I have a 4" S&W Mtn Gun and would like to carry some factory ammo while in the field for protection, not only against 4 legged threats, but also those of the 2 legged kind. I normally shoot my own handloads, but prefer factory ammo for defensive carry.

My question is, are the Winchester Silvertip 225gr (920fps) 45 colt cartridges standard pressure, and are they safe to fire in the Mountain Gun?

My other option seems to be the Speer Gold Dot HP or Hornady Leverevolution.

Thanks.

I have a 4" S&W Mtn Gun and would like to carry some factory ammo while in the field for protection, not only against 4 legged threats, but also those of the 2 legged kind. I normally shoot my own handloads, but prefer factory ammo for defensive carry.

My question is, are the Winchester Silvertip 225gr (920fps) 45 colt cartridges standard pressure, and are they safe to fire in the Mountain Gun?

My other option seems to be the Speer Gold Dot HP or Hornady Leverevolution.

Thanks.

The Silvertips will be fine in your gun. That is the factory ammo I have for my 25-5.

There is no SAAMI standard for Plus-P in .45 Colt, I don't believe. All the ammo from the major makers in .45 Colt will be standard pressure and safe in your S&W. It is only some of the exotic stuff from the "boutique" ammo loaders like Cor-Bon and Buffalo Bore that will be loaded hotter.

Even the traditional conical/flat tip bullet loadings, such as W-W and R-P, are pretty good stoppers. The lighter Silvertip from W-W is pretty mild, pressure-wise. It is a good choice.

Revolverman,
I've been happy with the Speer 250g Gold Dot. They say 900fps, but I've not put it over my chrony to verify.

You will be served fine with either the Win STHP or the Speer GDHP.

I carry and have shot quite a few of the silvertips through my 25-5. It is the same gun as a mountain gn with a heavy barrel. It will be fine.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

You can also send in your cylinder to TK Customs to have it cut for .45ACP. Best of both worlds.

http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp

MikeyB

I carry the Federal 225 grain LHP in my Mountain Gun. It's accurate and easy to shoot. It looks like the old .38 Special 158 grain LSWCHP +P that I carried as a policeman in Illinois decades ago, except bigger! I talked to a Cor-Bon rep about using their .45 Colt +P in a Mountain Gun and he assured me it would be safe, but I think a steady diet would rapidly wear out your gun.

The good thing about a 45 Colt is that it can fling a BIG bullet! The magnum of its day, if you needed a 250-255 LRN to go through a stampeded cow's skull or stop a runaway horse, it would do it. Or bad guys wearing black hats (even if they wear them backwards). Does the same thing today too.

I like the Win 225 STHP as factory carry ammo in mine for civilized venues. But I never feel undergunned with a big chunk of solid lead either. Downside is that it will have more penetration than you really need or want in most civilized areas. The STHP or Fed LHP is a bit better in that regard.

And anything sold as a commercial 45 Colt load (except the boutique "+P" hunting stuff) will be within SAAMI spec 14Kpsi and fine for your Model 25 Mtn Gun.

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" I said, good DAY! "

try "buffalo-bore"ammo...300gr jsp at1325fps.heavy 45colt loading..

Sir, I shot a few hundred Winchester Silvertips in .45 Colt through my 25-9 in the early '90s. They were quite accurate and didn't bother the gun at all. Of course, there was no such thing as "+P .45 Colt" factory loads in those days.

One thing that would give me pause about using Silvertips defensively is that they used to have a reputation for under-penetration. Whether that's still true I don't know. Regardless, for the field, I'd be more inclined to use a solid than a hollowpoint.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.