I bought this very nice 25-2 6 1/2" 45 acp yesterday, beautiful grips but the previous owner took the checkering out of the center I think, but they look so good. no box or papers

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9-11-01 lest we forget amen

The 25-2 is a good revolver. Yours appears to be a good example. Not sure why he removed the checkering? But, at least he did a good job. Maybe he was going to install a leather only?

I have a 25-2. It doesn’t get out much anymore but when it did, it shined with hardball.

Kevin

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A replacement set of correct grips is not a difficult thing to find.....

Randy

That’s pretty cool OP- while not “correct,” I think it’s kind-of a nice touch.

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Some Might Say.

Checkering or not, that's still a great looking 25! Congrats, nice find, hope you have fun shooting it.

I'm betting he sanded down the entire stock, making them smaller to fit his hand. Are the edges the same level as the center where the checkering was?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Great Looking gun, and the stocks are very nice.
It looks more like the edging line was added to smooth stocks. Either way, great shooting gun.

The later target stocks while attractive are far removed from the exquisite design of the early "coke bottle" profile stocks. Like a government bill they became a bit porky as time went on. There's a lot of wood that can be removed in the interest of fit and comfort as the P. O. did in this case. Problem now is that the value of even the later stocks is too great to be modifying them unless they are already compromised. Very nice purchase!

Very nice 25-2, would look better with period correct grips (stocks).

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

So have you shot it yet?

yes sir I have, it shot a couple of inches at 18 yards with the ammo in lead I had loaded, it actually shot better with some jacketed ammo I had in the range box, came in at under a inch and a half at the 18 yards, I am going to try different bullet and powder combinations and get it to be a real tack driver

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9-11-01 lest we forget amen

Very cool. How did it feel shooting with the smooth stocks?

Have you had any issues using standard moon clips? The tolerances on mine were so tight that it would bind using factory moon clips. I ended up finding a plastic version that was a little bit thinner and they work just fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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If you want a "tac driver" measure the cylinder bores and match your bullet appropriately. I use .454 diameter LRN. Many of the 25-2s have oversized cylinder bores. Once you figure out your cylinder bore diameters and match your bullets that 25-2 Will absolutely drive "tacs".

First time I have heard of that kind of problem with a 25-2. When was yours made?

Kevin

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Model 25-2s are notorious for that problem. A good friend bought one of the 125th anniversary models in the case with the book and coin. He was proud as could be until he tried to shoot it. The cylinder throats were a loose .455. He traded it off to a collector. My 25-2 was so bad that I bought a .44 Magnum cylinder and had it converted to .45 Colt. It shot decent with plated or jacketed bullets but patterned with lead.

Was there an era or point in time that coincides with the improper cylinder throat diameters?

I have one that has yet to be fired by me. Offhand I do not know the date of manufacture

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Pete from what's been posted on the web all years of the 25-2s were affected. The only way to know if a particular gun has an issue is to measure the cylinder throats. When I was in the market for one of these I carried a .453 plug gauge in my pocket when I went to a gun show. Shooting plated or jacketed bullets helps to negate the effect of oversized throats due to the increased friction of copper in the rifling. This puts a better spin on the bullet which helps stabilize it. Model 29s are also afflicted with the throat issue. I bought a 29-2 years back that had a trigger that was the sweetest ever. Alas the throats measured .432 and it threw fliers every time I shot it.

She is a beauty

I cannot use the plastic moon clips, cylinder won't close, steel ones work perfectly

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9-11-01 lest we forget amen

I might be mid-remembering but I believe I read the RIMZ had a top and bottom side. Have you tried loading them with the other side facing the hammer?

Also, as I recall, one version needs the area that circles the ratchets enlarged with a small knife.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

have tried both ways and it is a no go, they work perfect in my 625-8

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9-11-01 lest we forget amen

Congratulations! My 25-2 shot only so-so with 230 grain lead round nose, but then I tried 200 grain lead SWC’s and it was practically one hole at 18 yards.

I have a 625 that patterns with lead but shoots very well with plated bullets.

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Sheldon Wade, there are 2 styles, One for the 625 revolver another style for the M-25. The 625 RIMZ won't fit the M-25. Also, as mentioned by Strawhat, there may be a little slag that would need to be trimmed.

Nice 25-2 there.

If it were mine it would be a prime candidate for a set of Culina Cokes.