325pd

[Dilligas01]

I picked up a never fired 325PD today, this is the first IL pistol and the first with the Scandium frame. Does anyone have any experience with these? I noticed it has the metal guard above the forcing cone, I am assuming that this is to pevent flame cutting the frame. I can't believe how light this pistol is.

 

[44 special Dave]

Congrats on your new acquisition.

I have a 325sc (clear cote, entire gun looks "stainless"). It is incredibly accurate at 10-15 yards.

I have fired primarily 200 gr auto rim factory ammo and some 200 gr auto rim reloads.

The gun is surprisingly easy to control and handle with the 200 gr load. I have fired some 230 ball ammo and the recoil, while sharp is NOT punishing. Haven't tried 185 gr in in yet.

Grips do make a big difference with this gun. I've shot it with wood fingergrove grips and rubber grips.

Yes that metal "sleeve" is to cut done on wear.

Enjoy!
Dave

 

[Dilligas01]

Thanks for the info, so even though this is chambered for 45 ACP it can shoot 45 auto rim? I assume this would not need the moon clips, if so I geuss I will be adding another set of dies to the collection. It seems like every time I buy a new firearm I am buying a different set of reloading dies, LOL.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Dies? If you already have .45ACP dies, all you need is another shellholder.

I thought mine kicked too much until I put Hogue rubber grips on it. It IS light - you may need to use heavier bullets to keep the gun from floating out of your holster.

 

[Dilligas01]

Dies? If you already have .45ACP dies, all you need is another shellholder.

I thought mine kicked too much until I put Hogue rubber grips on it. It IS light - you may need to use heavier bullets to keep the gun from floating out of your holster.

So the 45 ACP dies will work? I geuss I just need some brass then, I like the idea of not using the moon clips.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I didn't think the recoil was bad in the 4" version. About like a .357 in a snub K frame. Hogues dampen the recoil.

 

[Dilligas01]

I have the hogues on my 629 Trail Boss, they made a huge difference with factory loads, I will try the 325 with the wood grips and then try the hogues. The factory grips seem a lot easier to conceal, I would have never thought of usin a N frame for CCW until I felt how light this pistol is.

 

[devildog66]

I am jealous! I had a 386PD, and while I liked it, I always wanted the 325 due to the .45 round. Great revolver and the weight makes these really comfortable for carry

 

[pinkymingeo]

Factory ammo underperforms in the short barrel. Use AA5 or AA7 with 200gr bullets and recoil will drop, performance rise. My load is 10.7 AA7 which gets close to 950fps with much less recoil than hardball, but is still way under max. The 325PD is one of the new S&W's that was overdue, and needed to be built. 45acp is perfect for lightweight carry guns.

 

[Dilligas01]

Is there any issue with shooting lead bullets in this?

 

[ENH]

You have a wonderfull gun in the 325PD. Mine sees alott of use and is CC'ed much of the time.

 

[pinkymingeo]

The 325PD shoots lead bullets just fine. All of my 45acp revolvers have shallow rifling and seem more prone to leading than some others, though it's not noticeable until +100rds. I took care of the problem by shaking all my bullets in Alox. Very little in the way of deposits after that treatment.

 

[John325]

Great hiking gun. Light, accurate, and the .45 will handle anything I'm likely to find in the Pennsylvania mountains. I think you'll like it. I use an Ahrends grip which works fine with most ammo, and it makes it much more compact. It is surprisingly easy to conceal under a shirt.
If recoil with 230 grain is too much, try a Pachmayr grip. More bulky, but makes a big difference.

 

[Slyk54]

Great Looking Gun...

I love the looks of the S&W 325pd. I have tried to talk myself into one, but haven't because I am concerned about how soon it would "wear out", or the frame would crack, or some other thing would go wrong because it is a lightweight revolver....

I really like the idea of the gun in 45acp- can anyone vouch for a significant number of rounds fired without excess wear, damage, or other problems?

 

[cwo4uscgret]

I just posted this on another thread...

I load mine with Remington 230 grain JHP, sub-sonic rounds; they are perfect for the lightweight of the revolver.

The knife is by Michigan Maker Philip Booth; the mammoth ivory scales are almost black in color.

 

[xrmattaz]

I love the looks of the S&W 325pd. I have tried to talk myself into one, but haven't because I am concerned about how soon it would "wear out", or the frame would crack, or some other thing would go wrong because it is a lightweight revolver....

I really like the idea of the gun in 45acp- can anyone vouch for a significant number of rounds fired without excess wear, damage, or other problems?

I've fired approx. 4000 rounds (lead handloads) through my 4" 325PD, and approx. the same number (.44 Special handloads) in my 329PD.

Haven't noticed any "wear" whatsoever, still as tight as the day I got 'em both.

Surprisingly, the black finish is holding up very well....these ARE my daily CCW firearms, carried in either a FIST owb, or Sparks VM2/C-Tac iwb.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

I added some differnt grips to mine the other night:

 

[Catshooter]

Yes you can use lead. Yes you can use your ACP dies to reload the Auto Rim rounds, you just need a new shell holder/shell plate. The AR is just an ACP with a fat rim.

They are wonderful sixguns. I think the hammers are way to big, but they are very accurate. I didn't like the wood grips so some rubbers went on, very nice too. Enjoy yours.


Cat

 

[Nanook 450]

I love the scandium revolvers, have a 386, 325, 329 & 360 M&P - they are my carry "beaters" - especially the 329.

My 386 and 360 used to travel with me everyday, just had some serious problems with the 360 yesterday - needs an action job or "something" - my 386 & 329 have also needed work on the action before they became very reliable.

I've never had any internal work done on my 325 and its fun to shoot - kinda cool to be able to carry an N frame in my front pocket, thanks to Mr. Mika.

 

[NE450No2]

I load mine with Remington 230 grain JHP, sub-sonic rounds; they are perfect for the lightweight of the revolver.

The knife is by Michigan Maker Philip Booth; the mammoth ivory scales are almost black in color.

I have a 325 Night Guard that I like a lot. It shoots great, and spot on with 230gr ball and HP ammo.


cwo, mine came with the rubber grips and the same wood grips as in this picture.
These are the grips I use on my gun.
Do you know who made them?