I think that the best revolver for personal defense(not for killer) must have the better accuracy,autonomy,the best one stop shot and the less recoil ,detection, noise and blaze possible but at least portable in a little bag;of course it must be resistant and reliable.
I have a dream:a new pc 625 model cal.45 ACP in 4 inch barrel compensated and 8 runds,perfectly capable of firing at the best ammo of 230 grain like this for real defense or thisfor training targets.
What's Your opinion revo shooters?

Can't happen. There is a very real limit to how many large holes that will fit into a cylinder of a specific diameter. In the N frame that limit is 6 rounds of 45 ACP, NOT 7 and certainly NOT 8. To get an 8 shot 45 ACP you would need to use a cylinder that is larger in diameter than that used in the X frame 500 Magnum. The end result is your 8 shot revolver won't be very portable. In fact the cylinder would have to be so large that the end result would be a rather ungainly revolver.

For starters, the cylinder in a Model 625 is only large enough for six rounds.

Why would you want a compensated revolver in .45ACP? In an N frame, the .45ACP is a very mild cartridge, something akin to a .38 in a K frame. The existing 625/25 revolvers chambered in .45ACP will handle any of the ammo you have linked. Once the trigger is pulled, there's no such thing as "non-detection", and any revolver being compensated will throw out enough flash to ruin your natural night vision. Even a .22 is painful, especially when used in confined spaces.

Self defense may require the death of an attacker. When you shoot for center mass, the assumption is that the shot will be a stopper, and probably lethal.

It's a nice idea, but how are you going to fit 8 rounds of .45 ACP in an N frame?

And if you are looking for the ultimate as you say, "One shot" stopping power revolver why do you even need an 8 shot wheelgun to begin
with? I've got mine already. It was manufactured in 1954.
A pre-27 with a 3 1/2" barrel loaded with "anything" except FMJ.
I'm not worried about concealability as i'm a large man.
I don't worry about the flash either, it will be worse for the perp
than for me. Also don't care about the noise as i'm already deaf.
Just my personal "perfect" self defense piece. I'm sure others
will have a different gun in mind but this one will serve me well.


Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

In addition to being ungainly, I thing that 8 shots of .45 ACP is unnecessary. If I can't hit what I need to with 6 or another 6 on a moonclip that I would have handy then I'm doing something wrong. As a general rule people who shoot revolver a lot are better shots than people who have super high capacity magazine fed pistols because they have to hit what they are aiming at in 6 rounds whereas the tupperware gunners can sit and sling lead at what they are aiming at.

If you really feel the need to fire 8 rounds from a revolver go with the 627 or 327, the .357 Mag is more than capable of stopping someone in their tracks as well or better than a .45 ACP, but that's an entirely different argument.

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Son of a Gun...Smith

I agree with part of the premise of the O.P. I have a pair of 625's and either will do (in spite of "only" six shots) what is needed and do it well.

My choice of bullet would be home cast of either the Mihec #68 200 gr SWC at 1000 fps or the Mihec 200 gr H.P. since I have and use both of those bullets. If you are a fan of 230 gr bullets, then the Lee 230 gr TC bullet would be another viable choice (especially nice for a quick reload with full moon clips). Here is the Mihec 200 gr H.P.



Here is the NOE 250 gr clone of the Lyman 454424:


For the heavy bullet fan it would be hard to do better than the NOE mould for the Lyman 454424 (a 250 gr Keith SWC) bullet.

I am getting too old to drag a deer out of the woods (age 77 this June) but the 454424 at 900+ fps (safely available in the 625 with auto rim cases) will shoot end for end through a deer at 100 yards.

I neither need nor WANT a compensator for self defense.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

With all those requirements, I think it would just be easier to "settle" for a 1911/A1. In the meantime, a Model 22 will do just fine, thank you.

I'm confused by this part. "Not for killer"? To shoot and not kill? Or for law abiding people and not murders?

If it is the latter, how would that be accomplished? The gun store clerk would ask, "Are you planning to murder someone with this gun? Yes? Then I can't sell it to you. Let me show you a nice Glock, the choice of murderers everywhere."

Enough on that.

Eight .45 charge holes in a cylinder would just be too big.

I've got an 8-shooter 45 acp...its called a 1911!

Dale53, do you load your own or are those commercial? That 250 grain Keith looks like a winner.

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NHI, 10-8.

Glock already makes that, it's called G21 SF.

Doug M;
I both cast my own and load my own. My revolvers will likely never see a jacketed bullet. I actually prefer cast to any jacketed bullet (even in my .357 Magnums and .44 magnums).

I was at the range today with my 625-8 and Mihec #68 SWC ahead of Titegroup powder. It was a terrific day at the range!

Dale53

I don't want a revolver with autonomy. How can a 'thing' make a rationale decision? That is up to the shooter. The last thing I would want in a defensive battle is to squeeze the trigger and have the revolver refuse to fire because the assailant has kind eyes or had fathered 15 illegitimate children who depend on his his robbing and assaulting me for their existence.

Shoot a .45 ACP revolver - even with 'just' ball ammo - then ask yourself if it needs a compensator - my answer there is an emphatic no. A Governor might be ideal - .410 birdshot if you want to aggravate the assailant, .45 ACP or .45 Colt if you intend to legally defend yourself. Too much recoil? Put some S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum monogrips on it - that will nicely pad the backstrap.

Stainz

Why eight?
Can't remember who said it, but, " in a gunfight, you can't miss fast enough to win".
In any imaginable SD situation ( not LEO or miitary) , if one needs eight shots, there were more targets than one could be expected to defeat or the bad guys did not have guns.

i thank a 45acp in a gun somewhat like the 640 with 5 shots would be nice

Glock 30SF. Can use magazines from 9 to 17rds.

As accurate as the G21SF, just smaller, and softer shooting than any revolver of .357 or larger caliber...

Sorry, but TEN beans in a wheel? Are you thinking Civil War era LaMat revolver? Not portable, and very heavy for CC wear... Smith model 29 w/8 3/8" barrel is smaller, lighter...

OA, out...

My S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum monogrips will arrive by Friday, and man, am I excited! Just what these tired old arthritic hands needed!

Birddog2, when it comes to speed, Marshall Wyatt Earp said it best, "Make haste, slowly." He meant that it was far more important to put your first bullet where it would do the most good- in the bad guy, stopping him, there and then- dead. In gunfights, then and now, there is no second place.

OA, out...

Just can't figure out the " for personal defense not for killing people " part of this post aside from the gun/ammo question.

Better not even carry a gun for personal defense purposes if you don't want to kill or plan to kill whatever threatens your personal safety. No perp is going to thank you for just wounding him/her.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

No to the 8 shot .45 revolver.

Your English language skills are foreign.

I apologize. No mods asked me to either. At the time of your post it didn't say a location: Europe.

Thank you all very much for your replies folks!
I prefer a .45 acp because I think it has less deafening noise & blinding blaze(at home is better)more stopping power and less recoil(with same grain,for example 180 )compared to a 357 mag,and definitely...a good shot 45 placed at short distance on the right lung of a fat&fool drugged , do not kill it, but lays it (at least for a while).
I chose a Smith revolver because I think safer & easier than semiauto and I can load more also putting SWC(at home FMJ pierce the walls and kill my children and HP are illegal in my country).
I thought the grip of a "Crimson Trace Laser Grip LG-207", the "Model 500" has no laser.
The compensator to the realignment would quickly in case of multiple assailants.
For the 8 shots maybe I will take 2 revolver,!

In fairness to Rod Man, I believe he speaks English as a 2nd language. (just a guess--no evidence of that in his profile info) As a result, we are having a difficult time deciphering his OP--at least I am.........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I'll stand by my 'guns', so to speak, on this one. Below is my Governor with some of the different caliber ammo I have shot thru it. I also have the .500 Magnum grips on mine. The original grips are alongside. The Governor is also available with a Crimson Trace Laser for <$200 more - at least here. Certainly the least expensive way to launch .45 ACPs from a S&W - and, at 29.7 oz, pretty lite, too.



I don't know if the 2.75" barrel might be too short in your country, Rod-Man. But the Tritium Night Sight is a plus. I have shot the ammo shown. The 230gr FMJ .45 ACPs and Speer 250gr Gold Dots in .45 Colt hit POA from 7-12yd. The 200gr LRNFP .45 Schofields hit an inch or two low. The various shot shells hit centered close to point of aim. Interesting revolver.

Stainz

Hi friend Stainz(very expert of .45 Smith revolver ),What would you think for personal defense at home(apart big weight)about this with this about:trigger,noise,precision,recoil, stopping power,etc., if you would like to buy a new 4 inch revolver that shoots .45 colt loaded with 250 grain LSWC or FN pb?(S&W forgive me plz!)
Tks!!!

A good reason why the SD and LE crowd has moved to SA/DA autos. When you need to put a lot of lead in the air real quick shuckin mags is the way to go.

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That's just somebody talkin.

A friend and I both ordered brand new Ruger 5.5" SS .45 Colt Redhawks on the same day some years ago - just before the 4" version was released. Mine went back within days - got another new cylinder, hammer, trigger, etc. His had a warped frame - they replaced his new Redhawk with another new one - he traded it. I had mine back in a month. The drooping ejector rod would allow the ejector star to skip over an empty .45 Colt's small rim, hopelessly jamming the revolver - making reloading a three handed affair. In fairness, if you held the revolver vertical - muzzle up - it didn't jam. Additionally, .45 Schofields, due to their larger OD rims, didn't jam. I won't own another .45 Colt Redhawk.

I was spoiled. My first S&W, 9/02, was a new 625-7 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. It set a standard - it has never had a problem ejecting. When I found a second 625 MG in .45 Colt, I swapped for it - and sold the Redhawk. I whole heartedly reccommend the 625 MG in .45 Colt for a DA revolver in that caliber. But - check your local sources for ammo - and/or reloading supplies. Even though the 'Cowboy Action' hobby is popular here, ammo and reloading supplies in .45 Colt are pricey and difficult to find. Below top is my first-ever S&W - a 625-7 MG in .45 Colt - and my 'backup', a LN 625-6 MG, also in .45 Colt. Speedloader contains Speer 250 gr Gold Dot JHPs. The 625 MG's in .45 Colt haven't been made in a few years and must now be bought used.



The .45 ACP ammo - and reloading supplies - are plentiful and more frugal in cost - consider that. Of course, the 'Governor' I mentioned/pictured earlier will chamber bot .45 Colt and .45 ACP (... and 2.5" .410 shot shells!). Good luck.

Stainz

Tks Stainz for all,I think to buy a S&W 625 JM 45 acp for IDPA.
I thought back to the SYNTETIC handle ,that maybe it bounce or move too the revolver after the recoi or dazzle against the smoke of fire with the tracer laser,so I prefer a good sight to tritium.For pd double tap 45 acp is enought with all situations.

Compensated handguns for self-defense is not a good idea- if you have to shoot inside a building, depending upon the position you are in and how dark it is- you may blind yourself, get dust and debris blown in your eyes from when it stirs things up, or could just give away where you are.

I've not shot compensated firearms anywhere except the range- and I don't enjoy shooting compensated rifles at all.

Those Mihec HP's look very, very nice!

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Lost it all in a boat accident

I approve your clarification

Another question where I can find 45 auto rimm ammunitions 230 gr SWC or flat nose not jacket?Why there are only of these 250 or 255 gr only?I'll prefer speedloaders than moon clips.(see this)