357 or 45

[FES]

I was interested in getting a Double Action Revolver and was wondering about a couple of guns. I was thinking about a Ruger GP 100 but also wondered about a Smith & Wesson model 625 or 625JM. I know the Smith takes a moon clip and don't know how much trouble that is. I know there is a big price difference but I was wondering about 357 or 45 acp. I have a single action 357 and a semi-auto 45. I can get 45 bullets cheaper than 357. Do you think it is worth the price difference in the two. I haven't shot either and I don't have any friends that has either or a range that I can try them out, so what do you all think?

[timothy75]

Thw S&W is a bit more refined yes, but it doesnt effect accuracy, reliability, or strength. What are you gonna do with it?

[Russ5924]

Well if you want to shoot cheap go with the .357 then you can shoot .38 Special that is a lot cheaper.Cant remember the last time my .357 saw anything but .38.Moon clips aren't to bad but if you want to shoot lots you going to need more moon clips.I have about 30 and for me is good for a day of shooting,then comes the fun of getting the cases out of the clips:confused:

[beenthere]

Your choice as to which you like best in recoil and sound. I favor the 45.

You can use 45 AR (Auto Rim) cases if you reload (I haven't seen commercial for years, but it might still be available).45AR is an ACP case with a rim so you don't have to use the 1/3. 1/2 or full moon clips. If you are going to carry extra ammo anyway, the clips are handy.

[stratus]

It's a wheelgun. I'd go with the .357 :)

[dairycreek]

Not an easy choice as both are really good revos. I opt for the GP 100 in 357. Lots of different ammo choices that are inexpensive. Less cost for more shooting. Works for me:D

[gharsh]

I currently own a 625. I've owned two GP100s in the past. I really enjoy the 625. I load both .357 and .45 so that is not much of an issue. I have come to really enjoy the .45ACP round and enjoy having the ability to use a wide variety of bullet types in the revolver. My 1911 is very picky about hollow-points and simply does not like anything with a falt nose on it. However, with the revolver, it does not matter.

Both are very good guns. Use should be the guide for choice. If it just for plinking, then either would be nice.

[Webleymkv]

If you don't mind going with the big N-Frame (that's what the 625 is built on), they why bother with .45 ACP? I would just go straight to the 629 .44 Magnum. You can get .44 Specials that are ballistically the same as .45ACP but you can also go all the way up to and including Garret 310grn hammerheads and the like making the gun much more versatile.

[John28226]

I own several .357s and several 45ACP revolvers - to me it is not an either or but what I intend to do. I love the full moon clips and bought a lot of extras. Loading them is easy and reloading a revolver using the moons is lightning fast. My main carry gun is a 45ACP revolver so you can see which one I favor but the two calibers are quite different. I find the 45 with full power loads much more controlable than .357s. If you shoot .38 specials in the .357, that makes that gun very manageable too but it lacks the impact of the 45.

For a carry gun, I think the 45 is tops.

John