I'm looking at buying a 25-5 online. I can see that the barrel is pinned, and it's a 4" 45 Colt, serial number 71112. Can anyone tell me when his was made and if it is in the range of guns with oversized throats?

Assume there is an N in that sn? If so, probably 1971 or 1972 according to the 4th edition of the standard catalog. Likely will have oversized throats but I wouldn't let that slow me down if condition and price are attractive. The guns I've personally seen that do not have oversize throats are in the N900000+ range. I have four, three have oversize throats, all shoot better than I can. . .which may not say all that much. Many previous posts about how to deal with oversized throats if you use the google search button at the top of the page. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Well I can't really make out the serial number in the pics so the seller emailed me the number posted.
I've read many threads on this issue and actually called S&W to see if they have cylinders for this gun (they do). I'm just trying to figure that into the price I'm willing to pay for the gun.

It can't be '71 or '72 as the 25-5 was introduced in 1978. The N700000 range of guns was from 1980. The pinned barrels, that are used as an indicator of potential oversized throats, lasted until 1982. While a number of people on here have had success with various bullets in their 25-5's with the big throats, I had an early gun (.458" - .460" throats) that nothing would shoot in. Keyholes, 12" patterns at 7 yards, just terrible.

No replacement cylinders that had the smaller spec throats (post-war dimensions) available. S&W replaced the cylinder with one with the smallest throat dimensions they could find, and I laid in a supply of swaged lead bullets of .454" diameter.

Really didn't shoot it much after that and it was stolen in 1987 - only one of the several guns stolen that I wasn't sad to see go.

Since there are now cylinders available, and you are going into this with your eyes wide open, just make sure that the price you negotiate allows for the expense of changing out the cylinder - I'd check with S&W up front for the expected costs for the part and labor.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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Sorry, the correct serial is N764151. And thank you all for the help. I'd prefer a 45 Colt that I could occasionally shoot hot loads through to a 29 for a sidearm when in the southern Rockies.

YESSIR I AGREE TOTALLY!!!!! That's exactly why a 4" 25-5 in .45 Colt was a grail gun for me for years and years. I won't shoot hot loads through it routinely but if I elect to take it to the bear woods I'll happily stoke it with Cor-Bon loads for the trail.

No 29s are allowed to enter my domain. I let the .44 Magnum aficionados have all of them with a full and open heart, and I hope they appreciate that!

That's my experience also. N8216xx. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

While a gunsmith or the factory can install S&W's current .45 Colt cylinders collectors will spot the modern cylinder at a glance. New cylinders have longer stop notches, out of round extractor stars that are not stabilized by pins, and a substitute for actual bluing. Also there is a good chance that you would not be able to drop the original cylinder back in to restore collector value. That is because ordinarily the distance the barrel protrudes into the cylinder window and the length of the yoke barrel are adjusted to fit the cylinder, not the other way around. It does not make financial sense to buy a gun that you will not be happy with without major parts replacement.

However, there is a possibility that the cylinder was replaced back in the 1980s. S&W would do that for free but only after the customer complained. There was no product recall.

Is there any way to tell if this was done? I'm told it's a former police gun if that makes any difference.

I'm not really concerned about collector value as I'm wanting this as a shooter.

I believe S&W quoted me $200ish for the replacement all said and done, and I'm okay with that if I end up with the gun I want.

If the gun was being sold locally you could measure its throats or at least experiment to see what size slugs would drop through. Since it is being sold online you'd have to trust the seller's claims.

Have you considered a .45 Colt Mountain Gun?

I have two 25-5's; one is a 6 inch with a serial # of N763XXX and .4545" throats, and a 4 inch with a serial # of N826XXX and correct .452" throats. While loading for my 6 inch gun is not a problem (I use .455" bullets), if you want correct size throats, look for a gun with N8XXXXX serial #'s or higher.

Don

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NRA Cert. Reloading Instructor

I don't think you can go by the N800000 as the beginning of 452 throats. Three of mine are in that range N803XXX, N827XXX, and N844XXX and all three have oversize throats. The only one I have that 452 bullets won't fall through the chambers is in the N903XXX range.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Generally 25-5s with modern diameter throats began with the start of the triple alpha serial numbers such as AWFxxxx or AUCxxxx. Also the non pinned barrels began about this time.

My 1988 6" 25-5 has modern throats specs, the triple alpha serial number and a non-pinned barrel. Just a fun gun to shoot.

My M25-5, a 4" blue, # N697079 , which shipped in May 1980, has cylinder throats that catch .452" jacketed bullets when dropped in.

It shoots just fine.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

While there is no guarantee, the odds are much more in your favor with later made 25-5's.

Don

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NRA Cert. Reloading Instructor

The .452" bullet drop is still the best test but, if you don't have it in your hand, I'd suggest having the seller check the rear face of the cylinder (under the extractor) to see if the gun's serial number is stamped there.

Here is a previous thread that shows one 25-5 cylinder example that I believe was replaced by S&W.

Model 25-5 with ?undersize? cylinder throats

Russ

If it helps, mine is a pinned 4" S/N N8282XX and has .452 throats.

I am going to be picking up a 25-5 that has a pinned barrel next week. I looked at in a shop in another town and when I checked it with a set of calipers the throats read in the .458 range. Huge. I didn't get it then , but, left a card and an offer (consignment gun). They called back and accepted offer. I have a model 29 cylinder, and a 45 colt reamer and will repair it that way. I will post serial number when I pick it up.

The 25-5 in question is a Dekalb County GA PD issued weapon. S & W replaced cylinders on the early issued ones.

When they were new on the market and, in new in box condition, were selling for double retail, I bough a Model 25-3 .45 Colt. Their huge throats had not been publicized. In addition to its .458" throats the local S&W warranty center had to set its barrel back a revolution. As delivered the front locking lug was so far out of alignment with the extractor rod that the rod flexed as it rotated making a heavy DA pull. The warranty center, Davis, said I had to live with the huge throats. Paying double retail for a junk revolver was a big disappointment. Members who claim the 1970s was the time of skilled S&W craftsmen who never turned out lemons simply were not active shooting S&W revolvers at the time.

The only way I got my 25-3 to shoot acceptably, meaning 3" six shot groups at 25 yards, was using relatively light .45-70 rifle bullet molds. I launched approximately 340 grain bullets with the recoil of standard .44 Magnum 240 grain cartridges but without the loud muzzle blast. While they did not damage the gun they were not approved by any source so do not ask for my loads.

I had no interest in shooting anyone else's bullets, only my own castings, so it did not occur to me to experiment with Winchester or Remington's ~ 250 grain soft swaged bullets that have dimpled bases. Members here write they are happy with the accuracy they get firing those through large .45 Colt throats but none have ever written what it took to make them happy. There are too many 5 yard experts here to give any credibility to statements like "shoots like a laser."

Replacing a cylinder with a custom reamed Model 29 cylinder is ideal but only if you have the machine tools, skill and time to do it yourself. Other wise that is a couple hundred bucks. It occurs to me that the simpler way for a machinist to get better accuracy out of a large throated revolver would be to mill off a .45-70 rifle bullet mold so it casts lighter bullets.

I have a pinned 764-numbered gun that I bought new in Dec. 1980. It has the huge throats but I shoot huge bullets in it and it's quite accurate.

I have another, a pinned 826-range gun purchased new October, 1983. The throats are smaller on this one; don't recall exactly, but probably around .454".

I you're a bullet caster and can get everything right in the way of alloy, pressure, etc., undersized (not grossly so) bullets should obturate to the point they will shoot accurately despite the big throats.