So what's so good about shooting 45 ACP in a revolver?

[Rule3]

Lots of folks shooting 45 ACP in the 625 either with moon clips or using AR brass. Seems like the clips would be a pain even with a tool, so the AR brass seems more convenient.

But why shoot a semi auto round in a revolver, why not just shoot say 45 Colt?

Are there accuracy advantages or what?

All the "other guys" at the range have one and I feel so insignificant.

 

[ACP230]

I reload for the .45 ACP so I'd rather have a revolver in that caliber than have to add another. (I've come real close to buying a couple of wheel guns in .45 Colt but haven't done so yet).

Moon clips make for the fastest revolver reload ever. That came in handy when I shot PPC type matches with my Brazilian Contract 1917 revolver. They aren't hard to load and unloading them is a breeze with one of the tools made from a simple piece of pipe.

 

[kingranch]

Revolvers and bolt actions are reloader friendly. 45ACP or not…I just hate to be picking up all that brass off the floor.

 

[Erich]

Unless you're shooting heavy (over 255-grain) bullets, .45 ACP is way more efficient (requiring less powder) than .45 Colt. Shorter ejection throw, faster reloads. And .45 ACP is just way more fun to handload with its short, fat case. Plus, you've either got the brass or there's tons of it readily available for free. And, FWIW, I've not found the .45 Colt to be as accurate a round as the .45 ACP.

My favorite round to handload, though, is the .45 AR.

 

[Jellybean]

Well, I would give you my opinion, but I don't have that many friends left around here.

In fact, if I have as many as I think I do, nobody would read it anyway.

 

[OKFC05]

I think the competitors kept the moon-clipped .45 ACP revolvers alive when they almost disappeared several years ago.
The 625 is dominant in USPSA revolver and IDPA/ESR, period. The 610 is used in smaller numbers. The 646, which is a superb revolver, fell aside because it is seen as a little too light for major power shooting (hurts the shooters, not the gun).

IMHO, without the impetus to meet the demands of competition rapid reloading and high round count, the 625 .45 ACP would not be so popular, and might not even be in current production.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Number one reason for me is that I dont have to chase brass around! Second I do like to load 255gr LSWC and useing the AR brass keeps it outa my 1911's. And last but not least is that I can. Practical is fine but diversity is fun!

 

[Mack]

Number one reason for me is that I dont have to chase brass around! Second I do like to load 255gr LSWC and useing the AR brass keeps it outa my 1911's. And last but not least is that I can. Practical is fine but diversity is fun!

+1. I hate losing brass and its hard to lose moonclipped .45 ACP. The fact that is an accurate, effective and easy to reload round is icing on the cake.

 

[Rule3]

Well, I would give you my opinion, but I don't have that many friends left around here.

In fact, if I have as many as I think I do, nobody would read it anyway.

I don't hate you, so what's your opinion?

Maybe I will hate you after.

By all means i hate chase my brass also, I made a catch net that recovers 90% of my brass but needs adjusting depending on which gun I am shooting and which way it throws the brass. Even with that I find myself shooting my revolvers more cause if the brass jumps the shooting area it's out in a limestone rock driveway/parking lot and we look like chickens pecking for food.

I was thinking on getting a 625 as others have stated, allready have the brass and bullets for my semi autos.

 

[gregintenn]

45 acp ammo is much cheaper and more widely available, as is brass, than 45 Autorim or 45 Colt. That, along with the lightning fast reloads make 45 acp a great revolver round.

 

[matsu]

You don't have to chase after your brass!

 

[Beans]

I have revolvers in both 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I reload .45 ACP, .45 AR , .45 Colt and .45 Schofield.

The .45 ACP is used for plinking and some IDPA type shooting.

The .45 Colt and the .45 Schofield rounds are normally used for Cowboy shooting. I reload the .45 AR just because I can

My ratio is about 500 to 1.---- . 45 ACP to either/both .45 Colt or .45 AR.

Since I shoot both revolvers and pistols, I can just reload a couple thousand .45 ACP's and use them in both types of handguns.

 

[Erich]

Well, I would give you my opinion, but I don't have that many friends left around here.

In fact, if I have as many as I think I do, nobody would read it anyway.

I'd like to hear it, Jellybean . . .

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So what's so good about shooting 45 ACP in a revolver?

Here's my answer: Because it's a 45 ACP revolver. Since when do you need a "good" reason to shoot anything? Also, the .45 ACP easily makes "power" for competition.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I thought the same thing until I tried RIMZ clips. OMG. Buy some and you will see. Now I’m ordering a thousand empties to start loading up. I may buy a longer barrel 625 to go with my three incher. I want to try heavier than 230 grain bullets next. Right now I’m casting 200 grain SWC’s and have a pile of them ready to go. Heck, I may buy a 310 next and get RIMZ for it too. To heck with steel clips. BUY RIMZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rule3]

Here's my answer: Because it's a 45 ACP revolver. Since when do you need a "good" reason to shoot anything? Also, the .45 ACP easily makes "power" for competition.

True that goes without saying, one does not need a "good reason" to shoot anything.

From most of the replies it seems to be so you do not have to chase brass. As my back gets worse each year I can certainly relate to that. As I mention before I find myself shooting revolvers more and more. My favorite is the M&P R8 (327) 8 shot 357. Having 8 rounds keeps me right up there with 1911 crowd and I can either powder puff them or smoke em.! Even though it came with clips I don't use them.

Well you guys convinced me that I am lazy so I just ordered a 625 JM. So now who is gonna help pay for it!!

I know you can make a tool out of PVC but is any make of moon clips and tool better than another? Read something about plastic (polymer) clips?? What should I get?

Thanks

 

[Skip Sackett]

I just guess I thought it went without saying that, being a MAN, I have a revolver like that. I don't know, I thought it was a right of passage.

Shooting the 45ACP in a revolver, especially an "N" frame Smith, will allow you to eek all of the power out of the cartridge that it can deliver.

In an auto, you have to worry about beating your slide to pieces as well as other parts.

With the revolver, I don't think that an excessive overcharge of powder in that little case, is going to be able to really hurt anyone or the gun. I suppose it could be done, but someone would almost have to work at it!

So, the short answer is: Men have one!


Jelly,
I want to know too! Use the ignore button. Hey, maybe you could even use it on me if you wanted!

 

[SKS52]

Wish I had a revolver in 45 ACP,funds are stopping me more than anything but I enjoy my 9mm revolver. Not quiet the same thing but I enjoy shooting it.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you don't chase your brass, I will!

 

[haggis]

IMHO, .45ACP revolvers are the absolute best combat revolvers in the world.

• .45ACP is a proven combat cartridge.
• Moon clips do offer fast reloads (with less practice), although Safariland speedloaders can be as fast with practice.
• An important characteristic, often overlooked, is that all of the cartridges eject as a unit. Folks have cited easy brass pickup, but the real importance is that it is practically impossible to get an empty case stuck behind the ejector star. In competition, that can cost you a stage. On the street, that can cost you your life.

These characteristics are as important on the street as they are in competition. It is possible that they would not be as well known if organized competition was not present, but they would still be important, nevertheless.

The main disadvantage for 625's for concealed carry self defense is size and bulk, although for some folks, that is not a problem. For those of us of lesser size I nominate this 22½ ounce 625-10 as the best concealed carry combat revolver.

Buck