Have had an interest in 45ACP S&W Revolver, and saw 2, used Thunder Ranch and new Night Guard. Both felt very light. What are they made of? Since they are light, how is the recoil?

Which would be the better, purpose is CCW - or is some other S&W 45 a better choice for CCW. I won't be buying either of those I saw, beyond what I want to spend. So, I'll be looking around on occasion and for now want to orient myself. I know zip about 45ACP revolvers.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum, polixines. I have no clue what you want to spend, but let me warn you. S&W .45ACP REVOLVERS AIN'T CHEAP ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Yes, THAT was easy to learn.

The model 21 TR has a steel frame, the Night Guard an alloy frame and weighs less. The NG would be better for carry but pretty much any .45 ACP revolver would be a big regular carry gun.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I think the one I saw was 325 TR ?- certainly weighed less than steel. Same look as the NG, Black etc

That one has the alloy frame too...the other TR revolver was a re-issue of the model 22 with a 4" barrel at about 38? ounces.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

As noted, the 45ACP revolvers can be rather expensive. Current production for steel framed revolvers in 45ACP has 2 models. The 625 Performance Center will likely run in the range of 900 dollars new with the price varying depending on the dealer. The 625 JM is about 100 dollars less at about 800 dollars.

If your budget can't stretch this far, you can try looking for a used 625. However, if you find one I would expect it will be priced between 650 and 700 dollars unless it's been really beat up. BTW, on any used revolver you want to take a close look at the stop notches on the cylinder and this is especially true for the 625 due to it's populariting in IDPA and Bowling pin matches. A lot of rapid fire double action shooting can beat these stop notches up badly enough to require a new cylinder. This means that it will actually be less expensive to purchase a brand new 625 JM instead of a 600 dollar beater.

PS; currently I'm in a bit of a quandary. A local dealer has a new 627-5 that I've been eyeballing and just this week a 625 JM showed up. Plus for the 625 JM is that it's the ideal revolver for IDPA ESR, minus is that I'm not sure I want to add another caliber to my "arsenel" and that 627 fits in with what I shoot now.

As for a carry option, there are several members that carry steel N frames. Yeah, at about 42 ounces they are heavier than most would choose for daily carry but with the correct holster and belt I have no doubt it can be done. As for the Scandium framed 325 variants, I don't do well with the recoil these light weight revolvers can produce. To many years of working with my hands has left me with some definate limitations on how much recoil my wrists can tolerate without lasting effects. If you are young with good healty wrists, I have no doubt you can handle the recoil of the scandium models, the simple fact is that the 45ACP really isn't that powerful.

That being said, the 4'' version of the 625-3 Model of 1989 is the best of the bunch IMHO.

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

got a 22-4 TR and a 625 JM.....both have the same recoil and shoot better than i can shoot...

if i understand correctly the model 325 nightguard is the one your asking about. i believe the frame is scandium alloy and the cylinder is titanium and the weight is around 27 oz. it is on smiths large n frame. i just bought a 327 nightguard 8 shot 357 magnum and its got a good kick to it but nothing that you can't handle. nice trigger for revolver and very accurate. dealers cost is about 800.00

Just my opinion but I have a two digit TR22-4 and it's a great gun. That being said I also have this three inch 25-14 (now sporting a polished chrome Tyler T-Grip, need to take a new photo).



Bought it back in 2007, IIRC they made them in blue and nickle but didn't make a lot of them. For me the 3" barrel is just about perfect for all my needs be it CCW, woods walking, plinking, etc.

By all means get the TR22 if you like it but look around and see if you can locate a 25-14, you might find like me, it was love at first sight.

If you like the 325 Night Guard - but don't quite need it's smaller size - yet not mind another nearly two ounces - consider the relatively new 'Governor', shown below with some of the ammo it can discharge:



Like the 325NG, it will shoot .45 ACP's in moonclips. Other than the stretched frame and cylinder, it is very similar to the 325NG, as they both have a Tritium Night Sight on front and fixed rear; Al/Sc alloy frame; black SS cylinder, etc. Then there is the price - the Governor has an MSRP of $689 - which is less than a good used 325 NG price. Of course, it will also load/fire .45 Schofield & .45 Colt as well as 2.5" .410 shotgun shells.

S&W Accessories has the X-frame .500 Magnum Hogue grips, ~$37, mine sports - which obviously fit the Z-frame Governor (or the N-frame 325NG) and make the .45 ACP recoil negligible - the other calibers are tolerable. The stock grips are alongside. Also available from that site is the S&W/DeSantis holster:



Obviously, the Governor is S&W's reply to the Taurus Judge, as far as the .410/.45 Colt capability is concerned. Being a S&W - not to mention, a six-shooter - and the moonclipped .45 ACP use - are great attributes. I wanted a bedside .45 ACP moonclip shooter - like the 325NG... I got one - and more - for a lot less! I love it - it's serious fun.

Stainz

there is a 325 nightguard for sale here posted by cjl1775 for 650.00 and it comes with crimson trace grips

Just an update. Decided to order the 625JM yesterday, cash price was 839 with the total coming to 890 out the door. It should make for an excellent IDPA revolver in ESP however to be honest I would have preferred a 4 inch 610 but those have become considerably more expensive since S&W dropped them from production.

Just ordered my 625 JM. Not a big auto fan but love the .45. Have been toting a Smith 60 3 inch but really want to carry the 625. A little fatter maybe but no more heft than a 1911.

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"Wheel guns rule!"

Anyone have a line on .45 super loads to shoot in 625?

Here is the 5" 625 Model of 1989 in .45 ACP I picked up this week:


However, if I was going to carry a 625 for CCW, it would be this one:

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No good deed goes unpunished.

For super loads I use 460 Rowland starting loads go from there. Just remember to use 45 Super brass or bad things can happen.

The NG's cylinder is actually stainless steel, matte black.
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45 Super data is very limited but make sure you know your source. 460 Roland max. runs about 10,000 psi more that the 45 Super & it's a slightly longer case, thought the max OAL" is supposed to be the same at 1.275". If the 460 data doesn't list the test pressure don't assume it's safe for a 45 Super load. (Hodgdon's 460 Roland data starts at 32-34K CUP, way above their wimpy 45 Super max of 20K CUP)

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Waiting for the break of day

I have a 625 JM. I bought it used (lightly) From Bud's $799 shipped. Everything with it. I shoot it more than any other revolver I own. Changed the front sight to HI-VIZ. (works great) Now for the disclaimer.... this is a range/ night stand gun for me. I would never carry it. Bob

I recommend only jacketed bullets or to try coated, the latter of which I haven't done yet. I use lead in my 625PC which has the appropriate rifling. My 625JM leads like crazy, even with Lasercast.

The 325 NIGHT GUARD is a great revolver, wasn't impressed with the original factory grips. These pictured Rosewood Combat Grips were ordered from S&W. I have several full moon clips as well as 1/3 rd moon clips. I did also obtain some 45 Auto Rim brass and loaded them with Hornady XTP 200 grain. Nice to have that option but Auto Rim factory rounds are not very plentiful.

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Auto rims are always a nice option to have.

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Waiting for the break of day

I use 200 gr. plated in mine for that reason. Does the trick. I was using a 20ga. brush to get the lead out. Bob

What do people think of the gold dot front sight that seems to be standard on the 625 JM? How does it compare to the Hi Viz? I am thinking of getthing a JM, but I have not seen one in person.

This is not in person, but what it looks like. I really am glad I got it. Pic makes it look yellow, but is green. It installs in about 30 seconds. Bob

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