I admit my ignorance - Help Please!

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LBendily

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Let me admit a book could be written about what I do not know about handguns. My husband and I have hunted together for many many years and I'm more comfortable with a 270 rifle than a pistol. Recently, I've developed an affection for handguns, but have questions (heck, I'm not even sure if I posted this in the right place).

We own the following handguns:

Colt Diamondback 38 special (4" barrel)
Thompson 45 semi-auto (inherited it)
Ruger 22LR model 10140
H & K USP Compact 45 acp
Springfield XDS 45 acp

I'm currently looking at a Smith and Wesson revolver 45 acp. Here's where I show my ignorance - I'm reading quite a bit about moon clips. I think I understand the purpose - all ammo is inserted into the moon clip so you can quickly reload the pistol????? Is using a moon clip the only way you can load these guns? If you don't use a moon clip do you have to use a special type of ammo? I asked my husband and unfortunately he isn't familiar with moon clips, either.

I like the ease of use of a revolver so that will probably be the gun I use the most. No, I'm not into competitive shooting, but would like to start a collection of handguns. I'm very comfortable with my Colt 38 special but would like to keep it in mint condition or as close as possible so the 45 revolver has caught my attention. I saw the S & W 625 JM and the other that has the red, white and blue grip which I personally think is hideous, but I'm hoping I could change the grip if I decide to go with that one. Before, I make the final decision I need to be fully knowledgeable about moon clips or any alternatives.

Sorry for being so lengthy but any help would be greatly appreciated. Being female I have encountered problems with the 45 semi-autos when it comes to having enough strength to operate the gun (loading, etc.).

TIA:)
 
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The moon clips speed up loading and unloading.You can use 45 acp in it without clips but you may need a pencil to push the empties out.You can use 45 ar (auto rim) in it if you don't want to use moon clips or a pencil.
 
Welcome to the Forum.
You can shoot .45 ACP ammo in modern S&W revolvers without the use of the clips, but you can not eject them in the normal way, with the rod. They headspace on the rim, so they will fire just fine. You'll need to pluck the empty cases out with a fingernail,or push them out with a pencil.
There is one other option though: You can also use .45 Auto Rim cartridges. This is the ACP case with a rim, so it ejects just as well as if using the clips.

Keep asking questions, and we'll help you when we can.
Jim
 
all ammo is inserted into the moon clip so you can quickly reload the pistol????? Is using a moon clip the only way you can load these guns? If you don't use a moon clip do you have to use a special type of ammo?
Click to expand...

You can't count on being able to use .45 ACP in the newer guns without using either moon clips or the .45 Auto Rim.
The older "modern design model 625" guns were generally cut to headspace without the moon clips, but you can't count on the current ones headspacing on the chamber cut. I've seen some on the range that don't.

Read page 29 of this S&W factory manual:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/S&W_Revolver_Manual_01-30-2011.pdf
 
The 45 revolver is a beautiful thing. I have a few of them and love them all.

5_zps6ab345c4.jpg

45REVOLVERS.jpg
 
Welcome to the forum.
Be very careful about acquiring a S&W 45 ACP revolver. They can become addictive.
There is a lot said about the moon clips. Some people don't like them or even understand why we want a revolver that uses them. Others like them and enjoy using them. Count me in this group.
Buy you a bunch of them and load them up at home. Carry them to the range and blow through a mess of 45s in no time.
I load mine by hand and made a simple tool to help unload them. You can buy a tool that will load and unload them. There are also plastic clips that I've heard good things about but I've never gotten any. They are said to be easy to load and unload by hand.
If you do a little reading here on the forum about these guns a couple of things seem to stand out, they are a lot of fun to shoot and very accurate.
I encourage you to try one.
 
Thanks for all of the replies - I really appreciate it. I will probably try a few moon clips and the .45 AR to see which one I like better.

Thanks for the link to the manual - it has very valuable information that I need to familiarize myself with.

Roundgunner - thanks for posting the pictures - that's some mighty fine guns you have there.

I just need to decide which gun to buy and which grip to buy to replace that red, white & blue grip should that be the gun to go with.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I only shoot the 642 pro with .38 specials. You can use the moonclips or not use them and it works fine either way because the ammo has a rim. You might think about that if you aren't fixed on the .45acp round.
 
M3Stuart said:
Welcome to the forum!

I only shoot the 642 pro with .38 specials. You can use the moonclips or not use them and it works fine either way because the ammo has a rim. You might think about that if you aren't fixed on the .45acp round.
Click to expand...

Let me make sure I understand this correctly - if I use moon clips I would use .45 acp and if no moon clips I would use .45 ar?
 
LBendily said:
Wow - that is a beautiful gun.
I do have a question - what does the -2 mean? I've seen that in a lot of posts like 625-7, 625-3, etc. I don't know what - and then the number signifies.
Click to expand...

Actually there was not a no dash or a dash 1 in the Model 625's. For some reason the first model released by S&W was the 625-2, Model of 1988. The dash number in any model signifies changes to the base model. e.g. a 629-2 would have 2 design changes since the 629 was initially released.
 
saemetric said:
Actually there was not a no dash or a dash 1 in the Model 625's. For some reason the first model released by S&W was the 625-2, Model of 1988. The dash number in any model signifies changes to the base model. e.g. a 629-2 would have 2 design changes since the 629 was initially released.
Click to expand...

Ok - thank you so much!
Now - if making my decision on which gun was that easy I'd be in good shape!
 
The .45 ACP revolvers are big, even maybe clunky, compared to S&W K-frames .357 (you can use .38s) or L-frames (again .357) or a Ruger SP101 and a Ruger GP100, both in .357 (again .38s can be used).

Don't mean to talk you out of a .45 but don't discount looking at the K/L frames and the Rugers. If you have a range nearby, rental guns are often available and you'll encounter the .357/.38 a lot more than any .45 ACP.

The bore axis of an N-frame .45 ACP may give you some fits in recoil.

And you are used to the .38 Colt which means you'll be more readily comfortable with what I've suggested.
 
I have a 25-2 .45acp great gun.
Since you are considering an N frame, I would def. try to get your hands on a 686(L frame) of some sort to try before making your final purchase.
 
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