Auto Caliber Chambered Revolvers

[BobR1]

Well I guess I am a moon clip kinda guy. I have owned Webleys converted to 45acp. I have owned a couple 1917's, two or three 25's, and a couple 625's. I currently am shooting a 625 in the 3" version. It has been to Ron for his Power Custom Combat work.

I have a 610 No Dash that I bought when they first came on the market. It was a factory 5". I dropped it off with Ron Power and had his Power Custom Combat work done to it, as well as having it shortened off the back to 4" like it should have been in the first place in my opinion.

I also have a 310 Nightguard that I just bought today. I am sure it will be a favorite carry gun. I see a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster in it's Christmas stocking.

I had an SP101 in 9mm at one time. I now wish I still had it.

I also have a 686 Power Custom Combat that Clark converted to take moon clips many years ago. It is still chambered in 38/357.

I also shoot my 64 using Safariland Comp III speedloaders. I am not a total moon clip user.

As was said numerous times above, it is nice getting home with all your brass at the end of the day. Even at matches where you would normally have to leave your brass on the ground, you still pick it up with your moon clips.

Bob

 

[Dick Craig]

I just don't agree that revolvers chambered in .45ACP are novelty items or niche guns. The Models 25 and 625 in all of their iterations have been wildly popular sellers for Smith for decades, and for good reason: .45ACP has turned out to be a superb revolver round and the 25/625 series has been a wonderful platform for these rounds. My 625JM is remarkably accurate with about as much recoil as a mid-sized revolver chambered in .38 special. Moon clips, which sound like a potential problem, turn out to be an asset when one learns how to use them properly. Anyone who's watched one of those Jerry Miculek video clips will know that it's possible to reload a 625 using moonclips faster than one could ever reload a revolver with speedloaders or faster even than changing magazines in a semiauto.

I agree with most of what you said. I have a 22-4,TRR 45acp, and shoot it on occasion at our local USPSA type matches. I just acquired a 627-5, which doesn't meet the semi auto caliber round format but I haven't had the opportunity to shoot it in a match. Great guns and quick to reload but for speed I find my 1911's much much faster to reload, but I ain't Jerry Miculek.

 

[Dave T]

For the most part, I look at them as novelties...

On the contrary, I see them as eminently usable and practicle revolvers, particularly those chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge. They will serve as target, competition or defensive revolvers depending on the model, the ammunition used and the application and intentions of the owner. Hardly novelties, which is probably why I have 5 of them.

Just sayin',
Dave

 

[LOBO]

I got my 625-4 5" a few years back, and I just knew that I was going to love it. Well.....I didn't, not the moonclips anyway. Thought about selling it for a good while. Then I learned of this glorious little round called the .45 auto rim. Hallelujah!!!! I am not a moonclip fan, but I'll take all the .45 auto rim that I can find!! Here is what eats 'em.....


625-4 .45 acp/ar

Springfield Armory 200 year Commemorative .45 acp/ar (basically a 625-4 Mountain Gun)

model of 1917 .45 acp/ar

 

[Maximumbob54]

I thought the same thing until I shot my three inch 625. Now it has joined the ranks of several of my "from my cold dead hands" guns and will be staying that way.

It may have to be something to feel in the hand before it really hits you how great they are.

 

[M3Stuart]

....I am still amazed at the fact that 9mm is not more prevalent in the revolver world. I have a strong suspicion that it has much more to do with marketing and deal making than anything. 9mm autos are a bit on the wane now due to the popularity of .40 S&W/.357 SIG, and by making a revolver in those two caliber/cartrdges, the undercutting of sales for those models could occur. There seem to be a lot of just S&W fans out there that would like to see 940s and 547s back on the shelves. 9mm just makes sense, it's a great bridge gapper between .38 Spl and .357 Magnum. But I suspect that's the problem; 9mm would almost make .38 Spl redundant, and then K-frames might be a troubled issue; there are a lot of traditionalists out there that would have fit if .38 K-frames suffered or were discontinued. It's a shame, because 9mm is perfectly suited for the K-frame, and can give that .38 +P and even +P+ a real viable alternative. Personally, I think it would re-vitalize K-Frame sales since S&W won't re-issue .357 K-frames. The time is ripe for a new model 547. I wouldn't even complain about the IL on it.

Just a thought.

Ok - no reflection on you at all, but I just had to say: since when has S&W given a rat's #$% about K frames? When was the last time they built a K frame with anything but a 4" barrel (referring to the current 64, 67 & 'bogus' 10)?

Sidenote: My 3" 10-4 is probably my favorite gun to shoot. I'd buy the 9mm version in a nanosecond if such a thing existed.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have only one revolver chambered for a rimless pistol cartridge, other than a couple of M1917s, a Model 25 and a Model 625. As a general rule I don't like them, because of the need to work around the extraction issues.

However, with a single action revolver, there is no extraction problem, as the ejector pokes out any kind of a case. I do have this Ruger old model Blackhawk, chambered for .357/.38 special, with a factory-fitted cylinder for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. It allows more economical practice with the cheaper 9mm ammo, and I can get ammo for it practically anywhere in the world. I favor the old "4 click" actions not only because of nostalgia, but because I think they operate more smoothly. Of course, this type is always carried hammer down on an empty chamber when loaded.

This particular gun was manufactured in 1970. I have the original box, papers, grips and red felt pouch and box for the extra cylinder.

John

 

[5Wire]

Three Inch (Hogue Bantams for comfort).

Four Inch

 

[mtgianni]

Not Smiths but I like the versitility of the 9mm & 45 acp in my Blackhawks.

 

[Tinygnat219]

Sweet!
Looks like the auto-chambered revolvers aren't as much of a niche as I'd thought. Especially in .45ACP. I don't typically carry a revolver as they tend to be bulky for their size and capacity. I'm kind of a diehard semi-auto carry guy. I tend to carry a revolver solely for a BUG and then it's either my 640 or 940 revolver.

However, there's something about these revolvers that's just plain neat, especially when I can find an affordable one chambered in a cartridge that I already carry: 9MM, .40 S&W or 10MM, I tend to purchase it. The 310 Nightguard might be my next purchase in this category (it's been discontinued damnit). Unless I come across a 625. I already have the S&W 1917 in .45ACP so that niche in particular doesn't need anything further. Still, with the 625 I won't worry about an 80-90 year old part failing and then having to replace it.
Some other neat revolvers I want: S&W 547, S&W 646, and possibly an SP101 in 9MM.

Thanks again!

 

[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".