.45 ACP revolver

M

MINSH101

New member
What are your thoughts on. 45 ACP revolvers? I ask because I REALLY like the look of the new Ruger .45 ACP. I also like the S&W Thunder Ranch 625.

Looking for input on those two. Would consider a Charter Arms Pitbull. However am reluctant due to the lack of complete confidence in CA as opposed 100% trust in Ruger and/or S&W.
 
The 625 is a dedicated .45 ACP, the Ruger is a hybrid compromise between .45 ACP & .45 Colt.

The Ruger may take some experimentation to get an ACP load that shoots well in it.
The Ruger has heavy trigger pulls both SA & DA.
The Smith has a more tunable trigger.
It's lighter.
It's quite likely to be more accurate with more ACP loads.
The Ruger will probably still be running when your grandkids pass it on down.

If you want to shoot just ACP in a revolver, I'd go Smith.
If you want the dual-caliber versatility, I'd go Ruger.
Denis
 
Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt & .45 ACP misfire video

The 45acp and moon clips in a revolver is something to avoid. IMO. Some need a tool to remove the fired brass from the moon clips. You need a bullet design like a 230 gr + lswc, not an acp bullet for accuracy. Had the Smith and a Ruger convertible. Seen a video on the new Ruger Redhawk, included one misfire. http://outdoorchannel.com/article.aspx?id=31439 Video- last shot, misfire. "I skipped one" NOT :D
 
I recently bought a Ruger Blackhawk convertible with .45 colt and .45 auto cylinders. It's VERY accurate with the .45 auto cylinder. The .45 colt is not quite as accurate, but I'll keep playing with loads to see what I can wring out of it. If you're looking for a fun shooter or bullseye gun, it's a good one. Not so much for carry, if that's what you want, since it's heavy and single-action.
 
The S&W 625 is a great revolver, I have JM and I really like it, the PC is on my list if I can come up with 900.00. The Redhawk is a good revolver but it gigantic in size, heavy, and the trigger isn't half as good as the S&W. If you're gonna shoot single action then the Blackhawk can't be beat, a trigger job and you're good to go.
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
 
The Ruger clips are very easy to use without tools, just fingers.

The two Ruger samples here both had a wide spread in ACP accuracy.
25-yard groups ran from about 2.5 inches to nearly 9 inches.
And those were the BEST 5-shot groups. Had a couple of loads that went as wide as 13 & 14 inches for their worst.

Colt loads were much more consistent & on average shot tighter.

Denis
 
I have the Blackhawk "covertible" with separate cylinders. It seems equally accurate with 45acp or 45 Colt. It is one of my very favorite firearms.
 
Was assuming Min was referring to the new REDHAWK, not the BLACKHAWK.

The REDHAWK is an entirely different deal, using both calibers in ONE cylinder. :)

BLACKHAWK accuracy does not translate.
Denis
 
The Smith Model 1955 Target (Model 25-2) is one of the most accurate handguns I own. A gorgeous N-frame that shoots as good as it looks.
 
I have a S&W 625 PC and like it a lot, very accurate. Moon clips are nice to use much better than speed loaders. Shoots anything I put in it very well. My only dislike is the clown grips they came with, replaced it with a Crimson Trace laser grip....work great and, are very comfortable.

625%20one_zps8exawhv1.jpg
 
45 revolver

Can only big ditto on dglugwig's comment on the 25-5. I own an early 70's mfg'd one I bought used a couple of yrs ago and its my favorite modern wheelie ever. Without offending the Colt people, would own it over a Python any day!!(and still be able to buy ammo!) Of course I shoot a lot of 455 Webleys as a rule, and yes the horse power ain't the same, but there's something about shooting a 100 yr old gun and having consistantly satisfying results!
 
My 25-2 is the favorite handgun in the collection. It is exceedingly consistent. Learn the gun and you can do almost anything with it.

The Redhawk holds promise.

My RH in 45 Colt works well. Very well.

The S&W has a SA trigger that can't be beat. Granted, I've worked mine but the basic design is a work of art.

The RH has a superior DA trigger. Once again, I've worked it. The design makes for a nice no-creep no-stack pull.

Everyone and their dog can tune a S&W trigger. It's like the small block Chevy. They are everywhere and everyone has at least one. However, that doesn't make it the best. It's simply the best known.

The RH DA trigger can be made very very nice if you know what you're doing. The SA work can be very nice as well but it won't quite match a S&W.
 
The Redhawk is much stronger and can do many more things. It clearly outshines the S&W in all areas but lightness.

Accuracy is going to come from matching your bullet to your bore. 45 Automatic bullets are typically .451 jacketed and .45 Colt is .452. Take some measurements and load accordingly.
 
I love my S&W 625MG in 45Colt, I had it cut for moon clips and shoot 45acp in moon clips and 45C with out, it is super accurate shooting 230 and 250 grn loads. I love it and it will never be sold or given to my children until I'm dead! :D Dont get me wrong my Redhawk 45Colt is a tack driver but I love my smith more.

As to the OP's quest, if I was not trying to CCW the gun then I would go with the new Redhawk because its already cut for both.
 
What are your thoughts on. 45 ACP revolvers?
Click to expand...

I really like the one I have: S&W M1917 that was my grandfather's sidearm in WW1, nearly a century old and still functions perfectly. But it's a lot bigger than a 1911 and has less capacity. Still, it has a lot of sentimental value and will go to my son one day.
 
Three of my favorite guns are a S&W 1917, a Colt 1917, and a shaved Webley MkVI. As you can see, I prefer old-ish school.
 
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