45 ACP DA revolvers

[Tatume]

Hello Folks,

As a neophyte bullseye shooter and lover of revolvers, I've been following Green Frogs thread on his Model 16 homage. Another revolver I'd like to know more about is the various S&W guns chambered in 45 ACP. So, I'm looking for advice. What models were available with six inch (or greater) barrels? What years of production should be avoided?

Thanks, Tom

[Earlwb]

All of the revolvers chambered to work with the .45 ACP cartridge worked fine for me. I used to have a nice S&W Model 25-2 for quite a few years. I regret selling it too. Anyway it worked great and was amazingly accurate with the 6 inch barrel.

The only revolver that might be questionable is the old Webley .455 revolvers that were shaved so that they could fire .45 ACP cartridges. Now those would work OK, but you wanted to avoid anything that fired faster than the .455 cartridges did. Many years ago they imported hundreds if not thousands of the .455 revolvers and a sizeable number were converted to shoot .45 ACP as the .455 British cartridges were hard to get. If you had one in good working condition and stuck to slow speed target loads, it would be fine though.

[Outpost75]

The earlier .45 ACP Hand Ejector and M1917 were 5-1/2" barrels. Rifling was shallow and throats typically .455"

224846

Postwar Model 1950 and 1955 targets with adjustable sights were 6", highly collectible, but cylinder throats run large .455 but accurate with bullets which "fit."

.45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950 Military was fixed sight version, S serial number prefix with postwar hammer block and short action. Rare gun.

224847224849

Model 25 from 1980s was another good gun, but some cylinder throats ran VERY large .457+/-

Model 625 Model of 1989 was made in both 4" and 6" barrels, correct .453 cylinder throats, but do not have the stop surface at the front of the chambers and MUST use full-moon clips with .45 ACP or you will get misfires. Last of the S&Ws with conventional vs. EDM rifling. This is the one you want.

224848

Can't speak to later production as I don't like the EDM barrels or Hillary Hole.

[Piedmont]

I've got a 25-2 from the late 1970s or early eighties that has cylinder throats about .453", which is perfect in my opinion. So you should measure the prospective purchases, if possible, because they aren't all bad or all good just because they were made at a certain date.

[stubshaft]

I shot and sometimes even won many a match with my 25-2. A friend just couldn't live without it and I foolishly sold it to him. Now I sport a 329PD Air Lite with 2.75" Bbl. Not nearly as accurate but it's still a .45!

[Thumbcocker]

My 1989 has the stop in the chambers and shoots lead very well.

[reddog81]

The 6" barrel requirement is really going to limit a search. The S&W model 25 and all the variations of it mentioned in Outpost75's post are going to be the most popular and common options.

[Tatume]

I would be interested in five inch barreled guns as well.

[robertbank]

The 625 was sold as a 5" gun as well. I had one for IPSC and foolishly sold it.

Take Care

Bob

[ShooterAZ]

Yep my 625 is a 5" bbl (Model of 1989), I'd never part with it. I used mine for IPSC as well. Solid performer.

[DocSavage]

I've 2 625s both are 5 inch and are quite accurate with 45 acp and 45 auto rim.

[condorjohn]

My 1968 25-2 came from the factory with a 6 1/2" Barrel. It was sometime after that they changed to 6".

[Dale53]

Outpost75 is right on point.
However, I have a 625-8 JM Special with a 4" barrel. It requires clips when using .45 ACP cases. It also handles .45 Auto Rim cases perfectly. It has near perfect throats for my .452" home cast bullets. It shoots under 1" at 25 yards off a rest. My most used bullet is a Mihec correct copy of the H&G #68 flat base (really a #69) at target velocities. It also shoots that 200 gr. SWC extremely well at 1000 fps. My chosen "speed" bullet is the Lee 230 gr. TC conventional lubed bullet. It loads slick as grease with full moon clips. When using the .45 ACP cases for recreational use, I use RIMZ full moon clips. I use the Model 25 clips (they are semi-rigid and retain the cases better than the flexible RIMZ clips). They can be loaded EASILY with just the fingers. If you need a quick reload for "business" use, then steel full moon clips are the answer with a properly designed bullet. The steel clips require tools to use, trust me on this...

I mostly use Starline Auto Rim cases for recreational use when I don't need a speed load.

My 625-8 came with JM wooden grips which I changed to my favored Pachmayrs immediately. This is just a personal preference.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/SW625-8JMSpecial-3351.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/SW625-8JMSpecial-3351.jpg.html)

I also had a 625-6 Model of 1989. This one allowed me to use the .45 ACP cases without clips. Apparently, some of the 1989's were cut with a cylinder stop and some were not. However, it wouldn't be an issue with me one way or the other. I never try to use my .45 ACP's without clips. This revolver is also one of my all time favorites. My youngest son expressed an interest in this revolver and I gifted it to him, along with a supply of ammo, clips, etc.
It has a 5" barrel and is about all one can ask for.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/QDalesRevolversandPistols-1720-1.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/QDalesRevolversandPistols-1720-1.jpg.html)

Here are some suggestions of use of the Smith .45 ACP revolvers;
I personally prefer the Model of 1989 625-6 or 625-8's as all that I have personally examined had proper throat dimensions. They are stainless steel, and I have shoot mine a LOT. For several years I would run 5000-7500 rounds a year just through my 625's. I have also used mine in the field. Loaded appropriately they will also work very well on hogs and deer at reasonable ranges (Lyman 454424 - mine is the NOE version) 250 gr. SWC at 900+ fps.

Model 25 RIMZ full moon clips work very well for recreational use. I recommend Ranch Products steel full moon clips for "business" use. These DO require tools to load and unload without damaging your hands or bending the clips. Trust me on this...

Starline .45 Auto Rim cases are a great choice for general use. I get many, many reloads with these as well as the .45 ACP cases.

I have not tried small primers in the .45 ACP case as I had a stash of THOUSANDS of military .45 ACP cases from my IPSC days. They reportedly work well with an adjustment of the powder charge to match velocities of the large primer cases. The small primers can be a pain in the tuckus when using a progressive press set up for large primers, so STAY ALERT when using range pickups or buying once fired brass.

FWIW
Dale53

[Texas by God]

I had a 1917 S&W that someone cut the barrel to 4" and soldered the sight back on. It was accurate enough to get a brace of squirrels one day with the Lee 228 rn wqww. I just plucked the empties out with my fingernails.
I don't remember where it went but I kinda miss it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Char-Gar]

I have had a number of DA 45 ACP revolvers over the years. Today, I only have a Colt 1917, two Smith and Wesson Brazilian Navy revolvers, a 4" chopped Smith and Wesson 25-2 and up too a week ago I had a Smith and Wesson 625. I gave the 625 to a friend who has been hounding me to buy it for years. I like them all, but the 625 was by far the pick of the litter.

[Dale53]

Char-Gar;
Knowing how much you like the .45 ACP revolvers, you sir, have my deepest sympathy! I would NOT want to be without my 625 (625-8 JM Special). However, I do understand, as I recently gifted my youngest son my treasured 5" Model of 1989 (625-6).

FWIW
Dale53

[Drm50]

I have a couple 25-2s and a Colt NS 455, not shaved has a 45acp cylinder. Both my 25-2s have
61/2" barrels. I don't like to full with moons so I load 45AR brass for all mine.I shoot onl cast in
all them, mostly 242g WCs at 800 FPS. I bought a nice tooled EL Paso Sad lined and carved holster
That's when I found out a 61/2" won't fit a good 6" holster. The 25-2s are fine shooters, I've had
several over the years and not got a lemon yet.

[Char-Gar]

Char-Gar;
Knowing how much you like the .45 ACP revolvers, you sir, have my deepest sympathy! I would NOT want to be without my 625 (625-8 JM Special). However, I do understand, as I recently gifted my youngest son my treasured 5" Model of 1989 (625-6).

FWIW
Dale53

Yes, as much as I like guns, they are but objects. Friends and family are much more important in the scheme of things.

[robertbank]

Yes, as much as I like guns, they are but objects. Friends and family are much more important in the scheme of things.

Amen...well put.

TakeCare

Bob

[Bigslug]

As a Bullseye gun, the old 6" 25-2 is going to be your baby.

The 625's will serve, but the tendency to shorter tubes shows the trend toward the run-n-gun games based on holster deployment.

I too consider the Hillary Hole a deal breaker on moral & aesthetic grounds, but it does not affect them as a shooter.

Invest heavily in Auto Rim brass so as not to endure the PITA that is the moon clip.

[robertbank]

The 5" 625 ruled IPSC Revolver Division as did the 4.2" rule IDPA ESR Division until recently. One of our locals won the IPSC Provincial and came in 2nd Nationally shooting a 686 using shortened 38spl brass in moon clips at minor power. He did what everyone said could not be done and that was to win shooting minor scoring against those shooting major. Revolvers as we know are extremely accurate and John was able to shoot more "A"s than others were able to do shooting major. The fact IPSC scoring favours major scoring doesn't come into play as long as you manage to shoot "A"s.

Revolver divisions in both IPSC and IDPA are almost dead divisions now compared to the pistol divisions. Has USPSA adopted the 8 shot revolvers now?

Take Care

Bob

[Dale53]

Bigslug,
One thing I learned after my vision went south, when you put a good red dot on the shorter tubes, the difference in barrel length becomes a moot point. It has been a half century since I owned an S&W 1950 Target and the later heavy barrel 1955 Target, but, using the red dots, both the 5” and 4” are absolutely “Bullseye Ready”. Perhaps it is the double underlugged barrel, but both hold well for me both one-handed NRA Bullseye and two handed Practical.

YMMV
Dale53

[Bigslug]

All valid points from Dale, and it would be worth studying the rules of what games you plan to play. You certainly don't need massive barrel length to burn all the powder a .45ACP has to offer. I got out of NRA Highpower Rifle some years ago, but it would seem that certain limited optical sights are now allowed - due largely to the fact that the core base of competitors got old & either fewer youngsters are replacing them, or those that are grew up in the age of gadget-assisted performance. Bullseye seems to be headed the same way.

[Tatume]

High Power Service Rifle rules allow optical sights that are currently fielded by the military on service rifles, or civilian equivalents that offer no advantage over the military sights. When I was an active Master in High Power only iron sights were allowed. I can see the logic for allowing optical sights now, but it doesn't appeal to me.

In bullseye shooting red dot sights dominate. I'm new to the game, and prefer iron sights, although I have a red dot on my Ruger Mk IV. I'll probably switch back to the S&W Model 617.

I'm not in it to win matches. I have personal goals, all related to personal improvement.

[Jtarm]

Dale is correct.

I love the 25-2, but the throats are notoriously oversized.

[Good Cheer]

Saw recently that Charter is producing a .45ACP snubby.
Got a chuckle out of that thinking ah ha, the return of the Bulldog!

[jmorris]

I have a few 625’s, got 1’st place ESR Master with one at Nationals in 2009.

[mattw]

I have numerous 625's, all pre-lock and range from 3" Horton's to 5 inch ported bowling pin guns. I really do like them, all of them shoot very well. Some have stops and some do not, but I use clips for all of them. They are more accurate than I am and very fun to shoot.

[Tatume]

A few days ago I acquired a new 6-1/2" S&W Model 25-15 in 45 Colt. The throats are uniformly 0.4525" in diameter. I'm pleased with it so far.

[30calflash]

The 25-2 model were made with both 6 1/2 and 6" barrels, the early ones were 6 1/2" pinned, later 6" not pinned. I'm unsure as to chamber specs on the unpinned models, they were built at the end of the 25-2 manufacturing run, prolly mid 1980's?

I've a 6" 25-2 but I like the 5" 625 better.

[guywitha3006]

Speaking of 45 DA revolvers does anyone have expierence with the Smith and Wesson 625performance center? Not the JM version...the one with the ugly grips. Its currently top on my "save for"toy list but no one has them in stock to look at. ...and yes the grips would be swapped out asap.

[9.3X62AL]

A few days ago I acquired a new 6-1/2" S&W Model 25-15 in 45 Colt. The throats are uniformly 0.4525" in diameter. I'm pleased with it so far.

I DID NOT need to read this today. Nor did I need to read about the 625 45 ACP/AR S&Ws. Drat you guys anyway. You are going to cost me money.

[nockhunter]

I have a 4" Performance center 625. It shoots great, I used to shoot IDPA with it. My eyes are not what they used to be, I need to sort out the glasses thing. S&W made a few PC 625's with 5" barrels, great looking?shooting guns, hard to find. I ran into them looking for the 4" models.

Mike
P.S. my 4" has the cut rifling, the JM had the EDM rifling. OH, I almost forgot, that's not me in the link.

link to pic http://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/18692/mountain-lion-45-auto-rim

226287

[Tatume]

Just to be completely accurate, S&W does not use EDM to rifle barrels. They use ECM, electro chemical machining. The barrel blank is bored, then a sleeve is inserted. The sleeve has spiral slots. The combination is connected to an electrical source and immersed in a chemical bath. Metal is removed from the anode (barrel) and deposited on the cathode, thus producing the grooves.

[guywitha3006]

Thanks nockhunter, looks like it has pretty good reviews from budsguns too. I would be happy with 4 or 5" this will mostly be a range toy, but also seem like a nice walking in the woods gun. I guess it is time to start saving my pennies!


I have a 4" Performance center 625. It shoots great, I used to shoot IDPA with it. My eyes are not what they used to be, I need to sort out the glasses thing. S&W made a few PC 625's with 5" barrels, great looking?shooting guns, hard to find. I ran into them looking for the 4" models.

Mike
P.S. my 4" has the cut rifling, the JM had the EDM rifling. OH, I almost forgot, that's not me in the link.

link to pic http://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/18692/mountain-lion-45-auto-rim

226287

[nockhunter]

No prob, I really like mine a lot. I have the Hogue G10 grips on mine, it is very comfortable to shoot. I also installed a new hammer, and trigger return spring. Trigger pull double action is around 9.5 lb.

Mike

[flint45]

My model 625 1989 is a tack driver with most loads I try my favorite is a lee 200 gr.TL over 7.8 gr. of AA#5. I would never sell it.

[tazman]

I have a few handguns left on my bucket list. A S&W revolver in 45ACP is one of them.
I haven't searched seriously for one yet. Usually when I say I want one, one shows up.

[MtnGunner]

I had one of the four inch 625s from the 1980s along with a 6.5 inch model 610. Sold them both over the years and wish I had them back.

[tazman]

You people are a bad influence.
I spent the most of the morning and part of the afternoon running through the gun shops in the area looking for a S&W revolver in 45acp.
No luck. No one had anything available.
Probably just as well. I don't really need to spend the money just now, but if one had been there I would have.
I hope you guys are happy with yourselves!

[Gray Fox]

Guywitha3006: What are the specs on that red dot? I might need one on my 625. GF

[lightman]

My S&W 45 acp revolver is a model 25-2 from the 70's. It has a 6-1/2 inch barrel with the undercut front target sight. I shoot both the 45AR and 45 acp cartridges in it. 45 AR cases are a lot easier to get now than in the past. I have shot several loads through it but the standard bullseye load with a 185-200 grain bullet and Bullseye powder shoots great.

[30calflash]

You people are a bad influence.
I spent the most of the morning and part of the afternoon running through the gun shops in the area looking for a S&W revolver in 45acp.
No luck. No one had anything available.
Probably just as well. I don't really need to spend the money just now, but if one had been there I would have.
I hope you guys are happy with yourselves!

I think you need to expand your search parameters a bit, if the LGS hasn't one then go to say a 500 hundred mile radius. Don't call it a search, make it a quest! Far more interesting and most people here will understand!

[guywitha3006]

Guywitha3006: What are the specs on that red dot? I might need one on my 625. GF

Grayfox, not my setup I quoted nockhunter, he could proably help you.

[tazman]

I think you need to expand your search parameters a bit, if the LGS hasn't one then go to say a 500 hundred mile radius. Don't call it a search, make it a quest! Far more interesting and most people here will understand!

I expanded it to 120 miles today and still came up empty.
I much prefer to handle a gun I am considering rather than just ordering one. If it doesn't feel right to me, I won't buy it.
I will continue my search. No big hurry. I may be able to find an older one used somewhere.

[arlon]

If I ran across one of the earlier versions of the S&W 625 I'd have to get it and sell the JM version. I've seen a few of them, all close to $1k. I've seen the JM versions online in the $600 range. I think you probably get what you pay for..