Terry_P

I have an Auto Ordinance 1911 that I bought in the mid-90's and it would jam in any way possible and some I didn't think were, so I took it to a smith and doubled down on my investment with match grade BBL, full length guide rod, slicked, tightened and polished up action, new springs, etc. Now I have a fully functional and accurate 1911 that I don't shoot a lot because I hate chasing brass. I am figuring it is trading material although I won't get out of it what I have into it and I'll throw a Ithaca M37 12 ga that is in fine shape and figure I'll wind up at a trade figure shy of $600 to use.

I am pretty much a committed revolver person and like the thought of a 45 for a nightstand piece. The problem is aside from S&W it is difficult to find a D/A revolver unless you go to the expense of a Bowen for a caliber conversion. I have been looking at what I consider overpriced S&W's and have narrowed down to either the Thunder Ranch Special or the 625. The Thunder Ranch Special is listed at just shy of $1,000 in my local GS and the 625 at $900 but it has those god awful red/white/blue laminate grips that I would replace so I figure they are effectively the same price. The 625 is stainless which is always a plus for me and the TR is black matte. I'm guessing th TR is slicked up pretty good and should be a great revolver out of the box so I'm toying with the idea. Guess the Sig P250 craze was short lived.

Anyone have any first hand experience with either of the two?

Another option is a 4" Redhawk in 45 Colt and have it milled to accept the moon clips for 45 Acp and I am in the same monetary place or the final choice is a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible for no additional money or even walk away with a little in my pocket and then I would also have another caliber to load in 45 Colt with either of the two Rugers. The GP would stay on the nightstand if I go with a S/A handgun.

Opinions???

countrygun

Oh don't get me rolling on a .45 acp Revolver. I still miss my Colt 1917.I happen to be one of the lucky folks who have never had a problem with any of the 5 Tuarus' I have and would jump on a used one in .45 acp if I ran across it. the .45 acp in a revolver is incredibly versatile for leloaders and non reloaders. I would love to go back in time and grab a few of the Smith or Colt 1917s and turn them in to 3" carry guns.

tx gun runner

Bountyhunter had one made up and about 1 year later he sold it . I think it was done by these people . check with him

http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp

https://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopd...&cat=%2E45+acp


http://www.bountyhunter-inc.com/foru...fa589338d9ef22

kim

Get on GunsAmerica. Lot's of them. Might look a a Model 25 also, .45 Colt.


Molon Labe

Kim

tx gun runner

There a company that makes a moon clip for 45 acp you can just drop in a 45 colt without any mod to the gun . I can't remember who it was .

Here is Clarks 1/2 moom set up

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/moonclip.htm

Here one on Gun Broker

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=271335113

Nutty Ned

I have a 625-8 .45acp and love it. It shoots well and as accurate as I am.

I like the idea that any .45 acp ammo will shoot, including mixed loads. Some 625 will shoot without moon clips and some won't because they headapace too deep. If it will shoot acp without clips you have to pick out empty cases or poke them out with a rod/stick of some kind.

Sportsmansguide has great cheap moonclips.

One issue I have is bullet pulling in unfired rnds in the clip, esp, when a couple of rnds are fired and the clip is reloaded. It is not a major issue, but, I think it effects accuracy---ie, get you out of the 10x ring.
Good fix is 2 rnd clips if you want to just shoot 2 rnds and reload.

Do not, ever shoot .45 acp necked down factory shot rnds. In the long run it won't hurt the gun; but, they split and jam the revolver including jamming the cylinder from opening. PIA to clear such a jam.

I just load the clips with my fingers, for a de-mooning tool; I have a 6" piece of 5/8 copper tubing with the end plugged. I drove it in a piece of candle wax to make the plug, there are probably better ways.
Some people make the tube with a lip half way around the tube to help with leverage de-mooning. It is not nec to get that fancy because once you get the hang of the twisting pull, the lip is not nec.
A 7" tube or what ever it takes to hold 6 rnds might be better.

Half moon clips, while useful in some situations, bend too easily during de-mooning and do not last long.

Terry_P

First off I want to thank everyone that responded both here and with PM's it has helped in my decision process and a lot of good info has been provided. Do any here own the convertible Blackhawk? If so how do the 45ACP's headspace? After sleeping on it I am still in the thinking stage but why not as I won't be able to buy until I get back to NH in late March.

tx gun runner

The BH 45 ACP cylinder head spaces on the mouth of the case . Sometimes the auto rims brass don't work in BH gun ...... When you switch from 45 Colt to 45 ACP and back again you will need to readjust your sights each time and not just elevation , windage also . Personlly I just down load the 45 Colt to 45 ACP FPS or you can get the super short 45 cowboy brass or even the 45 special brass which are both made to use in the 45 colt cylinder . You should mike the barrel to see if .451 bullet will work in that gun .

http://cowboy45special.com/cowboy45brass.html

Terry_P

Tks TGR. I figured it had to HS there but thought I would ask anyway. I didn't consider the resetting of the sights but it stands to reason as you often need to do that if you switch loads.

tx gun runner

I've had 4 different Ruger convertibles , 22LR/ 22mag , 32HR/32-20 , 9MM/357 and 45ACP/45 LC . I had to move the sight on all of them . I sell the extra cylinders for around $75 to $100 . The money looks better in my pocket then the cylinder did in the box . Most dual cylinder guns needs 2 different bore dia's , which they don't have . .

deputy125

once upon a time i was the proud owner of a simth 625 "model of 1989"........

one out-standing revolver. the speed of reloads are fantastic and the accuracy was very good. the weight helped to control the weapon in rapid fire.

that 325 thunder ranch looks awful attractive for carrying with the weight savings........but might not translate into much fun on the range.

for me, the decision would come down to the question of carry or games. if i'm going to carry it i'll go lighter weight. if its for the range and games, i'd go with the 625.

a few years back, smith also offered a classic series i believe that was a square butt blue steel fixed sight tapered barrel "N" frame 45 acp...........the model 22.........i would be severely tempted......but i'm poor.........


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=272197367

Nutty Ned

Yeah, that ^

Terry_P

Deputy:

It would be range and possibly nightstand piece. At this point the price of the Smiths is turning me off. I could probably get a new Blackhawk convertible (range and field gun) for an even up trade and save my money to get an SR1911. By the time I get enough to pay for it they may actually have a few out there to buy.

Terry_P

Just when you think you have things figured out I look on line and my local shop back home has a NIB 4" XD Compact in 45 ACP for $549. I know it isn't built right as there is no cylinder but it is tempting. I have heard nothing but good stuff about the Springfields like a supported chamber and Glock reliability.

deputy125

i've had some trigger time with an xd 45 tactical with the long slide.........if i had to have a plastic 45, that would be the one. accurate and a soft shooter.........but again that was the long slide.....have not tried an xd 45 service size....

very impressive weapon......and i am not easily impressed with plastic.......

Terry_P

I hear you on the plastic. The only one I own is an LCR and that just doesn't generate the love. Strictly function over form. Leave the house or RV and throw it in the pocket. Get back and in the safe or drawer. I figure the XD would be for nightstand and brass chasing at the range. All I'm doing right now is thinking out loud although I have heard nothing bad about XD's. It would get fed a steady diet of reloads and some with cast bullets. As far as I know it has a fully supported chamber and normal rifling so shouldn't be an issue.

countrygun

I have had my XDM for ten months now and it is nothing short of excellent. I someday will break out my Kimbers and other .45s with a variety of ammo and really see what' what, but so far I have not found a ball ammo that it doesn't shoot as well as my Kimber compact and if there is a difference in accuracy with Winchester 230 HPs I can't tell in my hands.

Yes I am a fan, but I did not select the gun, it was a present from the Mrs.

"If you are going to keep a high cap auto on the nightstand to protect us (I had a sigpro 2022 9mm there) then I want it to be a high cap .45"

Can't argue with that logic

Terry_P

Sound like a very wise lady.

Grapeshot

I own a S&W 625 Model of 1989 in .45 ACP/AR and I wouldn't part with it for anything. I've also owned three S&W M1917's and A Colt M1917. The .45 ACP round in a revolver is still one of the best SD guns and ammo cominations I've ever seen. I carried my S&W when I worked in a Gun Shop/Indoor Range for over 12 Years. The Gun was accurate, recoil was very manageable and the Full Moon clips were better than any speed loader I've ever tried using.

I'm in Iraq now, and considering the BS that has been happening in Afganistan the last few weeks, I wish I had that revolver with me now. I'd send any of these fanatical, unwashed, under educated zealots to meet their maker without batting an eye with a good Federal Hydroshock 230 gr JHP.

Bustah_c

Have it shipped to you !
Thank you for your service. God speed.