.45 Long Colt 250-grain Speer Gold Dot

Most often associated with single action—hunting or cowboy style—revolvers, the .45 Colt is not generally considered a self-defense cartridge. Smith & Wesson's 4-inch barreled Model 625 Mountain Gun is one of the few double-action revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt. It might be a bit large and heavy for concealed carry, but would serve in the home-defense or trail-gun role well. The 250-grain Gold Dot was easy to control out of the Smith and not overly offensive from the lighter, 23-ounce Taurus Judge. Even at a sluggish velocity of 700 fps, this bullet expanded and penetrated well.