.45 ACP Revolver for Concealed carry?

medxam · Apr 2, 2012

I have a long standing dislike for semi automatic pistols, even though I own several. After performing autopsies on several thousand gunshot wound victims over a 40+ year career as a forensic pathologist, I am most impressed with the .45 ACP round as a very efficient person stopper, especially considering it's "knock down" power.

After carrying several .38 &.357 magnum caliber concealed weapons, I have come to the conclusion that I should be carrying a .45 ACP weapon.

For those of you that do carry such a revolver, what are your recommendations? It must be a Smith & Wesson.

Many thanks for your advice!

medxam

Muley Gil · Apr 2, 2012

I carry a M625 Mountain Gun in .45 ACP, in a pancake style holster. I also carry an extra full moonclip.

mc5aw · Apr 2, 2012

The Night Guard .45 is an option, as it is lightweight and concealable. To find a snubbie no-lock .45, you're going to search a while, and then pay a hefty price upon finding one.

Kavinsky · Apr 2, 2012

A heavy bullet at low velocity is what does the job as old Elmer used to say

anyways I'd probably go towards something like one of those brazilian contract guns, the smith 1917 as they seem to be fairly priced:

S&W Model 1917 45acp WWI Revolver - YouTube

not sure if there are any others besides the obivious model 25, although I think they did make a 55' N frame in .45 acp that was refered to as a target gun but I dont think that would be ideal for concealed carry.

also I came across this a little while back with a schofield and towads the end of the video he shows a neat little speedloader for the moonclips that might be of interest to you:

TK Custom Precision-Machined Revolver Moon Clip Conversions - Gunblast.com - YouTube

imashooter2 · Apr 2, 2012

Here you go:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ry-competition-association.html#post136066491

David Sinko has it all covered...

chief38 · Apr 2, 2012

medxam:

I can not argue the excellent ballistics and stopping power of the .45 ACP. I agree 100% on carrying a revolver as opposed to a semi-auto. I own plenty of Auto's but carry a revolver for SD. The ONLY problem I see with the .45 acp round is that the revolvers that shoot it are rather large, heavy and bulky.

I carry a 19 ounce Chief's Special and load it with Buffalo Bore HEAVY 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC bullets. They have (I actually verified this with my Chronograph a number of times) a muzzle velocity of 1025 -1040 fps from the 2" barrel and actually have the foot pounds of energy of a 230 grain hardball 45 acp slug.

I am only letting you know this in case you are unaware of the Buffalo Bore ammunition spec's. You should visit their website and look at the 38 Special +P Heavy loads. The .45 acp is an excellent round and the S&W M25 an excellent revolver, but just a bit inconvenient to carry all the time.

Chief38

forresth · Apr 2, 2012

44 special is pretty close to a 45ACP, and there are many more snubby revolvers out there in 44special

the 325 and the 329 look very similar on paper, but I'd have to question either for a CC weapon seeing that they are both large frame, exposed hammer guns.

Revolvers can get big real quick as caliber goes up.

ETA; looks like Chief38 was quicker on the draw.

Cyrano · Apr 3, 2012

I have a Model 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. I'm a big guy: 6' 3", 270 lbs, but I'd hate to try to hide that big, fat cylinder. And carrying that huge chunk of stainless steel would pull my britches right down in short order. I almost lost my pants carrying a Colt Series 70 once; most embarassing. When I carry concealed I stick a Model 638 in 38 Special in my pocket, and load it with the Speer +Ps developed for short barreled guns.

Bassleg · Apr 3, 2012

I have the same problem with auto's love & hate I purchase a 445UL
Taurus 2" 22oz and it shoots great I put some small grips on it and that's
what I carry I clocked Buffalo Bore 44 spec. 185gr hp @ 971 fps.

COL Jagdog · Apr 3, 2012

I just ordered a 325 PD -- have not had a chance to carry it yet but have 4 Kimber .45's and like the knockdown power of a .45 ACP. As you have probably heard, the Army is currently testing 12 different .45 auto pistols as a replacement for the Beretta M-9 (military version of the Beretta 92). I have carried the M-9 in combat zones (with 3 extra 15-rd mags) and while I felt very comfortable shooting it (I carried it in
holster mounted low sternum level (chest carry) on the front of my body armor); I always carried an M-4 carbine in addition (the M-9 was my issued weapon). I have carried a Model 327 PD (.357 mag, 8-shot,
Sc-Ti frame, very similar to the 325 PD) and you simply have to wear the proper clothing -- it can be concealed. Unfortunately, my 327 was stolen (truck was burglarized) and I have not been able to find another
(and I have looked everywhere) -- so I ordered a 325 as an interim carry. I would prefer 8 rounds in the cylinder to 6, but I am going to give the 325 PD a serious try (I usually carried either a Kimber or my 327 PD). I am looking forward to seeing how the 325 PD carries.

Kavinsky · Apr 3, 2012

chief38 said:
medxam:

I can not argue the excellent ballistics and stopping power of the .45 ACP. I agree 100% on carrying a revolver as opposed to a semi-auto. I own plenty of Auto's but carry a revolver for SD. The ONLY problem I see with the .45 acp round is that the revolvers that shoot it are rather large, heavy and bulky.

I carry a 19 ounce Chief's Special and load it with Buffalo Bore HEAVY 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC bullets. They have (I actually verified this with my Chronograph a number of times) a muzzle velocity of 1025 -1040 fps from the 2" barrel and actually have the foot pounds of energy of a 230 grain hardball 45 acp slug.

I am only letting you know this in case you are unaware of the Buffalo Bore ammunition spec's. You should visit their website and look at the 38 Special +P Heavy loads. The .45 acp is an excellent round and the S&W M25 an excellent revolver, but just a bit inconvenient to carry all the time.

Chief38

yeah but then your getting close to the speed of sound with it and in an enclosed space if you even need to defend yourself your probably going to suffer much more hearing loss from that rather than the 230 grain slug moving at 850 FPS.

not to mention that would probably hurt like hell to shoot and be a hell of a devil to put all in one spot on the paper with a short barrel like that. where the .45 because of the heavy frame might be more mangabile and all you need to negate that extra weight is a good holster that balances the weight evenly on your body and they do have in the pocket holsters for a lotta guns nowadays.

plus with a .45 you dont have to worry about the ammo type not doing the job, its a .45 after all and thats why it was and still is the go to standard.

papajohn428 · Apr 3, 2012

If you deem a 44 Special revolver as a suitable carry gun with ballistics rivaling the 45ACP, there are a few good choices out there. My own is a Rossi 971 in three-inch trim, about the size of a S&W K-frame and not overly heavy. It holds five rounds, as does the S&W 696, but it's not as heavy or as wide. Mine was priced under $250 a few years ago, and I recently had a chance to buy another for about $325...........I wish I had. Just something to consider.

blujax01 · Apr 3, 2012

Wow, Dude's been taking apart bodies for 40 years, knows the damage that a .38 and .357 can do, declares the .45 to be the go-to weapon based on decades of real-world forensic experience and yet...

Unreal.

Sir, a Model 325 Night Guard should suit you nicely. At 28 oz, it's doable.

OFT II · Apr 3, 2012

A 22-4 is my pick. Nothing wrong with a 4" barrel and fixed sights.

jimmyj · Apr 3, 2012

Hi:
Once upon a time in a far away place I CCW a Model 25-2 that I had the barrel shorten to four inches and added magna grips.
I used a "Pancake" style holster strong side with a large size HKS speedloader pouch on weak side. A "Garrison" 1.75 inch belt completed this CCW rig.
I was young, slim, and "In shape" (YES I WAS!!) and weight was not an issue with a full size weapon.
The large size HKS pouch held four full moon clips. The first full moon clips bullet down with the second bullet up.
A loose fitting shirt with tail outside the pants or a lightweight vest was the cover garment.
Your post makes me consider CCW this rig again.
As a second thought--perhaps .45 Auto Rim ammo and a cartridge slide of six or 12 rounds?
Jimmy

glenncal1 · Apr 3, 2012

I have a friend who had a beater 1917 brazillian. He had the barrel shortened to 3", round butted the frame and then put some kind of parkerized finish on it. Except for the wide cylinder it made for a nice carry gun and he could reload very quickly with full moon clips.

keith44spl · Apr 3, 2012

Why cowboys do it all the time....

Built this'n for a close personal friend.

ACP & Long Colt.

Su Amigo,
Dave

Erich · Apr 3, 2012

I have two (tho I also have semiautos in this fine caliber):

My wife prefers the S&W 625-3 with its moon clips; I prefer the Ruger.

I also load for the .45 Colt, but I just love the ACP from a revolver. I don't generally shoot the heavy bullets and the ACP is more efficient (I'm cheap and don't want to spend the powder) with the lighter ones, plus the short ejection stroke is terrific.

Combat · Apr 3, 2012

Just get a full size 25-2, hacksaw and a couple real good hoe-files. Keep grinding away stuff till your left with this.Some guy from NY used to do it all the time.

sigp220.45 · Apr 3, 2012

I agree with the sentiment of a cut-down 1917, but I believe I'd go with a Colt where you can get down to an honest 2 incher.

Scroll down to Mickey D's gun for an example of how it's done right:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/150508-what-oldest-gun-you-own-3.html

.45 ACP Revolver for Concealed carry?

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