I picked up a 4" S&W model 625-3 a week ago. I've been running some .45 ACP and .45 AR through it and enjoying it immensely! I came across some Starline .45 Cowboy brass that is available local to me. I was wondering if anyone runs any .45 Cowboy in their 625 and how it does?

I am not familiar with Starline 45 Cowboy brass BUT if it's longer than 45 ACP/AR brass it won't work in a 625-3. The charge holes in the cylinder have a ledge in them which allows 45 ACP ammo to headspace and fire without moonclips.

You should be able to figure this out on your own. The brass you came across is probably available because it wouldn't work in the seller's gun.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Thank you, I checked the Starline website; OAL for .45 ACP is listed as 0.892 - 0.897 with the .45 Cowboy Special listed as 0.892 - 0.896. Again, just curious about this concept. I have plenty of .45 ACP brass on hand for now!

Isn't .45 Cowboy a rimmed casing? Can't remember....What would you gain by it's use?
Randy

Shoot them without moon clips AND have them eject, same idea as the .45 AR, they work like a charm.

.45 Cowboy is essentially ACP with a Colt rim. Different from AR, but would probably work OK in the 625. Headspace will be a mite loose, in Colt terms, but will seat at case mouth, like ACP, if taper crimped to same specs.

Larry

The Cowboy 45 Special case is the same length as a 45ACP but has the rim of a 45 Colt.

Essentially a "45 Colt Short" which allows you to use 45ACP load data in your 45 Colt revolver (if it's strong enough).

The C45S has a .060" thick rim, the same as a 45 Colt.

The 45 Auto Rim has a .089" thick rim to match the 45 ACP's .049" rims and .040" moonclip's thickness.

Shooting the C45S in a 45ACP revolver will give you ~.029" excess headspace (too much space between the cartridge head & the recoil plate/frame.

Use 45ARs in your 45ACP revolvers. Use C45S in 45 Colt revolvers.

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Waiting for the break of day

The 625 is real neat always thought it'd make a good service revolver with moon clips.

Where do 45 ACP smith revolvers headspace ? off the case mouth or is a moon clip required and thats where it headspaces ?
I know guys with RUger 45 ACP revolvers are using this brass and maybe that is the difference. The rugers headspace off the case mouth so the difference in rim thickness is irrelevant as the back would be in the same place.
Now the Why ? I have no idea, Seems to be no advantage over loading ACP in these, and in the case of the Smith 45 AR pretty available,

The Cowboy 45 Special case is basically a shortened 45 Colt case, used in Cowboy Action Shooting. Shooters wanted a softer shooting /low recoil load. Regular Colt brass had too much volume/airspace for light loads. Starline makes the brass.

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U.S.A.F---E-7--Retired

I don't have a Ruger Blackhawk 45 convertible (dual cylinder conversion), though I threated to many times, but I know the 45 Auto Rims don't work in them because of their thick rims.

Apparently the Blackhawk's 45ACP cylinder has the same gross headspace as the Blackhawk's 45 Colt cylinder, which would allow the C45S to fit without excess clearance.

Since the 45ACP does headspace off the case mouth, & chamber's shoulder, you'd be limited to taper crimping it's loads to ensure proper headspacing & ignition.

With the C45S headspacing on the rim, you'd be free to use a bullet with a cannelure & roll crimp it (like is often done in the 45ARs) & not loose your headspacing.

The reason why the C45S aren't for the 25/325/625s 45ACPs is because their's nearly .100" gross headspace between the face of the cylinder & the recoil plate/frame, which is filled largely by the .089" 45AR rims, or 45ACP rims & moonclips.

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Waiting for the break of day

The Cowboy 45 Special case is to be used in revolvers chambered for 45 Colt not in a 45ACP cylinder. It is just a short 45 Colt case.

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U.S.A.F---E-7--Retired