45 autorim questions

[hastings]

I have no experience with 45 autorim ammo, and I have a few questions.

I have a 22-4 Thunder Ranch, and I love it. I don't love moon clips, though. I'd like to try some 45 autorim ammo in it, but I'll have to order some because I can't find it locally. My main question is this. Will I need to install a longer firing pin to have them work? 45acp doesn't work in the revolver without the moon clip because the shells sit to far away from the firing pin aperature. Does the rim on the autorim case make up for the lack of moon clip or will I still encounter problems.

Ideally the firing pin would not need to be replaced, since I like to dryfire my revolvers to practice trigger pull and sight picture. I have read that if you put in the longer firing pin, you should not dryfire without snapcaps, and that the longer firing pin could break if you use the 45acp with moon clips.

Please excuse me if these questions seem silly. I'd just pick up a box and try them if I could find them locally, but I'd rather not order ammo I may end up never using. It ain't cheap, either, compared to 45acp. I anxiously await your sage advice, especially if it is anecdotal and pertains specifically to the 22-4 models. Boy, I wish the thing had a hammer-mounted firing pin.

Thanks in advance.

 

[OKFC05]

Will I need to install a longer firing pin to have them work?

The auto rim are designed to place the primer at the same relative place as the ACP with clips.
The gun should have clips with the ACP in the current design.

 

[hastings]

The auto rim are designed to place the primer at the same relative place as the ACP with clips.
The gun should have clips with the ACP in the current design.

That's what I was hoping. Thanks for the info, and I apologize for posting this in the Smithing category. I meant to put it in the Revolvers 1980-Present category.

 

[signsrup]

Hastings,
The auto rim "rims" are thicker than most rimmed cartridges, as it was designed especially for 45 wheelguns that also utilized moonclips.

 

[Raider]

The best buy IMHO if you want to shoot auto rim is Starline brass. I bought 500 from Starline Company itself. Its much cheaper than buying 50 or 100 at a time from some of the big mailorder companys, especially when you include shipping.

Charlie

 

[Retired in 2001]

You can also dry fire away.You only cant in those pesky 22s

 

[shotgun-2]

Hastings,

Everyone is correct about auto rims working just fine, that is what they were designed for.
I went that route until I bought loading and de-mooning tools from Dillon, makes it really easy to load and clear moon clips.
Not very expensive and work great.
Moon clips are the best way to go, quick to load gun and positive ejection from gun, keeps brass together. I load 20 to 30 clips before leaving home and ready to go at the range. Like having a butt load of mags for a semi-auto ready to go but no big cash investment.
I think once you try the clips with a loader you will give up on auto rim.

Good Shooting, Shotgun-2

 

[robertrwalsh]

You do need a special shell holder for the .45 auto rim, and it only fits the .45 AR.

 

[hastings]

This is all fantastic information. I concealed carry the 22-4, in my right front pocket (I typically wear a loose-fitting button down shirt untucked), and would like to carry six or twelve loose shells in my other front pocket. Full, and half moon clips dig in to my leg, and actually produce a more noticable bulge than the revolver does. I agree that nothing reloads as quickly as a moon clip, but due to the awkwardness of carrying them I usually don't bother, so a reload is a non-issue. When target practicing, I do take a couple dozen loaded moon clips with me and love the ease of popping them in and out. I load them by hand (I've never found this to be a problem) and demoon the brass with one of those multi-tip screwdrivers. I take out the bit, and the shaft fits very neatly into the empty cartridge. I prefer this to the demooning tools that go over the shell. The screwdriver actually works better.

Thanks again for the info. I guess I will get some autorim brass, or ammo, after the holidays, and give it a try.

 

[GLV]

Tuff Products

Tuff Products sells speed strips for 45 auto rim. Mine are loaded with CorBon DPX.

 

[flagman1776]

I use 45 AR in my 25-2. As said it replaces the moons & acp rim perfectly. Mine is Remington made & hoarded since the dawn of time. I use 200 Lswc 45 ACP loads in my 25-2 without moons for plinking. These loads will cycle my auto just fine so they're not wimpy but will flick out of the cylinder with a fingernail. If your gun has a chamber shoulder, you should be able to plink with naked ACPs.
Yes, the AR takes a different shell holder... I got the shell plate for my dillon 550 as well. I use the same die set for ACP / AR without changing.
Russ

 

[meterman]

My 625-2 wouldn't handle R-P reloads very well...they seemed a tad too thick at the rims. It was difficult to cock the hammer, as the back of the brass rubbed on the inside of the frame. So I then tried a bag of 100 Starlines. No problem..they run slick through that thing, with no hangups.

 

[tomcatt51]

If your gun has a chamber shoulder, you should be able to plink with naked ACPs.

The chambers have shoulders. The ones I've measured have been consistently ~.015" too deep. Interesting combination, undersize, out of round, and too deep.

 

[jimmyj]

.45 AutoRim Question

Hi:
Have you considered contacting S&W Customer Service?
Might be your revolver slipped past the final inspection.
Jimmy

 

[OKFC05]

Hi:
Have you considered contacting S&W Customer Service?
Might be your revolver slipped past the final inspection.
Jimmy

Actually, that is consistent with the current design specs. They are specifically designed NOT to use .45 ACP without the clips.
Yes, I am aware tht many (not all) of the old ones would do it.

 

[44 special Dave]

45 auto rims are nice if you can get them. I also have 2 speed loaders for 45 auto rim (don't see those often).

However I have to agree that the 45acp rounds with full moon clips are great for reloading fast. That is of course if you have a good mooning and de-mooning tool so you hands aren't bloodied.

I have a rather indelicate question for Hastings;

You carry a 4" N frame in your front pants pocket? Loaded it has to weigh around 42 oz. Are you a big fella? I'm 5'10" and way to short for my weight and I can't imagine a 4" n frame loaded in my front pocket. Back pocket "maybe". Do you wear cargo pants? I guess I could see that being an ok fit.

Dave