S&W 625 for self defense?
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1KPerDay
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more details please...
The OP is exactly why I just had this built:
It is a blue steel 45 ACP Mountain Gun. A tapered 4" barrel (from a Model of 1950) on a Model 25-2 that's been modified to a round butt configuration.
It's so new I haven't been able to get to the range yet but a shooting session for sighting-in and familiarization is coming up soon.
Dave
It is a blue steel 45 ACP Mountain Gun. A tapered 4" barrel (from a Model of 1950) on a Model 25-2 that's been modified to a round butt configuration.
It's so new I haven't been able to get to the range yet but a shooting session for sighting-in and familiarization is coming up soon.
Dave
1KPerDay
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niiiiiiiiiiice.
My custom, self-defense 25-2, with a tray of eight moon clips. The tray stays goes in the glove box when I travel. Fast reloading and various loads that are specifically good for different tasks. My favorite handgun of all time and my "go to" weapon when things go bump in the night.
I had a M28-2 and liked it but wanted a 45 ACP. I had a spare 45 ACP cylinder so I fitted that to the frame and used a spare barrel for a 25-2 and cut it to 4" but preferred the way the 28-2 barrel looked and handled. I found a man who could rebore and rerifle the barrel for me (Dick Nickel, now deceased) and sent him the barrel. While the barrel was being reworked, I smoothed the action and rounded the butt frame. When the barrel returned I refitted it to the frame and new cylinder. I also fitted a new frame lug so the cylinder had less travel when extracting cases. (The ACP cylinder is set up further ahead in the frame so it has about 1/16" additional travel to the frame lug.)
A set of grips from a Lew Horton 3" M29-3 rounded out the package and I had a 4" skinny barreled N frame with rounded grips. This was done in the early 1980s , long before the Mountain series of revolvers was available. I carried this revovler on duty for a while but switched back to the issued M19 for political reasons. I still have and carry it. I am glad to see the Mountain revolver available but doubt I will trade mine in!
1KPerDay
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Thanks for the info, StrawHat. The 2 or 3 28 to .45 conversions I've read about were done by Mr. Nickel. RIP.
I have a question in to Bowen Classic Arms to see if they'll do a 28 to .45 ACP conversion; they mention that a 28 to .45 colt is one of their options, so I don't see why the .45 ACP isn't listed. but we'll see.
S&WFan, that thing is gorgeous. Who did the grips?
I have a question in to Bowen Classic Arms to see if they'll do a 28 to .45 ACP conversion; they mention that a 28 to .45 colt is one of their options, so I don't see why the .45 ACP isn't listed. but we'll see.
S&WFan, that thing is gorgeous. Who did the grips?
One of the problems you can encounter with a M28 rebore is the barrel may be too thin to accept the new bore size. Apparently there were variations during the years of production for the M28.
Any reason not to look for a M25-2 Mountian revolver? Already completed, no waiting. May be a time saver for you. I made mine because the only option then was to find a Model 1950 with a 4" barrel, kind of scarce.
Any reason not to look for a M25-2 Mountian revolver? Already completed, no waiting. May be a time saver for you. I made mine because the only option then was to find a Model 1950 with a 4" barrel, kind of scarce.
jad0110
Member
StrawHat,
Do you happen to have pics of that converted "Model 25 Highway Patrolman"?
Do you happen to have pics of that converted "Model 25 Highway Patrolman"?
Yes, I have a couple of photos. Thanks for asking!
With holster and reload
In holster
With 25-2 and 25-5
The round grips were sold with the Lew Horton 29-3. I am making another pair from apple and should have them finished by the new year if I actually work on them. More likely by spring.
And for those of you wondering, this is my daily rig. Been using it since the 80s and don't see any reason to change. I am average size and weight and it conceals well, for me. I don't wear a suit, just jeans, shirt and a jacket. On really warm days, I forego the jacket and leave my shirt untucked.
With holster and reload
In holster
With 25-2 and 25-5
The round grips were sold with the Lew Horton 29-3. I am making another pair from apple and should have them finished by the new year if I actually work on them. More likely by spring.
And for those of you wondering, this is my daily rig. Been using it since the 80s and don't see any reason to change. I am average size and weight and it conceals well, for me. I don't wear a suit, just jeans, shirt and a jacket. On really warm days, I forego the jacket and leave my shirt untucked.
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Crowman
Member
One of my favorite carry guns is a S&W Model 325 PD loaded with 165 grain Federals in moon clips. I pack it in a Galco Speed Scabbard open top pancake holster. I also pack a S&W Model 25-14 (3" barrel version) in nickel. That one is loaded with Federal 230 grain Hydra Shocks in moon clips. For woods carry, It gets loaded with 255 grain hard cast SWC hand loads in Auto Rim cases. I even put together some snake loads using Speer .45 colt shot capsules in Auto Rim cases. Will kill any snake at 10 feet.
The 325 PD will pull bullets because of it's low weight (24 ounces), so I don't shoot aluminum cased Blasers or plus-P loads in it. No problems with the model 25-14. Will digest anything with comfort. Replaced both revolver's grips with full size Pachmayr Presentation grips to retain the same indexing and some comfort. Both conceal well under a cowboy vest and share the same holster. Recently got a Patton style belt holster for the all-steel Model 25-14 from C.O.W.S. for walking through the woods.
The 325 PD will pull bullets because of it's low weight (24 ounces), so I don't shoot aluminum cased Blasers or plus-P loads in it. No problems with the model 25-14. Will digest anything with comfort. Replaced both revolver's grips with full size Pachmayr Presentation grips to retain the same indexing and some comfort. Both conceal well under a cowboy vest and share the same holster. Recently got a Patton style belt holster for the all-steel Model 25-14 from C.O.W.S. for walking through the woods.
BlindJustice
Member
The S&W 45 ACP revolvers are very popular in the revolver category of IPSC or IPDA I have a 625-10 5" Bbl. with Guy Hogue checkered/finger grooved grips in Rosewood. It's been to Springfield and got the S&W Master Revolver trigger/action job including the chamfering of the chamber mouths.... makes loadeing rounds from full moon clips -or- speedloaders easier. I prep the ammo into Full moons and take along the 4 HKS speedloaders I use for .45 Auto RIm to the range - It's easy to shoot 100-150 rounds - some guys at the range with Magnums stop after half as many rounds but the .45 ACP/AR just keeps banging away.
Skeeter Skelton wrote about .45 ACP revolvers He told of two LEOs in El Paso in the '50s. They had Pre-WWII S&Ws with 5 1/2" Bbl cut down to
4" len. They would load them with the .45 Auto Rim cartrdige and heavy SWCs and for reloads several half moon clips with .45 ACP 230 gr. FMJ
The Full Moon clips were created in the late '70s or early '80s.
.45 Auto Rim can handle 250 gr. Kieth SYle SWC Buffalo BOre, Double Tap Reeds Ammunition & Research have this type bullet/weight available
in the 950 fps range HKS SPeedloader is the 25M model.
I really like the 25-2 of Dave T with the cut down barrel from the 1950 Target - never thought of that. Dave T waht is the weight empty of
taht 25? my 625 with the full underlug is 45 oz empty.
I think the Lou ALessi Field Master shoulder rig would be ideal for my
particular 625.
Note; .45 ACP kinda falls off the table in velocity with 3.5" or shorter barrel lengths imho.
Randall
Skeeter Skelton wrote about .45 ACP revolvers He told of two LEOs in El Paso in the '50s. They had Pre-WWII S&Ws with 5 1/2" Bbl cut down to
4" len. They would load them with the .45 Auto Rim cartrdige and heavy SWCs and for reloads several half moon clips with .45 ACP 230 gr. FMJ
The Full Moon clips were created in the late '70s or early '80s.
.45 Auto Rim can handle 250 gr. Kieth SYle SWC Buffalo BOre, Double Tap Reeds Ammunition & Research have this type bullet/weight available
in the 950 fps range HKS SPeedloader is the 25M model.
I really like the 25-2 of Dave T with the cut down barrel from the 1950 Target - never thought of that. Dave T waht is the weight empty of
taht 25? my 625 with the full underlug is 45 oz empty.
I think the Lou ALessi Field Master shoulder rig would be ideal for my
particular 625.
Note; .45 ACP kinda falls off the table in velocity with 3.5" or shorter barrel lengths imho.
Randall
BlindJustice,
Originally, the full moon clips were designed by S&W to be used in the M1917 they produced for the military. The original ones were rather delicate and the 1/2 moon clips were more practical. The simple ones, as pictured in my post were a product of the 70s and came about from fellows welding two 1/2 moon together. At some point the moon became a star.
Dave T,
I did not realize there was not a blued version made. Thanks for that info. There was a stainless one, or am I confusing it with the 45 long Colt?
Originally, the full moon clips were designed by S&W to be used in the M1917 they produced for the military. The original ones were rather delicate and the 1/2 moon clips were more practical. The simple ones, as pictured in my post were a product of the 70s and came about from fellows welding two 1/2 moon together. At some point the moon became a star.
Dave T,
I did not realize there was not a blued version made. Thanks for that info. There was a stainless one, or am I confusing it with the 45 long Colt?
GP100man
Member
Me & cuz had 5" 625s we shot uspsa with , his went where he went !!!
We got impressive numbers with the revolvers !!!
He died of massive heart attack 8/4/08 , He is missed !!!!
We got impressive numbers with the revolvers !!!
He died of massive heart attack 8/4/08 , He is missed !!!!
BlindJustice
Member
Dave T.
I disagree with your belief of the outside in full moon clip; being issued
with the M1917 - Doughboys were issued a box of .45 ACP ammo. The box contained 4 sets of loaded half moon clips. two went into the gun
and they had a bandolier with three small pouches for the other 3 pairs of half moons. Can you produce a full moon as if two half moons had been welded together? I've been reading gun mags & annuals for ofver 45 years
and have never seen one unless it was welded up. but never a ref. to the
WWI use of such.
I got 4 half moon clips with my 625 - one broke the first time I tried loading it.
The star full moons didin't just suddenly appear out of the blue Somebody figured it out. and it wasn't S&W.
With respect
Randall M
I disagree with your belief of the outside in full moon clip; being issued
with the M1917 - Doughboys were issued a box of .45 ACP ammo. The box contained 4 sets of loaded half moon clips. two went into the gun
and they had a bandolier with three small pouches for the other 3 pairs of half moons. Can you produce a full moon as if two half moons had been welded together? I've been reading gun mags & annuals for ofver 45 years
and have never seen one unless it was welded up. but never a ref. to the
WWI use of such.
I got 4 half moon clips with my 625 - one broke the first time I tried loading it.
The star full moons didin't just suddenly appear out of the blue Somebody figured it out. and it wasn't S&W.
With respect
Randall M
BlindJustice - I think you meant to address that to StrawHat
1KPerDay
Member
FYI, Mr. Bowen's response to my query whether my M28 could be converted to .45 ACP, and what it would take to fix my endshake problem. I also asked if it would be possible to work up a pistol that would shoot both .45 Colt and ACP with moon clips.
I'd love to have a Bowen gun, but I think I'll leave the M28 a .357 and have Mr. Bowen or S&W fix the endshake/gap issue, and try to find a .45 ACP S&W for a reasonable price.
What do you all think about the Model 22-4? I think they're dead sexy; apart from the lock, of course.
1KPerDay, I have a model 22 Thunder Ranch, and apart from the ugly hole in the side, it's been a pretty nice revolver. I switched the grips out for more comfy (yet ugly) Pachmayr Decelerators to fill the hand out a bit more, and had an action job done soon after I bought it, and I have to say I enjoy shooting it a lot more than my father's 625JM, and I'm more accurate with it at typical SD ranges.
I kind of wish S&W would have gone a little less "retro" with the fixed sights, but, they won't snag on clothes, and are perfectly adequate for SD uses.
Also, on the discussion of moon clips, I started using RIMZ polycarbonate clips years ago and I love 'em. They hold the rounds securely enough, but load and unload easy with no tools. Not burly enough for carrying spare rounds on your person, but great for range use. Check 'em out if you haven't.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/
Oh, and here's a cellphone pic of the Thunder Ranch:
I kind of wish S&W would have gone a little less "retro" with the fixed sights, but, they won't snag on clothes, and are perfectly adequate for SD uses.
Also, on the discussion of moon clips, I started using RIMZ polycarbonate clips years ago and I love 'em. They hold the rounds securely enough, but load and unload easy with no tools. Not burly enough for carrying spare rounds on your person, but great for range use. Check 'em out if you haven't.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/
Oh, and here's a cellphone pic of the Thunder Ranch:
1KPerDay
Member
Nice. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.BlindJustice
Member
Ok, I meant my last post towards Strawhat
As far as Rimz poly full moons go - I have tried them but they don't
hold cartrdges good enough to reliably extract. I loaded one up and put it
on a flat surface on a hutch - kept an eye on it, within a week all of
the loaded cartrdges - it was placed bullets down, - had fallen out of the
Rimz moon clip and well nuff said.
Randall
As far as Rimz poly full moons go - I have tried them but they don't
hold cartrdges good enough to reliably extract. I loaded one up and put it
on a flat surface on a hutch - kept an eye on it, within a week all of
the loaded cartrdges - it was placed bullets down, - had fallen out of the
Rimz moon clip and well nuff said.
Randall
dashootist
Member
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I was so excited to go get a 625 at the local gun show. I wanted to pretend to be J. Miculek. But the N frame is too big for my hand. Can't reach the trigger comfortably. N frames are made for people with larger than normal size hands and fingers. Didn't get it. Glad didn't, cuz I found out later I don't like IPSC.
That's interesting. I've had some of my surplus ball ammo stored in RIMZ clips for over 2 years (bullets down). I just went and checked, and they're all still there! My guess is there have been differences in manufacturing tolerances. Lord knows that's the case with some of steel clips I have!
Okay, you've been reading for almost as long as I've been shooting and learning. I don't believe I said the full moon clip was used in WWI.
The 1/2 moons were the ones that got the approval of the military. S&W had the patents to the full moon clips. The originals were delicate and if I remember correctly, used springs to hold the cartridges in place.
If you do a patent search, the info should be available to you. It has also been mentioned in HANDLOADER magazine and I am told in GUNS AND AMMO. I would think other authors know of them but they may have retired by now. Most of the new crop of writers are too young to know some of the earlier stuff.
The 1/2 moons fit conveniently in a box that held two rows of cartridges but the military is not known for doing things the easy way.
tinygnat219
Member
To the OP:
I think the 625 would do nicely as a self-defense gun. If it's for concealed carry, you are most likely going to have to work at it since this is a larger and heavier gun. Still, with the right belt and holster, you'll do just fine.
.45ACP is a proven round, and if you can find some decent .45 Auto Rim, you can use speedloaders vice the moonclips.
I think the 625 would do nicely as a self-defense gun. If it's for concealed carry, you are most likely going to have to work at it since this is a larger and heavier gun. Still, with the right belt and holster, you'll do just fine.
.45ACP is a proven round, and if you can find some decent .45 Auto Rim, you can use speedloaders vice the moonclips.
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