I just recently purchased a Model 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. My question to all the S&W guru's out there is this... Is it ok/safe to shoot the Corbon & Buffalo Bore 45 Colt +P ammo in the Model 625 mountain gun? I've always wanted a S&W in 45 Colt for my collection and was pleased when I found this one at a local shop used but in excellent condition! I intend on shooting the cowboy fodder for range practice but intend on carrying either the Corbon +P 225 JHP or the BB 200 JHP or Speers excellent Gold Dot 250 JHP. I just want to be sure I'm not going to reck my gun shooting the +P stuff through it. I don't really intended on using the super hot BB stuff, never considered it. I am asking about the Corbon 200 JHP stuff, it's rated as +P. But has the same velocity as the BB 200 JHP which isn't +P. I'm just wondering if the corbon ammo would be safe in the Mountain Gun. Like I said earlier in my post I'm not looking for something to slay dragons with, just a good JHP load for defensive carry that won't reck my gun. As your all well aware the ammo supply hasn't been that great since BHO took office. Whereas some types have started to come back, others have not like 380 ACP & 45 Colt at least not in my area, & needless to say pickings are pretty slim if you can find any at all. So if I do happen to find some JHP's & it's corbon I want to make sure it will be safe in my gun. I can see I'm going to have to start reloading too, I enjoy shooting way too much and factory stuff is getting way too expensive. But still I don't think I'd carry handloads as defensive ammo, hunting and range sure, but with all the legal issues handloads present should you need to use your gun to protect yourself, I think I'll stick with the factory stuff. that I will eventually find?
Model 625 Mountain Gun Question
- Thread starter cwl1862
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VA27
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I don't think you'll wreck your gun with a limited amount of it, but you don't need +P ammo for the 45 Colt. Standard velocity will do what needs doin'. Besides, the gun weighs the same as a 1911 (39oz) and the recoil will be...noticeable. If you want to shoot hot stuff trade it for a 44Mag Mountain Gun. If you want to shoot hot stuff in 45 Colt trade it for a 4" Redhawk.
The thinnest section of a .45 S&W cylinder is right at the locking bolt cut.
While the overall quality of the gun will allow high pressure loads the cylinder just isn't designed for them and the cylinders are know to split at the locking bolt cut when a steady diet of high pressure loads are used.
I stick to standard factory loads and reloads designed for Colt/Clone SAA revolvers in my .45 Colt Mountain gun.
Avoid high pressure factory and reloads designed for the Ruger Blackhawk in these guns. HTH
While the overall quality of the gun will allow high pressure loads the cylinder just isn't designed for them and the cylinders are know to split at the locking bolt cut when a steady diet of high pressure loads are used.
I stick to standard factory loads and reloads designed for Colt/Clone SAA revolvers in my .45 Colt Mountain gun.
Avoid high pressure factory and reloads designed for the Ruger Blackhawk in these guns. HTH
The gun is rated at 45 Colt, not "+P." You are taking a risk with going beyond what the gun is tested to safely handle. However, .45 Colt is a low-pressure round and this is not a terribly scary risk like in some other cases.
Just because two loads have similar velocities does not mean they operate at the same pressure. That's determined by the powder mix, volume, and primer characteristics. This is apples-to-oranges, as they say.
The S&W N-frame is a robust and proven frame. A few .45 Colt +P's are unlikely to harm it. But you do not know how the cylinder was heat treated vs. the magnum calibers. It would be foolish to act as if it's a magnum-treated cylinder when that is not what you bought.
I am a big believer that if you want .44 magnum power in an N-frame, get a .44 magnum. If you want low-pressure, .45 Colt performance, get a .45 Colt. I've got one or more N-frame S&W's of each and I do not consider them "interchangeable." High pressure loads go in the .44 Magnums, Saami-spec .45 Colt rounds go in the .45 Colt.
22-rimfire
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My general advice about hot ammo what if's in a particular revolver is "Contact the manufacturer."
I tend to agree with this or you buy Rugers and shoot the hot stuff through them. I also believe shooting some +P loads will likely not hurt your 625. I would use a single action or 4" Ruger Redhawk for this purpose if I wanted a trail gun where hot loads may be important.
I tend to agree with this or you buy Rugers and shoot the hot stuff through them. I also believe shooting some +P loads will likely not hurt your 625. I would use a single action or 4" Ruger Redhawk for this purpose if I wanted a trail gun where hot loads may be important.
I had a Mtn Gun in .45 Colt. The problem with the Mtn Guns is they are light. You'll find the gun is hard on you with any hot loads. I kept mine at the top range found in loading manuals and was quite happy with it. Just not a fan of the .45 Colt I sold mine.
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