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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 06-08-2018, 09:23 PM
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Hi guys o just bought a 25-3 .45 colt and can't get a straight answer. Can I shoot.45acp in a smith revolver chambered for 45 colt with the use of moon clips? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

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Old 06-08-2018, 09:28 PM
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no.

I would guess it can be done with some fancy gunsmithing, but Its not likely.

Charlie
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Old 06-08-2018, 09:32 PM
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Good evening from the Colorado Front Range. Of course the barrel is not the issue, nor is your cylinder which is long enough. However, if you were to try and chamber a .45 ACP round it would simply fall through the cylinder as it has nothing to index on and, if you were to load a .45 ACP cartridge onto a 3 or 6 rd crescent/moon clip, the cylinder would not close when you attempted to do so. So bottom line, the existing .45 Long Colt cylinder would have to be machined to accept crescent/moon clips in order to fire .45 ACP cartridges. That said, your 25-3 is a great revolver. What barrel length does it have?
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Old 06-08-2018, 09:38 PM
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Hi maj45k it's a 6.5 inch bbl. Here are the picks from the gun store

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Old 06-08-2018, 09:50 PM
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Very nice commemorative revolver sir. If collector value is a consideration than modifying the cylinder would not be a positive move, but I have no idea how those concerns may work out there in Saskatchewan. I'm just a dumb old guy down in Colorado. Tony
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Old 06-08-2018, 09:55 PM
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Good evening from the Colorado Front Range. Of course the barrel is not the issue, nor is your cylinder which is long enough. However, if you were to try and chamber a .45 ACP round it would simply fall through the cylinder as it has nothing to index on and, if you were to load a .45 ACP cartridge onto a 3 or 6 rd crescent/moon clip, the cylinder would not close when you attempted to do so. So bottom line, the existing .45 Long Colt cylinder would have to be machined to accept crescent/moon clips in order to fire .45 ACP cartridges. That said, your 25-3 is a great revolver. What barrel length does it have?
And once this machining operation has been done it will no longer fire 45 Colt ammo....only 45 acp in moon clips and maybe 45 auto rim.
Gary
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Old 06-08-2018, 10:01 PM
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Just wondering if the store's pictures are of your 25-3 or just representative pictures? To me their pictures appear to show a 125th Anniversary Commemorative Set made from 1977 that also came with the Roy Jinks book.
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Old 06-08-2018, 10:06 PM
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Just wondering if the store's pictures are of your 25-3 or just representative pictures? To me their pictures appear to show a 125th Anniversary Commemorative Set made from 1977 that also came with the Roy Jinks book.
No that's the gun, hopefully it will be in my cabbage collectors in about a week and a half.

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Old 06-08-2018, 10:09 PM
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Congratulations! Hope you're pleased when you finally gain possession.
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Old 06-08-2018, 10:13 PM
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Congratulations! Hope you're pleased when you finally gain possession.
Much appreciated Maj45k, this is one Smith that I've never had but always wanted. I'm looking forward to getting it and pics will follow. Thanks again

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Old 06-09-2018, 12:04 AM
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Actually the cylinder can be machined to fire 45acps (in full moon 6 round clips) and still fire 45 colts. The rear face of the cylinder gets machined to clearance the clips and the outside shoulder is left so it holds the head space for 45 colts. I have 3 cylinders set up that way and they all work fine. Another thing you can do with a 25-3 is get a second cylinder in 45 acp and have it fitted as the 25-3 has the shorter cylinder. They went to a longer cylinder with the 25-5. The ACP cylinder would have some slop when open because of the frame lug being set for the 45 colt head spacing. Be fine closed up and shooting though.
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Old 06-10-2018, 05:56 AM
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I like both cartridges in revolvers. Have a 25-15 in Colt and a 625JM in ACP. I would myself not alter either 1. If you hand load, that is a big plus for both calibers. Bob
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Old 06-10-2018, 09:23 AM
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I bought this 25-2 last year and it came with both 45LC and 45acp cylinders. They change out in minutes and seem equally accurate for either caliber (within my abilities).

I don't know the original history of the revolver or where the second cylinder came from, but it's perfectly fitted and makes for a very nice ammo option.

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Old 06-10-2018, 10:38 PM
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I bought this 25-2 last year and it came with both 45LC and 45acp cylinders. They change out in minutes and seem equally accurate for either caliber (within my abilities).

I don't know the original history of the revolver or where the second cylinder came from, but it's perfectly fitted and makes for a very nice ammo option.

That is a nice package!!! Bob
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Old 06-17-2018, 01:49 PM
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Suggesting a formula: Net value of your gun plus the cost of such work and finding someone you'd trust for assurance 'competently done'. Then deduct the inevitable collector value lost.
Compare such results versus a decent Model 25 all set up originally! Think you'd be way ahead with two positive investments versus balancing positive and negative situation.
My definite take!
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