Short round count 45acp revolver snubby?

[5kwkdw3]

I don't know if it ever has been made by Smith or another, but I'd love to see a small snubby revolver chambered for the 45acp cartridge. Stainless for me (read no scandium or (sp may be off?)). Five rounds would be plenty, but has a large bore revolver ever tried say four or even three rounds? I know after a bit you reach a point of no return and the efforts to get a smaller revolver by reducing round count, doesn't net you that much at all.

I just noodling on a napkin figured that if one tried their hand at say a three round cylinder for the short 45acp round, they'd end up with a revolver that would be less dimensionally than the smallest 38 now on the market. Mate that with a 1 to 2 inch barrel and no larger than J frame found butt grips and you'd have one heck of a first three shots in any altercation. Going further, make it a top break with the sights a permanent portion of the frame and hinge itself and you'd really have a small revolver for sure.

With a lot of today's defensive guns going the route of the derringer, (Bond Arms, American Derringer, Double Tap), this would be one more round in an easier to reload double action revolver. (assuming the top break is pursued). Heinzer and whatever happened to their once ownership of the "Double Tap" design, are now making a similar last ditch firearm that's actually a single shot. Yep a single shot. It is however chambered for rifle rounds rather than pistol as its top heavy load.

If the five or six rounds were kept, concealability would be somewhat out the window, but then if still a top break design, it would be one heck of a range gun. Pop off a cylinder and shuck out the empties while loading a new cylinder with full moon clips. I like any of the above ideas and would buy it right up if it ever comes to be. Smithy.

 

[wadcutter1]

Taurus made a 5 shot snub nose in 45 ACP.

I think you'd be much happier with a 625 snub nose if you can tolerate one round too many (if there is such a thing).

Finding either could be challenging. 325's seem much more common.

 

[johnnyflake]

Take a look at this thread. It talks about several snub nose, large caliber guns.

See my post #37 I believe, or in that area, about my new Charter Arms Pitbull in .45acp - 5 shot - 2 1/2".

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/462866-charter-arms-quality.html

 

[5kwkdw3]

Finding either could be challenging. 325's seem much more common.

Thanks wadcuktter1. Is the 625 in current production? I saw a couple models in the Performance Center (read $$$$$). what is the model 325? Is that an all steel version, probably blued or is it some other alloy? Smithy.

 

[wadcutter1]

The 625 is the stainless frame version and the 325 is the alloy frame. Neither appear to be in current production.

 

[Fishinfool]

Any of the S&W alternatives are going to be N framed guns, hence bulky and relatively heavy. The only real game in town, if compact size really matters, as far as I know, is the Charter Arms snubby in 45acp.

Larry

 

[5kwkdw3]

Thanks Johnnyflake and Fishinfool for the input and reference to the Charter Arms snubby. Unfortunately probably not in production anymore? And of course, won't be on that darn CA Safety Roster. (safety has nothing to do with it if you haven't figured out yet. Some of the cheesiest guns have been on there while sturdy tank build masterpieces go unavailable to Californians).

Looking at the S&W website, both the 325 and the 625 are both still available, but only in versions made by the Performance Center Smiths. The 325 no made with Scandle-e-um and the 625 still stainless I think? Here's the "Thunder Ranch" 325.....
Product: Model 325 Thunder Ranch
And here's a look at the new PC 625.......... Product: Model 625

I really like the looks of the new 625, but price and size will make a difference. It would be loads of fun at the range however and is anyone still shooting "Pins" any longer? I'd love to take up that sport (the original reason for the current configuration, semi-v rear sight with a brass bead front). Also the first of the "Pin Gun" offerings also carried a four inch barrel. I'll be looking into both Pin shooting as well as that Charter Arms you folks pointed me towards. Thanks again. Smithy.

 

[johnnyflake]

Thanks Johnnyflake and Fishinfool for the input and reference to the Charter Arms snubby. Unfortunately probably not in production anymore? And of course, won't be on that darn CA Safety Roster. (safety has nothing to do with it if you haven't figured out yet. Some of the cheesiest guns have been on there while sturdy tank build masterpieces go unavailable to Californians).

Looking at the S&W website, both the 325 and the 625 are both still available, but only in versions made by the Performance Center Smiths. The 325 no made with Scandle-e-um and the 625 still stainless I think? Here's the "Thunder Ranch" 325.....
Product: Model 325 Thunder Ranch
And here's a look at the new PC 625.......... Product: Model 625

I really like the looks of the new 625, but price and size will make a difference. It would be loads of fun at the range however and is anyone still shooting "Pins" any longer? I'd love to take up that sport (the original reason for the current configuration, semi-v rear sight with a brass bead front). Also the first of the "Pin Gun" offerings also carried a four inch barrel. I'll be looking into both Pin shooting as well as that Charter Arms you folks pointed me towards. Thanks again. Smithy.

They are available! The .45acp Pitbull was just released in 2015 and they are selling well, do to word of mouth advertising. It's very well made, strong, tight fitting, smooth and it's a great shooter. IMHO, Charter Arms has received a lot of bad wrapping over the years, from people who don't even own one and certainly have never shot one! A .45acp Pitbull can be had in the $400 range.

 

[Sixgun100]

I would like to see Ruger produce a five shot .45 ACP version of their LCR.

 

[wadcutter1]

Looking at the S&W website, both the 325 and the 625 are both still available, .

Sorry, I meant to say the snub nose version don't seem to be in production.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Taurus made a 5 shot snub nose in 45 ACP.

I think you'd be much happier with a 625 snub nose if you can tolerate one round too many (if there is such a thing).

Finding either could be challenging. 325's seem much more common.

I would be on a 625 round butt with a 3" barrel like white on rice.

Had one many years ago and foolishly traded it off. That was a mistake.

Have been waiting ever since for S&W to bring it back. Been a long wait.

 

[5kwkdw3]

Kind of "Boxy" and "Utilitarian" to mention looks (that crane is what has always bugged me about Charter however, it just looks like it's not up to the job [read cheap]), but as so many of you Smith Forum folks have attested to, here is a look at the Pitbull..

After having a look there I found out that not only a 45 acp Pitbull, but just about every other rimless cartridge Pitbull you could imagine. Where's the 25 acp Pitbull? I wouldn't be surprised after having a look at their sight. And as I requested it is indeed a fixed sight gun. Cost up to five bills though and I don't know how much my local dealer would or could undercut that price. It seems that the current MSRP is what you end up paying only for their "Out the Door" price. So this Pitbull says around 480 for the 45 version in stainless, so the dealer gets it for maybe 280 to 320 wholesale and turns around and charges me 395 to 425 with the balance of tax, shipping, DROS and some other CA **** and I end up paying pretty darn close to the originally printed MSRP of 480 to get it out the door.

At least I won't have to pay any more than that so it makes comparing guns I'd like to purchase pretty easy in knowing what will cost more and what I can get cheaper. I'm definitely going to give it a look. Trouble is, I'll have to buy one in order to put my hands on one. Smithy.