After carrying my little S&W 360J daily for a couple of weeks while I was on vacation, I've developed a newfound appreciation for that little gun. It disappears in a pocket, and weighs so little as to be completely unnoticeable, but it's still very shootable and I can easily pass our state academy qualification course with it, which goes out to 25 yards.
This got me thinking, I want something similar but a bit bigger for backpacking in places where the critters are bigger and hungrier. I was looking at a 2 3/4" S&W model 69, and got to thinking how perfect that gun would be if they made it out of scandium with a steel cylinder, chambered it in .45 Colt, and cut it for moon clips so it could shoot .45 ACP too. A decent backwoods gun that you could carry around town, and enjoy at the range with cheap(er) .45ACP.
I know that at one point S&W made the 629 nightguard, but it was a larger N-Frame, being .44 the recoil had to be brutal, and you lose the ability to shoot cheap semi-auto ammo out of it. Not to mention they are CRAZY expensive now.
Ruger makes a 4" Redhawk in .45 Colt/ACP, but it's a big, heavy sucker. Taurus and Charter Arms both made a small .45 Colt revolver at one point (Taurus 450 and Charter Bulldog XL), but I've had enough bad experiences with Taurus to know better than to buy one, and even the gun magazine reviews I've read couldn't sugarcoat the Bulldog.
The S&W Governor would be an acceptable option if they'd give up on the .410 and shorten the cylinder and frame window to normal dimensions (somebody did tell them that you can get/make .45 Colt shotshells if you really must have that capability, right?). As it is there's just too much excess bulk and weight to be practical.
Does anybody know of anything out there that might meet these criteria?
Posts: 9470 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
Originally posted by 92fstech: ... This got me thinking, I want something similar but a bit bigger for backpacking in places where the critters are bigger and hungrier. ...
I really really really hate to be that guy, but I am sincerely asking what bigger and hungrier critters are you thinking about, that you would be happier or more comfortable with a 45 Colt or 45 ACP, but not confident with a .357? 44 Mag I get, but other than that, I think I'd be okay with a .357.
I can't say for sure that they would be more effective in real life, but I like .45s and my .45 Colt handloads definitely hit harder than any .357 mag I've ever shot. I've already got the .357 genre pretty well covered so I'd like something different. I also have a nice .45 Colt levergun that would pair really well with such a gun. It's not so much a need as it is a want.
Posts: 9470 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
Originally posted by 92fstech: ETA: I just looked those up on Gunbroker. There's one on there. It's $2000, with a buy now of $2500. That's not gonna happen !
They were always expensive, but that's just silly. I keep toying with selling mine, then I debate if it's worth replacing the hammer or not before doing so. Then I never do either. But if someone actually pays $2k, it might be time. lol
_____________________________________________________ Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911.
Smith & Wesson revolvers have exploded in value lately. Especially the 3" variants. I have a Jovino modified S&W in an N frame that's chambered in 45LC. I pack it with my during bow season. There are options out there that fit what you're looking for, but none of them are inexpensive.
Posts: 1868 | Location: Westlake, OH USA | Registered: October 17, 2007
Taurus made a model 455 2” snub like that. The stainless version was particularly appealing. Some were ported. Slightly smaller than a K frame with 5rd capacity. Hogue made a pebble grip for them as well…
______________________________________________ Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun…
Posts: 13870 | Location: VIrtual | Registered: November 13, 2009
What about the 325 Thunder Ranch? Still scandium frame but with a steel cylinder instead of titanium and a 4" barrel; usually with a $800 to $1K price...basically new Governor money. Looks like GB has a couple of them right now.
-MG
Posts: 2268 | Location: The commie, rainy side of WA | Registered: April 19, 2020
The 325 thunder ranch is close, and a nice gun, but I'd really like something in a .45 Colt/ACP combo.
As to the Taurus offerings...the 450 does indeed fit the bill, but I've owned two different Taurus revolvers, and both of them liked to leave firing pin dimples on the case head, rather than on the primer. I'm past the point of being able to feel confident with anything made by that company.
Posts: 9470 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
3 inch 625 are rare and expensive. I have always kept an eye out for a 4 inch 625 in 45 colt to convert into a 3 inch and get the cylinder cot for moon clips and 45 ACP.
That being said and I know your looking for a 45. The 686+ in 3 inch is pretty sweet. 7 shot 357. Just don't buy the one I want to get.
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