45 ACP revolver choice

U

utaherrn

New member
New to this forum, enjoyed reading the posts so far.
Just purchased a used S&W 625-6 Mountain Gun and am having so much fun with it, I want another 45 ACP revolver. Thinking about either an older S&W 625 5" model of 1988/1989, or an older S&W 25-2 1955 target. Maybe I need a 1917 in good shape?
Which would you choose? Yeah, yeah, I know, get both... but which one first?
Not going to use them for competition, just fun, shooting with the wife and kids, etc.
Thanks
 
I have a Model 25 and love it.But I think you will find that for .45ACP revolvers there isn't much out there.I have the smith and the Ruger Blackhawk in .45ACP/.45LC. Taurus had made one but they say no longer product??????? I wish there was more selection all the S&W all seem about the same, they did make .45ACP in there old guns WW1 :) The Ruger shoots as good as the Smith.
 
Well, S&W's 1955 Target models are superb, but you already have a .45 ACP revolver. Therefore, how about a .45 Colt revolver; I have a 625-9 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt, which I really enjoy.

The key is .45 Colt loads are so versatile; at the low-end, their performance is similar to the .45 ACP +P, while at the high-end (essentially “Ruger territory”) their ballistics equal/exceed the .44 magnum’s. Good examples are:
> Georgia Arms’ .45 Colt 200 grain Gold Dot JHP that provides 1100 FPS velocity in a STANDARD PRESSURE round. That is a lot of defensive power at standard pressure.
> Similarly, at the hunting end of the spectrum, Grizzly offers a 300 grain cast lead/LFNGC +P round that 1250 FPS performance, certainly competitive with .44 magnum hunting loads.
 
My S&W 625 5" model of 1988/1989 is my housegun. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a .45ACP revolver, although that isn't saying much given the dearth of manufacturers making .45 wheelguns.
 
Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the new Mountain Gun!! I bought mine new, back in 2000, and have really enjoyed it.

I have several other 625/25/1917 variations, but for pure shooting fun value... it's hard to beat the standard 5" model, similar to this 625-3.

625_3l.jpg


Good luck choosing. I've never been able too... ;)

Joe
 
I have a Model 25 four inch and 625 five inch. Both are great guns. I also have couple of 1917 S&Ws that I bought back in 1959 and 1961. The first handguns I actually paid for. They were $35.00 apiece in 90% condition.

Jungle Work
 
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Just a tip,

If you can find a 25-5, or one of the older Smith or Colt USGI .45 colt revolvers, you can have your gunsmith fit another .45 Colt cylinder, shave a bit off the back side, and use moon clips, and you have a .45 ACP revolver.
I have been shooting a so modified 25-5 for about 8 years now. Accurate to boot.
 
It's not like you can just walk out your door and choose between all those you listed, although the internet does open up lots of nation wide possibilities, but you better buy what ever comes along first that meets your price/condition.

They all have their own reasons to love them!
 
I also have a Pre-26 (Model of 1950) that I'm partial to because of the light tapered barrel. It makes a difference in the balance over the heavy barreled M25.
 
The funnest gun I have owne in the last 17 years has been the 625. I have expended countless rounds of factory ball and 200gr LSWC reloads through the 5 that I have owned. I have a real liking of the 4 inch model. I like the looks and the feel of the 4 underlug barrel! Just hangs there with recoil. Follow up double action shots are on target!
 
The only one I have owned is the Brazillian 1917, and it was a great shooter. I've kinda got my eye on the new 325PD, except I would change the fiber optic front sight to a metal blade. But it is an Sc or Ti frame and is VERY light. Shouldn't be a problem with ACP loads.

My dealer also carries a 625-10PC that is a light-framed snubby in .45ACP. I like it very much, but not he $1100 price from the Performance Center.
 
I have owned, qualified with and carried the 625 in 3, 4 and 5 inch barrel lengths. The only one I still have is this 4" with unfluted cylinder, XS tritium sights and Hogue grips.

f4c52aa7.jpg
 
.45acp

I have a S&W 1936 Brazilian contract 1917, it is really nice to shoot, will take my 1.55" long shotshells, 200gr cast swc's and 210gr gchp's and both bullets shoot to same point of aim at 25yds.
I plan to try some 310gr rfngc soon and see how they do.
Should make a very effective hog load.
Don :)
 
I have 2 45 acp revolvers

A Brazilian 1917 that I have had redone to my spec's and a custom Ruger blackhawk Convertable 45LC/45acp. Both are beautful accurate guns and i have no pland to part with either. I would like to add a 1955 Target to my collection someday through. But for now i find i prefer the 1917 for most of my acp shooting thats not done with one of my 1911's. JMHO
 
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