SPP .45 ACP brass is the work of the devil; I'm always finding shiny .45 empties, with the small primers...they go in the brass can, along with spent primers. Grrrrrrr......
Preaching to the choir here, with .45 ACP wheelies; have a couple 625s, and wish I had a M25 back. The 325 is great to carry, but truly isn't much fun to shoot.
As regards the color of the action parts, the older stainless guns had flash chromed, forged parts. Then they went to bare, forged parts, and finally MIM parts. The last two look somewhat alike, until you remove them from the revolver. Has Smith reverted to flash chroming of these parts, from the looks of some of the guns?
Mine need some range time, and I'm in good shape for LPPs.
Forty five moon clips remain relatively cheap, compared to a variety of 9mm ones. I prefer the steel ones; use a tool to moon, and especially to de-moon. You'll spring clips forcing them with your fingers.
Moon