Which is stronger built?

[Slow]

S&W Model 25 .45 Colt, S&W 625 .45 Colt or Taurus 450? I was kicking around the idea of getting one of these for CCW/ car gun and was curious as to the relative strengths/merits of each one. I have also considered getting a Ruger Sheriff's model birdshead. I will be shooting this gun weekly and don't want one that's going to wear out. I reload so I can tailor the pressure accordingly but will I wear out any of the first 3 choices if I stay in the 14,000 psi range? Accuracy by Stephen Camp's standards are more than sufficient. Jim March et al feel free to chime in... Thanks

 

[valnar]

I can only speak to the S&W. A modern 625 will be stronger than an older 25, by posts I have made over the months similar to yours.

-Robert

 

[bpisler]

I would think that the smiths are stronger than the taurus with the nod going to the 625.

 

[Dave T]

Interesting that everyone assumes stainless is stronger. My engineering physicist friend tells me that chrome molly steel is stronger than stainless in the alloys used to make firearms.

 

[JoeHatley]

I've haven't pushed either of these to the point of damage, but I've run some pretty stout loads through them. Both mine and Cor-Bon's.

25-5

625

With in practical limits, I don't think there would be a nickle's worth of difference in strength.

Can't speek to the Taurus.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a Taurus Tracker mod 460 4" barrel in 45 Colt and it is a great gun. It shoots real well and I can keep 10 shots in 5" at 30 yards. It is a smaller gun, about the size of a K frame and 5 shots. The cylinder is a little stronger due to the placement of the locking lug cuts, between the cylinder and that while the cylinder is smaller in diameter the walls around and between the charge holes are thicker. The action is a nice smooth action with a real strong trigger pull, a Wolf spring set would help that.


Will it wear as long as a S&W ???????
the fit and finish is very close to new made S&W and Rugers. I have seen some of each that were worse and some equal and a few better.

 

[10-Ring]

I would think the S&W's are stronger.

 

[Steve Smith]

I was talking to John Linebaugh about this a few weeks ago. He carries a 25-5 almost daily. He owns a few 625s too. He had lots of great things to say about the 625...seemed to think it was slightly more solid than the 25-5, but more from the point of view that they are more precisely made these days.

 

[Tamara]

The Taurus is a K/L-frame sized gun, while the Smiths are N-frames. The Smiths are stronger due to simple size and weight.

 

[swifter]

My 25-5 has a lot of 900+ fps loads thru it with no problems so far, one of my favorite handguns.
Tom

 

[Tom C.]

Strong .45 Colt

The Ruger Redhawk and Blackhawk are both significantly stronger than any Smith or Taurus. My 5.5" Redhawk is bull strong and amazingly accurate. It is also heavier than the Smiths. If you are content to use only factory loads in the .45 colt, probably doesn't matter. If you want the +P stuff, don't use them in the Smith.

 

[Quantrill]

Of the choices you have mentioned, the S&Ws. Quantrill

 

[Majic]

Since you also mentioned the Ruger it is much stronger than either of the Smith or Taurus.
In the pressure range you are seeking, most any .45 Colt chambered handgun should live long lives.

 

[Gary A]

It seems to me that when the Taurus 450 first came out it was pointed out that the "weak" link in the Taurus is the fact that the forcing cone is very thin in order to enable a .45 Colt chambering in a revolver of that size. I have looked at them and it is, indeed, thin...paper thin. I believe for that reason Taurus recommends not hotrodding the Taurus 450. If so, then regardless of other issues of strength, the Smith would be "stronger" in the area of the forcing cone. FWIW.

 

[22luvr]

Joe Hatley......................

I LIKE YOUR TOYS! If you and Frenchy ever got together to compare collections you'd have a swell time.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Why I would go S&W

S&W has superior lockwork. Stronger and safer IMHO. Why? Rebound slide is a safety device that not only returns the trigger to its position of rest, but also intercepts the fall of the hammer and prevents it from rotating fully forward. Thus, if pressure is released from the trigger and the hammer slips, the firing pin won't strike the primer and have an accidental (as opposed to negligent) discharge. The Taurus designed deleted the rebound slide in favor of a plunger & spring that returns the trigger to its position of rest, but does nothing about the hammer movement.

I also trust the metallurgist at S&W more.

 

[Majic]

Taurus did have a rebound slide similar to Smiths. When they changed the design they went with a trigger controlled transfer bar that controls hammer impact to the firing pin.