.45 ACP Revolver...?

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StrikeFire83

StrikeFire83

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Hello, everybody.

Well, I've had my Kimber Custom II 1911 for about a month now and I love it beyond all description. It's a wonderful weapon, and I'm deadly accurate it to 20 yards. This gun has totally transformed my opinion of the 45 ACP caliber, which in my previous pistol (Ruger P345) was woefully inaccurate.

Anyhow, at the range the other day, somebody was telling me about a .45 ACP REVOLVER, which shoots un-altered auto pistol cartridges. He said he thought Smith and Wesson made them, but he wasn’t sure.

Does anybody know this gun or have any experience with it? I am very interested in purchasing my first revolver, and would LOVE to be able to double up ammunition and still have a powerful gun.

I would like to know what yall’s experiences have been with this gun, if you liked it or thought it was a stupid novelty or whatever. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
He was referring to the Smith & Wesson Model 625 revolver. It shoots .45ACP cartridges held in spring steel "full moon clips" which grip six rounds in their extractor grooves to allow loading with one move and simultaneous extraction of the rimless cases. There are also two and three shot clips (The original 1917 half-moon clip holds three.) and you can shoot loose cartriges but will have to pick the empties out with fingernails or poke them out with a pencil.

It is not a silly gimmick, it is a very effective revolver within the capabilities of the .45ACP calibre; as long as you don't want magnum power. It will also shoot powderpuff ammo that would not cycle the average automatic.

There are several variations in the S&W catalog. The 325 versions are scandium - titanium construction and are light in weight... also high in price.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703

I have an old blue Model 25 that I enjoy shooting.
 
StrikeFire83 said:
Hello, everybody.

Well, I've had my Kimber Custom II 1911 for about a month now and I love it beyond all description. It's a wonderful weapon, and I'm deadly accurate it to 20 yards. This gun has totally transformed my opinion of the 45 ACP caliber, which in my previous pistol (Ruger P345) was woefully inaccurate.

Anyhow, at the range the other day, somebody was telling me about a .45 ACP REVOLVER, which shoots un-altered auto pistol cartridges. He said he thought Smith and Wesson made them, but he wasn’t sure.

Does anybody know this gun or have any experience with it? I am very interested in purchasing my first revolver, and would LOVE to be able to double up ammunition and still have a powerful gun.

I would like to know what yall’s experiences have been with this gun, if you liked it or thought it was a stupid novelty or whatever. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
This is not a novelty. It started back in 1917 when they couldn't make enough 1911s so they had Colt and Smith and Wesson build up some large frame revolvers in .45 ACP. They used full and half moon clips which work even better than speed loaders. The idea was popular, and S&W has continued to make them ever since. I own two such revolvers, and you are right in that they make great companions to a 1911 in .45 ACP. Here's a picture of one of mine.
attachment.php

It's called the Model 22 Thunder Ranch Revolver. Harkens back to the old days, and Indiana Jones. Notice the absence of adjustable sights on this model.
 
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I had my 625-3 out to the range this morning. Can you say one big hole. It is my most accurate short barrel revolver. I was using +P ammo and there was no more felt recoil than with standard 45ACP. I also have two 25-2's and a 1917 Brazilian contract. All of them are great shooters.
 
The S&W 1917, M25, and M625.45acp revolvers that use moon clips or half moon clips. They are great revolvers, I have won quite a bit of money using the S&W 1955 Target model 25-2 pictured.
 

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Might as well add my own 2c as well!! Yes indeed, a revo is excellent for the .45acp - just add moonclips and you are into some accurate and low recoil shooting.

Anyone who uses or carries any .45 semi platform really should try and add the revo as well - it's good!


m625-6-01_s.jpg
 
I have a 25-2 with a 3" barrel and the trigger is wonderful. The only part I don't like is the moonclip. More specifically they are no fun to take brass out of. So I will get some plastic ones.
If I can find one in good condition with a 5" barrel, I will get one, money allowing.
The three inch barrel is a little ridiculous, since that is not the part that will keep this thing from being concealed. However, while the Beretta 92 FS has a DA trigger pull that is just a little too long for comfort, this N-frame fits me fine. The trigger is, of course, execellent

Taurus makes one, a Tracker model which they discontinued. I think the model number is 455, but don't quote me on it. They are available from CDNN at a fairly good price.

Colt also had one.
 
The Smith & Wesson M-625 with a 5" barrel is G-d's gift to handgunners. Shoot one and you'll understand why. Mine:

DMARKOWITZ_625_BK7SM.jpg
 
The only part I don't like is the moonclip. More specifically they are no fun to take brass out of.
Click to expand...
Croyance - demooning is simple if you have a tool - which can be adequately made from 1/2" copper pipe.

I made one using some stainless steel per the pic below but really all you need is something along those lines.


demoon-comp-245-s.jpg
 
And if you can't make one, as stated above, you can buy a demooner rather cheaply. They usually come with a package of moonclips too.
 
My favorite variant: the 625 "Mountain Gun". It's a lighter version, with a partial underlug rather than the full one. I missed my chance to by one many moons ago, and haven't seen a used one locally since. I think it's much more graceful-looking than the standard 625, and lighter to carry, though may have a little more muzzle flip.

-MV
 
Brownell's and Moonclips.com sell demooners like the one above, but with a screwdriver handle. Mine was about $14. As you pop off the case it falls into the hollow handle. When you've removed all six rounds you pour out the six cases all at once. Neat.

I bought some of the plastic RIMZ moonclips from moonclips.com. It's easy to pop rounds in and out of the RIMZ without using a demooner. They're not quite as secure as the metal clips, but they're fine for range use.

You can shoot .45 ACP without using moon clips, but there are two problems. One is obvious: there's nothing for the revolver's extractor to grab onto. You'll have to poke the cases out, or pry them out by the rim (on my 625 they're easy to pull out). The second problem is that because of headspacing issues the firing pin may or may not touch off the round. In my gun I get ignition only about half the time without moonclips.

For the times when you don't want to use clips there's such a thing as .45 Auto Rim with a full rim. It's available commercially if you look around. Georgia Arms sells it. If you handload, you've got it made once you get the brass.
 
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Anyone shot the 325PD? That's an interesting little guy.

I have the 329PD and it's a bit of a handful, but the 325 looks like a nice fit in the lightweight category.
 
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt with an extra conversion cylinder in .45 ACP. You get two great calibers, and no need for moonclips either.
 
MatthewVanitas said:
My favorite variant: the 625 "Mountain Gun". It's a lighter version, with a partial underlug rather than the full one. I missed my chance to by one many moons ago, and haven't seen a used one locally since. I think it's much more graceful-looking than the standard 625, and lighter to carry, though may have a little more muzzle flip.

-MV
Click to expand...
You mean like this?
 

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I made one of those demooning tools with a piece of 1/2" conduit. My motion seems to bend the clip a bit. Still, $.50 isn't a huge investment.
 
Gentlemen,

About 35 years ago, in Africa, I aquired a Webley revolver that had been altered from .455 to .45ACP. That conversion was very popular in Rhodesia.

I understand that many thousands of similar guns were imported into the USA at various times as army surplus.

Mine is great fun to shoot. Here is what it looks like...

http://www.a-human-right.com/pistols/webley-ammo.JPG

http://www.a-human-right.com/pistols/webley-open.JPG

http://www.a-human-right.com/pistols/455webley.JPG

There was also a similar model that was issued to the Irish Constabulary that was a snub nose 5 shooter.

Steve
 
My recently-bought SW1917 is a whole lot of fun to shoot, especially since it makes me look good by giving me scandalously-small 6-shot groups.
 
Yep, the S&W .45 ACP revolvers are not just a passing fad. As mentioned earlier, both S&W and Colt made them in the WWI era and called them Model 1917's.

This one is a S&W and is a fun, smooth and accurate shooter.
107989297.gif
 
I just took delivery of a Performance Centered 625 2". It's smooth shooting and accurate. Fixed sights and dead on. I need bigger hands, but putting Ahrens grips spreads the pain evenly. It is a formidable snubby that loads quickly.

HiCap
 
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