Smith & Wesson 625 .45acp performance center

PWGUNNY

PWGUNNY

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Joined
Jun 10, 2013
Messages
135
Location
Charleston, SC
I bought a gun from a neighbor after her husband passed away. I am not familiar with the gun. It may have never been used. I like the idea that it was a .45acp., a performance center version and a nice PC case to go with it. I understand S&W no longer make this revolver. I'm trying to learn more about this gun and I'm reading about moon clips. Do I have to use moon clips? I don't own any and if so I will look to purchase some. I reload for all my pistols but they are 9mm or.38/357, so I will also need some new dies for my Dillon. What is the story with moon clips? I appreciate the knowledge y'all have to share. Thank you S&W 625.jpg
 
The cylinders on newer S&W 45 ACP revolvers should be chambered so that the case will headspace on the case mouth. So, moon clips would not be required. But, you have to have something to eject the fired cases from the cylinder like a pencil or some other rod.

Moon clips aren't too bad to use if you have good moon clip tools. I load up my moon clips at home and take them pre-loaded to the range. Then unload them at home after the shooting session. It requires having a supply of moon cliops on hand to cover a full range session of shooting

BMT Equipped moon clip tools are my choice of tool but some will find them a bit pricey. They are the "cat's meow" of moon clip tools in my opinion.

TK Custom is a good source for good moon clips. There are other sources for moon clips.

I have a Model 625 JM, a Model 25-2 and a Model 22 (modern version of the WWI Model 1917), all chambered for 45 ACP. Great revolvers.

Your PC revolver should be a good shooter as well.
 
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Moonclips are the original speed loader LOL .
because the 45 acp cartridge headspaces off the case mouth the moonclip was developed to force the revolver to headspace a non rimmed case such as the 45ACP off the moonclip which became the rim. Moonclips can be obtained in 1 piece and 2 piece.
( https://www.ebay.com/p/28011373788) and else where quick google search will yield results .
Now there used to be a case that one could use in lieu of the 45 ACP it was called the 45 Auto rim . Load data etc was exactly the same with the auto rim case (as it had a rim meaning just a shellholder change) meant one didn't have to use a Moonclip.
Personally I've have always liked the Moonclip concept, it is literally a fast empty the cylinder and load em up.

do you have to use moonclips ???.. if using the 45 ACP case I would to prevent the case from lodging in the cylinder, If using the auto rim case no need (https://www.starlinebrass.com/45-auto-rim-brass) .

Pleased to see you get it I'm envious
 
Lovely revolver. My 625 is one of my favorited revolvers. You do not have to use the moonclips but I think once you get use to them you will love them. 45 ACP on moonclips is the fast reloading revolver your likely to find. As much as I like TK custom there is no need to get that spendy for 45 ACP moonclips. Look up Ranch Products, their moonclips are much cheaper and at least for the 625 and 45 ACP just as good at TK's clips.
 
Same as Nightlord, I have a 625 and the fired cases come out so easily that I don't even bother using moonclips for a range visit. Live rounds are mildly annoying to put into the clips, and removing empties is difficult without a tool, so I just don't bother with them. I have some and they make nice speedloaders, but you don't have to use them.
 
Sgt_Mike1 said:
Moonclips are the original speed loader LOL .
because the 45 acp cartridge headspaces off the case mouth the moonclip was developed to force the revolver to headspace a non rimmed case such as the 45ACP off the moonclip which became the rim. Moonclips can be obtained in 1 piece and 2 piece.
( https://www.ebay.com/p/28011373788) and else where quick google search will yield results .
Now there used to be a case that one could use in lieu of the 45 ACP it was called the 45 Auto rim . Load data etc was exactly the same with the auto rim case (as it had a rim meaning just a shellholder change) meant one didn't have to use a Moonclip.
Personally I've have always liked the Moonclip concept, it is literally a fast empty the cylinder and load em up.

do you have to use moonclips ???.. if using the 45 ACP case I would to prevent the case from lodging in the cylinder, If using the auto rim case no need (https://www.starlinebrass.com/45-auto-rim-brass) .

Pleased to see you get it I'm envious
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of going the route of .45 Auto rim. The Dillon .45ACP dies would be the ones to use with this case?
 
nofendertom said:
One of the perks of using .45acp ammo is that you can now get a 1911 .45acp and use the same ammo.
Click to expand...

I have both 1911 and 625. Normal taper crimp sometimes fail in a 625. Bullets migrate and cylinder locks up. I've heard numerous people say they have the same problem. My solution is to crimp with a profile crimp die and bullets that have a crimp grove. So I don't use the same ammo. YMMV.
 
I made a moon clip shell remover from a piece of 1/2in inside diameter copper tubing from the hardware store. I just filed half the diameter down 1/4in to form
a step. Put the tube over the shell and twist it out, using the step against the moon clip. Took me 10 minutes to make and a little over one buck for 6in of tubing.
 
DR505 said:
The dies will work, but you will need a different shell holder plate as .45 Auto Rim has a case rim thickness that is the thickness of a .45 ACP PLUS the thickness of a moon clip.
Click to expand...

Yes DR505 is spot on (shellholder RCBS #8 for autorim / #3 RCBS for ACP ........Dillon 550 uses H (13010) for the Auto Rim and 1 (13692) for the ACP Case)

Assuming you have a Dillion 550 see here for the exact setup shellplate buttons etc https://dilloncdn.com/magento/charts/rl450-rl550-conversion-chart.pdf
 
CoalTrain49 said:
I have both 1911 and 625. Normal taper crimp sometimes fail in a 625. Bullets migrate and cylinder locks up. I've heard numerous people say they have the same problem. My solution is to crimp with a profile crimp die and bullets that have a crimp grove. So I don't use the same ammo. YMMV.
Click to expand...
Thousands of round of FMJ and coated bullet using standard taper crimp and never had a bullet come out of a case. It would have to a to light short barreled aluminum framed 325 to pull most 45ACP build from their case.
 
I have loaded and fired thousands of 45auto with 200g lswc and 5.5g 231 and never had bullet creep. Always crimp .469-.470 and all ammo works flawless in my les Baer and my 25-2 and 625-3. Always have seated and crimped in one station and not one issue.
 
625-6

index.php


I don't think the changes between a -6 and -8 makes much difference WRT 45 ACP pulling bullets under recoil. The internal lock is "evil" but not that "evil".

Yes it can happen, I have don't it with other cartridges with more recoil and/or lighter revolvers but I have never done it with a 625 and 45 ACP using a tapered crimp and FMJ or coated bullets and coated bullet do not tolerate much over crimp. I tapper crimp my 10mm Auto for my 610 and that is substantial more recoil and have not had an issue there either. Again, something to watch for and each new load I work up I always do the shoot five and pull the moonclip and look at the 6 for bullet movement, but so far no issue in my 625. YMMV
 
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