August 2002

.45 ACP Wheelguns: We Evaluate Smith & Wesson, Taurus Big Bores

Of course this Automatic Colt Pistol round is better known for its use in semiautos, but the new .45 ACP Taurus Tracker and the latest Smith & Wesson 625 give revolver fans cause to celebrate.

Normally associated with 1911-style pistols, ûthe .45 ACP does find a friendly home in two ûrevolvers we tested: Smith & Wesson’s 625-8, ûtop, and the Taurus Tracker 455, bottom.

There was a time when a self-defense handgun meant nothing less than a big-bore double-action revolver. While many favored the friendlier .44 Special over its rowdy big brother, the .44 Magnum, popularity of another wide-body cartridge, the .41 Magnum, never quite took off. It was just about this same time that the semi-automatic pistol began making a dent in the self-defense market, and the search for the ultimate revolver cartridge for police use was nearly called off. Although .45 ACP is rarely thought of when considering the purchase of a wheelgun, this venerable round has been filling the chambers of revolvers for longer than most people think. In fact there…
 
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