Found & put a model 25-5 revolver, 4" & blued. I like large calibers in revolvers. Can't find much info on line regarding these Smiths. Lay-a-way cost: $500. Inputs/comments greatly appreciated. SN dates to 1980.

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I'd buy it! Even with the big throats they're good shooting revolvers.

Big Throats?

There is potential that the throats are a little oversize, and some people report their 25's shooting wildly. Others report oversize throats and their revolvers shoot just fine. A quick search here or on Google (which will bring you right back to this site) will give you everything you need to know about checking your revolver out. Regardless, I'd shoot it and see how it does.

Assuming that you paid $500 (not sure), I would have jumped on it too, even with a little rust pitting. That would make a dandy carry gun around the ranch.

Some of the earlier 25's had throats that were oversized to .453 or even larger. Typical 45Colt bullets run .452. Check to see if you get a loose fit on a .452 size bullet. Some folks have even said that they slide right through the barrel (I've never seen that). If you do have an oversized throat, it's still not a show-stoppper, if you handload, use .454 or .455 resized bullets and all should be good.

That's a nice find, congrats.

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Birds like shiny new toys too.

That gun looks okay to me for five hundred bucks...and it does have a pinned barrel.

This just my opinion, but I think way too much emphasis or concern is placed on the whole thing about oversize throats on this gun, and the gun's potential for "shooting wildly". I don't know what that means...shooting wildly. Most people aren't going to be match shooting with it. I see the 4-inch 25-5 mostly as a self-defense gun, or a carry gun around the farm. If it'll keep all six in a 6-inch group at 15 or 20 yards, that'd be good enough for me. The gun isn't going to spray bullets like a shotgun.

So $500 for the gun...sure, why not? Congratulations on what, to me, is a good buy.

Thanks for the info. At $500, I couldn't pass it up. I keep visiting the local pawn shops looking for a revolvers in a snub .357. Saw this 25-5 &read '45 CTG', I was hooked. Again, thanks.

Actually a gun with oversized throats will spray Bullets like a shotgun. I have a 25-2 that had .455 throats and it would not reliably hit a bowling pin at 50ft. That gun got a .44 mag cylinder reamed for .45 Colt with .451 throats and now it's one of the most accurate guns that I own. I also have a 625 Model of 1988 that has .453 throats that's deadly accurate with plated bullets but patterns like a 12 gauge with lead. It's a very real issue.

My 25-5 has oversize throats. .452 lead drop right through, no rim.
It seems I know this, but the pistol does not. Shoots just great lead or JHP.
A great price, but I would shoot it first.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

My 4" 25-5 (vintage 1985) is my favorite revolver. It was my first .45 Colt firearm and was the beginning of my obsession with that caliber. It is the very last gun in my collection that I would part with it. I have instructed my wife to bury it with me when I depart.

Why's the gun so cheap?

If the price is too cheap....

I don't know why a dealer would sell a 25-5 for $500 especially a 4".

Gun shops sell online as well as in their shop so they know fully the going rate for pre lock revolvers in 45 Colt.

Each of the 6 cylinder throats can range between .452" and .459" as reported by owners.Up to .454" should be fine but over that the bullets will have some issues entering the forcing cone and then be unstable going down the barrel.All 6 throats need to be measured in pre 1982 Model 25s.You can't just load .454" bullets and think it will solve the issue.It might for the throats that are .454" and smaller but what if a few are larger.Even at the cheap price I'd get the gun checked out by a competent gunsmith before laying down the 5 benjamins.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I find a lot of good priced arms at the local pawn shop. The young guy behind the counter just sells the guns according to prices on GB or other online sites. It was tagged at $550, which I still would have bought it for, but I always take my cc out of my wallet & start on the price. If we don't come to an agreeable price (agreeable to me), I say thanks & try the following week. I've bought several arms this way.

I have a pair of 25-5s/.45 Colt from the '70s. A .452 ball slides through, hesitating in some of the chambers. A .454 does not go through. I am no bullseye shooter, but it hits as accurately as I can aim it.
If you like the cartridge you'll love the gun, methinks. I handload everything from Cowboy loads to hunting loads. You can really tailor a load to suit you.

I've had 25-5's, but none were good shooters. All were 6".

For $500 I would have been on that 4" like a pit bull on a bone.

If it didn't shoot well I'd get a 29 cylinder and rechamber the charge holes it to 45 Colt.

For that price I would've jumped on it too, but yes the large throat issue can be real. I had one several years ago that key holed bullets in paper targets. Have another one now that shoots great.

Dan

I will take every 25-5 I can get for $500 big throats or not. The big throat issue is an easy fix. If they are lessw than .454 jacketed .452 or lead .454 work great. If bigger than that you can find a model 29 cylinder for around a $100 and it isn't much work to ream those into perfect 45 colt cylinders.

I have a 25-5 , 4" and it is very very accurate . Yes , the throats were , what some would consider oversize , My barrel groove diameter is .453 so .454 size bullets work just fine . I have one of the " Classic " 25-10's , 6" barrel . The groove diameter of that one is even slightly larger . The cylinder throats @ .451 were not going to work . So , I reamed out the throats myself . So before we go trashing a certain model , you need to do your homework , measure the throats and the groove diameter of the barrel . My 6" classic also had a .0004 choke where the barrel threaded onto the frame . When they installed the barrel to index the front sight to the rear sight they had really " torqued " it , hence the four thousandth's tight spot at that junction point . It took a bit of doing to " firelap " the barrel to remove it . Then I had to install a taller front sight for 255gr bullets . It's a great gun too , just needed to do my homework and resolve issues . I have found the 25-5's to be a great gun , one of the most accurate Smith's I have . I'm not a gunsmith , just a dedicated " S&W " guy.

Everyone will always bring up the large throat issue whenever a M25-5 is mentioned. What many seem to overlook is it may quite possibly be the best ranch revolver ever! Portable, reliable, and has enough power for just about any situation. Mine rides great in the pickup, in the saddle, on the Ranger, everywhere!

If my last one had been $500 I could've bought two of em.

Dan

I pd $600 for mine a couple of years ago and thought I got a great deal . For $500 , I would definitely buy it . I agree , There is definitely too much made about the throat size .

I shoot all my guns but not worried about 'quarter size' groups. I shoot for the enjoyment. I have a 1911 FranColt I target shoot to keep my accuracy. My 25-5 is a Smith I couldn't pass up. As for 'spraying' bullets, as long as I hit paper & 6" targets with it, I'm good. I appreciate all the comments & inputs. I enjoy these Forums & enjoy reading everyone's post/comments & love all the pics of beautiful guns.

I bought this one 7 years ago at the Lakeland show for $600. Nothing but the gun, although only every other charge hole was fired. Who buys a gun, doesn't shoot it, throws away the "package" and then sells the gun? Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

back in the 80s I had all three barrel lengths, they all shot great. I am sorry I let them go, I now have one from 81 it is a 4in and can shoot as good as any big bore smith. don't be put off by talk of large throats. buy the gun you will be glad you did!

I just purchased a 25-5, 6" .452 drops threw the throat? Shoots 1-2" groups from a rest @ 25yds. Shot 50 rounds today loaded with Trail Boss, No leading at all. Not going to change anything.

I love my 4 inch blue 25-5. Had it since 1984. It's gorgeous in a masculine sort of way.

I really wish S&W would have made a Model 625 with a 4 inch barrel with the same profile as the 25-5 or the 4 inch Model 29-2. I've got a M-625 Mountain Gun ... which if fine... if you like that sort of thing... but I always liked the traditional heavier barrel on 4 inch N frames.