.45 ACP Revolver.

Kevin M.

Kevin M.

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Picking up a .45 ACP Smith and Wesson Revolver this weekend, and wanted to know if I need moon clips to facilitate proper extraction or not.


I know the .45 does not have an extended rim, so I assume the answer is yes, but I would rather check first.



Also, if I do need them, who is stocking them currently?


Thanks.


I will post pics when I get it. Sharp looking gun.
 
Old S&W's you could get away without the clips, but any made since the 80's need them.

Brownells are your best bet for clips.
 
Yes you do. although you can fire 45 ACP without the clips there is a bit of narrowing in the charge holes - it's a PITA to extract the cases. The other alternative is to fire .45 Autorim ( .45 ACP with a thicker rimmed case if you can find it.

I was getting my clips from Cactus Tactical ht tp//www.cactustactical.com But there's probably Canadian sources. I'm out of the country for a few weeks but if you can't find any drop me a PM and I'll send you a few to get started when I get back
Brownells has tools for inserting the cases in the clips and removing them.
Welcome to the club. loads of fun - lots of revolver IPSC shooters on this board.
 
If you're going to order moon clips from Brownell's, you might consider the Beckham Designs "RIMZ" #25 polymer clips (#100-001-684). They're not as permanent as the steel ones, but they are durable and they don't require a special tool to load and unload. If you don't need the convenience of moon clips, Auto Rim brass is the way to go. (Although HKS does make a speedloader for the Auto Rim.) You'll need a different shell holder for the Auto Rim: #13 if you're using Lee dies, rather than #2 for .45 Auto.

You're going to love that 625! BTW, if you need to bulk up a Brownell's order, you might consider a Wolff mainspring (#080-665-220) which will improve the double-action pull. I also installed a lighter hammer spring (#969-265-820) and did a little internal polishing on mine, but the mainspring seemed to make the most difference. But even without any tinkering it is very nice to shoot. The single-action let-off is superb.

:) Stuart
 
I had a 25-2 that worked OK without clips for casual use -- the empties would more or less fall out if the revolver was tipped muzzle-up when the cylinder was opened. I did pick up some clips, though, from Epps.
 
josquin said:
You're going to love that 625! But even without any tinkering it is very nice to shoot. The single-action let-off is superb.

:) Stuart
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Agreed.

The single action pull was what really sold me on it. The double action pull is a bit of a beast it is so heavy, but it seemed to be smooth at least.

I will look into those parts, I have been doing a good bit of orders from brownells recently.


Thanks.
 
Get a Wolff spring kit for it. I've treated all 3 of my S&W's to these and they are fantastic. They greatly reduce the DA pull and make the SA pull seem magical. Well worth the pittance they charge for the kit.

There will be three return block springs in the kit. Go with the lightest. It's more than enough since we aren't using these in combat conditions. In fact I even cut one coil off it to further lower the trigger pull.
 
Good for you, I have been looking for one as well. Order the moon clips from Brownells or see if TS has some for the 45. For a de-mooner you can use an extended socket in the proper size.
 
BCRider said:
...There will be three return block springs in the kit. Go with the lightest...
Click to expand...
I put the lightest (14 lb.) one in mine and also backed off the hammer spring set screw a bit, although I had to test it with the Winchester primers I was using to make sure it would detonate them reliably. I have some Remington (more sensitive) primers to try next so it should be possible to make the DA pull even better.

:) Stuart
 
I have had a few 45 ACP revolvers over the years, I'm down to three now. A S&W 1917, a S&W Model of 1955, and a Ruger Blackhawk (convertible). Used to have a Colt New Service in the caliber too, but sold it away for reasons that escape me now. They are fun guns to shoot, as mentioned the DA guns have stiff trigger pulls in that mode. Mostly because they required more pressure to ignite the military primers of the time used in the ammunition. They can be tuned fairly easily, at least the S&W and Ruger guns. Colts are trickier to work with, but can still be smoothed a fair bit. - dan
 
I was so intent on the spring issue in my other post that I forgot to mention the moonclips.

Why have one of these if you don't want to use it with moonclips? Seems to me that the uberfast reloading ability is one of the major traits of these guns. If I had one I'd be itching for the next match to use it and see how many semi shooters I could beat with a well practiced Jerry Miculek style reload. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to stop practicing with dummies in clips until my hands bled. But I'd be smiling the whole time about being able to just sort of dump them into place and watch them find their own way into the cylinder.

I really need to find a moonclip revolver in .40 or .45... :D
 
If you go too light on the return/reset spring you will bind up in fast double action shooting. But yes, the wolf springs are nice.

I like the metal clips from brownells but i'm using the gun in idpa and the plastic ones are a bit flimsy at speed.

You will love it, moon clips are faster then speed loaders, and the 625 is an absolute blast to shoot:dancingbanana:
 
BCRider said:
...I really need to find a moonclip revolver in .40 or .45... :D
Click to expand...

Maybe your prayer has been answered. Gunnar at Armco has just one new S&W Model 610 left:
S&W Model 610's in 6 1/2" with the fluted cylinders. These 10mm/.40 S&W revolvers are fitted for Moon clips and are one of the the slickest rigs available in a Standard IPSC revolver. ​

BTW, mooncliptool.com has what looks like a neat mooner/demooner for the traditional steel clips. I don't know if he can ship/sell to Canada, though.

:) Stuart
 
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josquin said:
Maybe your prayer has been answered. Gunnar at Armco has just one new S&W Model 610 left.....
Click to expand...

I know, I saw that. But sadly the dream will have to wait for a while. The hobby budget is blown from all my "first year" gun buys. And on top of that motorcycle season is just about here and that means insurance. Plus house insurance, etc, etc. And I've got my heart set on another 9mm for the cabinet first too.

But anticipation will make the eventual acquisition all the more wonderful... :D
 
BCRider said:
I know, I saw that...:D
Click to expand...

I figured it probably hadn't escaped your notice but I would have been seriously remiss if I hadn't alerted you, just in case. So many toys, so little cash. :(

The post...um... person just delivered my Burris FastFire red dot sight this morning. (Thank you, Lee, at Williams Arms!) It's going on my Marlin 1894 but it would be the dog's bollocks on the 625 as well.

:) Stuart
 
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