S&W 325 Thunder Ranch Observations

[H.P. Kid]

I took delivery of a new 325TR last week. I got it out to the range Friday night. Workmanship and finish is first rate. The revolver came with the light rail packaged seperate from the revolver and with 3 screws for mounting. Also packaged were 5 metal full moons and the usual cable lock and manual.

The gun has a forged casehardened hammer and trigger with a stop fitted to the back of the trigger. The action is very smooth but heavy.

I used both the metal moons and Rimz polymer moon clips. I used Winchester 45 ACP 230gr Clean Fire ammo and some 45 auto rim loaded for me by Richard at Ten X ammunition. I also had some CCI Blazer 45ACP 230 FMJ.

The gun was spot on with the winchester ammo and I had several light hits which required single action to fire. The light hits disappeared after 100 rounds. Ejection of the fired cases in the moons and the AR brass was effortless even with the short ejector rod.

With the CCI Blazer aluminum 230 FMJ there was a tendacy for the bullet to pull forward and unseat under recoil. The effect was very obvious and I actually had the 6th round unseat completly with the bullet comming completly out of the case and lodging in the cylinder throat.

Other then the Blazer issue the gun ran fine. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a lanyard slot and pin located in the backstrap at the heel of the frame. The slot and cross pin are concealed by the factory grip.

Worth the money ? Yes.

Since then I have had the oportunity to fire the revolver with 45GAP in Rimz moon clips. Worked great.

 

[H.P. Kid]

I took delivery of a new 325TR last week. I got it out to the range Friday night. Workmanship and finish is first rate. The revolver came with the light rail packaged seperate from the revolver and with 3 screws for mounting. Also packaged were 5 metal full moons and the usual cable lock and manual.

The gun has a forged casehardened hammer and trigger with a stop fitted to the back of the trigger. The action is very smooth but heavy.

I used both the metal moons and Rimz polymer moon clips. I used Winchester 45 ACP 230gr Clean Fire ammo and some 45 auto rim loaded for me by Richard at Ten X ammunition. I also had some CCI Blazer 45ACP 230 FMJ.

The gun was spot on with the winchester ammo and I had several light hits which required single action to fire. The light hits disappeared after 100 rounds. Ejection of the fired cases in the moons and the AR brass was effortless even with the short ejector rod.

With the CCI Blazer aluminum 230 FMJ there was a tendacy for the bullet to pull forward and unseat under recoil. The effect was very obvious and I actually had the 6th round unseat completly with the bullet comming completly out of the case and lodging in the cylinder throat.

Other then the Blazer issue the gun ran fine. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a lanyard slot and pin located in the backstrap at the heel of the frame. The slot and cross pin are concealed by the factory grip.

Worth the money ? Yes.

Since then I have had the oportunity to fire the revolver with 45GAP in Rimz moon clips. Worked great.

 

[Repellere]

Glad to hear you're not regretting your purchase. I just picked up a 325TR on saturday. I'm planning on mounting my trijicon red dot on it along with my M3 tactical light and use it for home defense.

The light hits you describe sound exactly like what I experienced with my 327 snub. After 1-200 rounds, it clears up and runs smooth. When I compare how far the firing pin extends beyond the frame on the 325 versus my 625JM, I'm seriously considering ordering some extended firing pins for my 325, 327 and a 627 that I have. When compared to all my older revolvers, these newer N frames (1-4 years old) appear to have shorter than typical firing pins. If I'm going to depend on this gun then I expect it to go bang every time. Until I get to that point, my 625 will remain my nightstand gun.

 

[Careby]

Good to see at least one was delivered ready to shoot right out of the box. I sent mine to S&W with a loose barrel nut. I sure am anxious to get it back!

 

[jarhead1991]

I picked up my 325TR about 3 months ago and I've found it to be an extremely well made revolver that has a great balance.

One thing that I've been wondering about is that mine didn't come with the underlug rail and screws (I have repeatedly turned the aluminum case inside out triple checking)... it seemed odd since it had the 3 threaded holes open on the bottom. I'd been meaning to call S&W customer service, but never got around to it (I have no doubt whatsoever that if I'd just call, they would immediately send me one free of charge... S&W service has always been outstanding to deal with any time I've contacted them for the past 25 years).

This is a good looking revolver that has some well thought out designing... I strongly recommend the 325TR.

 

[whelenshooter]

I have a 325TR and I like it a lot. I had two minor problems with mine. When I first got the gun I had some problems with what seemed like a weak trigger return spring. The trigger was VERY sluggish returning when shooting double action. I gave the action a big slug of Break Free CLP, and by the time I got 100 rounds through the gun, the trigger was returning briskly. I don't know what the actual problem was, but it went away and I'm happy.

The second problem was that two of the three screws that hold on the light rail were too long. They seemed tight because they hit the barrel, but only one screw was actually holding the rail on. I shortened the screws so that any of the three would hold the rail tight, without any of them touching the barrel, then tightened them all equally.

In my opinion, the 325TR is a significant improvement over the 325PD I previously owned. The 325PD was a delight to carry with its scandium-aluminum frame and barrel shroud and titanium cylinder, but it was so light that shooting it hurt the web of my hand. This really surprised me. I didn't think a cartridge as mild as the .45 ACP in a gun the size of the 325PD would be bothersome at all. I tried a set of Pachmayer grips on the 325PD that cover the backstrap like those that come on the Night Guard series of revolvers. That took the bite out of it, but I could only fire the gun single action because of my short fingers. A person doesn't buy a 325PD to shoot it single action, so I took a gamble and sold it to buy the 325TR. The additional weight of the steel cylinder and steel barrel shroud of the 325TR, plus the palm swell of the Hogue rubber grips takes the bite out of the 325TR.

 

[rbishop]

I bought mine last Saturday and haven't gotten to the range yet but it sure feels and looks great. It will be my personal carry revolver for now in my tactical bag. Probally will end up beside the bed in place of the Colt Agent there now. Love these revolvers!

 

[Careby]

Originally posted by jarhead1991:
One thing that I've been wondering about is that mine didn't come with the underlug rail and screws (I have repeatedly turned the aluminum case inside out triple checking)...

Aluminum case? Your light rail is probably back at the dealer in the OD gun rug & white box the 325 is supposed to come in.

 

[Repellere]

Mine came in an aluminum case too. I doubted this for second until I looked at label on the side of the box. I did get the light rail but I do wonder when the aluminum cases started . . . i did not get a DVD with mine . . . it shipped back in october of 2008 . . .

 

[ramptester]

Sometimes dealers do remove items, such as lights or laser grips, and try to sell the gun for the same price. the average Joe doesn't know the difference until it's way too late.

 

[Chappy]

I have had my 325TR a couple months now. I replaced the firing pin with a C&S extended pin and that fixed the misfires that I had with the original pin. It also allows me to shoot 45ACP ammo without clips. Mine came with the green TR case and keys for the internal lock. No padlock and NO MOONCLIPS were included. (I watched the dealer cut open the box sent to him, so I do not believe he tampered with it at all.) The rail and screws were included and installed with no problems. I have fired about 500 rounds and am watching the barrel nut. So far, it has stayed tight. My M&P R8 had to be sent back to have its barrel nut retightened with less than 1000 rounds fired. I replaced the rear sight blades on both revolvers with white-outlined square models. The Hogue monogrips are OK but leave the backstrap exposed. I have a set of Pachmayr Decelerator grips on order to see if they might be more comfortable for long sessions at the range. Despite some imperfections, I love both the 325TR and the M&P R8 revolvers. I have found Wilson metal full moonclips, RIMZ 25 moonclips, and 45 Auto Rim handloads with Laser Cast 230 gr. LRN bullets to all work great in my 325TR. I am now playing with Speer 45LC shot capsules to make shotshells for my 325TR. They work OK, but stick so far out of the 45ACP and 45AR cases that it is hard to crimp them - which then allows the capsules in the cylinder to pull out due to recoil. I just push them back in with my finger if they come out far enough to stop the cylinder from spinning. I use 8 shot and they would easily take a rabbit or destroy a snake within 10-15 feet. I am currently looking for a hoster that will work with both of these barrel-nut type N frames. So far, 6 inch Uncle Mike and Gunmate holsters (I tried to go cheap) have been disappointing - also Stupid to risk loosing a $1000 gun by trying to get by with a $20 holster. When I get some extra funds, I plan to contact Simply Rugged up in Alaska and see if they make a sourdough holder that will work well with the 5 inch M&P R8 and the 4 inch 325TR. Enjoy your S&W revolvers!

Regards, Chappy

 

[the45automan]

HPkid,

I am curious to know which RIMZ clip did you use in your 325? Both the RIMZ 625 and the RIMZ 25 fit the gun. My preference has been the RIMZ 625 for the range and the RIMZ 25 for comp and carry.

 

[boycan]

My 325TR came in the white box with the orange gun lock, keys for IL, light rail, 5 moon clips and the green Thunder ranch pouch no aluminum case or gun rug?
Also I have had it about just over a month now and as I have seen some people talk about in other posts it had a rattle in the handle area so I took the factory grip off and that little stainless pin for the lanard which is covered by the factory grip was running around loose inside my grip, I know it came that way because you will see that the grip has to be removed for it to come out. Anyway I put it back in it's little resting area and no longer have a rattle. I am sure glad it didn't find it's way up into the mechanics of the gun but I guess I would have to be turning it upside down or shooting gangster style for that to have happened anyway but for me that is the only problem I have had, no loose barrels or ftf yet and I still LOVE it and just wish everyone in Texas would quit hording ammo so I could shoot it more!

 

[Toxic Avenger]

I too thought the lanyard pin was the rattle. I removed mine and it still rattled. SW has told me it is the transfer bar to the firing pin. The rattle is louder on larger frame revolvers owing to an echo in the handle.

They showed me the same rattle on several other revolvers in the show case at the Shooting Sports Center. I'll acccept that, but a rattling revolver, especially a PC, owing to a saftey feature, well that is a dubious design.

 

[boycan]

Yes I can still faintly hear that but mine was definately deep in the handle and you could tell it wasn't right and once I found that little pin and put him in his rightful place it was much quieter.

Originally posted by Toxic Avenger:
I too thought the lanyard pin was the rattle. I removed mine and it still rattled. SW has told me it is the transfer bar to the firing pin. The rattle is louder on larger frame revolvers owing to an echo in the handle.

They showed me the same rattle on several other revolvers in the show case at the Shooting Sports Center. I'll acccept that, but a rattling revolver, especially a PC, owing to a saftey feature, well that is a dubious design.

 

[Dale53]

The 325PD was a delight to carry with its scandium-aluminum frame and barrel shroud and titanium cylinder, but it was so light that shooting it hurt the web of my hand.

Some time ago, I realized that the snub nose .38/.357's present the same issues for me. The Airweight's are a delight to carry but are also quite practical with .38 +P's. However, go to the .357 and "Air Light" and it becomes extremely uncomfortable for me to shoot.

It just goes to show, there is a limit to everything - even "light weight".

Back to topic:
LOTS of good information here regarding the 325 TR. The .45 ACP and Auto Rims are great favorites of mine and I have shot a bushel of them through various 1911 platforms and my 625's. I'm going to have to seriously consider a 325 TR.

Dale53

 

[H.P. Kid]

Additional info.

My 325TR came with the green TR logo soft case in a white cardboard box. I used Rimz model 25 clips because I have 2 other 625s and a 22 that work very well with them.

Regarding the 45 Gap, they are easy to press in and remove from the metal moon clips.

 

[Chappy]

I'm a guessing S&W employee just forgot to put the moonclips in my 325TR box. I should have called them, but I had several Wilson clips on hand. I have really come to like the RIMZ 25 and use them most often.
It's my understanding that 45GAP run at a higher pressure than 45ACP. Has anyone confirmed with S&W that 45GAP are safe in a 325TR? I would hate to see anyone injured or a a great gun damaged.
Also, anyone have any experience with Simply Rugged and or Grizzly Tuff holsters?

Regards, Chappy

 

[Careby]

My 325 came with 5 moon clips. I asked the dealer if he had any more and he came up with a few more. I asked how much and he said how about no charge? Also got a "free" box of gold dot ammo, which these days is not the token gesture it used to be. Since then I have optimistically bought more moon clips - optimistically since S&W still has my revolver. (I am confident I'll eventually need them.)

Also in the optimistic category - I bought a LaserMax Uni-Max laser on sale at MidwayUSA. It mounts on the rail and has a second rail on the bottom for a light. Adds about 1/2" of thickness. Since a light interferes with the CT grips it looks like a reasonable solution for having a laser that can be used with or without a light mounted.