I got my first S&W M25 in the late 70s or early 80s. At that time I did have a couple of SAA clones in 45 long Colt but the S&W I chose was a 25-2. I was shooting competition at the time and the larger holes in the target would sometimes grant me a better score. At some point I picked up a M25-5 and liked it. However, it remains the sole 45 long Colt I have with the S&W logo on it.
Like Dave T, I was fond of the idea of a 4" skinny barreled 45 ACP S&W and could not afford one of the earlier specimens. At that time S&W had not even thought of the Mountain Series, so I sent a 4" M28-2 barrel off to be bored and rifled to .452. When it returned, I fitted a 25-2 cylinder to the M28-2 and also a new frame lug. I rounded the grip frame and had a great revolver. I carried it on duty until political pressure had me retire it in favor of the issued M19. Since then, I have acquired a M22-4 and believe it to be the ideal 45 ACP revolver for a LEO role.

So, to answer your question, I did pick the 45 ACP and have continued to do so. The ACP cartridge combines the power and diameter I need in an easily carried revolver.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Old School .45 ACP, "Chopper":


Modern .45 Colt S&W's:
Mountain Gun 625-6


625-5 SDS

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Let's see, my first S&W was a 25-2, and I have a 1917, a Colt 1917, a Colt Government, a Colt Commander, a 1917 Commercial, a Ruger Blackhawk .45 Convertible, heck I even have a Colt SAA chambered for .45ACP. Ahhh, remember the old Speer 200 grain flying ashtrays? Now that's a hollowpoint!

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

I shoot lots of .45 ACP. It is my favorite cartridge. I reload. I keep my brass...I am getting old and have back and knee problems...I REALLY like my 625-3. It makes a range session much more pleasant for me and I don't lose my precious/expensive brass. I have a 625-9 Mountain gun in .45 Colt and its a favorite too.

I have six 1911s in .45 ACP and two in 10mm. I do not like moon clips, so no .45 ACP revolvers.

I have a second generation 5 ½” blue Colt SAA .45 Colt, a third generation 7 ½” nickel Colt SAA engraved Nez Perce - Chief Joseph commemorative .45 Colt, a 7 ½” blue Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt, and a 7 ½” matte gray Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull/.45 Colt. So when I found a 6” blue 25-2 .45 Colt, I bought it.

My other N-frames are an 8 3/8" nickel and a 4" blue 29-2 .44 magnums.

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U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

Interesting thread on .45 A C P / .45 Colt revolvers, thanks to the O P, NE45ONo2

If it "stays up" a while longer, I would expect to see some comments regarding the, half and full moon clip, loading devices, for the .45 A C P, which, unless I missed reading a post, has not yet been covered.

Specifically, if poster, "Richard Simmons" comes back to the thread and will do so; I wish he would elaborate about the little 3 inch 25-14 he pictured. I think that is a limited, (250 ea.) special from Horton.
For some reason I think that revolver has a "four screw" side plate ???

All the post were interesting I thought, with special mention of the well written piece by ol' gesser. Although,.... I don't know from his "handle" if he is an old goose hunter/fancier; and old "dude", or someone who guesses a lot, and is old. (nor do I need to ! )

Thanks all; I'm gonna get me a .45 A C P revolver !

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wanna do right-- not right now

To answer the OP's question; if I reloaded, then I would definitely pic the .45 LC in a DA revolver platform. Since, it is ballistically 'more powerful' than the .45 ACP. Owning SAAs would make-it a total 'no-brainer'. Since, I do not 'reload' and shoot 1911s; the .45 ACP chambered-revolver is the 'better choice' logistically. Also, the .45 ACP round is more widely-available over the counter, unlike it's older relative.

1911 person first and foremost so .45 Automatic Colt Pistol round in a .45 Automatic Colt Pistol is the way I enjoy the round the best. I sold a 25-2 recently and bought a 25-5. Interesting round with a lot of history like the .45 ACP except the .45 LC was black powder at one time, not many modern cartridges can say that. It seems like a totally different gun even though they were/are both 6" P&R. Reloading coming up soon, looking forward to something different but still has that nice BIG hole!

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Great looking firearm! I'd like one of those. The case it is sitting sort of looks like a casket?

The second handgun I ever bought was a Colt-made Model of 1911. I shot it for awhile, thru my late teens, then went to various .38s. Having had a couple of 1917s, a couple of 1937 Brazilians, and a 1950 Target, on both sides of an unsatisfactory experience with an M25-5 in .45 Colt, I finally ended up with (and currently own) a Model 22-4. It's 'cuz .45 ACP revolvers are just more fun (.45 AR, y'know) ! ! But heck, that's just me......

Larry

Now that is an interesting piece, and the coffin case! Lots of mods, Cool.

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"I'm feeling MUCH better now"

Added Another 625-4 Lew Horton to the stable today.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My Mod 25's .45 ACP/AR; .45 LC

like my 45 mountain long colt lots of power

I have a 6 1/2" in 45 acp and a 4" in 45 Colt. Would love a 4" in 45 acp.

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Big Arm

I'm a big fan of .45 ACP revolvers. I also have the M22-4. It's great of target shooting, woods walking/mountains and CCW. I like using the Buffalo Bore .45AR 255 gr. +P Hard Cast at 1000 fps for the mountains. I don't think there's anything on two or four legs in the Sierras that this round couldn't handle.

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Dave Frost

I have never seen a 625 JM polished before! It certainly looks COOL! Bob

I am down to only 2 45 ACP guns. 625 JM, & Sig1911. My 625 goes to the range MORE than any other gun I own. Bob

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