Handgun buying binge...now on the hunt for a .45 ACP revolver

[9mm+]

I have been on a handgun buying binge lately. I don't know why, but for some reason I have the itch that needs scratching. Anyway, I will be buying the Springfield XD45 soon due to my excellent experience with my XD40 (love, love, love this pistol) and I have enough room in the budget for one more handgun. I was looking at a 45 ACP revolver to complement the XD45 and am centering in on the Taurus Tracker over the S&W 625. Nothing wrong with the 625 (I really like my other S&W's), but it's outside of my budget for now. The Taurus Tracker is spot-on, price-wise...

I searched the threads and found that there were some minor issues with the moon clips, but otherwise the Tracker checks out great. I have had great experience with my PT908 and I like Taurus overall. Some people call Taurus crap guns and others love them, but I am in the latter camp.

Feedback from the Tracker owners would be most appreciated. I am leaning towards the 4" barrel. That size would make it easier for toting on wilderness hikes, etc. Thanks in advance...

 

[General Geoff]

Taurus makes good guns at a great price. Nothing really wrong with 'em. May your Tracker bring you years of shooting enjoyment.

 

[9mm+]

Thanks, General. None of my local shops have the .45 ACP Tracker, and since it is out of production, I may have to buy "in the blind" without holding it or shooting it first. There are some available from Bud's and GunBroker. I am going to opt for the 4" barrel; the extra heft will help with the control. I think the "Ribber" grips will be nice, but if not, there's alway Hogue...

 

[Brian Williams]

I had a 45 colt version of the Tracker and it was a great gun. I sold it to fund another silly project.

 

[BCRider]

I recently got a chance to shoot a 625 and found it to be a lovely gun to shoot. Stronger than my usual .38Spl by far. More like a .357Mag for the power but with a softer "push" rather than the "smack" that the .357 provides. A really sweet gun to shoot which would be a lovely companion to a .45 semi.

 

[stonecoldy]

I recently purchased a S&W 625 and have had it to an indoor range once to shoot. Put 100 rounds of 200 gr LSWC through it.
I like how it feels in the hand. Still in the phase of getting used to it, but first try was good. Now to try a few other loads. Bought about 2 dozen moonclips and a "de-mooner" from Midway to make life easier at the range.
No experience with the Taurus version to report for you.

 

[9mm+]

BC & Stonecoldy -- thanks for the input. Considering that the 625 is still in production, I may give it another look (assuming I can find one that is near the price of the Taurus).

 

[Sport45]

Does it have to be double action? Ruger has a Blackhawk convertibe that has .45C and .45acp cylinders. You could load it from mild to wild.

Blackhawk Convertible

 

[StrawHat]

For many years S&W made the 45 ACP revolver by which all target revolvers were judged, the M25-2. No longer made, it is occasionally found on the used shelves and well worth finding and considering. It is not stainless and not tacticool but it is Classic S&W.

 

[bear71]

"Anyway, I will be buying the Springfield XD45 soon due to my excellent experience with my XD40 (love, love, love this pistol)"

I did the exact same thing. Love my XD40sc and thought the XD45 would be perfect so I bought one.

I didn't like the XD45. To much recoil in the polymer frame, it wasn't fun to shoot like the XD40sc.

I'd recommend renting or shooting a friend's XD45 before you buy one.

 

[MCgunner]

Tracker is a lighter gun, but they're ported and I really can live without ports, especially if not in a big bore magnum caliber where it might work. Trackers are VERY accurate as are most Taurus revolvers in my experience. I've got two 66s which are not ported and pretty close to a tracker in .357 mag. I love 'em. I have had, off and on for a while, the hots for a .41 mag tracker. I like the gun's size for carry and I like the caliber. Probably a handful of gun, but the ribbed grips and the porting DO help there.

Anyway, I think the tracker is a might more practical than a .45ACP in an N frame, 40+ ounces. I can see the N frame mountain gun in .44 mag, but I had a 1917 and it was not a small gun. It was light, with that pencil barrel, as N frames go, but no M10, put it that way. The tracker just seems a more likable size for carry. It's a 5 rounder, though, but the cylinder is less of a lump in the waste band that way.

Anyway, the compact, light weight size of the Tracker series is what sets 'em apart IMHO. Great carries either IWB or as a hiking gun. The Titanium .41 is only 24 ounces. Yeah, it might not be much for a 100 round range session. LOL!

For a .45 carry, I'm wanting a PT145 since my son-in-law bought one and I shot it. I don't carry much IWB, though. Sure a light, handy gun for a 10 round capacity .45, though. He has an XD40, too, and the thing is a stone by comparison, though a fine shooter, never bobbles, always goes bang.

 

[9mm+]

@Sport45 -- SA is fine, so I will give the Ruger BH Conv. a look-see. I used to not like Western grips but am now coming around to them. Plus, Ruger is a great company with excellent firearms. Thanks for the suggestion.

@Bear71 -- Interesting re: the XD45. And now there's an XD45C, so the smaller frame may make the problem worse. Perhaps there is an aftermarket recoil spring that will help suck up some of the pop on a lighter frame. I willd definitely test-fire before buying.

@MCgunner -- Good input on re: Tracker experience, thanks. The Tracker's compact size and lightweight is definitely a plus for hikes and expeditions. I agree that ports on this caliber aren't very useful, but glad to hear of the Tracker's accuracy (side note: The SA XD40 V-10 also had ports...still can't figure out that one).