Model 25-5 Are they all bad????
 

Long time reader, first time poster. Thanks for all the great information....& those pictures, dang you guys have some sweet stuff!
I'm in the process of making a purchase on a beautiful 25-5 and started reading some disturbing posts on here about over sized throats. Seems like a lot of you knew about that but I had never heard of it before. The seller is not really willing to have the cylinder checked for me and this is an out of state sale.
So, are all the 25-5's over sized or even enough of them that I should just walk away from this sale? I planned to shoot the gun often but am not into reloading yet.
How about the 25-3? Is there problems with that one also? Which is the best model in .45 LC? Thanks for your replies, Bob

My one and only 25-5 has .453 throats more or less. That is ok with me as I only shoot soft .454 more or less cast bullets in it. It shoots as well as I can shoot it. If it were me, I would risk it.

You will be pretty safe with a non-pinned 25-5 (post 1980) I have had two, a 6" and my current 4" and both have 0.453 throats and shoot well.

With a pre-1980 25-5 (Pinned Barrel) it's a crapshoot but a lot if not most had oversizewd ( 0.457) throats. Thay can still shoot well if you can size the bullets to the throats.

Ifg the seller can't measure them or have them measured I would be leery. He may already know or maybe he just doesn't know how.

I have posted this here many times in the past. Any 25-5 with the 3 letter, 4 number serial system will have correct throats at .452" -.453", and will shoot as good as you can hold them.

I agree that if the owner won't measure/check them, then he probably knows that they are oversized and doesn't want to admit it for fear of losing a sale.

If the gun is pinned, have someone check the serial number for a DOM. If it is a later N prefix gun made in late '80 up to the change in '82, it might have correct throats. S&W was well aware of the problem, and had started correcting the throats during this time frame. In fact, at one time you could send your gun back, and they would fit a new, correct cylinder for free, but those days are long gone.

Don't overlook the 25-7 and 25-9's either. They are even better. The dash 9 has all the endurance upgrades, and the dash 7 has most of them, plus they have throats that almost always mic out at .452". They are well known for their accuracy too.

Just because a 25 has oversized cyl throats does not mean its bad, it just needs a special diet of matching or close to cyl throat diameter bullets. However I have found some 45 Colt handguns ( two of my Cimmeron Thunderers for instance) with .455 dia cyl throats that shoot fine with .452 diameter bullets, you never know. I do have a four inch 25-5 that has nice .452 dia. cyl throats that is a real shooter!

Welcome BoB ,yes it is a big deal when shelling out your hard earned cash on a 45cal. N frame.
1. Condition. 2. Price.
When determining the value of a Smith revolver ,the condition is first , then the price.
You will not know if it shoots until you try it ,and by that time , you own it.

As gun4fun has said , any Axx or Bxx serial prefix model 25-5 or 25-7 will shoot.
Let us know the particulars of the deal ,and we will help all we can.

Regards ,, Allen Frame


http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...VOLVERS011.jpg

My own 25-5 ,25-7 ,and 25-9 ,they all shoot just a bit better than I do .....

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...VOLVERS012.jpg


http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...VOLVERS013.jpg

Good Luck! , Allen Frame

My 25-9 shoots very well

dick44

Pinned barrel
 

Bob,

Listen to what Gun4Fun and AllenNFrame have suggested---first question is to ask if it has a pinned barrel, then the serial #--if it has a pinned barrel be wary at least to start. The serial # can give the date of manufacture which will really help narrow it down so everyone can help you.

Gun 4Fun helped me a ton with the same dilemma you have right now---my best piece of advice for you is to BE PATIENT ( sound familiar Tim). I finally found my 6" 25-5 a couple of months back and it is extremely accurate. It can get very frustrating with all the pinned barrel versions but the results are definitely worth the wait, unless of course you reload and can size your own bullets to correct throat dimensions. Also, if you do get one that is pinned and resize your own you are a little bit more limited as to varying bullet weights and profiles.

I'm looking for a 4" version myself--can anyone here me ?

Good luck

Steve

MOD. 25-5
 

Steve here. I have a 25-5 in my hand , the measurement is 457. Now what.?

Thanks guys for the good solid info. I will contact the owner tonight and see if he will give me the serial number so we can find out for sure.

Allan...you have some nice shootin' irons there. A model 25, 4" with Factory combats. That's a beauty!

I am rather fond of the nice bright S&W blue. Thanks, Bob

I own 2 25-3's and 2 25-5's in .45 Colt chambering.
 

All are pinned. I usually shoot either wadcutter or semiwadcutter hard cast bullets sized .452" though occassionally I will shoot some jacketed bullets also sized .452".

All four revolvers shoot tighter than I can hold but that isn't saying much these days. More to the point, they shoot as tight as my 25-2 .45 ACP target guns and THAT ought to be close enough for anybody.

If you believe the throat sizes are giving you problems, try some very soft bullets to see if there is any difference. If the problem is extreme, hollow based bullets may be another option.

I don't have an inside micrometer. I just measured the max outside dia. of a WWB .44mag cartridge, it's .444" (duh-2lines +.004=454"). I would need a hammer to get it past the crimp into the front of any of the charge holes. The sre# on my 25-5 is N821xxx, I believe '81 vintage. Sorry for the "doofus test" but lacking proper tools, seems like 6 tight holes. Joe

The bulk bullets from Winchester, and Remington available from places like Midway, or Cabela's measure .456", and .455" respectively, and are both of hollow base design, which usually goes a long way towards helping solve the oversized throat problem, since they obturate quite easily filling the throat upon firing.

44forever-

A lot of the 25-2's have the oversized throats as well. In fact, I'd say that in all likelyhood, more have oversized throats than not. Mine has them that measure .455", and .456" all on the same gun, and lots of other guys have posted similar findings with regards to their own, here in the past. Just something to be aware of. The fact that the 25-2 was marketed as a target gun doesn't really matter as far as throats sizes went on these guns.:)

pharmer-

You can actually measure the throats quite closely with a decent set of calipers used for reloading purposes.

Plug gauges are the best, and most accurate way to do it, but calipers wil get you close as long as you make sure to check each chamber in several positions around the mouth of the throat, and keep the jaws flat against the throat wall;).

Thanks GFF, but I don't have those either. I've seen those digital readout inside/outside micrometers at the shows for $30. Probably need it a few times a year but I need one anyways. Joe

I am the proud owner of a Smith and Wesson Model 25-5, nickle plated, six inch barrel .45 Colt revolver with target grips. I call it my "Great Silver Gun".

I purchased this revolver in 1984 on my first leave from the USMC...I wore my dress blues when I bought it. This and the fact that it was big, shiny and heavy and was the only one in inventory..no one wanted it. I will not say how much I paid for it, but let's just say a REAL good price.

I still have that revolver in it's own special case. It was the first revolver I ever bought. It is very special to me, and will go to my oldest when the time comes.

I have fired it hundreds of times and have gotten to the point that I could call my shots at 100 yds with it. It has never failed or disappointed me.

Any problems with this revolver are news to me. I swear by it and often carry it concealed (albeit with a large overcoat...how did Clint Eastwood do it in a suit?)

TLKS-

Thank you for serving this great country.

BTW,
Eastwood didn't actually have the gun on most of the time. Only for scenes where it was going to come into play. If you could only figure out how to carry like that, it wouldn't be a problem for you either.;)

The owner was not willing to cooperate with me on checking the throats and would not furnish me the serial no. so to be on the safe side, I am walking on this one. Thanks again to everyone for the detailed information. Bob

Final update. The owner was not willing to furnish me the serial number nor have the gun checked out by his gunsmith. So, to be on the safe side, I'm walking away from this one.
Thanks to everyone for the helpful information. Bob

I know it can be hard to do sometimes, but I think you did the right thing passing. I can understand the owner worrying about his serial number, but all you need is the letters and the first couple of numbers to find the correct time period. Not wanting to check the throats sounds like he already knew what they were.

Keep watching and being patient, you'll find the right one.:)

I own three 25-5's in .45 colt. With a 4" bbl -- shooting .454 lead reloads, I get 9-ring accuracy on a B-27 target at 25 yards. With my two 6" bbls -- both shooting .454 lead reloads -- I get 10-ring accuracy. Actually measured, it's just under 2" groups -- from a rest.

For defense, any of the three is great. For hunting -- well, it would depend on what you're hunting and how far away.

To anyone wondering about the .45 colt with oversized throats: just buy it. Try different loads using a .454 lead bullet and you will find one that works for you

By the way, my 4" likes Silvertips and just chews the center out of the target with them -- as do the 6 inchers, though they like lead.

Mine, bought used, does not have that problem and shoots VERY well indeed. However, when I got it, the forcing cone was cut at a very noticeable angel and it was spitting something fierce, which is probably why I got a good deal on it. I had the barrel set back one turn and the forcing cone recut and it was GREAT.

I have a 80 vintage 25-5 with .453 throats and I shoot .454 cast bullets from it with excellent accuracy!

Model 25-5 Are they all bad????
 

From my actual experience, they are not all bad, but I'm not sure S&W knows how many actually are.

Are my bullet specs incorrect? - .45 ACP = .451-.452 +/- .005, and .45 Colt = .452 - .454 +/- .005

Pin gages are the most accurate. Calipers will work. The simple test that my GA & GB sellers will use (after I coax them) is to point the muzzle at the ground (deck) and place an ACP or Colt bullet in the throat. If the bullet goes through like corn through a goose, pass on the opportunity. If not (it's tight), keep bidding.

Calipered measuring of the throats on my newly acquired 25-5 is at .454/.455. Mine is an N prefix pinned barrel that checks back to 1980. The cylinder has been cut for clips and I've shot some .45 Colt lead cowboy loads which seemed to group the best. Followed by some .45ACP 230FMJ with the 230LRN being the least accurate.
All firing was off-hand at app. 15 yards. None of which performed outstanding (could've been me) but the groups were acceptable for self defense shooting at nominal distance, although the point of impact varied quite a bit between the various loads.

I too have an early 1980's 25-5 with an 8 3/8 barrel, pinned
and recessed. I have a set of digital calipers that can
measure inside diameters. Now, just to clarify, the throat
of the cylinder is on the front end of the cylinder about a
1/4 inch or so going inward? If that's the area, mine measures
.452 ", which is good. The serial # on my gun is N7160xx.

If I'm wrong, please let me know.

I recently acquired a 25-5 with a 5" bbl and it looks to be factory. Any info on how many mfg would be appreciated, thanks, Ed.

Greetings,
Measure the barrel length from the front of the cylinder
to the end of the barrel.
I am confident, if your gun is a 25-5, that the barrel length
is 6 inch , not 5.

Serial number and accurate description would help us
give you more information on your gun.

Allen Frame

This is an old thread, but it leaves me wondering for information as I am looking at purchasing a 25-5. One poster says to have someone use the serial # to find the date of manufacture. Who is "SOMEONE"? I guess there is a range of serial numbers that might have the oversize throats, but no one seems to want to say what that might be. The one I am looking at is #N804XXX. Can you tell by that number if it falls into the oversize range? I will try to get the owner to let me measure the throats with a set of calipers, but it would be nice to know beforehand.

Regarding the sale, I avoid sellers who use mealy mouthed descriptions, out-of-focus or blurred photos, or refuse to answer important questions like yours. It suggests they have something to hide.

While not directly answering your question about the serial number, you might benefit from reading this thread, especially about S&W now installing replacement cylinders on 25-5s.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...al-report.html

Keith

I will be looking at the gun this morning. If I understand correctly, the serial number might be stamped on the cylinder under the ejector star face. Obviously the same as the frame would be a match; a different number would be from another pistol; and no number might be a factory replacement. Does that sound correct?

OP, you don't give much info on your prospective purchase but, IIRC the non pinned 25-5s are more than a good buy. Maybe, read John Linebaugh's work on these(Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5), you can find others on the net.
John's site:
Welcome to John Linebaugh's Custom Sixguns -
Steve

Not sure that others will agree, but in my limited experience SNs over N900,000 do not have oversize throats. I have two in the N800,000 range and both are .454 while my one over N900,000 is .452. If the gun is nice, and the price is right, I wouldn't let the throat size stop me. It is not difficult to find loads that will shoot well either way. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Well I just looked at the gun and had to pass on it. It is in beautiful shape with a presentation case that has all the felt missing. Locks up super tight and has no bluing wear at all. I measured the throats and they were .458 to .460. It would be a great collector's piece but probably not much for a accurate shooter, so at $800 I let it go.
He also had another gun which I did get. A model 57 no dash in 6" also in a presentation box (with all the felt) with paperwork. This gun is pristine and I would rate it at about 90-95% because of no cardboard box or end label. It had a cash register slip with it dated 1-30-78 and the total price was $236!

A friend wanted to sell me his 6" 25-5. I took it and shot it with all my types of lead .452 dia. bullets. It leaded the barrel like a sewer pipe and shot "buckshot" groups. I gave it back. Then later I decided to buy it to keep it from getting away. .452" dia. cast and jacketed bullets fell through the cylinder like poop through a goose. I bought a .454" dia. swc mold and sizer. Those bullets hung in the throats and would not pass through. Long story short it now shoot as accurately as any of my other Smiths.

First I want to thank those who helped me make my decision on the 25-5. I hope I don't later regret my decision, as this gun is in gorgeous condition.

And, I am thinking that $800 was a little too high. I was hoping he would cut me a deal if I bought both guns, but he wouldn't. Does anyone think I missed a great opportunity here?

I know this is an old thread and after reading this one and many others like it I purchased a 25-5 made in 1980. I was nervous about the purchase but the gun was flawless and had all the original box papers cleaning rod screwdriver etc, even the tissue paper so I had to have it. To be fair I didnt take any photos but at 25' it was chewing a 1" hole with both lead cowboy and Hornady FTX ammo. The throats are a little oversized I used he bullet drop and my machinist father in law measured them with some bore gauges @ .456. But the guns a shooter with factory ammo. If you cross these threads when researching weather or not to buy, I vote yes u wont be sorry. . I read one post that if it won't shoot 3" groups @50yds it's trash. I don't see the usefulness unless ur go a hunt with it and there are more effective rounds than 45 colt. Target shooters would benefit from a less expensive round anyway. I am one who seeks perfection and knowing it was oversized had me on the phone with s&w pricing a cylinder and fitting. But after today's range trip completely un nessesary. Just my .2cents and opinion others may disagree. Good shooting and good luck

teddybahm, not an argument but, at only 25' nothing should be inaccurate? Did you powder burn the target, hehehe?
Steve

25-6 N660
 

Hey Guy´s.

My local Gun Dealer offered my a 25-5. Serial Number Prefix is N660. 700.- *. Condtion is "unused"

I read about the chamber issues above. Is this Revolver one of these?

Thomas from Germany

Where to measure?
 

My wife father has a 25-5 with pinned barrel, and 1980 build per S&W.

I guess you measure the front of the cylinder to determine how a particular gun stands in this issue?

I have a 25-5 , 4" . I got it from a friend , @ wholesale rate . I measured the throats and they were oversize . I started shooting cast bullets measuring .454 right from the start . It shoots very very accurately using the real " Keith " 255gr swc , ( H&G 501 ) and it doesn't lead the barrel .
So , from my experience I have to say that the oversize throat thing is really over blown . Given the opportunity , I would gladly buy another one if available at the same price as the last one I bought .