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Post by x101airborne on Jan 13, 2020 19:59:28 GMT -5
I ordered a set of Crimson Trace grips for my Smith 58 to find I mistakenly ordered a set for a round butt revolver, not a square butt.
I found they fit perfectly on my 325PD Airweight PD. I do have a bit of history with this revolver, as it was a backup in my "kit" when I was a LEO. Such a large frame revolver handles the 45 ACP quite handily and am curious as to what level I can load it to. Does anyone know the pressure limits set by this revolver? I am looking into 45 ACP+P loadings but am wanting to make sure the handgun will handle it well before going forward.
Thank anyone who responds for their time and knowledge.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 14, 2020 13:24:27 GMT -5
45ACP+P would be the limit, in my reloading room. 18,19 K on the pressure with standard weight projectiles. IMHO 2Dogs has experience with this model.
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 14, 2020 18:43:18 GMT -5
Thanks. I was starting to wonder if the 325PD was the Rodney Dangerfield of revolvers or what?
The frame window seems big enough to accept the 45 Colt cartridge, so I wonder if a conversion could be done?
Is the pressure ceiling of the cylinder the issue? Could 45 Rowland data be used?
Should 45 AR brass be used to make sure they dont end up somewhere they shouldn't?
Just spitballing here. Healthy discussion, nothing more.
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Post by rjm52 on Jan 14, 2020 20:13:54 GMT -5
They make the same gun in .41 and .44 Magnum...my guess would be one can run .45 Super with no problem other than the recoil. You also have to remember that not being roll crimped one can have a big problem with bullet pull by the last round.
You may want to call Buffalo Bore and ask. I spoke to one of the techs there one day who said they have a large client base that run .45 Super in their S&W 625s. He was also one who runs Super in his 625.
I've been loading +P+ .45 AR ammo in 25-2 and 625s since the 1980s....never damaged a gun... I did usually use AR brass instead of ACP so the bullets can be crimped in place.. A few months ago I ran some .45 Super rounds, 230s at 1100, fps out of a 625-7PC gun..ran them just fine... Longshot powder is your friend... SR4756 was another top performer but is now gone...
Bob
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 14, 2020 20:21:26 GMT -5
They make the same gun in .41 and .44 Magnum...my guess would be one can run .45 Super with no problem other than the recoil. You also have to remember that not being roll crimped one can have a big problem with bullet pull by the last round. You may want to call Buffalo Bore and ask. I spoke to one of the techs there one day who said they have a large client base that run .45 Super in their S&W 625s. He was also one who runs Super in his 625. I've been loading +P+ .45 AR ammo in 25-2 and 625s since the 1980s....never damaged a gun... I did usually use AR brass instead of ACP so the bullets can be crimped in place.. A few months ago I ran some .45 Super rounds, 230s at 1100, fps out of a 625-7PC gun..ran them just fine... Longshot powder is your friend... SR4756 was another top performer but is now gone... Bob Awesome response. Thank you! |
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jan 15, 2020 10:01:38 GMT -5
I broke mine. Cracked the frame. With standard loads.
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 15, 2020 13:51:41 GMT -5
I broke mine. Cracked the frame. With standard loads. Well that aint good. Glad I asked for experiences first. Can you tell me a little more about what happened? Round count? Maybe I need to send it down the road or just shoot it sparingly? |
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jan 15, 2020 19:10:08 GMT -5
I broke mine. Cracked the frame. With standard loads. Well that aint good. Glad I asked for experiences first. Can you tell me a little more about what happened? Round count? Maybe I need to send it down the road or just shoot it sparingly? Actually there's not that much more to tell. I didn't shoot it to pieces or anything. I just went to clean it one day and it was cracked at the barrel threads. I wasn't very happy since I didn't really shoot it all that much. Later I paid 1133 skins for a 45 ACP Mountain gun that is a tack driver. Worth every penny. |
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 16, 2020 7:43:50 GMT -5
Ah. Thanks!
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Post by rjm52 on Jan 16, 2020 16:59:30 GMT -5
Had both the 357 4" PD and the 2.75" PD in .41 Magnum and didn't care for either of them even with my standard 8.0 grains of Unique load. Both went down the road to people who wanted them much more than I did...
A friend with a large .45 ACP revolver collection had the 325 4" and the 2.5" both PDs... He didn't shoot them all that often and only with standard velocity loads. I shot it once with the Remington Golden Saber 185 +P rounds and it was not pleasant to say the lest.
100% agree with 2 Dogs on the Mountain Gun...have had three of them and a wonderful gun...probably the best caliber for the MG series and I really do love my 657 MG. Only sold my last MG because I bought back a 625-7 Performance Center 5" and just liked the PC gun more...
If you ever get a chance for a 625 MG in .45 ACP grab it...
Bob
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 16, 2020 18:42:23 GMT -5
Yessir, RJM, will do. Been looking at Gunbroker for a few examples.
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Post by paul105 on Jan 16, 2020 22:43:39 GMT -5
It seems that some of the titanium/scandium framed guns suffered from over torquing of the barrel during initial assembly that cause some frame failure issues. I had one such gun, a 329 that suffered a complete bbl/shroud frame separation - found the bbl/shroud on the roof of the shooting house behind me. S&W replaced the gun at no cost to me. This was not a strength issue and S&W seemed to be aware of the problem -- this was maybe 10 plus yrs ago. I carried and shot the replacement gun and a backup for the better part of a decade. Put 9,000 +- rnds of low end .44 mags thru the guns. During that time, I found that the 329s won't stand up to continuous use of .44 Mag level loads. Over the years, I sent the 329s back to S&W for repairs 6 or 8 times, and always at their expense including shipping. I like these guns and find them useful despite their problems. Recently added an Alaskan Backpacker -- 2 1/2" bbl 329 with a stainless cyl.  With that said, I can't imagine that the 325 wouldn't stand up to continuous use with standard or plus p 45 ACPs. If it doesn't, S&W will repair/replace as required at no charge to you. If it were me, I'd load the 325 the way you want and shoot the crap out of it -- if it doesn't work out, send it down the road. If something needs fixing, S&W will take care of you. Here's the over torqued 329.  I've been looking to pick up a 325, but just not willing to pay the current new price. FWIW, Paul |
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 17, 2020 7:13:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the response!
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