Auto Caliber Chambered Revolvers

[sheriff54]

I have really liked the 45 acp for quite a while but really never cared for the revolvers. slow to reload, only 6 in the gun... just not my cup of tea... after I grew up, I realized that the 45 was probably the best "house gun" cartridge that could be had. And if I had trouble with my hands (old guy getting older) I might not be able to work the action of the 1911's and I could still use the 45 auto. Now if I could find a 9mm in a revolver?? (my current answer is ruger lc9) so I don't want one. I have the j frame in 38 so I'm OK there. I can down load my 686 so I don't rupture my ear drums inside but I have 44 special and 44 mag (downloaded) so I can have something as a big bore that keeps me safe.
So, do I need one; No... BUT IF I did, it would be a Great answer!!

Long story cut short... Now I think the 45 acp revolver fills a need. Learning is a good thing. Finally, I learned !!!

 

[M2MikeGolf]

When was the last time they built a K frame with anything but a 4" barrel (referring to the current 64, 67 & 'bogus' 10)?

Good point and even better observation. I love the K-frames, most particularly the Model 10s. Bring back the 547, I say.

 

[Snowbandit]

I've been wanting a 4-inch 610 for several years but can't justify that heavy lugged barrel. Wish S&W would build one in Mountain Revolver configuration. Of course, it would have to have a hammer mounted firing pin and that stupid hole on the side filled in too. It's hopeless I guess.

 

[Tinygnat219]

More Auto-Chambered Revolvers

All,
Since I started this post, I wanted to pass along some more of the auto-chambered revolvers that I have picked up:

Smith and Wesson Governor:

Smith and Wesson Governor with Hogue Glow in the Dark "Zombie" Grips:

Taurus M380 .380 ACP Revolver:

Taurus M380 .380 ACP Revolver as compared to a S&W 442:

Ruger SP101 in 9MM:

For the S&W Governor, this gun is simply a joy to shoot .45 ACP out of. I haven't even really bothered with anything beyond a cylinder full of 45 Colt. I haven't even tried shotshells and don't really care about them in this gun. Accuracy with this is surprisingly "on" with the .45 ACP even with the long *** cylinder.

For the Taurus M380 revolver. It's a pretty neat concept since it's a bit shorter than the S&W 442. The trigger is a little tough, since it's DAO but that's to be expected with anything Taurus. Felt recoil is nothing, it being less than the .38 SPL. I don't think this design is going to go anywhere though.

The Ruger SP101 in 9MM is a fun gun to shoot and I think it has the best moonclips for the guns requiring it. For the record, these same moonclips work just fine with the S&W 940.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I like my 625-8 in particular because it is one of the more accurate revolvers I've ever owned. It can be conveniently loaded with loose 45 ACP rounds or even better 45AR, which can easily be loaded up to duplicate the classic old west 45 Colt load. No slouch that round. But does it offer any advantage over more traditional rimmed rounds? Not so much, unless one is packing for an extended journey and needs to carry more ammo in the same space, or anticipates an availability issue where the specific chambering is an asset (say a sudden zombie uprising, where 45 Colt may be hard to find in sufficient quantity but 45 auto is readily available).

But in terms of practicality, I don't really like moonclips. They are too bulky to carry conveniently compared to a flat magazine that holds more rounds, thus are IMHO impractical. Then to load/unload them takes a special tool and a lot of extra effort. And for that matter, the revolvers themselves are bulkier than a comparable automatic and rarely offer any particular performance advantage over an autopistol chambered in the same cartridge, especially considering that many conventional rimmed cartridges chambered in them easily match or exceed their performance.

One revolver does offer a specific advantage for me and that is a pair of Ruger Vaqueros chambered in 38-40 with spare cylinders in 40 S&W. They are the most accurate 40S&W *anything* I've ever shot, and loading 40 is far easier than 38-40. They have proven to be excellent guns for CAS using 40S&W loaded with lead bullets. Of course, the loaded rounds do tend to drop straight through your gun belt's cartridge loops, so a pouch works better for carrying spare ammo...

 

[TheTinMan]

I have a Colt Model 1917 and a Model 25-2, so obviously I think revolvers chambered in .45 ACP make sense. However, I can't imagine why you would want to take a perfectly good revolver and chamber it in 9mm Luger. Get a nice .22LR revolver if you want great accuracy and super cheap feeding. Otherwise, I'll take .357 Magnum any day.

I must admit that a 9x23 Winchester revolver is an interesting idea though. That's my preferred round for a 1911. Higher capacity, recoil easier to manage, and ballistics just like .357 Magnum.

 

[Matt C.]

9x23

9x19

45 acp

 

[wheelyfun66]

Add me to the list of 45ACP in a revolver fans:

This is a recent limited run of 45ACP new Vaquero Birdshead revolvers.....
accurate, fun, and yes....I do carry it!

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I can't imagine why you would want to take a perfectly good revolver and chamber it in 9mm Luger

Well then, let me give your imagination a boost and using the time old tradition of "a picture is worth a thousand words", here's a great reason that a revolver be chambered for 9x19:

And then match a famously framed revolver chambered for 9x19 to that little ballistics picture:

In the end, one could easily say that comparison "leaves little to the imagination".