Help me decide on a .45 ACP revolver

[WVGunman]

Ok, I KNOW the second person in here is going to wonder why I don't just buy a S&W 625 JM model. And the reason why is because those start at about $800. At least. While I would love to get one of these, money IS kind of a concern, so most Smith & Wessons are more distant possibilities.
This gun would be used for plinking and non-serious target shooting. Here's what I'm considering, in order from best to (for my purposes, not quality) to worst:

1. Charter Arms Pitbull. Not much of a target gun, with fixed sights and 2.5 inch barrel. But doesn't need moon clips, and is very affordable. Small and light enough to be put to other uses if necessary.
2. Ruger Blackhawk convertible 45 Colt/45 ACP model. Probably several hundred more than the Charter Arms gun, and I will be paying for a .45 Colt cylinder I will never use. Sadly, Ruger sells the .45 Colt gun without the ACP cylinder, but if the reverse is for sale I've never seen it. I'm not a huge fan of single actions, but of all options, this would probably be the most accurate.
3. A repro Remington 1958 Army blackpowder revolver, with an aftermarket .45 ACP cylinder. This would come out costing approximately as much as the Blackhawk, but I WOULD get two guns I would use out of it. I have no idea how accurate this combo might be. I handload .45 ACP, and i probably couldn't load anything too hot in this. And it is STILL a single action.
4. Smith & Wesson Governor. Shoots .45 Colt, .45 ACP, .410 shotshell. Needs moon clips, starts at $800 also, and ... well, I think it's ridiculous. Plus the freebore of this thing in .45 ACP is very long.
5. An old M1917. The newest of these was made in 1946, as far as I know. Also requires clips, and tend to be expensive even for beat-up examples.

Are there any options I'm missing? Can anyone vouch for any of these, either good or bad?

 

[BullRunBear]

If money is a factor, a used Blackhawk with both 45 Colt and 45 acp cylinders is probably your best bet. I've been shooting both Colt and acp rounds through my second hand Blackhawk for well over thirty years. Very accurate and basically indestructible. For casual plinking and target work it's a great value. It helps I like single action revolvers. Also, don't dismiss the 45 Colt. It's an enjoyable and versatile caliber you might take a shine to at some point.

Jeff

 

[Monac]

I like the S&W Model 22, which was re-issued a few years back: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_22

This is one of those guns where as soon as I saw one, I wanted one, even though I am not a fan of heavy-recoiling revolvers (38 Special is more my speed.) And I was not disappointed when I got one. The trigger was excellent in SA and DA and the sights, which are fixed but broad and prominent, were spot on.

Mine did not have the kind of grips shown on either gun in the Wikipedia article, but instead came with small 1920's style grips, which look swell but are too small for me. There are lots of replacement N-frame grips around, but most of them are for round-butt N-frames. Square butt N-frame grips are a bit scarcer, but still available.

This gun has been out of production for a while, so I don't know what prices for it are like.

There are some better pictures here: https://themartialist.net/smith-and-wesson-22-4-reviewed-by-daniel-balderas

 

[gotboostvr]

I like 45acp wheel guns. Currently have two:
Ruger Bisley Convertible:

Smith & Wesson 625JM:

I used to own a 4.5" Blackhawk Convertible as well. They're all great, if you really want the 625 though, save your pennies.

 

[Tallball]

I own all of the ones on your list except for the 1917. I wish I had one.

The longer barrel and larger, adjustable sights make the Blackhawk the obvious choice for plinking or target shooting.

I have a 625 also. The Blackhawk is equally accurate.

Blackhawks are very durable; I prefer to buy them used.

View media item 1975

 

[Conelrad]

This one comes highly recommended, but tough to find today.

Conelrad



Ruger TALO special birdshead in .45ACP (only)

 

[RON in PA]

Save your money and get a 625. Also if you can't wait check out Taurus.

 

[WVGunman]

Save your money and get a 625. Also if you can't wait check out Taurus.

Taurus? Was not aware they sold a .45 ACP revolver.

 

[bc38]

M1917! no it dose not require moon or half moon clips to use. ya just can't use the star ejector to get the empties out. One of the few guns that have gone down the road that I miss.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

There will always always be tradeoffs when we require .45 ACP in a revolver. after all, ACP stands for automatic colt pistol.

pick one and be happy. Honestly, I’d be lusting after a 1917 and be done.

 

[Craig_AR]

I love my several revolvers, and my most favorite range pistols are 1911's in .45ACP. However, I'd like to hear from aficionados of .45ACP revolvers why adding the trouble of stocking and messing with moon clips does not dissuade you from using ACP cartridges in a revolver. Moon clips look like an easy item to lose, and the added process of setting them up prior to loading the cylinder looks like an unnecessary bother compared to cartridges made for the cylinders. Are there cylinders configured to hold ACP without clips?
Thanks for the education.

 

[Jack B.]

I don't get the Semi-auto in a revolver craze. I can see 9mm maybe because of the cheap ammo. But 45ACP?

 

[whughett]

Does any one but me think rimless pistol cartridges in a revolver is an oxy-moron. Cartridges designed for high capacity pistols in a six shot wheel gun.
Don’t make them any less interesting but really what’s the purpose.
Ha, Jack B beat me to it b

 

[whughett]

I love my several revolvers, and my most favorite range pistols are 1911's in .45ACP. However, I'd like to hear from aficionados of .45ACP revolvers why adding the trouble of stocking and messing with moon clips does not dissuade you from using ACP cartridges in a revolver. Moon clips look like an easy item to lose, and the added process of setting them up prior to loading the cylinder looks like an unnecessary bother compared to cartridges made for the cylinders. Are there cylinders configured to hold ACP without clips?
Thanks for the education.

Yes they head space in the cylinder just as in autos.

 

[Sistema1927]

The Model 22 has already been mentioned. I have a Thunder Ranch 22-4 that I really like. Probably out of your price range.

Also probably out of your price range, but another option not mentioned yet is the Ruger Redhawk .45 ACP/.45 Colt. Only one cylinder for both, but you do need special moon clips for .45 ACP. I also have one of these, and use it mainly for hot .45 Colt loads.

 

[Tallball]

The Blackhawk does not use moonclips. The ejector rod knocks out the empties just the same as if they were 45colt.

The Charter Arms does not use moonclips. It has little springloaded thingies to hold the rounds in place.

I don't use moonclips with my 625. I shoot all six, open the cylinder, and bump the butt down onto the shooting bench. Most of the empties fall out. The rest are hanging halfway out and I just remove them with my fingers. If I were using it for SD I would use monnclips, but it's just a range toy.

The earlier 1917's made by Colt do need moonclips. They are drilled straight through and the rounds will just slide out of the bottoms of the cylinders. The S&W and later Colt versions chamber on the shoulder of the round and you don't have to have moonclips to fire them, though you will have to get the cartridges out with your fingertips or a pencil or something.

 

[BobWright]

Be aware that Remington replicas, easily converted, have a cylinder that must be removed and that backplate taken off to load/unload the thing. May be more of a hassle than you'd like. Also, not really a target grade conversion.


I have a Ruger Blackhawk with the ACP cylinder, and that cylinder also fits a Vaquero very well also. Truly a fun gun to have. That short ejector throw when using ACP cases is a case apart from ejecting the longer .45 Colt cases.

The .45 ACP Single Action is, or can be, the next best thing to a .22 revolver.

Bob Wright

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with a used Ruger Blackhawk convertible first or save up for a S&W Model 625.

 

[George P]

Used S&W 25-2 and 625 are both excellent revolvers

 

[Jim Watson]

I would have expected more M625 5" on the used market. It has been some time since IDPA disallowed them and USPSA obsoleted them more recently.

 

[whughett]

Used S&W 25-2 and 625 are both excellent revolvers

And in the right hands absolute tack drivers. A buddy of mine is phenomenal with his 25-2. A lot better than my 25. (45Colt)

 

[nevadabob]

Here's my new toy:
https://charterfirearms.com/products/model-74530?_pos=1&_sid=a592f6928&_ss=r

I bought it a few months back off of g4gguns.com. I reload so I had to buy the dies-brass-projectiles, and yes, even large pistol primers. But what a nice revolver! Charter Arms has upped their game in the quality finish department. Older model CA revolvers have had issues with nicks & gouges in places that shouldn't be. But mine is as nice as any S&W! With CA guns, the first numbers of the serial number reflect year of production. Mine starts out with "19" meaning 2019. The Bulldog XL 45 Colt model began production in 2018.

Even though it is a 2.5" snubby, this revolver has a very manageable recoil. Feels good in the hand and is an excellent shooter. I've dialed in 6 loads using coated bullets.

 

[chicharrones]

This one comes highly recommended, but tough to find today.

Conelrad

View attachment 907911

Ruger TALO special birdshead in .45ACP (only)

Gearfire dealers can get one of those in stainless right now. https://www.gearfirehub.com/dealers/index

My local Gearfire dealer shows they are in inventory. Looks like a great gun as long as the OP doesn't need adjustable sights.

https://ruger.com/products/vaqueroStainless/specSheets/5152.html

No moon clips needed with this one.

 

[AZAndy]

I love my several revolvers, and my most favorite range pistols are 1911's in .45ACP. However, I'd like to hear from aficionados of .45ACP revolvers why adding the trouble of stocking and messing with moon clips does not dissuade you from using ACP cartridges in a revolver. Moon clips look like an easy item to lose, and the added process of setting them up prior to loading the cylinder looks like an unnecessary bother compared to cartridges made for the cylinders. Are there cylinders configured to hold ACP without clips?
Thanks for the education.

Arguing against moonclips is like arguing against loading your 1911 magazines. You're not shooting those 1911s without magazines, are you? It takes about ten seconds to fill a moonclip, and it's the kind of thing that can be done while watching TV or listening to the radio, much like cleaning guns. There's a big smile involved with using moonclips to load the revolver; I just kind of toss the package towards the open cylinder, and boop! it's done. It's not like a speedloader where getting things lined up can be a bit fiddly sometimes.

The time it takes to get the brass back out of the clip is a lot less than picking up the brass after a 1911 session, so I don't see that as being terribly inconvenient. Again, something to do with my hands while Netflix is running.

I have yet to lose a clip, but I guess it could be done. If I ever do lose one, or damage one somehow, they're a heck of a lot cheaper than even a very cheap 1911 magazine.

I guess if I absolutely had to shoot .45ACP in a revolver the same way I do my .38s or whatever, like if I developed dementia or something, I could start loading .45AR instead. But then I'd miss out on the joy of loading and emptying the gun the way it is now. I don't mean that as an insult to .45AR shooters; I like that there are so many different ways of doing things and I'm all for that.

 

[mcb]

I would tell the OP to look for a good used 625, M25 or 1917 (S&W or Colt). The 45 ACP revolver that uses full moonclips is probably one of the most fun revolvers you can own. It is the fastest reloading revolver going too (except that Colt). Moonclips rule and moonclips for 45 ACP (and most rimless cartridges) are thick and robust, compared to moonclips for rimmed cartridges. Love shooting USPSA matches with my 625.



Moonclips can be reloading in about the same amount of time as loading the same number of rounds in a magazine, assuming you have good moonclip tools, just like a good magazine loader. The right tool is worth the cost.