Is bigger always better? Long before McDonalds introduced the term “supersize” to our vocabulary, American consumers favored that larger slice of life. A big house, big truck or even a big candy bar was always the better choice.
During WWI the U.S. did not have enough Colt 1911 pistols to go around, so Smith & Wesson and Colt retooled their revolver production to fill the .45 ACP gap in the military’s arsenal. In turn both companies produced M1917 revolvers. It was a viable solution at the time and while it may not be in high demand today — a revolver to fire semi-auto ammo — Smith & Wesson continues to make .45 ACP revolvers for their loyal fans. Currently the company offers a handful of different models, but the one that has quickly become one of my favorites is the Smith & Wesson 625JM.
In December of 2013 I turned 45 years old. As a consolation prize for being that age and a self congratulatory token for actually making it, I decided that I needed to buy a gun that matched my age. A 45. With absolutely no idea on what I was going to get the madness of research began. I’m not made of money, not by a long stretch, but I didn’t mind spending a little something extra on it given the occasion.