Smith and Wesson Model 25

[HEAD0001]

Interested in hearing any opinions about the S&W Model 25. I have been juggling with the decision about a new 45 Colt revolver. I have been looking at the Ruger and the BFR. The problem is I have several S&W's, and like them all. The only appeal the other two had was being single action. But I am thinking about that S&W 25. 6-1/2" model. So what can you guys tell me about the ones you have??

I have tried to find the exact weight on them. but have been unable to find it. Even on the S&W web site. I will dig a little deeper.

I would think the S&W would shoot with the BFR, and out shoot the Ruger out of the box. What do you guys think?? Tom.

[Char-Gar]

If you are intersted in tack driving accuracy you need to be wary, or at least knowleable about Smith 25s in 45 Colt. The earlier onces had way oversized cylinder throats and delivered lack luster accuracy. Starting with the 25-7, Smith tighten the throats to .453 and accuracy improved.

You can make a tight throat larger, but you can't make a large throat tighter.

[Ed K]

I forget the exact revision (maybe 25-2) but it was a Commemorative from the early or mid-1970s that I wound up with. It had 0.455" throats and a pretty short cylinder too. It was pretty. I moved it along.

Not at all biased against N-frames - love my 625MG.

[beagle]

I've owned two of them and was very happy with both. Both were very accurate and pleasant shooters. Eventually, I got Rugeritis and bout a Blackhawk convertible. I have been happy with it also. It's a matter of what you want./beagle

[TomAM]

Chargar is right. I've owned several S&W model 25s, both in 45 Colt and 45 ACP and I've measured about a dozen more. Every one I've encountered that was made before 1988 has way oversized (.455+) chamber mouths. When S&W came out with the model 625 45acp in 1988 they changed their tooling for all their 45 cylinders, and the 25-7 in 45 Colt that followed was sized correctly.

[sagamore-one]

Another thing to consider if you are thinking about getting a 25-2 which is 45 acp/ 45 auto rim is the sights. Both of my 25-2 revolvers are regulated for 185 gr bullets. In a pinch a 200 will print close to point of aim but somewhat high. If you try 230 gr, both my pistols shoot extremely high.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I forget the exact revision (maybe 25-2) but it was a Commemorative from the early or mid-1970s that I wound up with. It had 0.455" throats and a pretty short cylinder too. It was pretty. I moved it along.

Not at all biased against N-frames - love my 625MG.

I had the exact same experience.
mod. 25-3
125th aniversary made in 1977,
came with a presentation case,
beautiful gun
throats varied from .4535 to .4545
Bore was .4530
I got this gun in a "unfired" state too.

I sold it at an auction.
I Love my other S&W revolvers.
Jon

[376Steyr]

Were you thinking about "hot" loads through your M25? If you go over to the Smith and Wesson forum you will see there is always an argument raging about if it is safe to load the 45 Colt up to 44 Magnum pressures and velocities in the N frame. Me, I load 8.5 grs Unique under a 255 Keith in my 625 Mountain Gun (.452" throats) and call it good.

[HEAD0001]

So you guys are saying it would be wise to stay with the current production Model 25's, if I decide to go that way?? There are also two single action revolvers in the running.

No I have no intention of hot rodding it. Just looking for a companion to go with my 45 Colt Low Wall. The load for it is 20.0 grains of 2400 under an RCBS 255 grain "Keith Style" bullet. Thanks, Tom.

[GLL]

There are many variations of the ”Model 25”. The 25-7 and 25-9 models have proper cylinder throats and are extremely accurate ! The 25-9 was available as a "standard" model in 6". Although I own one I cannot find a photo. I favor the 5” 25-7 shown .

Jerry

25-7
http://www.fototime.com/E9ECB67AA0DFAE5/orig.jpg

[TomAM]

The 25-9 also came in 4" and 8 3/8". I own a long one. The old 25-5 commands a "collector" price, even though you can't keep them on paper at 25 yds. The 25-7 and 25-9 usually cost no more, since very few people know the difference, and they are far superior in more ways than just proper sized chamber mouths.

[GLL]

TomAM:

I have a few of the 4" 25-5s but have been looking without success for a 4" 25-9 for years !
Another feature of the 25-9 is the longer stop notches on the cylinder.

Jerry

[TomAM]

There was a 4" listed on GunBroker a couple years back. The guy new what he had, and made it clear in detail. The auction closed well over $1000. Some sellers don't think anything of it, and just list the gun as a 25 with no reference to the dash. Examining the photo for the longer stop notch can produce gold sometimes. But the post 1988 model 25s are very rare. Only 2000 25-7s made and not many 25-9s.

[500bfrman]

I would think the S&W would shoot with the BFR, and out shoot the Ruger out of the box. What do you guys think?? Tom.

I guess it depends on what you mean by shoot with. I will contend that Bfr's are the most accurate out of the box. and the prices aren't that much more than anything else anymore. I have owned Ruger, Smith, Taurus, BFR's and the only ones that make me look like I know what I'm doing are BFR's. That being said I own more than BFR's.

[HEAD0001]

The current S&W web site only shows one buled model available with a 6-1/2" barrel which is just fine with me. But no where on their site does it have any additional model numbers like you guys are listing.

I understand what you mean by these additional model #'s. But they are not reflected on the web site. Tom.

[TomAM]

I don't know what the current dash is but a factory new model 25 is not gonna be 5 thousandths oversized like those from the early 70s to late 80s.

[Dan Cash]

I have a favorite nickel 25-5 six inch. The chambeers pass a 4545 bullet with slight resistance and I suppose they could be called oversized. I shoot a 30:1 265 grain bullet over 8.5 grains of Unique. The results are minute of coyote at 100 yards, minute of man at any range I might need and it will blow a big hole through about any thing that needs shooting. Would I select it for a big bear hunt? No. Woould Ikstake my life on it in bear country? Yes. Soft bullets will bump up to seal the hole and give reasonable accuracy so if you want a classic, go for it. In the long run, I think that they are a better Smith than the ones made in the last 10 years or so.
Dan

[GLL]

Tom:

S&W numbers such as 25-2, 25-5, 25-7, 25-9 are actually engineering change variations of guns that are long discontinued ! You must buy them used.
To me the 25-something revolvers of the late 80's are some of the very best ! These would include the 25-7 & 25-9 variations. The 25-7 in the photo is a 1989.

Jerry

[TCLouis]

Is the unfluted cylinder factory?

[GLL]

TCLouis

Yes, the guns are factory (except for grips)! They had unfluted cylinders and a beaded blue finish. Here is a 25-9 variation of the same gun. The only difference is a very slight lengthening of the stop notches.

Take a look at John Linebaugh's article.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12

Jerry

25-7
http://www.fototime.com/EE67B6D58B974FB/orig.jpg

25-9
http://www.fototime.com/2F33E90498D411D/orig.jpg

[square butte]

I have a copy of the 25-7 as above. The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson - 3rd edition (whicjh is a great book if you don't already own one) says that the was a run of 25-6 guns made in 45 acp, just like the 25-7. I have searched high and low for one of these for years - but never seen one. Has anyone here seen one. In my mind, if you didn' want a full underlug, it would be just about perfect. Just about as perfect as the 25-7 in 45 colt.

[Jack Stanley]

Jerry , many years back a fella I knew had a revolver with that rollmark on the barrel but the barrel had a full underlug . Chambered in the big .45 , it shot really well , is it just a variation of what you pictured ?

Jack

[Wildcat]

I have a 4" 25-9 I snagged cheap. The shop didn't realize what they had. Its quite accurate. My brother has a 6.5" 25-5 thats a pretty paperweight but not worth shooting unless soft, hollowbase boolits.

[GLL]

Jack:

The only 5" full-lug .45Colt I have seen is a stainless 625. I will ask around !

Dale53 may know about it.

Jerry

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

GLL,
I'm not sure if it's the photo or Not,
but the Cylinder of both guns seem to be a little more towards plum bluing than the rest of the gun...Just an observation.
Jon

[square butte]

Yep the blue on the cylinder of my 25-7 is definately a plum blue - diferent than the rest of the gun. I suspect different metalury in the cylinder will not permit same character of blue.

[GLL]

I have five of the 25-7 & 25-9 5" beaded blue guns. Four have distinctly plum cylinders !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/5A286B86BED95CD/orig.jpg

[square butte]

GLL, Have you ever seen a 25-6 as mentioned in post #21 (source 3rd edition Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson)? Were the 25-9s, as in your photo, done in both acp and colt? Thanks

[9.3X62AL]

Jerry, you REALLY gotta knock it off with the gun porn. Beautiful photography of some very fine machinery.

My only S&W Model 25 to date was a 1981-vintage 25-2 in 45 ACP/AR. It had the Wide-Brim throats, but boolits sized @ .454" shot fairly well. I had since forgotten--but Sagamore's post reminded me--that 230 grain bullets/boolits went high in that revolver. They sure did! It left long ago, and I wouldn't mind having it back.

I wouldn't mind having a 45 Colt x 4" on an N-frame, provided the chambers were cut smaller than SAAMI-spec so brass would hold up.

[Dale53]

Jack:

The only 5" full-lug .45Colt I have seen is a stainless 625. I will ask around !

Dale53 may know about it.

Jerry

Jerry;
I'm clueless... My 625's are both chambered for .45 ACP.

Dale53

[GLL]

Dale:

I have both a 5" 625 .45ACP & a 5" 625 .45Colt. full-lug but have never seen either one in polished blue.

Jerry

[Dale53]

Dale:

I have both a 5" 625 .45ACP & a 5" 625 .45Colt. full-lug but have never seen either one in polished blue.

Jerry

Jerry;
That makes two of us...

Dale53

[Jack Stanley]

I recently saw the man that had the gun back then he had sold it sadly enough . I coulda sworn it was carbon steel but I really don't remember anymore .

Another man I worked with though has a 625 in the ACP chambering that he used to beat up on the IDPA shooters with . That guns is just simply amazing how well it shoots .

Jack