Double Action .45 Colt

W

WheelGunRealGun

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I want a Double Action .45 Colt (or maybe 45 ACP) revolver. I want it to be all steel and be able to last a life time, although I wouldn't be shooting heavy loads through it, mostly 255 grainers going 900 fps.

I've read about the S&W M25's having problems with oversized throats, so that's out.

I heard Ruger made Redhawks in .45 Colt, but I've never seen one for sale and it just doesn't appeal to me that much.

I don't like Taurus, either.

Any ideas?
 
S&W Thunder Ranch

I would recommend the S&W Model 22-4 Thunder Ranch Revolver- a semi-remake of the Army Model of 1950.
I say semi because the original didn't have a half lugged barrel and had a longer barrel.
This model is 45ACP/Auto Rim.All steel.The supplied grips aren't very comfortable so I put some Pachmayrs on.
For some bizarre reason Smith has also designated the remake of the 1917 Army Model the 22-4 also:confused:.
I can't imagine why they didn't call it the 22-5 or something.
 
The S&W Model 1917 that I have was my grandfather's sidearm in WW1. It's already lasted nearly three lifetimes. And it still looks good and shoots straight.
 
Depends

Some new S&W products are excellent-others-eh.
They farm out a lot of their work,like grips,so it's variable.
The remake of the 1917 is horrible-cheesy "case coloring" and a trigger from hell.
The 40-1 "lemonsqueezer" is great-and no hole!!
The SC1911 functions reliably and is fun to shoot.
Just a few random thoughts.
 
Buy a .44 Magnum Dan Wesson, a .45 Colt reamer from Clymers (approx. $75) and a barrel blank from Green Mountain (approx. $30). You might talk to EWK Arms about turning a barrel for you, but DW barrels aren't that hard to duplicate. You can also use a .454 Casull reamer if you limit the depth.
You can cut the chambers tighter than either the Ruger or S&W and the Dan Wesson is easily capable of handling the "Ruger only" loads...and even hotter.
 
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Buy a .44 Magnum Dan Wesson, a .45 Colt reamer from Clymers (approx. $75) and a barrel blank from Green Mountain (approx. $30). You might talk to EWK Arms about turning a barrel for you, but DW barrels aren't that hard to duplicate. You can also use a .454 Casull reamer if you limit the depth.
You can cut the chambers tighter than either the Ruger or S&W and the Dan Wesson is easily capable of handling the "Ruger only" loads...and even hotter.
Click to expand...

Or you could just buy a Dan Wesson model 45 (blue) or 745 (stainless), which are chambered for .45 Colt already.

DW745.jpg
 
I vote for the S&W Model 25, I've got a 25-5 in .45 Colt with an 8 3/8" barrel which is probably a bit longer than you're looking for, but man does it shoot. You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer DA .45 Colt although I wouldn't plan on hot rodding your ammo for it. Seems to me this revolver would be a good carry gun with a 3-4" barrel although you'd have to be fairly large to conceal it (I doubt I'd have an issue with it). I've been on the lookout for one with a shorter barrel for years but one hasn't turned up locally yet.

Stu
 
Some of the S&Ws had oversize throats. As did some of the Rugers.

Neither are exactly inaccurate. But acccuracy potential can be improved.

salty
 
Later Model 25-2's did not have the overly-large throats.

I own a Model 22-4 (non-TRR) model, and it's a great revolver. Shoots to point of aim, and it's a ball to shoot.

There are also Model 25-5's out there, chambered in .45 Colt. I own a four-inch model, and it's also a great shooter.
 
You could go w/ the s&w Governer. Mix and match all you want. .45 Colt. .45 ACP and .410 shotshell.

I'd opt for the S&W 625 pre-lock or a model of 1917 (a real one sans lock also).
 
Since a S&W isn't on your menu, that leaves you a choice of either a Dan Wesson or a Colt Anaconda in 45 Colt. Happy searching be with you.
 
Since a S&W isn't on your menu, that leaves you a choice of either a Dan Wesson or a Colt Anaconda in 45 Colt. Happy searching be with you.
Click to expand...

S&W isn't necessarily off the menu. Is it hard to find a pre lock m25 with correct chamber throats?
 
S&W isn't necessarily off the menu. Is it hard to find a pre lock m25 with correct chamber throats?
Click to expand...
S&W finally got the dimensions right with the 25-7 in 1989. They have been good since.
Rugers Redhawks have been on the tight side but atleast those can be opened up.

Jim
 
You really need to have the throat measured. Not all Model 25-2's were out of spec. I own a 1975 model, and it's a tack driver. You need to judge each revolver on its own merits.
 
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