S&W's in "45"

[1911bphil]

I dont own a SW 45, but have shot a model25. I own a Ruger Blackhawk 45C with a 45ACP cylinder that I shoot a lot. I also own a 1911a1 that I dont shoot as much as I used to. I really like revolvers because for me they are more accurate. This is just my opinion and many probably feel differently.

 

[on the prowl]

John Moses Browning inventor of the M1911 pistol.

I wasn't thinkin like that. Even tho I was aware of that, I always saw it as John M. Browning.

Since I just picked up a 625JM, the JMB messed w/. my mind.

 

[BUFF]

"John Moses Browning, inventor of the M-1911 pistol."
Face towards Ogden, Utah and genuflect when you say his name.

 

[Ziptar]

I don't own a Colt SAA .45 Colt but, I do own a Marlin 1894 .45 Colt.

Over the last two years I started reloading and then casting for it. Thanks to that I came to love the caliber for its simplicity and versatility.

My next purchase will be a 25-7 or 25-9 as soon as I'be saved up enough now that my reloading and casting equipment purchases are out of the way.

I just don't feel I'd be happy with anything else.

I've also set aside quite a bit of. 38 Spl, .357 Mag, .45 ACP, and. 45 Auto Rim for myself as I bring home range brass and I've purchased dies and molds for each if the price good or when trading brass.

My thinking is one day given the oppourtunity, I might get a Model 28, 1917 / 1935, or 1911 / 1927 and I'd be set to go.

If I never came to own any of those, I don't think I'd be at unhappy with just the. 45 Colt, or feel like I was missing out.

 

[jspick]

I bought a 625 from a friend in 45 acp because "I can" (because the kids are grown and gone!!!---I dearly love my boys but.... ) and for no other reason. I love the gun. It is fun to shoot and if I feel the need for bigger bore protection I have it!

John

 

[J. W.]

I'm a .45 fan for sure; both the .45 ACP and .45 Colt. Both are very capable fight stoppers, but when it comes to revolvers my choice is the .45 Colt. It is capable of much, much more than the .45 ACP and very versatile. It can be loaded from mouse fart "cowboy" loads all the way to .44mag territory. IMO, sticking the .45 ACP in a N-frame is a waste of capability. Kinda like sticking a 4 cylinder Toyota engine in a '66 Mustang...

The .45 Colt shines even more when paired with the Mountain Gun platform. You then have a fairly light, excellently balanced, easy packing, powerful revolver capable of dealing with just about anything in the lower 48.

I love my .45 ACP, but find it to be a more logical choice in auto's than revolvers.

My two .45 revovlers: A 25-13 Mountain Gun and a 2nd Model Hand Ejector in .455 Webley Mk.II

 

[Dave T]

To further defend the 45 ACP revolvers I feel obligated to post pictures of a few more (smiley face goes here):

This 1917 was shipped in 1918 and turned into a belly gun by some un-known previous owner.

This Model of 1950 45 Military is from 1953.

This 45 Cal Model of 1955 was cut down to 5", my favorite N-frame bbl length.

Finally is this 625-2. It came with a lot of problems internally but luckily I knew just enough about S&Ws to get it running properly.

This being the S&WForum, I won't post pictures of the semiautos chambered for 45 ACP. It would take up too much band width. (LOL)

Dave

 

[jspick]

DaveT,

I too love the 5" barrel in a N frame gun. I think it the perfect barrel length. I wish my 625 had a 5" barrel!

John

 

[M29since14]

Submitted for some friendly discussion.
[I think the best N frame is one in 44 Mag...]

...So here is my question, IF you do not shoot 45 Colt Single Action Army's, and you are not a 1911 shooter in 45 ACP, which S&W in "45" would you pick, and why???

At the risk of being branded a heretic, I do not see any need for an S&W revolver in .45 ACP since I do not shoot one competitively in a revolver-only class. Like Ol' Geeser, I prefer to shoot ACPs in 1911s, and sometimes in P220s. Lately, I have tinkered a bit with the M&P, but the 1911 is in no particular danger from the M&P, as far as I can tell.

I do happen to like Model 25s in .45 Colt, but I am not an SAA shooter. I suppose the attraction is that it is a very pleasant and accurate gun, and it does punch a big hole. I had very poor results with the first 25-5 I owned and eventually replaced it with a 25-9, which has been excellent. I might buy another one, some day.

For some reason I think the .45 Colt does a bit better in the accuracy department than the .41 and 44 Magnums when using target loads in the 900 FPS range. Not sure why that is - may just be my imagination. But I do think the advantage goes away when the magnums get into the 1100 FPS range.

I would tend to agree the best N-frame is a 44, but they are all good and all are fun to shoot.

 

[JoeHatley]

At last count I own 6 S&W revolvers in .45 acp and 4 in .45 Colt. I really like they accuracy they provide.

Even my truck likes S&W 45's...

 

[Stainz]

I have a 625- 6 and a 625-7 - both 4" .45 Colt Mountain Guns - and a 4" 625JM in .45 ACP. Everyone has seen them - big ho hum. Sure, the .45 Colt chambers will also load .45 Schofield, while the 625JM will also chamber moonclipped .45 GAPs and loose .45 Auto Rims. But... what about a revolver that will chamber all - okay, all but the .45 Auto Rims - and more.... and it's a stretched N frame - actually, a Z-frame. Yeah - a Governor!

Yeah, not as classy as a 1917... but, it is pretty utilitarian - and, at <30 oz - easily toted in a decent holster. Also, what better way to get rid of that mix of .45 ammo - and 2.5" .410's?

Stainz

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have a 4" M25-5, then picked up a 25-13 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. I had several Rugers SAs in that chambering and thought it would be nice to have a DA. Then I found a 5.5" Redhawk that will take 45 Colts loaded with heavyweight bullets over 37Kpsi+ and not mind doing so in the least.

I also have a 4" 625-8 in 45 ACP that is one of the more accurate revolvers I own, especially with 185 or 200gr LSWCs over WSF. Also fun to use with 45ARs loaded to 45 Colt blackpowder equivalent levels. I kind of like that one.

The S&Ws 45 Colts have been fun to shoot but I find myself using the 25-13 MG more often, or the 625-8 for a range/target gun.

And, now that I have the big Redhawk for a serious load level hunting gun as well as other 45 Colt options, I've been thinking about selling or trading the 4" Model 25-5. I just don't use it that much anymore.

 

[NE450No2]

Stainz

Over the years the wife and I have had great succdess killing small game, furred and birds, with 44 Mag shotshells, first ones I loaded with the Speer yellow plastic capsules, and later with the Speer factory shotshells, I am curious to hear how you like the Governor, when shooting .410 shotshells.

Also how well does it shoot with 45 ACP ammo?

That just might be the best "survival" revolver around.

 

[NE450No2]

One thing in this thread that did suprise me, was the guys that have and shoot 1911's and found no need for a 45 ACP S&W revolver, yet had S&W's in 45 Colt.
This seems strange to me as the reason I got a S&W revolver in 45 ACP is so it would shoot the same ammo as my 1911...

Why the 45 Colt instead???

If You do not want a 45 ACP revolver, why not go to the 44 Mag. It will do anything the 45 Colt S&W can do, and if necessary you can go to full power 44 Mag loads...

Also in the N frames, the ACP's can be loaded to the same power levels as the 45 Colt S&W.

Not to Hijack my own thread, I will start another on the "power" of the S&W 45's...

 

[mes227]

So here is my question, IF you do not shoot 45 Colt Single Action Army's, and you are not a 1911 shooter in 45 ACP, which S&W in "45" would you pick, and why???

I like the platform and those two calibers so much I picked up one of each:
625 Mountain Gun (Colt)
625 JM (acp)
325 NG (acp)
Governor (both plus .410)
.460 XVR (Colt, .454Casull & .460Mag)

And just to round out the pack:
1911PD

 

[mes227]

One thing in this thread that did suprise me, was the guys that have and shoot 1911's and found no need for a 45 ACP S&W revolver, yet had S&W's in 45 Colt.
This seems strange to me as the reason I got a S&W revolver in 45 ACP is so it would shoot the same ammo as my 1911...

Why the 45 Colt instead???

If You do not want a 45 ACP revolver, why not go to the 44 Mag. It will do anything the 45 Colt S&W can do, and if necessary you can go to full power 44 Mag loads...

Also in the N frames, the ACP's can be loaded to the same power levels as the 45 Colt S&W.

Well, I can think of several reasons (I have both the 625 & 629):
--The .45 Colt is a much more manageable round than the .44 Mag at standard loads (much lower chamber pressures) with much more stopping power than a .44 Spcl at similar felt recoil
--The highest load ratings for the Colt exceed even the .44 Mag +p and yet remains easier to control
--For similar bullet weight and velocity the .45 Colt has superior stopping power due the larger diameter bullet (.429" v. .452" to .454")
--It's a great ctg for hand loading as it offers a wider range of experimentation, in part due to the large casing volume; you can load it with black powder if you're so inclined and it will accept a much larger bullet because of the room in the casing.

While the .44 Mag is unquestionably a great ctg, the .45 Colt is one of the most versatile and under rated handgun loads around.

 

[NE450No2]

Question, what is the top load you guys shoot in your 45 Colt S&W with a 255gr Cast bullet?

 

[Allen-frame]

I collect and shoot Smiths in 45 caliber.
This is the primary focus of my collection.

All in 45 A.C.P.

All in 45 Colt ,

I own 2 or 3 in 44 Special ,and 2 629s in 44 Magnum.

But with the 45s I have I have little use for the 44s. Go figure.

I believe it is just personal preference.
Also, there were fewer overall made in 45 Colt so it makes the finding
and collecting more of a challenge.


Regards
Allen Frame

 

[GCF]

Question, what is the top load you guys shoot in your 45 Colt S&W with a 255gr Cast bullet?

I load a Keith 265LSWC / 12bhn (ordered from Black River @ 0.454" - & sized to 0.452", over 8.5 Unique - for use in my 625-6MG .45 Colt.

I suppose the gun would take a hotter load, but I see no reason in my part of the country. Plenty of power, easy to shoot, & quite accurate.

For some additional perspective, you might go to John Linebaugh's site, & read up. Here is a bit of it, posted at Handloads.Com:
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12

 

[NE450No2]

GCF

Thanks for your reply. I am very familar with John Linebaughs writings, and his work.

I have a FA in 475 L.