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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 03-02-2017, 07:12 PM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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Default A Tale of Two 45ACPs - One is a Revolver ;)

I have to be honest, I am not a huge fan of 45ACPs. Maybe it is better said I don't own a lot of 45ACPs. I have probably owned twenty five or so 45ACPs over the years. There are just some things about 45ACPs that generally don't work for me. They are often too big or too heavy for daily carry. Many, 1911s in particular, lack magazine capacity; the size/weight to firepower ratio just doesn't add up for me. The question "Eight rounds in a full size 39 oz gun?" always runs through my mind when I find myself attracted to high-end 1911.

Another issue is the stiff recoil in the lighter weight 45s, which hinders accurate and quick follow-up shots. By comparison, the mild recoil of my lightweight 9MMs allow for much quicker and more accurate follow-up shots. My 9s also generally weigh less, hold more ammo, and are smaller in comparison. With modern bonded hollowpoint ammo, there is little difference in performance in soft targets between the two rounds. So many of my pistols are 9mm.

I have, however, kept three 45ACPs that I will probably pass on to my daughter when I depart. She is 2.5 years old and I am 48, so I hope I will have them for a while Two of them happen to be revolvers.If you have never shot a full size 45ACP revolver, you should. For some reason, I prefer 45ACP out of a revolver. I will shed a little light on that below.

I usually try to slip out of the office once a week to hit one of two local indoor ranges. I have been very busy the last bunch of weeks and I my range attendance has slipped. But I made it out one day last week and today! Over the weekend I started to think what guns I should bring with me. My main carry gun these days is an FN Five seveN. I have three Five seveNs, and one is a dedicated range gun that is always in my range bag. It gets 50 to 100 rounds through it every time I visit the range. Since I have not shot them in a while, I decided it would be fun to bring out a couple of 45s. Better yet, I thought, why not bring one 45 revolver and one 45 semi and see how they stack up.

Last night I packed up my S&W 625 Jerry Miculek and my FN FNX 45 Tactical. It wasn't a tough decision since I only own one other 45, a S&W 22 Thunder Ranch. Both revolvers are N Frames, but the 22 TR has a slim profile barrel and underlug. I though the heavy barreled 625 JM made more sense up against the full sized plus FNX.

[ul]All shooting was done at 10 yards.Ammo was American Eagle 230gr.The FNX was fired Single Action onlyThe 625JM was fired DOUBLE ACTION only. I emphasize that because the trigger pull is over 12 lbs!All shooting was done offhand.[/ul]

I shot the FNX first. In an attempt to mimic the capacity of the revolver, the first two groups were 6 rounds. By the third group I thought "the hell with it" and shot 12 rounds.

The FNX is a hell of a gun. Not only is it inherently accurate because of the excellent design and engineering behind it, it is one of the easiest guns to shoot well. Of all the guns I own, no gun come up more naturally on target than the FNX. You pick up the FNX and raise it to your eye and it is dead on target. I can't say that about all the guns I own, especially my Glocks. Plus the tall and stout Suppressor Night Sights on the FNX stand up proud and are super easy to pick up quickly. It takes more effort to not be on target; the sights are like a magnet pulling the gun right to the bullseye. It is the most naturally pointing pistol I have ever held. Check one out next time you are at the gun store, and you will see what I mean.

The only complaint I have about the gun is the recoil. No it is not awful. But keep in mind for such a large gun, it is pretty light weight. A good 12 ozs less than an all steel 1911. Because of the light weight, I struggle with rapid follow up shots in the sense that I cannot bring this gun back on target as quick as I can any of my 9mms. Even my little S&W Shield 9mm snaps right back on target pretty darn quick. But when you do get this monster back on target, it's light out!

I'm also not a big fan of SA/DA semi-autos in general. I prefer the same exact trigger pull each time I pull the trigger. The idea of shooting the first shot DA and the subsequent shots SA, does not appeal to me. But in the case of the FNX I am willing to overlook that. The FNX is really just a very well made, well designed, and super accurate gun. I will never sell this gun.

It serves to mention that I normally run the FNX with a Trijicon RMR. For purposes of this comparison I decided the irons made more sense.





I packed up my FNX and loaded up my 625. Though this gun is heavy, it so well balanced it does NOT feel heavy at all when you are pointing it at the target. The amazing thing is, the gun has very little recoil. It drops right back down on target rafter each shot. It is a real *****cat compared to the FNX and truly a joy to shoot. While the DA trigger is quite heavy (12lbs), it is super smooth and consistent through the long pull. If you do your job, it will stay right on target when that trigger breaks. For those who have never shot a 625...beg, borrow, or steal. You will find yourself figuring out a way to get one past your wife. The 625 is another example of a great naturally pointing gun that is insanely accurate. I know this gun is completely capable of putting all the rounds in one hole.

One of the features I love about the 625JM is the quick change front sight blade. The blade it came with had a gold bead. I swap it out with the green fiber optic blade from time to time. I used the fiber optic blade today. I like both, but I give a slight edge to the fiber optic sight. It contrasts nicely with the target. Another great feature are the moonclips. There is no faster way to load and unload a revolver than moonclips.






I don't foresee the situation where I would be carrying either one of these guns. These are target guns to me. Most of the handguns I own tend to be suited to carry. But I do have a nice hand full of target guns in my collection. And that is where these two live.

Which do I prefer? It is a very tough call. If I had to part with one of them, I would be very hard pressed to pick one. If you are a 45 fan and have not tried either of these, you will be as impressed as I am. I have owned 45s made by HK, high-end 1911s, Sigs, Glocks, etc. I played around with them for a short time and sold them because of the reasons I stated earlier. Aside from the S&W Thunder Ranch 22, these are the only other 45s I have kept in the stable over the years. They are not going anywhere

Last edited by HarrishMasher; 03-02-2017 at 07:51 PM.
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Old 03-02-2017, 08:15 PM
ontargetagain ontargetagain is offline
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First that is fine DA shooting on the 625 @ 12lbs, I am very very impressed! Now why haven't you worked that baby over a bit?

I like you find my 625 5" model of 1989 to be my most favorite gun to shoot and I personally love revolvers. I have never shot an FNX, going to experiment with some SA semi-auto 45acp's. I truly loved my full size 1911 S&W E Series but at times struggled with the grip safety so I am going to give in to other designs to try. Like you I am not a fan of all that goes on with the travel, take up, overtravel and reset of SA/DA semi's but that sure doesn't mean I don't like them I look at them now as more a challenge for me to adapt to.

I must say that you shoot the FNX extremely well and that second group is a winner! Now I bet if you shoot the 625 SA you are spot on.
I enjoyed your summary of the 'tale of two guns', I can relate to your story quite easy. Nice shooting with both!
Karl
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Old 03-02-2017, 08:59 PM
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digiroc digiroc is offline
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Smile Smooth Shooting Old Timer ...

I just took delivery of a 4586 a DAO commander sized 45:



Took it out back and did a function and sighting test on it and it fed 2 mags 230 gr hand loads w/o a bobble.

The trigger pull was smooth and consistent, much shorter and better than any of my carry 3g DA/SA Smiths. (Excluding perhaps my "Action by "T" 3913NL and my Shorty 40)

I sent the slide off to Trijicon be re-lamped this morning, so more shooting will be needed before it takes it's place on the nightstand.

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Old 03-02-2017, 09:34 PM
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Groo01 Groo01 is offline
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Groo here
I believe I have found your problem with the 45 in general.
You are thinking of a 45 and shooting it like a 9mm.[which it is not!]
The 45 was designed in the time of the Cavalry man.
The way to stop a charge was to shoot the horse not the man.
This is why we have the term, "Horse Pistol"
The 9mm was designed for use on people, the 45 on horses.[horse heap bigger target but takem more wo-pow]
We doubletap with the 9mm and 38spec, but one good hit with
a "Horse Pistol" is usually all needed.
But there are always the exceptions.
So the need for the "fast follow up shop "is reduced,to
"Take your time quickly"
These types of guns are used differently.
Number of accurate hits trumps number of shots carried or fired.
In any case , what ever you feel good with ,and hit good with
trumps how fast you shoot it.

Last edited by Groo01; 03-02-2017 at 09:36 PM.
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:21 PM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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Originally Posted by ontargetagain View Post
First that is fine DA shooting on the 625 @ 12lbs, I am very very impressed! Now why haven't you worked that baby over a bit?
Karl
I have a nice little collection of S&W revolvers. I have done some work on many of them. A couple of them have had some pretty extensive work done. Think of 586 L Comp with an under 5lb DA trigger. Anyway, I like to leave some of my triggers stock. What better practice than a 12lb DA trigger to make you a better shooter.

I am considering doing the trigger on my other 45acp revolver, a 22 Thunder Ranch. We will see.
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:34 PM
TruckGun TruckGun is offline
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Beautiful guns, excellent shooting, and a wonderful write-up. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences in such detail. Threads like yours make this place an invaluable resource.
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:36 PM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groo01 View Post
Groo here
I believe I have found your problem with the 45 in general.
You are thinking of a 45 and shooting it like a 9mm.[which it is not!]
The 45 was designed in the time of the Cavalry man.
The way to stop a charge was to shoot the horse not the man.
This is why we have the term, "Horse Pistol"
The 9mm was designed for use on people, the 45 on horses.[horse heap bigger target but takem more wo-pow]
We doubletap with the 9mm and 38spec, but one good hit with
a "Horse Pistol" is usually all needed.
But there are always the exceptions.
So the need for the "fast follow up shop "is reduced,to
"Take your time quickly"
These types of guns are used differently.
Number of accurate hits trumps number of shots carried or fired.
In any case , what ever you feel good with ,and hit good with
trumps how fast you shoot it.
I totally agree with your "take your time quickly" when trying to make your follow up sots with 45acp.

I think you are really talking about 45 Colt in the old west scenario. The ACP didn't come along until after 1900 and it was geared toward military applications from the start.

With modern ammo there is little difference in performance between 9mm & 45. Since there are no magic handgun bullets, I need to get as many of them on target as quickly as possible. I will stick with 9mm or 5.7x28 for carry and leave 45acp for the range. I'm sure I would be fine with a small 45 for carry, but I just shoot 9mm better faster.
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:38 PM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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Originally Posted by TruckGun View Post
Beautiful guns, excellent shooting, and a wonderful write-up. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences in such detail. Threads like yours make this place an invaluable resource.
Thanks. My pleasure. Happy to do it when I have the time. It's the first semi quiet week I have had in a while! Like many many months.
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Old 03-03-2017, 10:16 PM
Goblin Goblin is offline
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HarrishMasher, I haven't seen you post in a while, glad to hear from you. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 03-04-2017, 10:55 PM
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So, what kind of a can do you run on that FNX?
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Old 03-05-2017, 01:54 AM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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HarrishMasher, I haven't seen you post in a while, glad to hear from you. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Goblin. I have honestly never been busier in my life, so my internet time has suffered. I have a 2.5 year old daughter. I also started a second business about a 1 year ago. It is non-stop for me. I start at 6:30 AM and don't stop going until 10:30PM six days a week. The seventh day is no bargain either! I rarely have a moment to myself.

Aside from my amazing daughter, the only cool thing is my 2nd business is in the firearms industry. So I get to do what I love, and it is really doing very well!
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Old 03-05-2017, 01:57 AM
HarrishMasher HarrishMasher is offline
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So, what kind of a can do you run on that FNX?
I actually picked up the FNX for a photoshoot and decided to keep it for future photoshoots because it is so cool looking. That was after I swore off 45ACP semi-autos, and went 100% over to 9s. I have a couple of 9mm cans. But I never got a 45 can. As soon as the Hearing Protection Act passes, I will pick up a 45acp can for sure. NFA wait times have been running 9 months to over a year for quite some time now. I hate the idea of buying something then not getting it for a year!

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Old 03-20-2017, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarrishMasher View Post
I totally agree with your "take your time quickly" when trying to make your follow up sots with 45acp.

I think you are really talking about 45 Colt in the old west scenario. The ACP didn't come along until after 1900 and it was geared toward military applications from the start.

With modern ammo there is little difference in performance between 9mm & 45. Since there are no magic handgun bullets, I need to get as many of them on target as quickly as possible. I will stick with 9mm or 5.7x28 for carry and leave 45acp for the range. I'm sure I would be fine with a small 45 for carry, but I just shoot 9mm better faster.
Groo here
Don't forget WW1 had a great deal of horse power and cav used.
The 45 acp was designed after the 45 goverment [moded 45 colt]
and had similar performance.
You might confuse WW2 with WW1 [ the 1911 has been around a looong
time!!!!!!!!!!!
The 1911 was first used with Cav.
And the 45 colt was a military round first also...............

Last edited by Groo01; 03-20-2017 at 04:23 PM.
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