Getting a 325PD let me know what you guys think.

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myates

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Getting it for a fall/winter carry gun. Most of my other carry guns are 1911's I wanted to stay with smae caliber. I'm looking for a good carry rig and looking for both practice and carry ammo. Also looking for the best place to get moon clips. Also has anybody had luck with using 45 Auto Rim.

Let me know,

Mike
 
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Getting it for a fall/winter carry gun. Most of my other carry guns are 1911's I wanted to stay with smae caliber. I'm looking for a good carry rig and looking for both practice and carry ammo. Also looking for the best place to get moon clips. Also has anybody had luck with using 45 Auto Rim.

Let me know,

Mike
 
You will find that your 325 is a pleasure to carry, but with the stock grips it may be uncomfortable to shoot-depending on the load. If this is the case, a set of Pachmayer Grippers may be more comfortable.
The 325 is accurate, unique (people will ask you about it), and a very effective tool for self defense, as you will carry it more often because of the weight.
I do a lot of hiking in Pennsylvania and the 325 is so light I forget about it. Compared to my 696, it is pure joy when it comes to dragging my butt up a mountain.
I think you will enjoy your new toy.
 
There are days when my 325 is my favorite revolver, period, and days when it isn't. Always close to the top of the list, though. You'll find that most factory ammo doesn't perform to spec in the short barrel. I use handloaded 200lswc's with 10.7 AA7 at 940fps, but GDSB's should be OK. The action is drastically improved with a Wolff reduced mainspring, 13lb rebound, and extended firing pin to keep things going bang. I used to use a Pach Decelerator grip, but decided I like Eagle SS better. Here's a pic with the Pachs in a Sparks VM2, which is the most comfortable concealment rig I know.
IMG_0941.jpg

Here it is with Eagles in a Andrews Leather McDaniel II, which really conceals it well.
IMG_1247a.jpg
 
I found a guy on ebay that had full moon clips for $30 for 100 or them, I took the chance and they are great! I have run alot of rounds through mine with the wood grips and dont mind it at all, It is not a range gun so I dont think that i would run 100ds of rounds through it anyway, so the wood is fine with me!
I also hike in the woods of pa, But I do not carry the 325, I carry a 4" 629, 44 mag, The last time I was out I spied 2 black bears withen 100 yards of me, So a 45 makes me feel a bit, well under gunned, I personally feel safe-er with the 44 mag.
The 325 is pretty darn accurate, You will love carrying it!!
325pd.jpg
Peter.
 
I just put one on layaway at my local gunshop, brand new and recently marked down from $850 to $750. I'll post pics when I get it on Friday!
 
I bought one when they were first introduced and a friend bought one at the same time. I loved and shot the heck out of mine while my friend never warmed up to his. He sold his I just kept shooting the heck out of mine. I swapped out the front sight for a partridge and the rear sight with a Extreme Duty. Thats right I was making Nightgaurds before S&W. Unbelieveable accuracy and handling. Mine has no problems with +P ammo on ocassion and for carry. My favorite moon clips are the stainless ones from Wilson. My favorite ammo and no longer made is Texas ammo's "45 Tactical". I now load this load myself. 230 gr. XTPHP at 980 fps in a 5 inch barrel maybe 875 in the PD. Great for personal defense and even medium game if the need arises.
 
As far as holsters, Comp-Tac makes its CTAC IWB tuckable for all N frames and their lead time is usually less than a week and a half.

Get one, and if you still want leather (I did) use it until your leather arrives.
 
Got mine today, the gun shop even threw in a box of S&W moon clips!

I am still thinking about a holster, any other ideas or pics, keep 'em coming. I am leaning towards the comp-tac that "Wyatt" mentioned.

I just picked it up an hour ago and put a box of the Winchester 230gr. through and love this gun. I am a little sore from the recoil but I like the look of the stock grips. I may try the Pachs and would love to try the Eagles but when you look on their website at the SS grips, they are only offering them in rosewood or Ebony. Anyone know where you can get them in the rubber?

Pics later, gotta go shoot some more.
 
I use a PMK holster made by Milt Sparks for the 325 PD as I do for my "N" frame 4inch barreled guns. Im 5' 6" and its made for people of my stature but it also works well for taller people also. I have a set of Eagle Rosewood Secert Service grips for a round butt "N" frame that have been replaced by Stag grips from Grashorns. If interested give me a message.
 
Well put about 100 rnds thru it yesterday. A mix of 200gr. LSWC and XTP along with some 230gr. ball. Also shot some carry ammo. The XTP and the carry ammo were a little stout but nothing really bad. This gun has changed my mind about getting a 329PD. Looking for a 627PC the slab sided barrel one. Also looking for a pair of Eagle Sercet Service grips. I really like the whole moon clip thing really fast.

Later,

Mike
 
Hey MOONDAWG, thanks for the tip on cactustactical. I got some of their moon clips and the demooner tool. Man does that make dealing with the moon clips easy!

I promised pics and I will post today, I'll include pics of the demooner too,
 
Another pic, the 2 moon clips on the left are S&W the 2 on the right are cactus tactical, see demooner.com or cactustactical for tool
 
myates;
In your opening post, you asked if anyone is using .45 Auto Rims in their .45 ACP revolvers.

I do not have a 325, but my two most shot revolvers are a 625-6 (5" barrel) and a 625-8 JM Special with 4" barrel. I recently took delivery of 1200 Starline Auto Rim Cases. They have the exact same capacity as the .45 ACP cases (you knew that
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) but their VERY thick rims gives perfect headspace in these fine revolvers as using .45 aCP with clips (but WITHOUT the clips).

I will be shooting the auto rim cases for normal range use but will retain my moon clipped ACP cases for defense use where I might need a quick reload.

If you do not wish to go to the expense of Auto Rim cases (I DO recommend the Starline brand as being the best for this purpose) then you can use RIMZ polymer clips for general use (they load and unload easily with the fingers and do NOT require tools at all). I have switched over to the Auto Rim cases but can certainly understand those that have a large stash of ACP's who do not wish to switch over.

I really enjoy using the .45's in a large frame revolver. The near perfect long distance paper punch as well a a nigh perfect balance of power and recoil for self defense.

Dale53
 
I have a 325 PD 2.5" that I got when they first came out. It has some bite when fired but nothing I can't deal with. It is nothing like the 329 I had when fired with magnum ammo. I have a set of dark green laminate wood boot grips on it that were sold under the S&W brand. They fit any round butt N frame. I found that a set of X Frame grips I have work well also for range work.

I do use .45 AR ammo when I don't want to mess with moonclips. I reload it and so its not too expensive. Georgia Arms make a very good load using a Speer 200gr.hollowpoint. The major downside to that cartridge is that it is easy for the rim to slip under the extractor star and tie it up.

My gun, as they all do, has the IL but it has never been any problem when shot with lots of heavy loads. I just ignore it. I like mine and can recommend it for a light, concealable big bore revolver. I have bought my clips from Midway and have a Galco Combat Master pancake style holster for it as well as a Backwoods Leather IWB for it. I think you will like yours. If not, they have good resale value I believe...
 
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