experienced shooter and reloader.

You will know, and value, the importance of a truly great revolver trigger.

Check 'em all out, and you'll be looking solely at S&W. They are the nicest right out of the box, and a gunsmith can put an incredible trigger job on one too!

I've owned about all the sizes and calibers of the Smith revolvers. My favorite caliber all around . . . is the .45ACP. Fun to shoot, with that wonderful firm push during recoil (vs. the vicious slap of a .357, 10mm or .44 Magnum), and the .45ACP is so accurate too. Also, the felt recoil is small in the 625.

Plus, if you shoot the "gun games" now with your 1911 style autos, wait til you wax the field with the super-fast reloading, moon-clipped M625s!

You can load .45AR brass much hotter for your 625 than using .45ACP, and it could do you well in the woods, especially with the heavier lead flat nose bullets that the autos couldn't use.


OR . . .

Find a nice Model 29 and load both .44 Magnum and .44 Special for it. Shooting .44 Special is as fun as shooting .45ACP.


MY CHOICE . . .

Today, it would be a 3" or 4" 625. However, back "in the day" before S&W were responsive to shooter's demands (and only offered the 25-2 .45ACP Target revolver in a 6 or 6 1/2" barrel) lots of 25-2s were converted to handy "combat/toting" revolvers.

Here's mine, a 1980 M25-2 with a 3 1/4" barrel and a custom trigger job that is jaw-dropping. The single action pull would rival any target rifle you have . . . and the double action pull is equally stunning. I've won a lot of matches with this handy firearm and moonclips. In the woods she's loaded with .45 Auto Rim ammo:
2256768new25-2plusmoonclips-edited.jpg



Yep . . . I'd go S&W all the way . . . and specifically, with the N-framed 625.
 
If I had to have but one revolver it would be the 44 Mag.

From a reloaders standpoint it is so very versatile you can load it from very mild to wild.

Turn the bullets around backwards and seat flush with the case and have wadcutters.;)
 
325PD...my secret love

I have a 325 PD with a 4" barrel and hi-viz sights. The 45 ACP is a plenty versatile cartridge. Repectable accuracy (I can bulls-eye fence posts at 25 yards with it), plenty of muzzle energy (especially with the right load), fast reloads (Jerry Miculek ring a bell anyone?). The revolver carries GREAT with a package weight of only 23 oz or so. Anybody toting a revolver on the belt all day will tell you lighter is better.
 
You cant beat any gun made by SMITH & WESSON,I've got a S&W model 629 with a 6 inch barrel i love it.The shear power of the gun is amazing,this gun is great for hunting and target shooting.
 
The plan sounds good. I think moving into revolvers in the 38/357 power level is the best approach initially. I think you need to build up to shooting the larger bore calibers. But that is me.

GP100; good revolver. I like the Smith better. But the GP is a good choice. I have one.
 
I guess I'll just have to get to one of the bigger stores in town and feel all of the above (after waiting 40-50 mins) just to get a salesman to help b/c of the gun rush.

The more I think the .45 sounds really like a smart choice. And b/c I can load up specials.. I may also opt for the .44 just becuase of the broad spectrum of loads (as you have said... mild to wild.) Versatility is key here.. All great suggestions
 
SInce I own/have owned and shoot some of your
preferred choices, I will offer my experience.

S&W 625 5" Bbl. - .45 ACP & .45 Auto Rim.
It's my favorite centerfire revolver, 100+
rounds in a range session are enjoyable, Single
Action, steady Double Action or Double Taps.
I shoot a lot of 230 gr. FMJ or JHPs in .45 ACP,
as well as 200 gr. SWC Leadhead Hardcast loaded to 1,025 FPS.in
.45 Auto RIm. Some smaller manufactureres offer
.45 Auto RIm with 255 gr. SWC at 900 or so FPS
I'd like to try as well. Since you already handload
.45 ACP, .45 AR takes the same dies but you'll need a
.45 Colt shellholder is all.

S&W 686P 4" Bbl. - When I shoot .357 Mag in it,
I'm pretty much done after 20 rounds - harder recoil,
big 2 feet plus of muzzle flash - but it does shoot
well Limiting it to .38 Special +P which I also shoot
in my S&W Model 60 3" Bbl. .357 mag. is a lot more fun
and recovery for the next shot is quicker. Heck, in
.38 +P I prefer the little 60

I've owned a Model 29 6 1/2" barrel in the past,
I enjoyed shooting the CCI/Speer 200 gr. JHPs compared
to the 240 gr. SWC/JSP loads and so did my wrists.

IMO With .357 or .44 Mag, a 6" Bbl. would be my
preference in order to get a more complete burn of the
slower burning & higher pressure powders used in heavy
Magnum loads.

625/.45 ACP - the full moon clips are easier&quicker
handling for loading and upon unloading I toss em into a
1 gal. ziploc bag for de-mooning when I get home. My
demooning tool is the Wilson Combat for $3.
.45 Auto RIm, Use the HKS 25M speedloader - the rim
is approx. 0.0910" a bit thicker than the approx.
0.0615" rim of a .45 Colt or the Magnum rims.

Rig for a 625 5" .45 ACP, or any other 5" Bbl. or longer
N frame you may find to be a shulder rig where the
barrel is muzzle down. Lou ALessi makes one of the best
in the Field Master Shoulder Rig. FWIW.

Randall
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
First Revolver: S&W 625 .45 or Ruger GP100 .357?
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
dakota1911
D
H
  • Locked
New S&W 44mag, 45ACP snubbies!
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
Gunfighter123
G
C
  • Locked
  • Poll
Torn between 44sp or 41mag for concealed carry...
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
MrDig
MrDig
MikeInOr
  • Locked
First revolver? S&W 625. 45LC or 45acp
2
Replies
47
Views
4K
mcb
mcb
C
  • Locked
S&W 625 questions
Replies
5
Views
783
S&Wfan
S
Back
Top