Which revolver for me in .45acp?

[jerryg22]

I'm thinking of trading my fairly new Springfield Range Officer for a .45acp revolver. I use the .45 mainly for combat type matches. Would I be better off looking for a S&W 625 with a 4" or 5" bbl? Regular 625 vs. PC vs. JM?What about a S&W 25 with 6" bbl? I do not want DA only. Looking for accuracy not cosmetic looks. Any feedback based on experience will be appreciated.

 

[OKFC05]

I like everything about the JM except the stocks, easily changed.
IDPA is max 4.2" barrel in ESR. Most consider 5" optimum for USPSA. Personally, I find a 6" barrel is nose heavy and slow.

Accuracy of the gun is not the problem in action pistol events; it's shooter accuracy, speed, and reloading skill. You can spend as much time reloading as shooting.

Added: My personal choice is an older 625 with firing pin on the hammer(-3 I think, would have to look), prepped by a revolver smith for competition-only use. I seldom shoot ESR anymore because I am tired of getting battered by the major recoil. Prefer shooting a 66 in SSR.

 

[Carmoney]

For USPSA/IPSC matches, I recommend (and use) a 5" 625. Any 625 (except the problematic 625-2 version) or 25-2 can make an excellent USPSA/IPSC gun.

The PC guns are fine, but offer no particular benefit over the standard production guns. The JM guns are also fine if you like a narrow serrated trigger and Jerry grips (neither of those works for me), but otherwise they offer no particular benefit.

For IDPA, the same applies, but you are limited by the rules to a 4" barrel.

 

[growr]

Don't think I would trade or sell off your SA 1911, but certainly would add to the herd.
I use a 1970 mfg 25-2 6" barrel in USPSA matches with moon clips and have a hoot with it, especially on qualifiers. Really wish that S&W would have made the 25-2 in a 4" barrel like a 29 had.....that would be a GREAT choice for ME!
In IDPA, I usually use either my 66 4" or my Model 13/15 depending on what I feel like.
I did shoot an IDPA match several years ago with my M66 2.5 " barrel and full throttle magnum loads, more than one person commented that if the bullet didn't get 'em the concussion DID. Kind of a handful, but was sure a lot of fun.
Randy