Revolvers all around?

Getting my GP100 out to work on the service revolver qualification made me think. Is it practicable to shoot the entire match with revolvers nowadays. Plenty of 22s around - including a GP100 variant but I'm not seeing what I would have thought a suitable 45ACP one. The Redhawk has a 4.2" barrel. The Model 25 is apparently 45 Colt only. Any other?

I'm not seriously planning to actually do this - it's just idle wondering.

Greetings,

The S&W 625 series in 45 ACP shoot rather well. Ten ring, 12 shot groups at 50 yards.

The cylinder throats are 0.452"-0.453".

Some of the model 25-2 revolvers had similar small throats. Generally, they were 0.455"-0.456".

The barrels are six groove and those that I have measured gauge 0.451".

Cheers,

Dave

Unfortunately the 625 is discontinued - at least according to the S&W website. In fact selecting 45ACP gives you a zero result.

Dave from WA regularly shoots all revolver 2700's in the Oregon Bullseye matches. I tried it, but my hand is just not big enough to comfortably DA an N frame or similar. There are some smaller frame (non-S&W) 44 or 45 guns out there, but would need a lot of work so I gave up on that idea. But I love shooting Harry Reeves matches with a dot on a K frame.

Shooting only revolvers is quite possible and like Roy has pointed out a few like fc60 and feedthebear have managed to post good scores with the wheel gun.  

It's a bit like entering a baking contest and entering a "gluten free" entry.   It takes a little extra practice, patience and dedication but definitely possible and even "just as good" if not better.     I recently shot my service revolver for the CF portion of the match and managed to do just as well with it as my 1911.   Got me to thinking I might just want to try a full 2700 with no "bottom feeder".    If you can manage cocking the hammer SA you get a huge advantage on the trigger v.s DA.   

Some prefer DA but if you have small hands....  it's a challenge.

For that extra challenge..  go iron sights.   That's the Vegan and Gluten Free cake.

S&W 25-2 was .45acp

This one had dual cylinders. The .45 acp was bored out to .45 (long) Colt or a 25-3 or -4 short .45 Colt cylinder

I've done it a few times with model 17, 14, and 25-2 revolvers.  That N frame looks like it blots out the sun after shooting the k frames earlier in the day.  Shooting all revolvers is a lot of fun!

I shot 22 and 38 revolvers in the 70s.  4-5 times I think.  Both were Colt OMM.  Didn't have a 45 revolver until this century.  A 1955 Model  from 1955. 
Along the way I discovered Fung revolver grips, and have matching sets for K and N frames.  Also found K frame round butts with Hogue rubber monogrip works very good for thumbing the hammer. The grips below could be a little stickier with more aggressive stippling

14-1


14-2


This 14-2 grip is almost as good as the round butt monogrip.

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

The S&W 625 series in 45 ACP shoot rather well. Ten ring, 12 shot groups at 50 yards.

This is a Random Rested group from my 625, shot at 50 yards.

I agree with FC60 on the 625, I've been using one for about five years now.  Very accurate at 50 yards, I shot 96-6x with mine.  Find a nice used example, they're out there.

It all depends upon what one's goals are. It might be a good idea to shoot revolvers in local matches if one is striving towards distinguished revolver or do the same with one's EIC pistol if the goal is a distinguished pistol shot badge. I always thought the game was challenging enough when using semi-autos, to consider entering major matches with revolvers, as I consider them a handicap.

4th Corner Traveler wrote:

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

The S&W 625 series in 45 ACP shoot rather well. Ten ring, 12 shot groups at 50 yards.

This is a Random Rested group from my 625, shot at 50 yards.

Grrrreetings,

I see your five-X's and raise you 3-X's...



Cheers,

Dave

GO BEARS !!!!!!

BE Mike wrote:It all depends upon what one's goals are. It might be a good idea to shoot revolvers in local matches if one is striving towards distinguished revolver or do the same with one's EIC pistol if the goal is a distinguished pistol shot badge. I always thought the game was challenging enough when using semi-autos, to consider entering major matches with revolvers, as I consider them a handicap.

Which is kinda where I am. A newly rebuilt/refurbished right eye means I can actually see iron sights again. So I'll be using revolver and service pistol until I leg out of the remaining 2 badges or the eye fails again. May as well shoot 22 set up to mimic the service pistol while I'm at it.

fc60.

Show off

RoyDean wrote:fc60.

Show off

Here ya go
Offhand 50y

fc60 wrote:Grrrreetings,

I see your five-X's and raise you 3-X's...



Cheers,

Dave

GO BEARS !!!!!!

Once again, I yield to the Master!

Back to the Kave I go, and will do dry firing.

GO BEARS!

I have a 696 44 Sp, 5 shot. I've thought about making one into a 45. Just for fun.

L frame, grip and everything else about it is a better fit for my JB sized hands.

WesG wrote:I have a 696 44 Sp, 5 shot. I've thought about making one into a 45. Just for fun.

L frame, grip and everything else about it is a better fit for my JB sized hands.

.430 -> .452 - wouldn't that need a new barrel as well as a cylinder?

straybrit wrote:

WesG wrote:I have a 696 44 Sp, 5 shot. I've thought about making one into a 45. Just for fun.

L frame, grip and everything else about it is a better fit for my JB sized hands.

.430 -> .452 - wouldn't that need a new barrel as well as a cylinder?

Yes, but the factory 3" seems like it needs to go anyway.

I think I (memory sucks)shot this at a Reeves match. Apparently I have something against X's.

Funny I would see this thread today. I just reviewed the CMP pistol rules last night and for .45 Match Pistols ie for shooting the 2700, not Service Pistol which obviously also has to be an autoloader, it says that you can use ANY centerfire .45 caliber cartridge. This is huge as the options for .45 Long Colt revolvers far exceed that of .45 ACP revolvers, and likely without the very picky accuracy issues that people tend to report with .45 ACP revolvers. Revolvers also are allowed a 2.5 lb trigger pull rather than 3.5 lb of semi autos. This is game changing for me as I thought it was .45 ACP only which severely limits your options as far as revolvers are concerned.

Greetings,

Once you buy your 45 Colt revolver please post some 12 shot groups fired at 50 yards.

My gut feeling is that the 45 ACP will out group the 45 Colt.

Cheers,

Dave

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

Once you buy your 45 Colt revolver please post some 12 shot groups fired at 50 yards.

My gut feeling is that the 45 ACP will out group the 45 Colt.

Cheers,

Dave

Why would that be the case if all else is the same except for the cartridge? I wouldn't figure one being more or less accurate than other.
Also, for me the only revolver I would consider for competition would be a S&W and if it had to be .45 ACP, a 25-2, which I have always heard is picky with ammo.
I'm mostly excited that I don't *have* to get a 25-2 and could even pick up one of the new 25-15s in ,45 LC if need be, though I don't like the new S&Ws much.

Does anyone still shot a Colt Officer's Model 38 SPLs?  

I could not find a good S/W M-14.  So, I bought what appeared to be a super clean Colt.  It turned out to be out of time.  IT leads quickly and has poor accuracy.  The cylinder over rotates about 10 thousands and the locking bolt is fully buried in the notch.  I do not work on antique Colts.  

I am exploring sending it to Frank Glenn.  Hypothetically, if he makes it perfect, will it be a viable bullseye revolver?   Are they robust enough to shoot much? 

One thing I have observed is that I do not like the long hammer fall and heavy hammer.  The sights move quite a bit when carefully dry fired. 

Should I just sell it to a collector and take the financial loss?  

Thanks,
Scot

Scot, sent you a pm.