S&W Model 1955, 25-2 .45 Target 45

[white eagle]

I apologize if I asked this already this but I can't seem to get this out of my head
can you give me any info on this revo?

[sagamore-one]

Don't know exactly what info you need, but here goes.... the model 25-2 is the Hand ejector model of 1955, introduced in 1955, which is the result of adding a heavier barrel to the hand ejector model of 1950.
The 25-2 is what S&W named the hand ejector model of 1955, naming began in 1957 . The -2 is to designate a change to the ejector rod threads to left hand. Model 25-2 has almost exclusively been 45 acp/ar. The later -3,-4,-5 were normally in 45 colt.

[white eagle]

Wondering if they are a good buy
if they are generally good shooting revo's
my application would be for hunting and target shooting
I see a couple for sale but they are quite expensive

[Char-Gar]

White Eagle, I have owned three Smith and Wesson 1955 Target Models over the years. I only have one left and it has had the barrel bobed to 4 inches. I like it very much and it is my "go to" packing pistol and has been for quite a few years.

These handgun can be quite accurate in spite of the very long cylinder throats and their throat size of .455-456. I use Lyman #452423 cast of ACWW and come out at 246 grains. I run them through a .454 sizer to lube them. They drop from the mould at .4535 or a little more. My load is 7.5/Unique in either Auto Rim cases or ACP cases with clips. Velocity from my 4" is 950 fps and turned in a hundred more fps in a 6.5 inch barrel.

These are good reliable handguns, but nothing magic about them. About 1989 Smith and Wesson brought out their 5" underluged 625s. Though heavier and not as easy to carry, the are indeed more accurate and it that is very important to you and you don't intend to carry it far, I would suggest you hunt one up. Mine is not for sale.

If I can make this work, here are pics of both my pistols, the 4" 1955 and the 5" 6256107961080

[Blanket]

I shot a 1955 target for bullseye competition for 25 years and thousands upon thousands of rounds, best shooting big bore I ever owned

[Kraschenbirn]

Wondering if they are a good buy
if they are generally good shooting revo's
my application would be for hunting and target shooting
I see a couple for sale but they are quite expensive

Depends upon what you're willing to call a "good buy." A few years back, I had one of the original 6 1/2" 1955 Targets that I traded off in a moment of weakness and have always regretted letting go. The gun had one of the best 'out of the box' triggers I've ever encountered and , with the proper loads, was every bit as accurate as my Series 70 Gold Cup. Btw...the 'original' guns all left the factory with 6 1/2" barrels (marked '1955 Target'), partridge front sights, plain (no white outline!) rear sights, and target stocks; the 'Model 25-2' designation didn't come along until 1957 and was used into the late-1970s when the factory began offering the M25 in both .45 ACP and .45 LC.

Bill

[Piedmont]

They don't all have large cylinder throats. Mine is under .454". It would be best to be able to check cylinder throats though before buying. Not sure I would buy one I couldn't get my hands on first. Mine is very accurate and I keep the velocity down and mostly use 200 gr. cast. It is a delight to shoot when so loaded.

[rintinglen]

Mine was not very accurate, at least with factory ammo, due to having typical large throats. I sold it and bought a S&W 544 that I still have. I had a custom 44 special cylinder made for it, and it is going nowhere.

[square butte]

Who made your custom 44 spec cylinder for the 544 ? Always wondered about doing that and what the groove diameter is on the 544 since it is a 44-40. Like to hear more about it. Sorry for the thread drift.

[376Steyr]

If you do get a 1955, try using 45 Auto Rim brass for your accuracy loads. My "impress the other guys at the range" load used a hard commercial cast 200 gr SWC, 5.8 gr of WW231, and 45 AR brass. The same load in ACP cases and using assorted styles of clips only gave mediocre accuracy. I attribute this to iffy headspacing and cartridge alignment with the clipped ACP loads. My 1955 has .455" throats, and shoots better than it should with hard .452" bullets.

[captaint]

My mod 1955 has the larger throats, also. I just size my boolits .453+ and use the Auto Rim brass. It shoots much better with the bigger boolits. Very good, in fact. Mike

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I've had one with a 6.5" barrel since 1978. With cast, it has shot consistently well with all standard bullet designs and moderate charges of powders. Has worked well with auto rim too. After many thousands of rounds there is no sign of wear anywhere. If an opportunity arises and you have a chance to buy one, don't pass it up. LLS

[white eagle]

These particular pieces are chambered in 45 colt
curious what type of loads they can handle?
stout hunting loads?

[GLL]

I follow Char-Gar's suggestion and use the 452423 over 7.5gr of Unique in Starline AutoRim brass.

Jerry

Sorry for the VERY old photo of oil covered 25-2s. They are actually beautiful revolvers !
http://www.fototime.com/7B550FB9516C0CA/orig.jpg

[376Steyr]

These particular pieces are chambered in 45 colt
curious what type of loads they can handle?
stout hunting loads?

Yikes! That is a controversial subject. Some folks claim you can run the M25 45 Colts up to 44 Magnum pressures. Others disagree.

[GLL]

white eagle:

A 25-2 chambered in .45Colt is not a very common revolver ! Are these 6.5" "S" serial numbered guns?
How about a few photos ?

Jerry

[ak_milsurp]

I've has a 25-2 since 1983. Love it! I concur with 200 gr cast SWC and 5.8 gr W231 in .45AR cases. Most accurate load I've ever fired. Second most accurate is the same in .45ACP cases in full moon clips. A 230 gr cast RN WITH THE SAME 5.8 GR OF W231 works Damn well too...... Awesome light recoiling N frame revolver.

[Intel6]

I don't like shooting lead bullets out of my 1955 Target, prefeer to shoot them in my 625's. What I have been doing lately is making 250 gr. JHP's in my BT Custom .458" dies (using 40 S&W cases as jackets) and then sizing them down in a .454" die and then putting a cannelure on them. They shoot well and are perfect for this particualr gun.

Neal in AZ

[Char-Gar]

I am not saying that the factory didn't slip a 45 Colt cylinder or two into a 1955 Target Model, but it is far more likely somebody jacked with the original cylinder or changed cylinders on the pistols White Eagle is talking about. This is not the kiss of death, but one should look long and hard at such a firearm before laying down hard cash. The collector's value has been trashed, but that isn't a big deal to a shooter, look at my chopped 4".

I stopped trying to hot rod guns many years ago. I shoot standard 45 Colt loads in my 45 Colt revolvers and if I want 44 Magnum level loads, I use one of my 44 Magnums.

In 1959, I had a 300 Weatherby rifle when they were still made on the FN Mauser actions. I pushed the red line and locked it up with 84/4350/180 grain bullet. I took it to my gunsmith mentor, who hammered the bolt open and removed the case. It was all but welded to the bolt face. The only thing he said to me was "If you want to drive a bigger nail, use a bigger hammer.". I was 17 years old, but learned my lesson that day.

We are all allowed to be stupid at age 17, but it surprises me how many folks continue with that phase well into middle-age and beyond.