Why the .45 ACP in a revolver?

[Triggernosis]

Just wondering?

 

[Dan Cash]

I WWI, we did not have the manufacturing capacity to produce the required number of M1911 pistols but Colt and Smith both produced large frame revolvers that adapted to .45ACP for a quick solution to the problem. The solution worked well. Smith continued producing such revolvers because many folks liked them. Can't say about Colt production of commercial .45ACP 1917 or New Service revolvers.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

It started with WW1, when the US couldn't produce autoloaders fast enough, and wanted to utilize S&W and Colt's ability to produce revolvers that would use the same cartridge (the standard US military pistol cartridge). After the war, there were a lot of these revolvers around. Since some folks didn't like half-moon clips, at least one of the major ammo manufacturers started making .45 Auto-Rim ammo for them. Eventually, someone (Ranch Products?) started making full-moon clips, and some folks caught on that these were faster than speedloaders, and smaller, too. While the .45ACP is obviously in approximately the same class as the .44 Special, there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

Reliability of a revolver, loading probably faster than a speedloader, in a good defensive cartridge that, until recently, was readily available and reasonably priced. Hard to see what's wrong with that, unless you just don't like N-frame (or New Service) revolvers.

P.S. For bullseye shooting, the S&W was a serious contender in the civilian .45 part of national matches, particularly before rules were changed to allow excuses (alibis) for the unreliability of autos. For a while, out-of-the-box S&W revolvers were generally more accurate than the bottom-feeders, and certainly more reliable, thus a good choice where allowed.

 

[pinkymingeo]

IMO 45acp is wasted, or at least underutilized in semi's. In a revolver it's amazingly versatile. Bullets of a variety of designs can be loaded to surprisingly high power levels. Some guys think nothing of 250gr at +1000fps. Moonclips offer very fast reloads. Somebody with a 1911 might get off 8rds faster than I can with a 625, but chances are I'll beat him to 12.
You also have the option of 45AR and 45GAP. 80% of my shooting is 45acp revolvers these days, and at the range it's gratifying to watch the 1911 guys crawling on their bellies (figuratively, anyway) for brass while mine is all clipped together in my pouch. CCW? My acp snubbies disappear under a loose shirt in a IWB. It's my preferred revolver chambering.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

IMO 45acp is wasted, or at least underutilized in semi's. In a revolver it's amazingly versatile. Bullets of a variety of designs can be loaded to surprisingly high power levels. Some guys think nothing of 250gr at +1000fps. Moonclips offer very fast reloads. Somebody with a 1911 might get off 8rds faster than I can with a 625, but chances are I'll beat him to 12.
You also have the option of 45AR and 45GAP. 80% of my shooting is 45acp revolvers these days, and at the range it's gratifying to watch the 1911 guys crawling on their bellies (figuratively, anyway) for brass while mine is all clipped together in my pouch. CCW? My acp snubbies disappear under a loose shirt in a IWB. It's my preferred revolver chambering.

Increased performance in the revolvers is a fairly recent development. For the WW1 era Colt & S&W revolvers the ammo manufacturers made the .45 Auto Rimmed cartridge for many years. The AR case was of folded-head construction and was relatively weak. Modern .45ACP cases feature solid case heads, so a significant increase in performance levels can be achieved in revolvers that will handle the pressures (which all modern N-frame S&W's will do).

 

[K1500]

In the beginning...lack of mfg capacity for 1911's.

Now...gun games (fast loading and ejection), and personal preference.

 

[Allen-frame]

Why 45 a.c.p. in revolvers?

Mountain gun.

Moon clips are handy too.

The 1950 target model, then the 1955 target model , then the 625 model of 1988 ,

Regards , AlleN-Frame

 

[valkyriekl]

P.S. For bullseye shooting, the S&W was a serious contender in the civilian .45 part of national matches, particularly before rules were changed to allow excuses (alibis) for the unreliability of autos. For a while, out-of-the-box S&W revolvers were generally more accurate than the bottom-feeders, and certainly more reliable, thus a good choice where allowed.

I intend to prove that it's still a serious contender for Bullseye. My S&W 625-6 topped with an UltraDot is my .45 for Bullseye (bottom right in picture):

 

[4inch357]

Speed of reloading and a nice round for pins.

 

[5906fan]

some years back just fooling around I fired some hot loaded 125gr .357 jhp and some hot loaded .230gr .45acp hardball from revolvers at a target I had made from 14ga mild steel.
the .45 made a much larger and deeper indent on the metal. even cracked it in a hole or 2.

 

[Triggernosis]

What's the smallest framed S&W revolver that's chambered for .45acp?

 

[WC145]

What's the smallest framed S&W revolver that's chambered for .45acp?

I could be wrong, but I think only "N" frames have been offered in .45acp.

 

[Evil One]

S&W its just the N frames... however some other mfgrs make .45 acp revolvers in a size between a K and an L.


Jim

 

[manny25]

i like 45acp revolvers here is my 625-3 3 inch and 625-4 Springfield Armory 200 year comemorative

 

[USAF385]

Just wondering?

Because revolvers are so much fun!

Personally, I'm itchin' to get my hands on the SW 610.. chambered in 10mm / .40 S&W

 

[USAF385]

What's the smallest framed S&W revolver that's chambered for .45acp?

The 325 night guard has a 2 1/2 inch barrel and is 7 5/8 inches overall length.

 

[Dennis The B]

I have four chambered in...

...45ACP, including a "Brand X" (Ruger Blackhawk Convertible). The 325NG is a daily carry, and the 25-2, 625-8, and Ruger are just fun to shoot. The 25-2 is dead nuts accurate.

 

[Marshall 357]

I am starting to really like all this talk about 45 acp revolvers

 

[hastings]

Get your hands on a Thunder Ranch 22-4, and you may get rid of all your sub-45 caliber revolvers. I shot 1911's for years, with a Detonics ServiceMaster (commander sized) being my daily carry gun and a Detonics Combat Master (3-1/2" barrel) as a backup. I never even glanced at 45acp revolvers until after the turn of the millenium. Boy was I foolish. No jams from hollow points or semi-wadcutters. Faster reloads. And a variety of grips so you can find something that fits your hand perfectly. I'm a convert, and currently don't own a single semi-auto handgun. I think the 45acp cartridge really comes alive in a revolver because you can load it up or down with a variety of bullet types and weights without fear of jamming.

 

[5906fan]

.45acp revolver 'Night Guard'

Dennis appears to be some sort of an insert in the top rail above the cylinder/throat interface? never seen one of those.