mic214
Member
I love my M-625. It started out with a 5" heavy barrel. I swapped out the 5" barrel with a 4" Mountain Gun barrel. It is much easier to pack around now.....
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Thoughts on 45.acp Revolvers
- Thread starter CTGunner
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I had a 6 1/2" barreled M25-2 for nearly a decade and was looking for a 4" iteration of some sort. Never could find it so I took a M28-2 that was sitting unused and reworked it to handle the 45 ACP cartridge. Here they are.
The 4" barreled revolver is used daily, the target revolver get used at the range. Both are used with ACP in moonclips or AR brass. I load cast lead only, 235 full wadcutter, 245 grain SWC, 260 SWC and 280 SWC. The full WC and the 260 SWC seem to be the ideal for them.
The 4" barreled revolver is used daily, the target revolver get used at the range. Both are used with ACP in moonclips or AR brass. I load cast lead only, 235 full wadcutter, 245 grain SWC, 260 SWC and 280 SWC. The full WC and the 260 SWC seem to be the ideal for them.
VA27
Member
I've had several over the years. A coupla 1955 Targets, a 1917 Smith and a 1917 Colt. I lucked on to a used Model 22-4, 4" last week. I like 'em!
jmorris
Member
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I have a couple of 625's. They dominate the revolver action shooting games they are allowed in. Very fast to reload and very simple to retrieve all your brass back. Mooning/demoon can be a pain if you don't have the right tools but if you use 45GAP brass they moon/demoon by hand and the small primers allow for better trigger pull with 100% ignition.
Here is a video of a tool I built for them. The mouth of the feed tube is cut so it will demoon also.
Here is a video of a tool I built for them. The mouth of the feed tube is cut so it will demoon also.
Coal Dragger
member
Can't speak for the double action .45ACP revovlers, but I love the spare cylinder in .45ACP that I had made for my Freedom Arms .454 Casull.
huntsman
Member
I bought a 5-1/2" blackhawk convert for deer hunting and plinking, the .45acp has been a joy to shoot and now I'm going to look for a .45acp in a barrel of 3-4" instead of another semi-auto.
ApacheCoTodd
member
For me.
Pros:
.45 compatibility with my many semi-autos
.45 is a very easy and an "all things known" reload
Loves me some moon clip reloading
Shoots like black powder pistols
Cons:
Moon clips unless you get something chambered like a Smith 1917
Most of them waste a lot of frame dimension and weight on the "downpowered" cartridge
Pros:
.45 compatibility with my many semi-autos
.45 is a very easy and an "all things known" reload
Loves me some moon clip reloading
Shoots like black powder pistols
Cons:
Moon clips unless you get something chambered like a Smith 1917
Most of them waste a lot of frame dimension and weight on the "downpowered" cartridge
Archie
Member
What Apache Todd said...
Except I'll quibble with his closing comment.
A .45 ACP revolver is 'down powered' only when compared to the same size revolver in .44 Magnum or Special.
However, for a reloader, the .45 ACP/.45 AutoRim round can be loaded with a 255 grain wadcutter to a fairly authoritative level. Some 'old guys' have killed deer regularly with them.
I have a 1917 S&W (cut down) and a 1955 Target model and I'm rather fond of both.
Except I'll quibble with his closing comment.
A .45 ACP revolver is 'down powered' only when compared to the same size revolver in .44 Magnum or Special.
However, for a reloader, the .45 ACP/.45 AutoRim round can be loaded with a 255 grain wadcutter to a fairly authoritative level. Some 'old guys' have killed deer regularly with them.
I have a 1917 S&W (cut down) and a 1955 Target model and I'm rather fond of both.
The 45 ACP being tied as my favorite revolver cartridge (38/44 being the other) I almost had to post a few pictures (smile).
My oldest 45 ACP revolver is this customized 1917:
The plastic stocks have since been replaced by a set of ram's horn stocks by Grashorn Gunworks. It has a 3-3/8" barrel and a hard chrome finish.
Next in age is a Model of 1955:
That barrel has been cut to 5", the ramp and front sight are pinned just like the original. Stocks are early, hand checkered Harrett Shooting Stars.
Smith & Wesson made some of their Mountain Guns in 45 ACP but only in stainless (625s). I wanted a blue steel version like this:
It's a M25-2 that has a shortened Model of 1950 tapered barrel. Like the factory MGs this one has a round butt and a matt finish. It's one of my favorites.
Finally, one of the early 625-2 with the full lug 5" barrel.
Bought this used with a bad case of push off. A new main spring from Brownells ended the push off and delivered a reliable but very smooth DA trigger pull.
Pre loading a couple hundred rounds of moon clips in my shop makes any trip to the range a delight as no other revolver reloads as quickly or smoothly as a 45 ACP fed full moons.
Dave
My oldest 45 ACP revolver is this customized 1917:
The plastic stocks have since been replaced by a set of ram's horn stocks by Grashorn Gunworks. It has a 3-3/8" barrel and a hard chrome finish.
Next in age is a Model of 1955:
That barrel has been cut to 5", the ramp and front sight are pinned just like the original. Stocks are early, hand checkered Harrett Shooting Stars.
Smith & Wesson made some of their Mountain Guns in 45 ACP but only in stainless (625s). I wanted a blue steel version like this:
It's a M25-2 that has a shortened Model of 1950 tapered barrel. Like the factory MGs this one has a round butt and a matt finish. It's one of my favorites.
Finally, one of the early 625-2 with the full lug 5" barrel.
Bought this used with a bad case of push off. A new main spring from Brownells ended the push off and delivered a reliable but very smooth DA trigger pull.
Pre loading a couple hundred rounds of moon clips in my shop makes any trip to the range a delight as no other revolver reloads as quickly or smoothly as a 45 ACP fed full moons.
Dave
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
For just range plinking without the pain of moonclips, I have had good success with the Rimz EZ-Moon plastic moon clips.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/
You can load & unload them with just your fingers easily.
They are not nearly as durable and drop-proof as steel clips.
But it doesn't take a mooner & a de-mooner tool to get the cases in & out of them either.
rc
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/
You can load & unload them with just your fingers easily.
They are not nearly as durable and drop-proof as steel clips.
But it doesn't take a mooner & a de-mooner tool to get the cases in & out of them either.
rc
highlander 5
Member
I've 2 model 625s and when freinds have asked to go to the range with me I bring an assortment of revolvers and semi autos and almost everyone has fallen in love them.
Easy to shoot recoil wise and very accurate. I bring an assortment of 45 ACP and 45 Auto rim ammo loaded to standard velocities and have had no complaints on recoil. A friend that's waiting on his LTC is going to look for a used 625 once his permit is in.
Easy to shoot recoil wise and very accurate. I bring an assortment of 45 ACP and 45 Auto rim ammo loaded to standard velocities and have had no complaints on recoil. A friend that's waiting on his LTC is going to look for a used 625 once his permit is in.
Hammerdown77
Member
+1000 for the RIMZ. Made the experience of shooting moon clipped 45 Auto so much more enjoyable for me.
The only one I have is a 625JM. I did an action job, replaced the springs and installed an extended firing pin. It’s a super-nice shooting gun.
I only fire it DA. Don't think I've ever fired it SA.
Yesterday at the range, I fired 2 moon clips at 20 yards DA, about one second per shot and got this group. It would be 2 ¾” if it wasn’t for the flyer that opened it up to 3 ¾”
OOPS!
I only fire it DA. Don't think I've ever fired it SA.
Yesterday at the range, I fired 2 moon clips at 20 yards DA, about one second per shot and got this group. It would be 2 ¾” if it wasn’t for the flyer that opened it up to 3 ¾”
OOPS!
bamabiker
Member
I guess you can say I like S&W 45 ACP revolvers.
I have another 3" M625 that did not make this picture.
I have another 3" M625 that did not make this picture.
MagnumDweeb
Member
Everytime it seems like I can finally buy a .45 ACP Revolver something comes up. A deal I can't turn down, my wedding that I have to pay for, etc. etc. etc..
I finally settled on waiting till I can find another .454 Casull Ruger Redhawk for less than $700.00 with a 7.5" barrel and having cut for .45 ACP. I know someone who did this to theirs, and i have an uncut one (it's my full time .454 Casull shooter), and it shoots like a dream out to twenty five yards. I fired six shots and thought I had somehow missed twice as I was winding it back up to find I had double punched inside a three inch grouping. Not amazing shooting but good plinking. I've tried to get my friend out to an open air range so I can try it at fifty yards.
In the massive frame it has as much recoil as .38 special in a Model 15. Just a sweet straight shooter.
I finally settled on waiting till I can find another .454 Casull Ruger Redhawk for less than $700.00 with a 7.5" barrel and having cut for .45 ACP. I know someone who did this to theirs, and i have an uncut one (it's my full time .454 Casull shooter), and it shoots like a dream out to twenty five yards. I fired six shots and thought I had somehow missed twice as I was winding it back up to find I had double punched inside a three inch grouping. Not amazing shooting but good plinking. I've tried to get my friend out to an open air range so I can try it at fifty yards.
In the massive frame it has as much recoil as .38 special in a Model 15. Just a sweet straight shooter.
VA27
Member
The Rimz clips are great for plinking, but do NOT shoot CCI shotshells with them. The plastic clips will allow the fired case to jam up against the recoil shield and you'll have a heck of a time getting the second shot off or even getting the cylinder open! The shotshells work fine with the metal moon clips.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Did that Charter Arms CARR (rimless revolver) ever come out in .45ACP?
Here's the last revolver I'll ever sell . . .
I've had both 625-3 (Model of 1989) and 25-2 (Model of 1955) .45ACP revolvers. Incredibly accurate and fun to shoot!!!
My favorite though started out in the early '80s as a stock, 6 1/2" barreled 25-2 target revolver. Back then, Smith lacked the wisdom of producing this fine gun with a short barrel for self-defense so quite a few folks converted them.
Mine was chopped by, a long-deceased gunsmith in Savannah, to a barrel length of 3 1/4". It has the best single AND double action trigger jobs I've ever experienced. It is extremely fast from the holster, and exhibits perfect balance and recovery times when shooting fast, double action competitions. It has superb accuracy, and also reloads as fast (for me) as I can my 1911 pistols!
Yep, this moon-clipped revolver is THE perfect fighting revolver, IMHO!
I've had both 625-3 (Model of 1989) and 25-2 (Model of 1955) .45ACP revolvers. Incredibly accurate and fun to shoot!!!
My favorite though started out in the early '80s as a stock, 6 1/2" barreled 25-2 target revolver. Back then, Smith lacked the wisdom of producing this fine gun with a short barrel for self-defense so quite a few folks converted them.
Mine was chopped by, a long-deceased gunsmith in Savannah, to a barrel length of 3 1/4". It has the best single AND double action trigger jobs I've ever experienced. It is extremely fast from the holster, and exhibits perfect balance and recovery times when shooting fast, double action competitions. It has superb accuracy, and also reloads as fast (for me) as I can my 1911 pistols!
Yep, this moon-clipped revolver is THE perfect fighting revolver, IMHO!
pittspilot
Member
Beautiful!
I have 2. A 625-2 model of 1989 and a 22-4. Love them both. I have to get some decent pictures of them. A 25-2 is one of my grail guns.
I have 2. A 625-2 model of 1989 and a 22-4. Love them both. I have to get some decent pictures of them. A 25-2 is one of my grail guns.
Gordon
Member
I have an S&W Army Model 4" in acp and a 1955 Target but to tell you the truth they have been less than stellar accurate in the 30+ years I've owned them. So 15 years back I took a sound old 1917 Colt and sent it to Cylinder and Slide where they put on a Douglas Air guaged bull barrel , fabricated a shrouded ball detent front lock up, installed gold front sight sighted in at 25 yards with Ball ammo, action blue print ect. and then it went to Colt for minimal Bank Note engraving and a Royal Blue, then back to Roy Fishpaw for exhibition French walnut grips. The gun will do 2" groups with the right match wadcutters at 50 yards from bags, but I can't anymore.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
Way back in 1975 I bought this Blackhawk brand, spanky new. It came with the extra 45 ACP cylinder. Frankly, I was not interested in the extra cylinder, I only wanted to shoot 45 Colt. But the gun came with the cylinder, so I still have it. Frankly, I went many years before putting any ACP rounds through the gun, and still prefer to shoot it with 45 Colt. But no, the extra cylinder is not for sale.
I have had this pair of S&W Brazilian contract 1917s for quite some time now. I actually prefer to shoot them with 45 Auto Rim instead of 45 ACP. I don't much like messing with moon clips. S&W 1917s headspace on the case mouth, so they can be fired without the clips, but in order to use the extractor one has to use the clips. Without the clips the empties have to be poked out with a stick. That's why I prefer the 45AR cartridge. No clips nor stick needed.
I found this nice Model 1917 last year. It was made in 1918. It came with an almost full box of ammo made the same time the revolver was made. No, I'm not going to shoot up that ammo, I collect old ammo, so it was a nice extra. I also prefer to shoot this one with 45 AR.
Way back in 1975 I bought this Blackhawk brand, spanky new. It came with the extra 45 ACP cylinder. Frankly, I was not interested in the extra cylinder, I only wanted to shoot 45 Colt. But the gun came with the cylinder, so I still have it. Frankly, I went many years before putting any ACP rounds through the gun, and still prefer to shoot it with 45 Colt. But no, the extra cylinder is not for sale.
I have had this pair of S&W Brazilian contract 1917s for quite some time now. I actually prefer to shoot them with 45 Auto Rim instead of 45 ACP. I don't much like messing with moon clips. S&W 1917s headspace on the case mouth, so they can be fired without the clips, but in order to use the extractor one has to use the clips. Without the clips the empties have to be poked out with a stick. That's why I prefer the 45AR cartridge. No clips nor stick needed.
I found this nice Model 1917 last year. It was made in 1918. It came with an almost full box of ammo made the same time the revolver was made. No, I'm not going to shoot up that ammo, I collect old ammo, so it was a nice extra. I also prefer to shoot this one with 45 AR.
JTQ
Member
In the July/August 2011 American Handgunner Mike Venturino has an article where he calls the .45ACP "The Best Ever Revolver Cartridge". He makes some very good points.
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJA11/
By the way, I'm a big fan of S&Wfan's chopped 25-2 target revolver. That is one cool revolver.
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJA11/
By the way, I'm a big fan of S&Wfan's chopped 25-2 target revolver. That is one cool revolver.
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