Been scouting for a .45 Colt and the 25-9 has the longer stop notch change. In the opinion of you all with the experience is it really significant and worth trying to find a -9? I don't plan on shooting super hot loads but I think anything that makes a gun stronger is good, but they -9's are hard to find.

Thanks!

Longer stop notches were not added to provide firing strength.

Both the -7 and -9 engineering revisions of the model 25 are capable of safely containing the exact same pressures.

In 1989 when the unfluted cylinder variant of the model 627 was first produced (SKU 101024) the smaller chambers created one of the heaviest N-frame cylinders ever.

As these rotated, the excessive mass of the cylinder caused the cylinder stop to peen the notches into destruction. This happened VERY fast.

Only 278 Model 627s were manufactured before the factory stopped production and eventually implemented the cylinders with the longer notches and corresponding cylinder bolts to go with them. This caused the 627s engineering revision to be incremented to -0

This design modification was added to the other N-frames starting with the 44 Magnums as a continuance of the Endurance package upgrades in 1990 at the -4 revision of the model 29

The Model 25 also received the longer stop notches in 1990 with the -8 (45ACP) and -9 (45LC) engineering revisions

So feel confident with either revision of the model 25

I can't imagine there being a noticeable difference. The only group of Model 25's that have known issues were some early 25-5's which had oversized throats like .454-.457 and could impact accuracy. I've not heard of any complaints/issues regarding the later engineering changes found in the 25-7 and 25-9. These are all getting much harder to find, so I'd advise buying the first one you see at a price you can stomach. I have a 25-9 4" Blued and it is very accurate and quite nice. I also have a 25-9 5" matte blue revolver, commonly seen as a 25-7... but this one is marked as a 25-9 (later ones). I believe there is a 4", 6", and 8-3/8" 25-9 in the blued finish and the 5" is a matte finish. There is also the 25-9 Richard Petty commemorative and the 26-1 5" Georgia HP Commemorative. Of course you can get a 625-5, 625-6, and 625-7 in .45 CLT as well

If you have the patience of waiting, I'd say go for the M25-9 given the added features. Either would give you good shooting experiences, but if you do ever want to with higher pressure loads, I'd opt for the -9.

__________________
.............SmithNut

Cant comment on one versus the other but have the -9 in 4" and like it so that's what I recommend.

Neither one is terribly common to come across. I have a 25-7 I was lucky enough snag off the WTS board here. I've never had the cylinder jump or unlock. You would be perfectly fine with either as I tend to doubt you will produce enough recoil with that cartridge in that platform to cause a problem. Maybe I'm wrong.....

The 5" bull barrel ejector shroud N frame in .45 COLT is one cool looking, fun shooting gun. My 25-7 would definietly be one the last to leave my possession. You will greatly enjoy ether the -7 or -9.