Smith & Wesson’s Thunder Ranch Defense .45 – your experience?

[Irfan]

I have to say that I’m a semi-auto kind of guy but also like combat revolvers to a certain point. I’d really like to have a S&W 325 revolver. I’ve just watched one of Clint Smith’s videos presenting the new revolver and I have to say it looks pretty cool, it has a very “tactical” look!
So does anyone have any experience with this handgun, what about its durability and reliability?
Also, considering the fact that I’ve never seen it in person, would be harder to conceal than a Berreta 92FS for example? Is it larger?
BTW Do you think guys that it would be better to buy something else, a 686 4“ or 3” revolver? According to our new gun-law here (Bosnia) we are allowed to have only ONE pistol and only ONE revolver. I neither have a revolver nor have I ever shot one!

 

[Pepper]

I wanted one since the first time I read about it. That was over a year and a half ago. I spent a lot of time on the S&W Forum asking for people's experience with them. It seems that everyone has had a problem. I asked flat out if anybody had one without a problem and no one stepped forward. I talked to S&W at this year's SHOT Show and they said that they didn't have any problems with them. Do a search on the S&W Forum and see what you can find. I bought a 686SSR instead.

 

[altitude_19]

Recoil is not kind to this gun. Mine has had trouble opening/closing the cylinder as a result of heavy range use. It is an OUTSTANDING defensive weapon, but it is simply not designed to take the same punishment a steel 625 can. I'd suspect the TR model is a bit more resilient, due to the steel cylinder. My 340 has a steel cylinder and has seen equally heavy use with no issues.

 

[David E]

I had one in the shop awhile back and the owner gave me 4 loaded moonclips. I fired 2 of them, my friend fired one and I think we gave the 4th one back to the owner !

 

[xxxstarmaniac]

As an owner of the Thunder Ranch 325, I can tell you it is a fun revolver.

It carries much better than the other N frame steel revolvers I have, and since it's only firing a .45acp it's very easy to control. The recoil is almost imperceptible, and that is with hot loads.

There are quite a few people on this forum who can't handle the recoil of anything more than a 22lr, but will swear by a .357mag. The TR 325's recoil is equivalent to a 4" .357mag N frame steel revolver.

Since it's from the custom shop, it has an excellent trigger; double action on this gun feels like single action on S&W's regular line.

The moonclips are easy to use for a quick reload and makes cleanup a snap.

The ability to add a light/laser is nice, but to operate one you need to really watch your fingers position near the cylinder/barrel gap.

 

[BlindJustice]

For COmbat - all steel 625 JM

Scandium frames are nice to carry

Randall

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I must be the only one in the world that got a Thunder Ranch 45 that has no problems.