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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 07-17-2018, 08:53 PM
JohnJack JohnJack is offline
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I am not sure if this is pre or post 1980, but I think it is post. My father-in-law has a .45 colt revolver Model 25-5 with serial number N828xxx. I am trying to figure out when this gun was made and what else I need to know about it. I understand that some have over-sized barrels. Is that something I need to be concerned about, and if so, why? (Sorry, I am not particularly informed on these things). Thanks in advance to all of you who will give me your sage advice.

Last edited by JohnJack; 07-17-2018 at 08:55 PM. Reason: Heading was wrong
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Old 07-17-2018, 09:11 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
It is not the barrel that would be oversized but the cylinder throats.
I'm Not to up on 25-5's but between 80-82 if that's close enough for you.
Go out and shoot with him and enjoy it.
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Old 07-17-2018, 09:11 PM
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The Standard Catalog shows the serial number to fall in the 1981 range. I have no information regarding a potential issue with the bore diameter.

You may want to have a gunsmith check out the barrel or slug the barrel to verify the correct bullet diameter to use in the revolver.
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Old 07-17-2018, 09:12 PM
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Jtown Jtown is offline
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Looks like 1980-1983

Walt
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Old 07-18-2018, 12:40 AM
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Generally, factory swaged lead bulleted loads will shoot just fine, regardless of throat diameter as many have a hollow base in the bullet to one degree or another. And jacketed rounds are usually fairly forgiving accuracy-wise at modest distances. (25 yards and under.)
Where you might find the large throats (which were standard until the modern resurgence of this caliber) less forgiving is with hard cast lead bullets. (Often found with the current "Cowboy" loads.)
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Old 07-18-2018, 02:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnJack View Post
I am not sure if this is pre or post 1980, but I think it is post. My father-in-law has a .45 colt revolver Model 25-5 with serial number N828xxx. I am trying to figure out when this gun was made and what else I need to know about it. I understand that some have over-sized barrels. Is that something I need to be concerned about, and if so, why? (Sorry, I am not particularly informed on these things). Thanks in advance to all of you who will give me your sage advice.
Most likely June 1981
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:01 AM
22hipower 22hipower is offline
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I have a couple in the N800000 range with oversize throats and another in the N900000 range with .452 throats. I can't tell any difference in accuracy between the guns although that might say more about my shooting than the guns. If you use the "search" button at the top of the page you should be able to pull up several threads discussing the oversize throat issue. If I found another 25-5 at the right price, but with oversize throats, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Good luck.

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