45acp wheel gun

I have a Thunder Ranch 22, and an old Hand Ejector Mk. II sort-of converted to .45 ACP via a M1917 cylinder.
The 22 was at the range with me, yesterday.
I have never been able to get more than about 90% reliabilty out of it, even though it's had the factory "Master Action Job", and I'm very careful about seating primers (I think I've had one dud round in any gun other than that revolver, in 20 years of handloading). I'd managed to lay hands on a supply of Federal primers recently, and the gun ran 48-for-48 yesterday, so I'm glad for that, even though I'm still a bit miffed that I have to load special ammo for that one gun.
The old Mk.II still has the .457" bore that the Brits insisted on, so I try to load .454" lead bullets for that one, and it shoots OK.
Accuracy of the 22 is good. In single action, I can shoot it just about as well as anything else for accuracy, but the "half a nickel" front sight can catch reflections that trick you into thinking the top of the front sight is somewhere it's not, and that can cause me to shoot high. With the sun low in the sky yesterday afternoon, the sights were perfect.
Hardly a hassle, the guy who invented full-moon clips should get some sort of lifetime achievement award. All revolvers should have moons.
After seeing one of the tubular demooners, I made one out a dime's worth of half-inch copper pipe; really saves the fingers.
 
I would pay $900 for a perfect 625-2 Smith. I would not take any amount of money for mine. They didn't make very many and they are tackdrivers.
 
This won't be my CCW, just a target killer. Thinking on the Blackhawk, it has a loading gate, does the cylinder have to be removed for each reload?
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No you don't have to remove the cylinder. The cartridge head spaces on the front edge of the cartridge. The 45 ACP cylinder is chambered to the correct depth to hold the cartridges in the proper position. Operation of the gun remains the same as if you were shooting it with the 45 Colt cylinder.
 
Just get a 4-6" piece of 5/8 cooper tubing for a demooning toll, plug one end if you do not want to drop the cases.

Hold the clip in your weak hand, slip the tube over the case with your wrist bent forward and pull your hand back as far as you can and the case will come right out.
 
Love my convertible

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625 S&W

I have a 625 Smith in .45ACP. Great gun, very accurate, and you don't have to chase brass at the range as the moon clip keeps it together when you dump the empties. When I was shooting the 60 round PPC short course, it was the gun I used and shot a lot of 590s on a 600 index--it is that accurate.
 
You guys with the 625s. Are they the plain 625s, or are they the Jerry Miculek or Performance Center ones? Do you think either of these is better than the standard model and worth the extra money?
 
I got my 625 around 2000 and it is a regular 625. I did have the cylinders chamfered to make it load quicker. Took about 5 minutes to do. Other than that, it was box stock and ready to compete with.
 
I got one of the S&Ws 625 in a trade and sold it, I'm just not a big revolver fan, it was a nice looking gun and had a real nice trigger.

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I have 2 -45 acp revolvers... 1st, a Colt 1917... shoots fine for an old war horse... my new one ( I built it, because I just bought 1200 old stock / new Remington 45 auto rim cases ) that I'm loading at plus p loading... accurate as all get out...

as far as the moon clips ( I have S&W 610 ) I use the plastic Rimz brand clips... they don't hook on your belt as nice, but are easy to load & unload, without any tools needed... plus i9f they get bent a little, they still work, where the steel ones can get a little fussy...

if you treat the moon clips like speed loaders, they are actually faster to reload than a speed loader... kinda turn the old revolver into a "tactikool" shooting piece ;)
 
Sounds like you need a Ruger Blackhawk convertible :) . That would be my choice. I have two convertibles, howbeit they are the .45 Flattops from Lipseys on the medium frame.... The cataloged BH is on the large frame. Mine are very good shooters and as said above, no clips needed. If you are looking for a stubby, there was a special run of just .45 ACP SA revolvers from either Lipseys or Davidsons .... one of those guys.
 
robhof

I've also got a convertable BH, it shoots fine with the ACP cylinder, i do use cast bullets for both my 45colt and 45ACP rounds, but of course different weights; 190 to 220gr for the ACP's and 200 to 275gr for the Colt's.:D:cool:
 
625 JM is my funnest gun. Get 25 or 30 moon clips and the tools to load and unload them and have a ball.
 
I'm a Ruger guy and that's obvious after a look in my safe. However, my favorite revolver is my Model 25-2. I stoned the guts and turned the action into a truly beautiful thing. I wish I could get my SA and DA Rugers running this slick.
The moon clips are quite the advantage. I bought a pack of 25 along with the cheapie $3.00 tool. I can roll the rounds into the clips (usually by pressing it down against the bench) and load 'em up. That gives me up to 150 rounds of ammo ready to go. When was the last time you needed more than that at the range?

The big Smith will run 'em as tight as my best Ruger and better than the others. It's a smiley killing machine. I only wish I had bought one sooner.

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I have the Model 22 Classic with the 5.5 inch barrel. It is a tack driver shoots well with 230gr FMJ or lead reloads. I bought it slightly used about 2 years ago and love it.
I also use the RIMZ moon clips and have had no issues with them.
 
.45 ACP Wheelgun Shooting Steps

1. Pop open adult beverage of choice.

2. Turn on sporting event of choice.

3. Load full moon clips (don't drop cartridges in beer, doesn't tast good)

4. Next day go to range with loaded clips and S&W 1917 (or wheelgun of choice).

5. Fire six, open cylinder, drop empty moon clip in bag, insert full moon clip in gun, fire six.....repeat as needed.

6. Go home

7. Open adult beverage of choice.

8. Turn on Sportscenter

9. unload moon clips (don't drop empties in beer, tastes worse than a loaded cartridge, don't ask how I know that).

10. Plan next trips to range.
 
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