325 without moon clips.

[Wessonality]

I would like to buy a 325.

Here's my question: I want to be able to fire loose rounds (without moon clips) like the old ones did. I've searched the forum (and other forums), and I can't find a clear answer to this. To further complicate things - people seem to think the newest S&W firing pins are back to their previous longer length.

So:

1) Does anybody know if a new, stock 325 will fire reliably without moon clips? If yes, I'm happy and buying.

2) If the answer is no, will installing a longer firing pin fire reliably without moon clips? Or is the answer just that a 325 will not work reliably without moon clips?

Thanks.

[MDMarauder]

I have a 625 and it shoots fine without a moonclip, only downside is you have to pull them out one at a time. Without the moonclip the extractor does not make contact with anything, hence the need for the moonclip.

[smithman]

If there is a shoulder in the charge hole for the case mouth to rest on you should be able to shoot without clips fine which is what I do in my old 1917. If the chamber is bored straight through, clips are required...or use 45 autorim.

[Groo01]

Groo here
Load your one, shoot auto rim..
Got some a while ago and love that big fat rim.
Ps if you shoot cheap acp get some Riz clips, they are plastic and finger friendly . Good for range use.

[tommy F]

yes as long as you shoot factory or taper crimp handloads. Will space same as auto on rim. Key watch taper crimp, under .470, will allow some to misfire.

[Wessonality]

Sounds like that's a thumbs up... thanks for the input.

Anybody else want to chime in? Anybody have trouble firing a loose 45ACP in a 325?

[Dale53]

Contrary to what some have said here, most of the later 625's (and other Smith .45 ACP revolvers will not reliably shoot .45 ACP's without clips). I have two that won't. However, the suggestion to use the NEW RIMZ clips (Model 25 graphite/polymer) are excellent and can be used with fingers only (NO tools required). I LOVE my new RIMZ clips.

I also have 1600 auto rim cases along with several thousand ACP cases. Since I cast my own bullets and reload - I have several thousand loaded and ready to go.

In my opinion, there is no reason to turn down a Smith revolver because it won't handle ACP's without clips. As the gentleman above state, just get Auto Rim cases or the RIMZ clips.

Dale53

[Wessonality]

Yeah, the RIMS clips look nice. And I know you can get special autorim ammo.

My problem is that with a SD revolver (and I'm not sure what else you'd do with a 2" aluminum .45), I want to make sure it fires a loose 45ACP if that's all I have available. I mean - a 1911 will fire a loose round if the magazine is lost or damaged.

It's kind of crazy if I would have a perfectly good 325, and a perfectly good 45ACP round - but no way to shoot it, because I don't have a separate, bendable part that's easy to lose.

[nutsforsmiths]

I have a 625-8 and it has no problems shooting ACP without moonclips.

I do reload for 45 Auto Rim, which does away with moonclips all together.