.45LC and manufacturers vs. reloads

[Wilderness353]

Hello,
I'm guessing that many are tired of questions concerning the .45 LC but I hope you'll read on. My question concerns the strength & ability of certain revolvers to handle certain hand loads. I'm assuming, from reading numerous gun/hand loading articles that the Ruger & Thompson are in a class of their own and will tolerate any of the following categories of reloads. I have several .45LC from different manufactures & would like to know their general capability of handling certain reloads. I have several .45LC from the U.S. Fire Arms (USFA), S&W – a model 25-5 from mid '80's & a 625-6 Mnt. Gun early '90's and a P.Center slab side, ported barrel w/weaver mount rail, fluted cylinder in model 625-7 Colt Ctg. w/gun #10x. I hope the following is not too generalized but I will list three categories of reloads. First, light loads/ cowboy loads -- next, Factory load equivalent or a grain or two higher -- third, hot loads but NOT maximum. Would it be safe to say that the USFA Colt .45 SAA should use only the category (lt.loads/c.boy). The S&W 25-5 & the Mnt. Gun stay near the middle (factory or grn. or so higher)? Now that part I'm unsure on. Can one say that a gun from Smith's P.Center, guarantees that it is built stronger & therefore able to handle hotter reloads or do the bells & whistles and the extra weight still keep it in the middle category w/the other model 25's? Where would that P.Center fall in the above three categories?
One last question - I was told that the above PC mod. 625-7 was somewhat of an unusual piece in that Smith only produce a limited number? Any info on its production?
Thanks to all who are able to offer any suggestions or help? Your assistance is certainly appreciated!
Best Wishes --- Bill

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Welcome to the forum!

The USFA SAA's are very good quality guns. They will handle warmer loads than any of the mainstream factory loads, but you shouldn't use Ruger level loads in them.

The S&W 25 is far stronger than many want to give it credit for. Read this and it will answer most of your questions. I have used these loads in my 25-5 and 25-7 with no troubles what so ever.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

 

[Dale53]

The best discussion I have seen regarding the strengths of various revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt is in Brian Pearce's article in the #246 April/May edition of Handloader Magazine. Wolfe Publishing has a partial sample of that issue on their web site that contains that article:

Wolfe Publishing Company

John Linebaugh has an excellent article on revolver strength but somewhat more limited (scroll down to the end for excellent comments on the S&W .45 Colt revolvers);

Linebaugh's Custom Sixguns - Heavyweight Bullets

I use Brian Pearce's recommendations frequently and find him "spot on".

John Linebaugh also knows what he is talking about.

Dale53

 

[Wilderness353]

Hi Parman,
Thanks for the response. My Smith has a 6 inch barrel. I believe this one was designed for hunting as it has slab sides – left, marked Smith & Wesson & right, marked 45 COLT CTG. Top of barrel has a 3" weaver rail mount. Front sight is full red ramp Millett dovetail - adjustable for windage. It is ported starting right behind the front sight barrel notch. Rear sight adj. for wind & elevation with out the white outline. Also has smooth, adjustable trigger stop and has no lock mechanism on frame near cylinder release. It has fluted cylinders. Has round wooden finger grooved grips. Has what I would call a target hammer and chamfered charge holes, ball detent lockup(I believe). Has what I would call a satin stainless finish. Came in the aluminum PC carry case with S&W large circle logo in center w/dual combo locks. I also have the boxes that Smith ships the aluminum case in. Ser. number is LCH01xx and the revolver is number 10x. It was purchased in 2006. This is the only one (physically) I've seen for sale in the .45 Colt from the P.Center. Have never seen one like this advertised for sale. Never saw or heard of a 3 inch model like this 6 inch.
Hope this helps with your question. Again, thanks for your reply.

Best Wishes --- Bill

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

The best discussion I have seen regarding the strengths of various revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt is in Brian Pearce's article in the #246 April/May edition of Handloader Magazine.

Dale,
issue #217 is much better than #246 regarding the various levels. Both were written by Pearce BTW. I also agree with him being spot on. He is simply the best writer out there these days.

 

[Wilderness353]

Hello Gun 4 Fun,
Thanks for the welcome and the gun notes tip. I wasn't sure how strong the USFA Single Actions were built. After I purchased the ones I have, I believe I read that their parts came from Italy and the gun was assembled here in the US?? They look beautifully made but I had a problem w/one of mine and I asked the guy at USFA concerning the parts, Italy and the U.S. assembly and he said, "a few were made that way" but really didn't want to talk about that topic, AT ALL !!
Sest Wishes --- Bill

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

The very very early ones were made that way, but the owner decided that he wanted to build better guns than even the Colt, so the invested in the machinery to build them in house here in their entirety.

They really are nice guns.

 

[Allen-frame]

Hello Bill. Regarding loads I don't go much beyond 1100 f.p.s. with the 250 gr. X.T.P. in any of my Smiths in 45 Colt. Never felt the need.

The 625 P.C. guns were probably runs of 250 or so.
Your numeric portion of the serial # will be an indicator.

My 625-7 is serial #d' LCHxxxx for Light Colt Hunter and is number 207 of the batch

My 625-6 is unfluted and has a hammer mounted firing pin.
The serial prefix is CLTxxxx and it is # 96 of the run.

Good luck
Allen Frame

 

[Wilderness353]

Hello Allen-Frame,
Thanks for the info. What a wonderful collection of Smiths. Just amazing!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again.

Best Wishes --- Bill

 

[Wilderness353]

My three are not that old, so I guess mine are all USA made.
Thanks ----------- Bill

 

[Wilderness353]

Allen,
May I ask how you located or came across that many nice Smiths? I hear talk or see postings about "Lew Horton" runs. Are these production of limited models? Usually from the P.Center? Are there any other individuals whose names are associated with certain runs of nice Smiths - some names that I should look for perhaps on a yearly basis or something?
Thanks--------- Bill

 

[Wilderness353]

Alllen,
Did your 625 Mountain Gun come w/the grips shown in your photo? Mine didn't - they have the Hogue Monogrip. Does Smith offer a selection of grips that will fit their revolvers & if so, do you know a place/web site that would show examples. Also, the Mnt. Gun has a pinned front sight & the safety, instruction parts manual shows "Interchangeable Front Sight ***'y" Is S&W the only place to get these interchangeable sights or are they available elsewhere?
Thanks for any assistance.
Regards -- Bill

 

[VAdoublegunner]

WRT what Allen-Frame and Gun 4 Fun said, I also have one of the 625-6 6" slab barrel PC models in 45 Colt, and although I am not uncomfortable loading it in the 23-25Kpsi level (ref: Handloader #217 and #246) I don't often see any need to. At 20Kpsi, you can easily drive a 282gr RCBS 45-270-SAA to 1000fps, and that will take care of a lot of chores. Ditto the Hornady 250XTP.

If yours has the barrel weight system, then it sounds like the same gun as mine. Check the recent 'Ultimate 45 Colt thread' for a pic.