Triggernosis
Member
Just wondering?
Why the .45 ACP in a revolver?
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Dan Cash
Member
I WWI, we did not have the manufacturing capacity to produce the required number of M1911 pistols but Colt and Smith both produced large frame revolvers that adapted to .45ACP for a quick solution to the problem. The solution worked well. Smith continued producing such revolvers because many folks liked them. Can't say about Colt production of commercial .45ACP 1917 or New Service revolvers.
It started with WW1, when the US couldn't produce autoloaders fast enough, and wanted to utilize S&W and Colt's ability to produce revolvers that would use the same cartridge (the standard US military pistol cartridge). After the war, there were a lot of these revolvers around. Since some folks didn't like half-moon clips, at least one of the major ammo manufacturers started making .45 Auto-Rim ammo for them. Eventually, someone (Ranch Products?) started making full-moon clips, and some folks caught on that these were faster than speedloaders, and smaller, too. While the .45ACP is obviously in approximately the same class as the .44 Special, there's certainly nothing wrong with that.
Reliability of a revolver, loading probably faster than a speedloader, in a good defensive cartridge that, until recently, was readily available and reasonably priced. Hard to see what's wrong with that, unless you just don't like N-frame (or New Service) revolvers.
P.S. For bullseye shooting, the S&W was a serious contender in the civilian .45 part of national matches, particularly before rules were changed to allow excuses (alibis) for the unreliability of autos. For a while, out-of-the-box S&W revolvers were generally more accurate than the bottom-feeders, and certainly more reliable, thus a good choice where allowed.
Reliability of a revolver, loading probably faster than a speedloader, in a good defensive cartridge that, until recently, was readily available and reasonably priced. Hard to see what's wrong with that, unless you just don't like N-frame (or New Service) revolvers.
P.S. For bullseye shooting, the S&W was a serious contender in the civilian .45 part of national matches, particularly before rules were changed to allow excuses (alibis) for the unreliability of autos. For a while, out-of-the-box S&W revolvers were generally more accurate than the bottom-feeders, and certainly more reliable, thus a good choice where allowed.
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pinkymingeo
Member
IMO 45acp is wasted, or at least underutilized in semi's. In a revolver it's amazingly versatile. Bullets of a variety of designs can be loaded to surprisingly high power levels. Some guys think nothing of 250gr at +1000fps. Moonclips offer very fast reloads. Somebody with a 1911 might get off 8rds faster than I can with a 625, but chances are I'll beat him to 12.
You also have the option of 45AR and 45GAP. 80% of my shooting is 45acp revolvers these days, and at the range it's gratifying to watch the 1911 guys crawling on their bellies (figuratively, anyway) for brass while mine is all clipped together in my pouch. CCW? My acp snubbies disappear under a loose shirt in a IWB. It's my preferred revolver chambering.
You also have the option of 45AR and 45GAP. 80% of my shooting is 45acp revolvers these days, and at the range it's gratifying to watch the 1911 guys crawling on their bellies (figuratively, anyway) for brass while mine is all clipped together in my pouch. CCW? My acp snubbies disappear under a loose shirt in a IWB. It's my preferred revolver chambering.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Increased performance in the revolvers is a fairly recent development. For the WW1 era Colt & S&W revolvers the ammo manufacturers made the .45 Auto Rimmed cartridge for many years. The AR case was of folded-head construction and was relatively weak. Modern .45ACP cases feature solid case heads, so a significant increase in performance levels can be achieved in revolvers that will handle the pressures (which all modern N-frame S&W's will do).
K1500
Member
In the beginning...lack of mfg capacity for 1911's.
Now...gun games (fast loading and ejection), and personal preference.
Now...gun games (fast loading and ejection), and personal preference.
Allen-frame
Member
Why 45 a.c.p. in revolvers?
Mountain gun.
Moon clips are handy too.
The 1950 target model, then the 1955 target model , then the 625 model of 1988 ,
Regards , AlleN-Frame
Mountain gun.
Moon clips are handy too.
The 1950 target model, then the 1955 target model , then the 625 model of 1988 ,
Regards , AlleN-Frame
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valkyriekl
Member
I intend to prove that it's still a serious contender for Bullseye. My S&W 625-6 topped with an UltraDot is my .45 for Bullseye (bottom right in picture):
5906fan
Member
some years back just fooling around I fired some hot loaded 125gr .357 jhp and some hot loaded .230gr .45acp hardball from revolvers at a target I had made from 14ga mild steel.
the .45 made a much larger and deeper indent on the metal. even cracked it in a hole or 2.
the .45 made a much larger and deeper indent on the metal. even cracked it in a hole or 2.
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OP
Triggernosis
Member
What's the smallest framed S&W revolver that's chambered for .45acp?
I could be wrong, but I think only "N" frames have been offered in .45acp.
Evil One
Member
S&W its just the N frames... however some other mfgrs make .45 acp revolvers in a size between a K and an L.
Jim
Jim
USAF385
US Veteran
Because revolvers are so much fun!
Personally, I'm itchin' to get my hands on the SW 610.. chambered in 10mm / .40 S&W
USAF385
US Veteran
The 325 night guard has a 2 1/2 inch barrel and is 7 5/8 inches overall length.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
I have four chambered in...
...45ACP, including a "Brand X" (Ruger Blackhawk Convertible). The 325NG is a daily carry, and the 25-2, 625-8, and Ruger are just fun to shoot. The 25-2 is dead nuts accurate.
...45ACP, including a "Brand X" (Ruger Blackhawk Convertible). The 325NG is a daily carry, and the 25-2, 625-8, and Ruger are just fun to shoot. The 25-2 is dead nuts accurate.
Marshall 357
Member
I am starting to really like all this talk about 45 acp revolvers
hastings
Member
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Get your hands on a Thunder Ranch 22-4, and you may get rid of all your sub-45 caliber revolvers. I shot 1911's for years, with a Detonics ServiceMaster (commander sized) being my daily carry gun and a Detonics Combat Master (3-1/2" barrel) as a backup. I never even glanced at 45acp revolvers until after the turn of the millenium. Boy was I foolish. No jams from hollow points or semi-wadcutters. Faster reloads. And a variety of grips so you can find something that fits your hand perfectly. I'm a convert, and currently don't own a single semi-auto handgun. I think the 45acp cartridge really comes alive in a revolver because you can load it up or down with a variety of bullet types and weights without fear of jamming.
5906fan
Member
.45acp revolver 'Night Guard'
Dennis appears to be some sort of an insert in the top rail above the cylinder/throat interface? never seen one of those.
Dennis appears to be some sort of an insert in the top rail above the cylinder/throat interface? never seen one of those.
Flame guard (guards against flame cutting). I think they started with the 329PD, but probably someone will post here soon and tell you the right answer for sure.
DJINCO
US Veteran
To answer to op directly, for me, it is because I don't like the 1911. I like revolvers and the moon clips are very handy. No chasing the brass; it's right there where I want it!
Dale53
Member
I "discovered" the 625 a couple of years ago. I lost a good part of the vision in my right eye. I could no longer shoot rifle (I had been a competitive rifleman since 1954) sob-b-b-b!! I turned my attention to pistols and revolvers (I have also been a VERY long time fan of the "short gun").
I started getting VERY active with handguns and was in the local Bass Pro. They had a 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special 4" at an attractive price. Some discussion resulted and the price got even MORE attractive. I took it home. I fell in love with this piece. I added a Simmons Red Dot and went looking for a 5" 625 at the next Ohio Gun Collectors Show. There was exactly ONE there. It was LNIB and was in an estate sale. I got together with the seller and now I have TWO! Here is the five incher (I ran over 5000 rounds through that this past year and hope to do even better than that this year:
One of my better targets, shot standing at 25 yard:
All of this without scrambling around on my hands and knees chasing brass. What's NOT to like?
FWIW
Dale53
I started getting VERY active with handguns and was in the local Bass Pro. They had a 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special 4" at an attractive price. Some discussion resulted and the price got even MORE attractive. I took it home. I fell in love with this piece. I added a Simmons Red Dot and went looking for a 5" 625 at the next Ohio Gun Collectors Show. There was exactly ONE there. It was LNIB and was in an estate sale. I got together with the seller and now I have TWO! Here is the five incher (I ran over 5000 rounds through that this past year and hope to do even better than that this year:
One of my better targets, shot standing at 25 yard:
All of this without scrambling around on my hands and knees chasing brass. What's NOT to like?
FWIW
Dale53
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I like revolvers, and I get .45 ACP practice ammo at work - what a combination!
Dennis The B
US Veteran
It was described to me, by the dealer, that it was indeed intended to eliminate flame cutting of the frame. I don't think I would worry so much about cutting with .45ACP, but it might arise if someone used a powder like WW296 and a light bullet (Model 327, Model 329). Once the insert was put in for those, why not do it for all, and not have to worry about tooling changes? This N frame is an aluminum alloy, and not as resistant as solid steel.
I don't plan on shooting 185gr HP's using WW296.
Back about 1999, my duty 1911 started giving me feeding problems. I didn't have the time to work on it or the money to send it to a 'smith. So, I dug out a 5" M625 .45 ACP that I had and put it on my Sam Browne belt.
It was awful heavy with that 5" barrel. S&W didn't have any 4" Mountain Gun barrels for sale, so I found a 3" barrel and swapped that onto the revolver. I carried that M625 until I retired in late 2001.
During qualifications, I found that I could reload with full moon clips faster than the majority of the officers in my department that were armed with semiautos. I carried a double speedloader pouch and two full moon clips, one with the bullet noses down, the second with the noses upward, fit in the space of one speedloader. So, I had thirty .45 ACP rounds available.
I found a 4" Mountain Gun a few years ago and that is my choice for serious CCW. I prefer the longer sight radius of the 4" barrel over the 3 incher and with the proper holster, the longer barrel conceals just as well as the 3".
This M624 was not my first .45 ACP wheel gun. I had carried a standard Smith 1917 as my first law enforcement revolver back in 1976 and then later, a Smith 1917 cut to 4" with an adjustable rear sight added, and also a standard Colt 1917.
And I even have a Ruger convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP Blackhawk. I have only fired a few .45 Colts out of this revolver. It has seen many, many more ACP rounds fired through the auxilary cylinder.
Yup, I like the .45 ACP inrevolvers.
It was awful heavy with that 5" barrel. S&W didn't have any 4" Mountain Gun barrels for sale, so I found a 3" barrel and swapped that onto the revolver. I carried that M625 until I retired in late 2001.
During qualifications, I found that I could reload with full moon clips faster than the majority of the officers in my department that were armed with semiautos. I carried a double speedloader pouch and two full moon clips, one with the bullet noses down, the second with the noses upward, fit in the space of one speedloader. So, I had thirty .45 ACP rounds available.
I found a 4" Mountain Gun a few years ago and that is my choice for serious CCW. I prefer the longer sight radius of the 4" barrel over the 3 incher and with the proper holster, the longer barrel conceals just as well as the 3".
This M624 was not my first .45 ACP wheel gun. I had carried a standard Smith 1917 as my first law enforcement revolver back in 1976 and then later, a Smith 1917 cut to 4" with an adjustable rear sight added, and also a standard Colt 1917.
And I even have a Ruger convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP Blackhawk. I have only fired a few .45 Colts out of this revolver. It has seen many, many more ACP rounds fired through the auxilary cylinder.
Yup, I like the .45 ACP inrevolvers.
rollin_hot
Member
Iowahunter
Member
Hmmmm Lets see, I have a total of 10 45 acp revolvers 9-S&W and 1 Ruger.....I don't know if I like them or they just seem to like me!!
Seems anymore thats all I look for at gun shows anymore...
Seems anymore thats all I look for at gun shows anymore...
Just watch the video of Jerry Miculek shooting 12 rounds from a 625 in something like 3 seconds and you'll understand.
