Hi guys, I didn't notice this until I got home, but I'm pretty sure I just picked up a Model 25-5 in 45 ACP. Is this even possible? I thought all 25-5s were 45 Colt. Serial number S195XXX All serials match, and the barrel says 45 CAL. model 1955. A 45 ACP will sit snug in the cylinder - no flopping around. A 45 colt sticks out quite a bit more. Could I really have a 25-5 in 45 ACP?

Welcome to the forum.
Is the cylinder cut for moon clips?

I can hardly wait for the responses. I'm sure people will want pictures.

Attaching pics now. No, the cylinder is not cut for moon clips - thanks for the quick replies!!!

Attached Images

	model.jpg (110.3 KB, 146 views)
	cylinder.jpg (102.9 KB, 127 views)
	barrel.jpg (159.2 KB, 112 views)

It can't be a 25-5 with an S serial number, how about 25-2?

Here's some picks of the baby herself.

Attached Images

	smith.jpg (203.9 KB, 140 views)
	modelof 1955.jpg (123.1 KB, 104 views)

Hi USMm1rifle, not sure if you can make out first pic I uploaded, it's a 25-5 and S195 are the first digits. I think I may have a "Friday" gun :-)

That is really odd, I'm guessing it is a be mismarked -2. But it is a guess...

What's the number on the bottom of the grip frame?

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CST 147

Cylinder swap?

That serial number dates to 1959-1960. The M25-5 had not been introduced then.

S&W has been known to reuse a serial number if, say, you damaged your original M25-2 someway and couldn't repair it. It is possible that this happened and the factory didn't have a M25 frame handy and used a M25-5 frame.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

the serial on the bottom of the grip is the same: S195XXX. if it's a cylinder swap, it's the best one I've ever seen. I'm all in the black at 25 yards with 200grain semi wads on top of 4 grains of 231 - which I will agree is a very light load. I didn't notice the -5 until I started researching the date. It was sold to me as a 25-2. thanks for all the replies!

By lookin at the pics, the cyl looks shorter in the frame. I'd say you have a 25-2. Could be a mis-stamped gun. The 45 acp cyl's had a shoulder for the round to headspace on. I've seen a few stamped wrong, Larry

Is it a 4 screw frame with the cylinder stop screw in front of the trigger guard? Not sure if that would prove anything one way or another, as they were changing them around that period of time.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

It has a 45ACP length cylinder. Could not be just a cylinder swap because the ACP cylinders are close to 0.135 shorter on the barrel end and a 45ACP cylinder with a 45 Colt barrel would leave a HUGE cylinder gap. You would have to change out the barrel too. It is a ACP gun.

Where's the barrel pin?

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CST 147

The barrel is definitely a Model 25-2 style barrel with Patridge front sight. You've either got a "Frankengun" or a mis-stamped 25-2. Is the barrel 6 1/2" ?

Interesting gun!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Yeah, I am also interested to know the whereabouts of the barrel pin.

With the absence of the barrel cross pin, it looks like a post 1982 model 25-5 frame was serial numbered with the S serial number to replace a bad frame on the original model 25-2.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Makes more sense to me than anything else.

I would letter the 25-5 just to find out what is in the factory records about it.

Bill

Here's a true 25-5 with, please notice, different stocks:

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Album 3 - Picture

If that helps, glad to assist!

***GRJ***

It is a 6 1/2 inch. I don't see a barrel pin, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. I'm pretty sure this was a replacement frame. it's identical to a 85 ish 25-2 that a friend of mine has. Thanks for all the replies!

45AR (Auto Rim)? "If it fits you got to"... oh, never mind.

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Doug "N Frame Addict"
CO