Hi,

I'm considering a 45 ACP revolver as my next gun (if the authorities here in Germany will allow it and give me a permit). It's intended as a backup gun when hunting in the woods (and no, we don't have any bears here). I'm a handloader and could do my own whoppers in 45 Autorim or even 45 Super. Does someone know if the 625 PC can be loaded with heavier bullets due to it's shorter cylinder length? Or should I try to find a 625 Mountain gun, whose cylinder is obviously a little bit longer? Do the 625 digest a not to often dose of 45 Super or should I stick to Autorim for not battering the gun?

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

no one out there who could give me some input?

__________________
Life is too short to own a bad gun

I don't know the answer to your question for sure, but I have a JM625 that I am playing with right now. I read a story about an old rural police officer here in the US who carried a S&W 25 (the carbon steel version of your revolver) for duty. He would use 45acp as his duty round and would switch to 460 Rowland if he needed something extra for 4 legged creatures. I haven't been able to confirm if this is true or safe. Still looking.

The 460 is designed to run in 1911s with a different barrel / chamber, BTW.

There is also the 45 Super which is the same as the 45acp in size I believe. That is also an option in your 625 I would think.

As for loading heavier than 230 grain in 45acps? Yes, I have heard of people doing that since feeding isn't an issue in revolver. Maybe a SWC or WC bullet? As for OAL length and making it fit in your cylinder, I don't know. I suspect trial and error since the 625 does have a shorter cylinder than some of the model 25s.

Sorry that I don't have a definitive answer for you. I am really a 1911 guy and my interest in the 25/625 revolvers stems from commonality of ammo.

Perhaps you could reach out to some gunsmith here in the US for advice?


Regards,
Greyson

I believe a 625 PC will handle heavier bullets. The purpose of the short cylinder is to cut down on bullet jump and should not have any influence on whether or not you can shoot heavy bullets.

I know some 625s have been rechambered for .460 Rowland (if I'm not mistaken, Clark Custom does this) but I don't see how a stock .45 ACP revolver will shoot .460 Rowland. Maybe the less precisely chambered newer models can do it, but my older 625-4s will not.

Some shooters report firing .45 Super with no problem. I do not use .45 Super factory ammo but I do use heavy handloads in ACP brass that are just about .45 Super equivalent. As far as I can tell these loads hurt my hand more than they hurt the gun.

Dave Sinko

While it hasn't been specifically pointed out the 625PC and 625JM use different length cylinders. The PC version is noticably shorter and IMO the 625 JM may be a better choice of you plan on loading your ammo to longer than standard lengths for 45ACP.

As has already been mentioned there are several different lengths of 45 ACP cylinder for the 625s. I think I have seen three.

45 SUPER is just fine with the 625s modern metallurgy. I would never fire 45 SUPER in the older model 25s. I have been shooting 45 SUPER from my 625s for probably 15 years now. I would not load to 45SUPER pressure in standard 45 ACP brass. If you plan on using the 45 SUPER order up some brass for it.

I move the Speer 260 JHPs out of my guns at 1000+ depending on which firearm. I get about 1100 out of the Springfield or the long USP.



The 230 JHPs move at over 1200 from the 625s