45 ACP revolver recommendation?

[zzzippper]

Does anyone have any model recommendations? I'm looking for a modern 45ACP revolver, preferably with an unfluted cylinder. I lean towards S&W but would consider anything.

[funkymonkey1111]

no idea, and i'm not trying to derail your thread, but i've always wondered why people wanted a rimless-round in a revolver--especially when revolvers in the far superior .357 magnum cartridge are readily available. just curious--good luck with the search

[SAnd]

I don't have any experience in modern 45 acp revolvers so can't recommend any particular revolver like you asked about. I wanted to mention the RIMZ polymer clips though. It is a lot easier to insert and remove the cartridges from the polymer clips than the metal clips. At least in my very limited revolver clip experience. They make shooting 45acp with clips a lot more funner.

Here is a link to the the RIMZ site- http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm
Brownells also sells the clips.

Happy Hunting for your revolver.

[zzzippper]

Yes, they are an oddity. I have a Webley whose cylinder was shaved to take 45 ACP. This is more of a "just because" interest than filling any sort of need. I found one on gunbroker last night that was already at the limit of my financial interest. It sold for $976. Any S&W or Colt revolver is bringing a premium anymore.
no idea, and i'm not trying to derail your thread, but i've always wondered why people wanted a rimless-round in a revolver--especially when revolvers in the far superior .357 magnum cartridge are readily available. just curious--good luck with the search

[BuffCyclist]

no idea, and i'm not trying to derail your thread, but i've always wondered why people wanted a rimless-round in a revolver--especially when revolvers in the far superior .357 magnum cartridge are readily available. just curious--good luck with the search

Continuing the thread derailment but replying to your wondering, in NM, you can only conceal carry a weapon as large as the one you qualified with, and you have to qualify with both a semi-auto and a revolver if you want to carry either. So, qualifying with a .45acp semi-auto and then a .45acp revolver makes everything the same caliber and you'll never have to worry about what you can or can't conceal based on the caliber alone.

[sellersm]

I've always wanted a 625 JM! I think there are advantages to the revolver in .45acp, lower recoil is one.

[funkymonkey1111]

Yes, they are an oddity. I have a Webley whose cylinder was shaved to take 45 ACP. This is more of a "just because" interest than filling any sort of need. I found one on gunbroker last night that was already at the limit of my financial interest. It sold for $976. Any S&W or Colt revolver is bringing a premium anymore.

"just because" is just about the best reason to make a purchase in my book--let us know what you end up getting and how you like it!

[DVC357]

Well,....I'll throw in two more cents. I enjoyed campaigning a S&W 625 in USPSA several years ago
it was a lot of fun. But, realistically shooting a revolver in that type of competition is something you
just gotta love on a personal level rather then with the expectancy of winning your class.
Also, on clips, plastic clips are the best for range practice and economical as well; however,
if one was crazy enough to use a 45acp revolver for either competition or home defense i'd stay
away from plastic or semi moons and stick with a nice expensive carbon or stainless steel.
A single piece of steel is much faster both in and out, makes reloads more consistent, and
keeps cartridge alignment more true.
Lastly, "Just me", i can draw and shoot a 625 faster then a 1911 for those first six shots.
I love revolver ergonomics, if there was such a thing.
Last, and most to the point,...Other then Smith and Wesson's 625 and Governor model,
i dont recall another modern 45acp revolver.

[bellavite1]

Wife used to have a Night Guard.
Very nice revolver.
If I liked revolvers I would get me one of those again.

[JohnTRourke]

I have two, both S&W's, one is the model 25 classic (blue, wood, .45acp, new production, this century) and one is the 325 Thunder ranch version. The 325 is the better carry gun, lighter, smoother, etc.
both are BIG guns (N frames), but relatively decent to shoot since the .45 isn't really going that fast. Fast as shit to reload if you are already moonclipped up just carry the moonclip instead of a speed loader. You definitely want the demooner and the moon clip installer (Brownell's)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLk1v5bSFPw

[DVC357]

There you go S&W 325NG NICE home defense piece

[zzzippper]

I thought Taurus might make one since they copy everything S&W does. I came this close "-" to buying a governor this weekend but it is too much of a niche gun even for me.
Well,....I'll throw in two more cents. I enjoyed campaigning a S&W 625 in USPSA several years ago
it was a lot of fun. But, realistically shooting a revolver in that type of competition is something you
just gotta love on a personal level rather then with the expectancy of winning your class.
Also, on clips, plastic clips are the best for range practice and economical as well; however,
if one was crazy enough to use a 45acp revolver for either competition or home defense i'd stay
away from plastic or semi moons and stick with a nice expensive carbon or stainless steel.
A single piece of steel is much faster both in and out, makes reloads more consistent, and
keeps cartridge alignment more true.
Lastly, "Just me", i can draw and shoot a 625 faster then a 1911 for those first six shots.
I love revolver ergonomics, if there was such a thing.
Last, and most to the point,...Other then Smith and Wesson's 625 and Governor model,
i dont recall another modern 45acp revolver.

[zzzippper]

I think I see a 325 in my future if I save up my beer money.
There you go S&W 325NG NICE home defense piece

[davsel]

no idea, and i'm not trying to derail your thread, but i've always wondered why people wanted a rimless-round in a revolver--especially when revolvers in the far superior .357 magnum cartridge are readily available. just curious--good luck with the search

My reasons:
1) I do not want to get back into another caliber (.357) when I already own several .45s and reloading dies for it.
2) I prefer a revolver on the night stand, rather than an auto for personal reliability reasons.
3) My wife does not shoot autos enough to feel comfortable in a stressful situation with one - back to 1) and 2)
ETA: based on post #16:
4) If it's good enough for Jerry, it's good enough for me.

Wife also shoots a S&W 940 in 9mm - sweet little pistol - moon clips are easier to carry and load than speed loaders.

Summation: Perfect house/car gun in a caliber I already own.

"... far superior ..."[ROFL1]


ETA: I prefer heavy stainless in a gun this size: +1 for the S&W 625 JM

[sellersm]

The Governor is a great revolver!! My daughter loves shooting it, so do I! It shoots very well, has a great trigger and is just a blast to shoot!

[DVC357]

Mr Miculek IS The King of Revolvers and a true Southern Gentleman !

[Zombie Steve]

Well, since nobody else said it...

Blackhawk convertible with 2 cylinders - .45 Colt and .45 automatic.

Modern? Well, among the most modern single action revolvers. [Coffee]



Tough as nails and you have the ability to really go off the charts if you load .45 Colt (my personal favorite is a 250 grain XTP going 1,200 fps).


If you just have to have a double action, I think you want the 625JM. Fast reloads...



the far superior .357 magnum cartridge


I like the .357 mag, but I wouldn't call it "far superior". If you said .45 Colt or .44 mag, I'd agree.

[Hoser]

I have three 45 ACP revos.

Two are S&Ws. An older 25-2 and a late 90s 625. The 625 has a boatload of ammo through it and a Apex 4.5 lb DA trigger. The 25-2 is still stock.

My last 45 ACP revo is a Freedom Arms 454 with a 45 ACP cylinder. It is the most accurate 45 ACP I own. I mainly shoot 45 ACP through it after a steady dies of 454 starts making me flinch.

Now days the only 625 Smith makes is a 4 inch. Even with that short barrel, it is still a fun gun. I would get one and a handfun of moon clips. For the 625 you dont need Hearthco moonclips. Ranch products work just fine.

I dont think I have ever seen a 625 with an unfluted cylinder.

Below is one of the original 625 JMs that came out of the Performance Center.

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/DSC03559.jpg (http://s890.photobucket.com/user/puebloshooter/media/DSC03559.jpg.html)

[Zombie Steve]

You ever put floss on those big butt grips for a thong effect?

[Hoser]

reTx5sqvVJ4?t

[earplug]

moons are better then mags. And who really likes picking up brass after running around.

[zzzippper]

So, 325 or 625?

[JohnTRourke]

what are you going to use it for?
nightstand/target, probably 625, although the 325 TR has a rail for lights (yeah, it's ugly, i took mine off)

carry, 325, no question (way lighter)

[Colorado_Outback]

I'm a Nightguard fan.

This one has a full Wolff kit, its nice :)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9412909098_90e2907b17_c.jpg

[zzzippper]

Great answer, nightstand/target only. I'm already pimped out for carry.
what are you going to use it for?
nightstand/target, probably 625, although the 325 TR has a rail for lights (yeah, it's ugly, i took mine off)

carry, 325, no question (way lighter)

[zzzippper]

Are the JM 625's any different than the standard Performance Center versions?

[Hoser]

Are the JM 625's any different than the standard Performance Center versions?

No idea. Call the PF and ask for Jimmy Ray. He is the HMFIC there and would know.

[sellersm]

I'm a Nightguard fan.

This one has a full Wolff kit, its nice :)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9412909098_90e2907b17_c.jpg

That's a nice looking NG! I still want a 625JM, but man that 325 is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[DVC357]

As i recall I think the only difference between a JM and a standard is :
the JM engraing on the frame.
The JM engraved a shaped wood grip.
A bright gold bead.
A a fine particle blast finish.

[Marine24]

Mine is a Model 625-3, Model of 1989. As others have said, running moon clips is great but get a demooner. Loading by hand is doable but removing the brass from the moon clip is next to impossible without a demooner.

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3Three.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3Three.jpg.html)

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3.jpg.html)

[zzzippper]

+1 on the mooner/demooner. I have one from my Webley.
Mine is a Model 625-3, Model of 1989. As others have said, running moon clips is great but get a demooner. Loading by hand is doable but removing the brass from the moon clip is next to impossible without a demooner.

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3Three.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3Three.jpg.html)

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/Smith%20and%20Wesson/625-3.jpg.html)

[sellersm]

Absolute best moon tool, imnsho, is the BMT: http://www.bmtequipped.com/products.php

For arthritic hands like mine, nothing's better for me and I've tried 'em all! Not inexpensive though...

[Marine24]

Those are slick and a heck of lot easier than doing it by hand or with conventional moon clip tools. You aren't lying about being expensive though.

[spleify]

S&W 625

[earplug]

I have three S&W 625-8s. One is a four inch JM version thats about seven years old. It had a problem due to the flash plating on the hammer. If you leave it stock its not a problem. If you break the edges by taking off the hammer spur or other work the plating starts to flake off.
This might have been fixed in later versions.
I have found the standard versions work very well as a basis for a USPSA revolver.

[Husker95]

+ whatever on the 625. Or if you can find an old Model 25-? (forget the dash number of the 45 ACP version) thats cool as well. I have a 625-8 and after a trigger job from TJ up in Denver it is one of my absolute favorite handguns. Its one of those that just feels right.