Converting a 45 Colt to 45ACP EDIT: Went Another Way

WCCPHD

WCCPHD

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I have a Model 625-6 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. I have been wanting a revolver in 45 ACP for some time, but can't find exactly what I want. I had an idea of trying to either source a new cylinder or have the current one modified to fire 45 ACP. As I have never done anything like this I would like to ask opinions and pros and cons of doing this.

Also, I have heard the 625-6 MG was a limited run for Lew Horton and could be scarce and valuable. My gun is not NIB, but is in excellent condition and I have the box with it. If this gun is scarce or valuable it may not be a suitable candidate for a modification.

I have just never warmed up to 45Colt, but I like N frame revolvers. I have many 1911's and like the caliber. In fact my last issued weapon prior to retirement was a 1911.

Thanks in advance for your information and opinions.

Bill
 
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You'd be best to trade. 45ACP is .452 and 45 Colt is .454 caliber.
 
I'm looking at doing the same thing w/my 25-5 to shoot the less expensive acp rounds... just curious if the difference in cartridge lengths/cylinder lengths will impact anything when the hammer drops?
 
Iggy said:
You'd be best to trade. 45ACP is .452 and 45 Colt is .454 caliber.
Click to expand...

Arisin Wind said:
I think the 45 Colt has been standardized at .452 for awhile.

Why not get the cylinder machined to accept 45 ACP in moon clips?
Click to expand...

Arisin Wind is right...starting with 25-5 and later models, including the 625-6, they standardized on .452 for the .45 Colt. Two examples of your firearm just recently sold on GB in the last 10 days for $900 and $800, both "Buy It Now."
 
Machining the cylinder to accept both .45 Colt and .45 ACP in moon clips may be $50 up front but it might cost you hundreds in resale value. At least part of the $800 - $900 prices mentioned above is collector value that would be lost. More importantly, sending a bullet unsupported through the chamber to glance off one side or the other of the lead into the chamber throat is the opposite of what you’d do to improve accuracy. It’s your call but I’d save until I could afford a separate .45 ACP.
 
I asked the same question about the same gun. The replies were mostly just what k22fan said, you will spoil the value of your MG and it won't shoot that great.
All you need is an excuse to buy another gun. You now have one!!
 
I know this isn't what you asked (I understand - I purely love the .45 ACP from a revolver), but I just bought some .45ACP-volume Starline-made .45 Cowboy Special brass for my .45 Colt guns - can shoot more-efficient .45 ACP loadings in the long-chambered .45 Colt guns I have, and doesn't need moon clips. Plus, the brass just flies out with the ejection stroke. :)

IMG_20131015_171004_680.jpg


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Google "Cowboy Special .45" if you are interested; the last time anyone did a run of this stuff was 2007, and it's less expensive than other workarounds.
 
There was a special ed of the 25 with 2 cylinders. 1 in .45 ACP and 1 in .45 Colt. Both cylinders with of the long pattern.

There's been a lot of 27 , 28 and 29 cylinders on E bay lately. Ya could get one , have it fitted and rechambered.
 
Mkk41 has a good idea. Or buy yourself a Ruger Black hawk .45 Colt/ .45 ACP convertible. Broaden your perspective.
 
Why not hunt down a Model 1917. I have a Brazilian contract 1917, a little beat up, but mechanically sound with good bore. They're out there for sure. U. S. Gov't ones are pricey, but Brazilian contract ones aren't too bad. Same gun, just has Brazilian National Crest on it. There was a time when these were going for $100-150. I bought 3, still have one. Great shooter and full moon clips beat speed loaders hands down.
 
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My 25-5 8 3/8 has been on the tour at a fine gun smiths shop, and while there, the cylinder was machined for moon clips. It still fires the 45 Colt the same way it always did, but now I can shoot 45 Winchester Magnum rounds, loaded much lighter, but still plenty potent-very nice round with a 255 gr LSWC, or LRNFP at around 1000 fps. And I can load and unload in a hurry with no hang ups. What a Hawg Leg!!

This above is my previous post on the subject. I found that ACP rounds were to short for the colt cylinder and consistently key holed unless loaded very light-6-700 fps. The Winchester mag loads are the Goldilocks fix in my view.
 
Thanks for the replies. I e-mailed S&W to ascertain if a 45 acp cylinder was available. Haven't heard back from them. If they say no, I will leave it as it is (probably sell it) and look for a dedicated acp.

Thanks for the ideas.

Bill
 
As to modifying your 625, I wouldn't. But rather buy another gun entirely or possibly find/fit another cylinder.
If interested, I have a very nice 25-5, pinned 4", that's been cut for clips and according to Mr. Jinks, it shipped in Aug. 1980.
I might be interested in swapping if you are.
 
WCCPHD said:
Thanks for the replies. I e-mailed S&W to ascertain if a 45 acp cylinder was available. Haven't heard back from them. If they say no, I will leave it as it is (probably sell it) and look for a dedicated acp.

Thanks for the ideas.

Bill
Click to expand...

Bill,

I explored this option for a 25-5 that I have. I decided that the most practical solution that doesn't affect value is to have a second cylinder machined for moon clips and fitted to the revolver. Frankly, that may increase value if that is a concern.

I found that TKcustom will machine the cylinders to accept moon clips for .45acp and a new 625 cylinder can be ordered from Midway. TKcustom's website shows a $125 charge to machine for .45acp clips and says that .45Colt can still be used. Midway shows 625 cylinders in .45 colt for $129. Plus you would have to add the cost of the gunsmith work. So, all told, maybe $350-$400? If you're looking to save the value then a second cylinder does that because you aren't altering the original revolver. However, if you're looking to get your investment back some day, I don't know if you'd increase the value enough.

If you want to shoot acp because of the cost of .45Colt, the additional cylinder is about the price of a 1917 Brazilian. That's why I'm on the fence about having a .45acp cylinder fitted to my 25-5. But I agree with you that .45 acp revolvers are fun. I have a 1917 shooter grade that is just fun to shoot with the early grips and lock work. Also the ammo interchangeability with 1911s is a plus
 
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WCCPHD said:
Thanks for the replies. I e-mailed S&W to ascertain if a 45 acp cylinder was available. Haven't heard back from them. If they say no, I will leave it as it is (probably sell it) and look for a dedicated acp.

Thanks for the ideas.

Bill
Click to expand...


Doubt you'd ever be able to recoup modification money pumped into your 625-6. Personally, I think the dedicated 45acp is the best plan. There are some very nice 4" 625-3's & -4's, that should fill the bill.

Keep your current piece - if possible (you might warm up to it at some point), or maybe sell it to a guy like me. I could use one more - for a matched set.

My S&W 625-3 Model of 1989 / 4" / .45acp

Picked it up last year. Paid a bunch for it, but it is easily the slickest factory S&W that I own, & LNIB. Haven't shot it all that much to date, but I'll get around to it.





Again though, IMO, both is better... My S&W 625-6 / 4" / .45 Colt



 
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Have a 625-3 Model of 89 in 45ACP that if someone could do a face to face transaction I would trade in a heart beat for a 625 in 45colt. Just whatever floats your boat I guess.

To the OP's question. There are three options.
1) Trade the gun for the one you want.
2) Someone out there cuts a 45colt cylinder that will make it work with 45ACP and 45colt. I have heard this works and the long "freebore" doesn't seem to give people serious accuracy issues.
3) Get a 357 or 44 N frame cylinder and have a gunsmith rechamber it for 45ACP and have it fitted to your gun.
 
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