Considering a .45ACP S&W. Any Advice?

[target tech]

Be carefull --- they can become an adiction. Especially if you handload .45acp. You will find that the Colts and the Kimbers spend alot more time at home. It's really nice to just dump the brass out on the table.

It started with a 625 then a 22-4 then I got nostelgic and got a 1917. The last dosen't quite count. I recently got one of the new stainless .45 Bisley Blackhawk convertables. It will shoot 4 leaf clovers with 5 shots at 25 yds off sand bags with either cylinder.

No mater what your choice, they are a lot of fun

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

After getting into shooting the N frame S&W .45ACP revolvers, I fell in love with both the 25-2 and the 625.

I got a 625-3 in 5" when they came out and it was a much of a tack driver as my red dot topped Ruger MkII Target pistol . . . only much, much bigger holes! I won a bunch of bowling pin matches with mine.

Going out plinking with it was also really fun . . . such as shooting spent .22 cartridges off a log at ten yards, standing/unsupported . . . and launching six coke cans in a row into the air at 75 yards.

I also came across a chopped barrel 25-2 about 12 years ago too . . . with a 3 1/4" barrel and an incredible custom trigger job on it. That thing is as crisp as a fine-tuned pocket watch . . . and nearly as accurate . . . only lacking the longer sight radius.

With either gun I could almost always pop a coke can with the first shot at 75 yards, supported. This gives one great confidence if the SHTF one day! Ultimate fighting handguns indeed!

Alas, I had to reduce my already modest number of handguns about eight years ago and foolishly let the 5" 625 go to another good home . . . but I'll never let my favorite handgun of all time, that 3 1/4" 25-2 go.

One day I'll stumble upon the right 625 again and I'll scarf it up. However, I'm a huge sucker for the shorter barreled .45ACP revolvers.


As for that 625 you are looking for (pre-MIM parts and all) GO FOR IT if the price is decent. You'll absolutely love the wheelgun and it should shoot as accurately as a good, stock 25-2 . . . and do it with a larger majority of various loads too, vs. the (usually) more finicky 25-2!

T.

 

[panamajack310]

looking for a 625 my only advise for you is to save your money so you can buy a 2nd 625...you are going to love these guns..I have a 3" and it shoots so sweet.

 

[Pauldoe]

Ok, well here's a follow-up:
Assuming you have the choice between a 3" and a 4" 625 - which do you get?
I'm leaning towards the 3" (more uses, including CCW).
Other opinions?
P.

 

[James57]

My only advice is to get one, shoot it and enjoy. The only .45acp revolver that I ever had that I didn't like was an early model 1988 625. That thing was a piece of junk. It would tie up the cylinder on the first cylinder full, and even then the accuracy was like 8" or better at 25 yards. Calls to S&W only got a pronouncement that they considered that as acceptable accuracy. I told them I could throw rocks that accurate and hung up. But instead of writing the .45 revolvers off, I found a 25-2 in like new condition, fired it and found it to be very accurate. I shipped it to Andy Cannon, had the barrel cut and crowned at 5", action smoothed, round butted, and the rear sight rounded on the corners to make for a smoother draw. Shot myself into the master class with that revolver in the early days of Combat Pistol Matches. My grandson has it now. I recently bought a 22-4 Thunder Ranch .45acp that my son in law had a Master Action Job done by the Performance Center at S&W. With its fixed sights and slim barrel, it is a slick fightin sixgun. Shooting double action it is very accurate, very smooth, and dead on at 22 yards with my handloaded 230grain hollowpoints. It just doesn't get any better. James

 

[Hoot]

Pauldoe, I've shot the 5" full lug (ACP), a 4" Mountain Gun (ACP), and a 3" full lug (.45 Colt).

My favorite is the 5", with the 3" a close second.

I do think the 3" would be easier and more comfortable to conceal, with the MG coming in second.


james57, in contrast to your experience, I have a Model of 1988 that is amazingly accurate. I can shoot it better than any other revolver I own. I guess they aren't all alike.

 

[deanodog]

I really like my model 22-4 classic. If it had adjustable sights it would be my favorite gun and I love them all.

 

[Pauldoe]

Thanks for the input Hoot - since I already have a 2" Model 25-2 I'm now starting to think the 4" 625 would be a nice addition to the battery. Sight radius, recoil, etc. although the recoil on the snubbie 25-2 is negligible.
I have to move out of this state though, it's gun laws are crazy!
P.

 

[tom turner]

If you shoot target competitions or do long range plinking, got with a 5."

If you want to play the "gun games" (IPSC, IDPA, etc.), get a 4" (they banned the 5" in stock classes due to whiners gettin' waxed so often).

If you aren't too recoil sensitive, go with the 3" variety. The sight radius on top of the large N frame is longer than on the smaller frames and you'll find they are very accurate too!

I second the comments about avoiding the Model 1988.

T.

 

[David Sinko]

I have three -4s. I have 3" full lug, 4" full lug, 4" Mountain Gun Commemorative and a spare 5" full lug barrel. I carry all three of these concealed on a regular basis and the SAC Mountain Gun is my favorite. Recoil is a bit sharper than the rest but it's more straight back than anything else. Surprisingly, very little muzzle flip with the light barrel. That short 3" gun actually has more muzzle flip. And that 3" gun does clear the holster quicker when carrying concealed. But for years I had only that 4" full lug gun, and it really did everything well.

Dave Sinko