I am relatively new to the forum and am seeing quite a few 45 ACP revolvers. People seem very fond of them. What is the attraction? I have shot a lot of45 ACP out of my 1911's, and owned a 25-5 in 45 Colt for several years that I enjoyed. I feel that I may be overlooking something with the 45 ACP revolvers. Could some of you please educate me?
45 ACP Revolvers
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45ACP revolver
Well since you already shoot large bore guns, that's part of it, for me. If you have a 45 auto & a 45ACP revolver, then you can use the same ammo/loads between them & consolidate resources. They also use moonclips, which some love & some hate, but they are handy for a quick reload, even if you go with 45 Auto Rims mainly. Ammo is common & (usually) plentiful. The guns are accurate. You can load a wide power range of ammo, even up to 45 Super, in most. So, "N" frame + 4"bbl. + 45ACP =
Well since you already shoot large bore guns, that's part of it, for me. If you have a 45 auto & a 45ACP revolver, then you can use the same ammo/loads between them & consolidate resources. They also use moonclips, which some love & some hate, but they are handy for a quick reload, even if you go with 45 Auto Rims mainly. Ammo is common & (usually) plentiful. The guns are accurate. You can load a wide power range of ammo, even up to 45 Super, in most. So, "N" frame + 4"bbl. + 45ACP =
I think the N Frame size, the Moon clip reloading, and the accuracy of the 45 revolvers is the attraction. The only downside is some of the 25-2's and 25-5's had larger than normal cylinder throats and the accuracy with "lead" bullets was not great. With jacketed bullets they are outstanding. Even the old WWI 1917's shoot terrific with jacketed bullets that they were designed for.
Cpo1944
Member
My 5 inch 625-8 is just a joy to shoot. It`s one of those guns you don't fuss with lots of aiming or holding "just right",you just point it, shoot it, and hit your target. The recoil feels good, even for young children. My 10 year old Grandson loves it and so does my wife and every one else whom I let shoot it. It is one gun that I`ll never part with.
thebeamanater107
US Veteran
Well since you already shoot large bore guns, that's part of it, for me. If you have a 45 auto & a 45ACP revolver, then you can use the same ammo/loads between them & consolidate resources. They also use moonclips, which some love & some hate, but they are handy for a quick reload, even if you go with 45 Auto Rims mainly. Ammo is common & (usually) plentiful. The guns are accurate. You can load a wide power range of ammo, even up to 45 Super, in most. So, "N" frame + 4"bbl. + 45ACP =
Basically, what you're saying, it's a good bullet paired with a good gun. Now I can use that same good bullet from my other good gun (1911) with my new good gun (45acp revolver)...
I intended to poke fun at all this, claiming you've got revolver bullets for revolvers and auto bullets for autos and I don't care to buy a new gun just to use the same bullet in my two good guns but... As I was typing I was thinking about it and it sounds like a cool idea and a fun target shooter/"looking good" gun that can be used in defense situations because that 45 auto is a serious bullet... So I can get a nice classic gun that shoots a 45 in auto form or revolver form
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smokey04
Member
Yeah,and with the ACP revolver you don't have to crawl around looking for your brass!
.45 revolvers offer a whole range of bullet weights and loadings that you can't use in an auto.
Revolvers for sport,fun,& hunting,autos for fighting. I've used both and that is my opinion born of experience in hard times. Nick
.45 revolvers offer a whole range of bullet weights and loadings that you can't use in an auto.
Revolvers for sport,fun,& hunting,autos for fighting. I've used both and that is my opinion born of experience in hard times. Nick
I will support smokey04's comment about chasing brass as "us" LEO guys have chased a lot of brass over time... and nothing beats a large bullet for plinking or business use.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
"What is the attraction?"
Good question. I dunno.
The one feature of the 45 ACP revolver I hear mentioned a lot is the easy and fast reloading using moon clips. Beyond that I can't really explain the attraction of the 45 ACP revolver. I've had several in my life, starting with a 1917 and I still have a 25-2. It's a little big and heavy for the power of the caliber, but it is nicely crafted and fun to shoot.
Wait, fun to shoot. There's the short answer to your question.
Good question. I dunno.
The one feature of the 45 ACP revolver I hear mentioned a lot is the easy and fast reloading using moon clips. Beyond that I can't really explain the attraction of the 45 ACP revolver. I've had several in my life, starting with a 1917 and I still have a 25-2. It's a little big and heavy for the power of the caliber, but it is nicely crafted and fun to shoot.
Wait, fun to shoot. There's the short answer to your question.
Nframecollector
Member
My 25-2 is the most accurate revolver I own! I shoot mostly 45 ar from mine.
Stevie
Member
I own a 625..a Colt 1917..and a Webley MkIV that's been converted to .45acp. I had previously owned a different Colt 1917 and a S&W 1917 and sold those two in a fit of poverty..
The .45 auto is a great revolver round..I download some lead 230gr for the ancient Webley to keep it in it's approx. pressure range of the old .455 British round..the rest get standard ammo.
The .45 auto is a great revolver round..I download some lead 230gr for the ancient Webley to keep it in it's approx. pressure range of the old .455 British round..the rest get standard ammo.
In a word .... accuracy.
Mine are competition guns, a task at which they excel.
Mine are competition guns, a task at which they excel.
I appreciate all the input. The question came up while dealing with a bad case of Smithitis. I am wanting something that adds a new element to the herd. I was considering something in 45 colt, 25 series or ? Now I have something else to consider.
Jack Flash
Member
I think you are doing fine if you have a .45 ACP semi-auto and a .45 Colt that you can shoot accurately.
However, I would say you still need a .45 ACP revolver.
Dovetailing off the excellent post by Smokey04:
You can shoot any sane load you can come up with out of a modern .45 ACP revolver. All you do is load, aim, and fire.
Light loads, heavy loads, flat bullets, hollow points, etc., etc. No changing springs, no polishing feed ramps, no trips to the gunsmith, ...
Then there's the M1917. A historic firearm if there ever was one. It can handle anything on the list above EXCEPT you should leave out "heavy loads".
However, I would say you still need a .45 ACP revolver.
Dovetailing off the excellent post by Smokey04:
You can shoot any sane load you can come up with out of a modern .45 ACP revolver. All you do is load, aim, and fire.
Light loads, heavy loads, flat bullets, hollow points, etc., etc. No changing springs, no polishing feed ramps, no trips to the gunsmith, ...
Then there's the M1917. A historic firearm if there ever was one. It can handle anything on the list above EXCEPT you should leave out "heavy loads".
jtcarm
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I've never heard of oversized throats on the 25s. They were designed to shoot 200 grain lead bullets (the Hensley & Gibbs #68).
My 25-2 shot high with anything over 200-grains, with the RS cranked all the way down.
As for popularity, moon clips are the fastest reload for competition. Since a lot of action pistol competitors already shoot .45 autos, a revolver I'm the same caliber makes sense.
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I love 'em. Got an original 1950 Army, an early 625, a Thunder Ranch Model 22, and a 325 Night Guard. I seem to have an addiction.
The over sized throats are well documented, and there are a ton of threads on this site alone to read on the subject. Heck, I've even posted a thread or three on the topic, and how to easily and accurately check a gun before buying it.
The 25-2 was originally designed for 230 ball ammo, not the 200 grain H&G #68's (even though I do shoot a lot of them through my 25-2). The sights are regulated to be in approximately the lower one third, to the center of the adjustment range when using ball ammo. A lighter bullet will generally hit higher on target than a heavier one will, even when fired at approximately the same velocity due to recoil impulse forces. You can change the rear sight blade out for a shorter one quite easily to allow correct sight adjustment for your loads.
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S&W-Keeper
Member
I have a couple of 625's,and like them a lot.
Jack Flash
Member
I think you mean lower, amigo.
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