StrawHat
Member
Depends on when the cut was made. What I find interesting is the reuse of the factory front sight and the front sight boss. That took a bit of skill to transplant it.
Mine is a bit different.
Kevin
Model 22 (45 ACP)
- Thread starter gerhard1
- Start date
Depends on when the cut was made. What I find interesting is the reuse of the factory front sight and the front sight boss. That took a bit of skill to transplant it.
Mine is a bit different.
Kevin
Tex1001
Member
I found a Brazilian 1917 that was cut down to 4" for super cheap. No one wanted it because it was "Altered". It now wears Crimson Trace grips. My wife claimed it as hers:
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I have one like yours and really like it. Have 45acp mtn gun and a couple of full lug 625's in 45 acp. Smith made GREAT revolvers in 45acp.
DeplorabusUnum
Member
I want one
... I want one now!Having had this particular wheelgun for several years now, I decided to give you nice folks my impression of it.
Here is a stock picture of it from the IMFDb:
Mine differs only in the presence of plainclothes Magna stocks and a T-grip adapter.
It is an N-frame S&W in 45 Auto with a 4" barrel and loads with either moonclips or with the 45 Auto Rim (AR) cartridges. 45 AR is ballistically identical to the 45 Auto rounds but instead of being rimless, it has an ultra-thick rim allowing for proper headspacing. Personally, I use the moonclips. They are quite fast to reload with and also prevent the cases from scattering all over the place.
A fair description of it could be that it is a 4" version of the M1917 wheelgun from WWI. I have the 'new' 5 1/2" (Model of 1917) version of it as well. Both this handgun and the new '1917' version are +P-rated. Unfortunately, S&W dropped their new Model 22 from the production line several years back. I forget the exact date I acquired them but it was after 2005 and before 2008.
The other day, I took it out to my range and gave it a workout. About 70-80 rounds went downrange and the gun handled well. Most, in fact, almost all of them were close range hip shots and the paper man was killed as dead as could be. The DA pull on this gun was quite good coming from the factory which is unusual, as many, if not most of this particular model as well as the M-1917 already referred to, had totally crappy triggers. Mine is good in that regard but the M-1917 produced around the same time, was not and my gunsmith had to do quite a bit of work on it before it was good.
I had an interesting encounter on my way to the range. I stopped and looked at some construction work and one of the local police chiefs happened by. I took the opportunity to show him my setup and he seemed to be favorably impressed with what he saw but suggested that I add some height to the berm, saying that if someone shot there who did not shoot well, it could be a problem. He also showed me the method of close-range hip or point shooting that the police are being taught here. It is basically a version of what refer to as the old speed-rock where the gun is held quite close to the body. It is no doubt familiar to many of you.
Anyway, back to the Model 22--if someone likes wheelguns and wants to carry a 45 ACP, this would be a good selection. It is rugged, and shoots a good combat-proven cartridge. I love mine.
Not difficult at all. You cut it off, file the bottom flat, file a flat on the barrel where you want it, and braze it on. I did this one:
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StrawHat
Member
Not difficult at all. You cut it off, file the bottom flat, file a flat on the barrel where you want it, and braze it on. I did this one:
Yes, it has been done and usually with telltale braze lines or similar. The one I mentioned seemed seamless. Not normally seen.
Kevin
The one you mentioned is mine too. It’s just the angle of the photo and some cold blue. Otherwise they are the same.
BigMuddy
Member
I’ve shot 255’s loaded in a.c.p. brass in my M22. They shot well but POI was high for me. I like the idea though.
My gun shoots jacketed bullets very well, and also with “some” lead bullets. I have tried a few lead projectiles that have been horrible. Noticed a pretty big lead build up in the forcing cone. After a good cleaning I could see the forcing cone was very rough. I cut to 11 degrees and polished it smooth. So far I’m seeing some improvement with different lead rounds. More testing to come, but the lead build up is greatly reduced so far.
Dan
My gun shoots jacketed bullets very well, and also with “some” lead bullets. I have tried a few lead projectiles that have been horrible. Noticed a pretty big lead build up in the forcing cone. After a good cleaning I could see the forcing cone was very rough. I cut to 11 degrees and polished it smooth. So far I’m seeing some improvement with different lead rounds. More testing to come, but the lead build up is greatly reduced so far.
Dan
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I've tried the Lyman #454424 SWC, about 255-260 grains in .45 ACP revolvers. As I recall, accuracy was good, but with significant recoil and my handloads weren't particularly heavy. I can't imagine what advantage there would be to using such heavy bullets over somewhat lighter ones that don't punish the shooter.
BigMuddy
Member
Sandman4delta
Member
Here is my 22-4. Mine has the TRR serial number for Thunder Ranch but does not have the logo. I shoot mine with 230 grain FMJ in moon clips. I added some Pachmayrs instead of the magnas shown.
Very nice, I am looking for a nickel one to add to my rack.
That's interesting about the serial number.
I was not aware that they had produced any with the TRR prefix that were not blued.
I have two blue ones, one under TRR180 and one above TRR2060.
Ya never know what tidbit of info may pop up here.
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Sistema1927
US Veteran
I also have a TR 22-4. The nice thing about the .45 Thunder Ranch guns is that other than the serial number, the only nod to Thunder Ranch is the grips. On the .44 Special TR guns they added gaudy gold markings on the starboard side. Another plus with the .45 is that it shipped with a very nice green cordura case, even though the box was plain cardboard. The case is large enough to carry the pistol, some loaded moon clips, and is also big enough that my moon/demoon tool fits as well.
I don't mind the grips on my revolver, and added a T-Grip. One day I might put some stags on it.
Some of the early TR .45's had the wrong size front sight, but mine came with one that appears just right for 230 grain ammo and they print POA at 7 yards.
I don't mind the grips on my revolver, and added a T-Grip. One day I might put some stags on it.
Some of the early TR .45's had the wrong size front sight, but mine came with one that appears just right for 230 grain ammo and they print POA at 7 yards.
Groo01
Member
Groo here
I have a "few" 45acp revolvers.
The M-22 is a true and righteous "Fighting Revolver" [like the m10/13 and the M-58]
Every thing you "need" nothing you don't...
Tuff ,reliable , hard hitting,and lighter, but not an easer to damage target gun.
Wish mine was a RB though.[easer to fit grips to my hand]
My using guns tend to be SS or a non-rusting finish so I changer
to a TR m-325 ,, missed out on a Nightguard......
45acp has enough powder for most things, but if needed +p 250gr will mimic the 45colt and 45 super will come close to mid range 44 mag or heavy 44spec [aka Skeeter load]
I have a "few" 45acp revolvers.
The M-22 is a true and righteous "Fighting Revolver" [like the m10/13 and the M-58]
Every thing you "need" nothing you don't...
Tuff ,reliable , hard hitting,and lighter, but not an easer to damage target gun.
Wish mine was a RB though.[easer to fit grips to my hand]
My using guns tend to be SS or a non-rusting finish so I changer
to a TR m-325 ,, missed out on a Nightguard......
45acp has enough powder for most things, but if needed +p 250gr will mimic the 45colt and 45 super will come close to mid range 44 mag or heavy 44spec [aka Skeeter load]
Sandman4delta; The nickel one I own is TRR 21XX.
StrawHat
Member
For a round butt, consider the Model 625-6 Mountain Gun but it has adjustable sights. The are some “fixed” sights that are designed to replace adjustable sights. Or consider having the Model 22-4 rounded. Here is a Model 28-2 I round butted back in the 80s. Also a Model 625 MG that wears a pair of rb/sb conversion stocks I built for it.
Kevin
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Here is my problem child.
As long as I don't shoot stuff with hard primers, it does all right. It is soon going to my gunsmith for a longer firing pin.
StrawHat
Member
Pig Hunter
Member
I got a 22-4 barrel from the factory to put on a Brazilian from the first shipment. With heavy loads i did get some bullet creep. Later tried the same load in my 628-8 and no creep. That demonstrates the big difference in the weight of the two. I also changed the front sight on the 22-4 barrel, very easy to do and made it much easier to get a good sight picture.
