Cowgirl Corner: 45 auto revolver, S&W 625

[North Country Gal]

We bought this JM (Jerry Miculek) edition of the S&W 625 revolver chambered in 45 auto (45 ACP, if you prefer), just last month and it's already worked its way up to being a favorite of mine. The 625 is a large frame Smith revolver, chambered in 45 Colt or 45 auto, but the 45 auto version has been very popular in the revolver class of the action shooting crowd. Hard to find gun, in these parts, so I grabbed it when I could and glad I did. The signature JM grips, though, didn't work for me. They're designed for fast draw and action shooting, but they're just a bit too slick for my target work. Added a set of S&W target gips and much prefer them.


The red dot dot is an Ultradot 30 and I added it right, away. This JM 625 is pure target gun for me. Way too big and heavy a gun for anything but target work. Going red dot on my revolvers really has been a game changer for these old eyes. No more waiting for a day when my eyes are at their best or the light is good. Just grab the gun an start shooting. For me, a red dot has given me a new lease on my shooting life, so to speak.

As for this individual S&W JM 625, I hit a home run with it right out of the box. The trigger is perfect, both in SA and DA. Accuracy is equally great, even with bulk 45 auto. Easily the equal of a fine match 1911.

Single Action


Double Action


Yes, you do have to use moon clips when shooting auto cartridges in a revolver. After all, auto cartridges have no outer rim for the extractor star to catch. I actually enjoy using the moon clips, though. The night before a range session, I just load up 10 clips and I'm ready to go when I hit the range. Loading and unloading the guns with moonies is a breeze.


Cheap to shoot ... leaves those big holes in the target ... low recoil, but no wimpy cartridge, either ... accurate ... fun. Can't ask much more of a revolver.

[CT_Shooter]

Yes, you do have to use moon clips when shooting auto cartridges in a revolver. After all, auto cartridges have no outer rim for the extractor star to catch. I actually enjoy using the moon clips, though. The night before a range session, I just load up 10 clips and I'm ready to go when I hit the range. Loading and unloading the guns with moonies is a breeze.

And now, finally, I understand what a moon clip is and why it is used. Thanks again.

[Abnermal]

I also have a 625 that is very special to me. It belonged to a friend and fellow action shooting competitor that was lost way too early in life to cancer. He had told his wife that when he passed he wanted each of his shooting buddies to have one of his guns. Really miss him. But through his revolver we still get to shoot together once in awhile.

[North Country Gal]

I also have a 625 that is very special to me. It belonged to a friend and fellow action shooting competitor that was lost way too early in life to cancer. He had told his wife that when he passed he wanted each of his shooting buddies to have one of his guns. Really miss him. But through his revolver we still get to shoot together once in awhile.

Such a revolver would be very special for me, too. I do understand.

[PT7]

First time I've heard moon clips called "moonies".....interesting. One time considered getting an SP101 in 9MM, which would have used moon clips. Never got there though.

Nothing new here from my view. Other than your 625 being another accurate revolver, I really like the great-looking wood of those S&W target grips. Actually look nicer to me than the JM special grips! Really ramp up the good looks of your revolver. Wood rules for me!

NOOB POIs are darn good as usual, NCG. You don't often get to use those black circles to patch your splash targets, do you?!?

[North Country Gal]

[/quote] And now, finally, I understand what a moon clip is and why it is used. Thanks again.[/quote]

Using moon clips to shot45 ACP in a revolver has a long and venerable history. Just prior to World War I, our military found itself long on 45 ACP ammo, but way short of 1911s to supply the troops for the upcoming war. The military then asked Colt and S&W to convert their 45 Colt DA revolvers to shoot 45 ACP. The problem, of course, was there was no way to extract the empties short of using a rod or pencil. S&W came to the rescue by inventing a half moon clip and then shared the invention with Colt. Thus was born the U.S. Model 1917 military revolver. A lot of these were used in bth World Wars and right on up through the Vietnam War. It is said that some of the troops actually preferred the revolver to the 1911.

Heresy though it may be for a 1911 fan like me, I also prefer shooting the 45 auto in a revolver. I find that I have better control on follow up shots and my accuracy is a touch better with the revolver. I never cared for that shuffling of the action on a 1911 in 45 auto. Tends to disrupt my sight picture a bit more and slow down requiring the sights. I'm a bit faster to get back on target with the revolver. Then, too, you can get a bit sloppy about gripping the revolver with no loss of function. Gripping a 1911, correctly, is more critical for proper function. Also, no safety to mess with on a DA revolver. Just draw and shoot. Lastly, a revolver eats any 45 auto ammo you feed it. Not all 1911s do.

[North Country Gal]

PT, I am so addicted to shooting those big 45 cal holes in those black bullseyes. Really tears them up. Loads of fun. RR would understand.

[Carver]

Really fine shooting impressive

[PT7]

Yup, RR would definitely understand those "big 45 cal holes in those black bullseyes." He has seen plenty of them.

Looked at some .45LC S/A revolvers at an LGS today. It was raining, so I went to an indoor range and I first shot my BBS .357 Carbine. Whenever I go there, after I finish shooting I do "display case shopping." (Definitely can get a person's wallet thinned down --- a dangerous activity!). They have a good collection of Henrys in house, and probably a dozen plus S/A revolvers in a two-tiered case. At one end of the case a Uberti 1873 Cattleman Bird's Head S/A .45LC caught my attention. Nice-looking CCH revolver with some cool wood Bird's Head grips. I've not held many of those, so I took some time to handle it. I was surprised how the grip filled my larger hand, and how well the pinky finger solidly sat under the bottom of the grip. Actually felt a little more solid of a hold than the Vaquero --- surprise! I wonder how this Uberti would shoot since it has a 3.5" barrel length? I've shot .45LC through my BASS IV derringer, which had a 4.5" barrel. It was not a terribly strong recoil with that derringer....quite manageable. Anyway, they rent handguns at this range, and I might just check next time I go if they have any S/A revolvers with this type of grip. Would be fun to try it out. .45LC is a good caliber to shoot, too.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

Expert shooting and I sure do admire those big bullet holes...

[BigAl52]

NCG
I have one of those as well. It loves 200 gr swc and it is without a doubt one of my favorite guns in the safe. I have a set of Ahrends grips on mine. I know exactly why you like it so much

[North Country Gal]

Not surprised to hear that, BigAl. You have good taste in guns.

[North Country Gal]

PT, do give that 45 Colt birdshead grip a try. Have shot one and they are a lot of fun.

Anyone thinking of shooting the 45 auto in a revolver really should consider getting a convertible single action revolver with both a 45 Colt and 45 auto cylinder. The 45 Colt/45auto combo in a single action is a great way to enjoy shooting both cartridges. The 45 auto gets you the cheapest to shoot big bore cartridge and the 45 Colt gets you the cartridge with all the history and tradition. Great way to enjoy both.

[Blackdog]

I "discovered" these a few years ago. Still can't afford one, but I do look admiringly at them. Something nostalgic about full/half moon clips.

M

[BigAl52]

Not surprised to hear that, BigAl. You have good taste in guns.

NCG
Thanks for the very nice complement. I wish you were closer I would let you try out this JM 929 Smith its a real treat to shoot. Al

[North Country Gal]

Been looking at those 929s for shooting the even cheaper 9mm. My LGS has a PC 929, but it has a titanium cylinder which I do not want, based on problems I've had with titanium cylinders in other Smiths.

[Rochefort]

I’ve been shooting the Thunder Ranch 325 for about 5 years and I love it. Got it by a fluke, intending to get the JM but nobody had one for sale so I figured ‘why not?’ Never had a moment’s regret except in trying to find a holster for the hog. I finally had one made around it and it’s a perfect fit plus quite a bit cheaper than the comparable quality leather holster companies. The big problem finding a 325 holster is the rail under the barrel.

The.45 auto round is an excellent revolver round because as NCG points out, the perceived recoil is more of a push than a sharp hit, plus you don’t have to cope with the slide moving the front sight around on you. The moon clips can be swapped out remarkably fast, competitive with a mag change in a 1911. The downside of moons is you can’t do a partial reload, you have to run them like mags and stick the partial in your pocket in case you need the last couple of rounds.

One of my favorite things about the 325 is that it’s scandium and weighs in at 30 oz instead of 40 for the 625. The extra 10 oz. undoubtedly eats some recoil, thus faster strings, but the 325 always puts a grin on my face when I pick it up and it kind of feels like a toy. I carry it, too, once in a while and the light weight is an extra bennie.

[garryj]

A friend of min owns an older 4" 625-2 (I think) and I have had the pleasure of shooting it on several occasions. Since he reloads, he uses 45 Auto Rim cases and eliminates the need for moon clips, although he has many of them also. I was thinking of getting one myself, but elected to get the Model 25 in 45 Colt instead. I do like the idea of a single action multi-caliber revolver (22LR/22 Magnum, 45 ACP/45 Colt, 10mm/40 S&W or 38/357 /9mm) which also eliminates the need for moon clips. I may get one soon if I can find one in 45.

Garry

[North Country Gal]

Garry, I highly recommend a single action 45 Colt/45ACP convertible rig. You'll get excellent accuracy out of both cartridges. I've mostly gotten out of Ruger's, but one I should have kept was the Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible. Fantastic shooter with both cartridges. Got great accuracy with the heavy Ruger only 45 Colt bear loads (recoil was severe, to put it mildly) and equal accuracy with the 45 ACP, and no moon clips to mess with, either.

From experience, though, you will take a hit on accuracy in the 9mm with the 357/9mm convertibles, given that the two cartridges use different bore sizes. Again, had a Ruger Blackhawk in this convertible. Accuracy was excellent with the 357, but only plinking class, at best, with the 9mm.

[If1Hitu]

Wow the more I look at yours,it makes me want to add a scope to mine.I do like the shoes that came with my 625-8 JM .45 ACP