45 ACPWheel Gun Love It Or Leave It

[loc n load]

Smith 45 acp's

Started shooting 45 acp in revolvers with the S&W 1917's, own a 25 target, a 625 5" and a 3" RB....handload a variety of bullets and loads...very versatile and very accurate. Enjoyed the thread and all the pic's.

 

[S&W627]

I use Ranch Products full moon clips in mine and I bit down hard and purchased a BMT Mooner tool to load and unload them with. The people at Ranch Products are so nice that they send you the moon clips first and you send them your check later. The BMT Mooner is the best, fastest, easiest tool every invented to load/unload full moon clips.

 

[DFrame]

A friend of mine has a BMT moon tool, and it works better than sliced bread. But the price is BRUTAL.

 

[deanodog]

Model 25-2. I have moon clips but shoot mostly auto rim with cast bullets.

 

[h38/44]

another fan of .45 Auto revolvers

I'll pipe up too.
I have a new series Model 22, 4" barrel. I love its looks and absolutely love full moon clips. I take this gun to a weekend cabin and it's so handy to load and unload. It's so much better that I don't know why they weren't used more by the police back in the revolver days--much better than speed loaders. As many have pointed out, you have many ammunition options--a pencil ejector works fine for loose ACP ammo at the range too.
My only suggestion is a gun with better sights. I have trouble holding to a constant elevation because of the broad refection from the half-moon front sight.
Don't know what law-limits you are suffering under. California allows the Model 22.

 

[Gryff]

Couple of months ago I picked up a M-22 4 inch. Had to put on some larger grips and a green Hi Viz front sight. Gun is a keeper. I think the .45 wheel is going to be a new "I want to get"

The Model 22 has such a cool retro look. They shoot great, too.

 

[Conan]

have the JM625 and love everything about it, very little recoil, very accurate, O regrets.....4" barrel perfect...moon clips are great...BT Mooner tool works great also...

 

[gmike9]

Moon Clips for a 625

I have a 625-4 with an old Tasco Pro-Point red dot that is fun to shoot and very accurate. I see a few other comments about ammo but I have shot everything I put in it, including handloads. The steel moon clips are major tough on my old hands but I found fiber clips that do the job well and load easily. This link will get you there: www.ezmoonclip.com

 

[not-fishing]

I've been shooting 625 JM for the last 4 years in IDPA and love the moon clips. My reloads have gotten fast enough that the pistol guys are envious.

The other part of the fun is shooting major power.

I did like the JM grip at first but then decided to buy a stock aftermarket grip and reshape it so that it feels right. It actually looks the same as the Miculek grip but it comes down a little more behind the trigger guard and is a little thicker on one side.

I just wish this "N" frame was a little thinner for concealed carry.

I had a model 22 Thunder Ranch but sold it because I didn't like the sights.

 

[Steve_Revo_]

I have a 625 JM that I had reworked by Mike Carmoney and it is my primary IDPA revolver. The guns are a joy to shoot, very well made and tough as nails.

 

[Ed333]

625

Get yourself a 625 JM and don't look back. Four inches is just right.

 

[tlpmidland]

I have always had a fondness for the 45 LC in the 25 Target. Just old school. But with that being said, today I can not even find 22 ammo, much less the ear ringing 45 crowd mover

 

[skinnygun]

[/IMG]

S+W 625 JM with 460 Roland cylinder + .45 acp cylinder.
I can fire .45 acp,45 auto,45 super and .460 Roland rounds in the 460 Roland cylinder ..44 mag power from the 460 round, my black bear gun when walking the dog at night.

 

[jwisecarver]

625

I came across a new model 625 about 8 years ago at a local range, a fellow ordered it and when it came in he didn't want it so when I seen it, like you it was a scratch that just had to be scratched and I bought it right there you know how it is when you pick one up and it just says take me home Daddy any way took it to the shooting line and put 50 rounds through it and was never happier. Yes I still have it and this is one I will only part with when the good Lord calls me home.

 

[PLINKING.40]

s&w

I watched Jerry M. shoot and his blur fast reloads and said, " I would like to try that" so I got a 625PC, andmoon clips and the D-mooner, and went to a IDPA match of ours, and It was it's Vir**** run, I walk in the door and grab my score sheet, and look in to the range and guess what was set up.?.....OOHH NO.!! the Classifier...Oh this is going to suck.! I stepup to the line pull out the Revo, and everybody's eye Popped Open...Holy **** Gary's shooting a Revo...I said " Hey Ya'll this is going to be funny as He77. for with this gun for the 1st time.....OH I't was Brutle...But now I'm pretty good with it, And Yes, use Fed primmers, I had a lot of FTF, I had to tighten the hammer spring all the way in...And Yes I kept the grips the same..Get a lot of "oooss-aaahhhs with them.

 

[azz3man]

45 acp revolver

For some reason I have been getting a hankering for a .45 ACP wheel gun with a 4" or shorter barrel. Those that I have spoken with love the accuracy on these babies.

I am looking at several potential models that meet the resrictions of my state. That is, if they can be found to purchase. The new models I can own, in this state of misery, they are the 625, 625 JM, 325 PD, and the 325 Thunder Ranch.

Before I begin a quest I want to know if I should spend my time elseware or grab one of these beasts. What does the S&W Forum crew think?

search no more. I have a TR new in the box/pouch 4 digit SR for sale.
It is unfired and comes with the manual, other paperwork, moon clips,
key, etc. Please send me your private email address if you are interested. Mine is [email protected] and I live in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I can email photographs. The wood grops on this example are exceptionally beautiful. phone me at 480 513 3222

 

[webley green]

This has been a great thread and awesome pictures, thanks so much for posting them. I have been shooting .45ACP/AR revolvers for years, primarily of the British variety. Half-moon clips served while shooting cheap .45ACP in the halcyon days of yore. Webley Government Models and Webley Greens revolvers. With cast bullets they are surprisingly accurate. Although I do not have a S&W .45ACP/AR revolver, I hope to rectify that in the near future. My other .45ACP/AR revolver is an older Ruger Blackhawk convertible with a 7 1/2 barrel.

 

[jackpearl]

I use Ranch Products full moon clips in mine and I bit down hard and purchased a BMT Mooner tool to load and unload them with. The people at Ranch Products are so nice that they send you the moon clips first and you send them your check later. The BMT Mooner is the best, fastest, easiest tool every invented to load/unload full moon clips.

I watched the video and want one so bad....for $40!!

OP,
As stated above, the .45 revolvers are addictive, I have a few. I like USPSA shoots and the moon clips are a must, I wouldn't have it any other way. I haven't lost a piece of brass yet. I don't mind loading or unloading the moon clips--it's satisfying to me to see them all loaded in the box and ready to go. Don't hesitate on buying one--We all promise you a good time!!

 

[mod34]

One of my biggest firearms regrets is getting rid of my 325PD. I kick myself each and every time I see one now. Whadda fool I was....traded it on a black-plastic wonder. Damn, that was dumb.........

Its a 12-step program. Admitting it is the first step to wellness

 

[azz3man]

45 acp revolver

Get yourself a 625 JM and don't look back. Four inches is just right.

I answered this earlier but I muct have done something wrong because I can't find my post in response. In any case, I have a brand new in the box/pouch TR 45 ACP, never fired, for sale. I have the manual, other documents, moon clips and key that come with it plus the original S&W box. This example has especially beautiful wood grips and it is a 4 digit SR. Please email me direct at [email protected]. Going through the forum to communicate is awkward for me. I live in Scottsdale Arizona, am an NRA life member since 1962 and you can phone me at 480 513 3222. At my age and medical issues, I am thinning out my collection.
Paul