Model 25 discontinued?

[RayRay7]

Speaking of 25s, I've got a 25-5 already but someone local has a 25-7 model '1989' (no box) for sale with about 500rds of ammunition for it…is $1,900 reasonable?

 

[Narragansett]

Speaking of 25s, I've got a 25-5 already but someone local has a 25-7 model '1989' (no box) for sale with about 500rds of ammunition for it…is $1,900 reasonable?

Is the ammo factory? I take it that is 45 colt. Depending on the ammo that has to be 50/box, so the gun is 1400. Is that out the door? Give us a bit more to work with here. What is the basic difference, without me looking?

I see one on a Gun for Sale site 1349.. Does not mention shipping, tax or CC fees. The turn line looks a lot heavier than the SLIGHT line he described. Rubber grips ( standard for all I know ). I would not pay 1349 for it. What is the condition of the one you are looking at?

 

[murf205]

I am aware that a lot of people don't care for 45 acp revolvers (25-2's and 625's) because of the moon clips and I gotta' say, I don't blame them. But...45 Auto Rim to the rescue. Once you use them they take the accuracy of n N frame S&W to a new level-IMHO. I know there is not room in the cylinder for it but a 5 shot L frame in 45 acp would get my credit card out post haste. I have been eyeballing a new Charter Pit bull in 45 for just that reason.

 

[Doug M.]

Speaking of 25s, I've got a 25-5 already but someone local has a 25-7 model '1989' (no box) for sale with about 500rds of ammunition for it…is $1,900 reasonable?

*
More likely than not, that's a good price, IF that is factory ammo. That variant is not common and not cheap.

 

[steelslaver]

I have several 45 barrels both in blue and stainless and a 45 reamer. They will never be discontinued in my shop. LOL

 

[chief38]

While I am a big fan of the 45 Colt cartridge and bet many others here are as well, the 45 Colt cartridge is what I'd classify as sort of obsolete. Not that it isn't a GREAT cartridge, but the modern version has been the .44 Magnum. Again, don't get me wrong..... I own 3 guns in 45 Colt and none in 44 magnum, but I may not be a prime example of N frame calibers owned. The industry knows that many 45 Colt revolvers still out there are very old and so they need to be very cautious in how powerful a cartridge they produce in that caliber. Remember, liability rules these days!

In modern revolvers the old 45 Colt can actually be loaded up to equal or surpass 44 magnum factory loadings. The diameter of the bullet is larger and will still perform admirably. That said, the 44 magnum is just much more popular today, commonly available in more configurations and because it is much newer than the vulnerable 45 Colt it is in the process of making the 45 Colt obsolete.

 

[toad67]

You are spreading false rumors, at least as far as the "old ones" being less accurate. They are not. I have never measured a throat in my life but the 25 - 5 revolvers are extraordinarily accurate. If they have larger throats it seems to have zero effect on accuracy.

Not all are good shooters, I had a 25-5 that .459" pin gauges would fall thru. Myself and everyone at the range shot it, with different ammo and the best anyone could do was about six inches at 15 yards. So no, it's not false information.

 

[Photog]

It amazes me when the OP asks about the 25-2 chambered in 45 ACP, how many posters answer by pointing out the new M25 that is chambered in 45 Colt. Sort of like asking why doesn't some manufacturer make a new rifle in 300 H&H, and people pointing out there are many in 30-06. Apples to oranges. I have a M25-2 and it is the second most accurate revolver I own, second only to my M24-3 with 6.5" barrel.

 

[steelslaver]

That is an easy fix. Take a 44 mag cylinder and run a .452 reamer with a .429 pilot though it. Then run a 45 colt reamer with a .452 pilot in it. Presto a perfect 45 colt cylinder. Plus, it you start with a recesses 44 mag cylinder you have a recessed 45 colt cylinder as the both have the same rim OD. In the case of the recessed cylinder being installed in a 45 colt frame you must file back the frame lug .060 with a safed file and some duct tape on the frame

I have fired guns with over sized throats from a machine rest. They are NOT as accurate as ones with proper throats. In fact I took a gun with .456 throats fired it of my machine rest, then replaced the cylinder with one I made and the 20 yard group was cut by more than 50%

 

[BLUEDOT37]

So the problem is ...

45 Colt can be loaded to starting 454 Casull power using modern brass in an appropriately strong revolver but it will forever be restricted to SAAMI's 14K psi max power in factory loads. That doesn't mean it's not still a fun cartridge.

The 45ACP versions of the 25/325/625s are equally wonderful revolvers using either the ACP or Auto Rim cartridges & it has a higher SAAMI max power, standard @ 21K psi & (+P) @ 23K psi, but it's shorter case isn't well suited for the bigger/longer 250gr 45 Colt bullets in it.

Which is why I've advocated for a "tween" cartridge loaded to power between the 45ACP & a 45 Magnum, as well as in length.

This will allow it to fit in a standard 45ACP cylinder & have power in the 45 Super range (26K-28K psi), but handle heavier bullets, & only require that the standard 45ACP cylinder's headspacing shoulder be reamed (with a standard 45ACP reamer) to a slightly deeper depth to accept 45 Winchester Magnum brass shortened to 45 S&W Schofield length (1.100").

Enter the 45WSM. Read more about it here in this forum thread: When .45ACP In Your S&W 625 Isn't Quite Enough… Step Up to the 45 WSM

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Ba-de-ya, dancing in September

 

[steelslaver]

The more recent renditions of S&W 45s, both acp and colt have .452 throats.

Interestingly 44 mags are not immune to this either, just not as bad. I have found them as large as .431 and as small as .428

I have pin gauges from .061-.500, but you do not need them to check cylinder throats. Take a soft lead ball and tap it in you cylinder throats a 1/4" or more them measure with good calibers.

I think there is more to it that just throats too. Some chambers are larger than others. Same goes for brass and reloading dies

A slightly under sized cartridge in a slightly over sized chamber and the bullet will start out laying low in the chamber, over sized throats allow it to start low and hit the forcing cone low. A round that is tight in the chamber will of course start the bullet closer to centered and continue on its path better.

 

[Xfuzz]

Had a couple 25-2's over the years.
Wife and I shot this one out at the deer lease
this past winter.
Very accurate.
Laid it on the table at 2 gun shows....many offers at $800.

I passed....gonna hang on to it.
1977 vintage with 6.5 inch barrel.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

You are spreading false rumors, at least as far as the "old ones" being less accurate. They are not. I have never measured a throat in my life but the 25 - 5 revolvers are extraordinarily accurate. If they have larger throats it seems to have zero effect on accuracy.

DUH.....Where ya been? Lots of post here on 25-5's with larger throats including mine not being accurate with .452 bullets.......Suggest you do a search here and read all the post.........including mine....Do you currently own a 25-5?

 

[NavyVet24]

Reading the replies makes me wonder if I am the only one reloading for his 25-2 using 45 Auto Rim brass? Shoots great. My 25-5 in 45 Colt shoots just fine too. Both were made in 1980 and the bluing is still impressive.

 

[PhilT]

I have a 6.5", 25-15, .45 Colt and,
a 5" 625-6, .45 ACP w/moon clips, OR .45 Auto Rim (what murf205 said)

Both are excellent shooters

 

[IllinoisFineGuns]

I know its out here somewhere, but, shy did S&W discontinue the model 25, especially the .45 ACP cartridge?

I have the feeling that they're going into a lot of plastic and stainless steel. Just wondering...

The answer is lack of sales, due to the fact that the Model 29 shoots a much superior cartridge, and moon or half-moon clips are not required.

 

[steelslaver]

The answer is lack of sales, due to the fact that the Model 29 shoots a much superior cartridge, and moon or half-moon clips are not required.

Much superiour??? I can kill anything just as dead with one of my 45 colts as anyone can with a 44 mag and at any range. If you don't know your gun and ballistics the drop on either over 100 yard starts to become substantial. Modern S&W 45 colts can safely launch 250 gr slugs at over 1100fps from a 6" barrel forever.

Either load will go completely though an elk, no problem and a poor hit with a 44 mag will not kill anything any better than the same hit with a 45. 200fps isn't magic

 

[Model19man]

DUH.....Where ya been? Lots of post here on 25-5's with larger throats including mine not being accurate with .452 bullets.......Suggest you do a search here and read all the post.........including mine....Do you currently own a 25-5?

When I started reloading maybe 45 years ago all the 45 Colt bullets were .454" diameter. Around 1995 the SAAMI specs were revised so that 45 ACP and 45 Colt could use the same diameter bullets. None of the ones I own are that small because all of the revolvers I own were shipped from S&W prior to 1980. So the only diameter I use is .454" for 45 Colt.

Suggest you learn before you post erroneous and misleading information.

 

[GypsmJim]

Judging from the number of people who post here who can't fathom the idea of a revolver that uses a pistol cartridge and moon clips, I would guess S&W took that to heart and stopped building those. I have one and like it but at the time I bought it there were no 4'' S&W 44 Specials being built. The 625 requires additional support and isn't the easiest to load for.

The fact that the 625 and 25 (45 ACP) has been discontinued will start those models on their way to being more expensive in the used market. You can count on it. I see it already with the 625.

I own a revolver that has 2 cylinders. One is a .45 ACP and the other a 45 Colt.

Initially, I tried both cylinders and found the Colt to be more accurate. Never used the ACP cylinder until recently and verified my results.

As I see it, the only reason to use a rimless cartridge in a revolver is because you already have the pistol and simply want to minimize ammo inventory. Or, you find it to be a lot of fun.

 

[GypsmJim]

DUH.....Where ya been? Lots of post here on 25-5's with larger throats including mine not being accurate with .452 bullets.......Suggest you do a search here and read all the post.........including mine....Do you currently own a 25-5?

I agree with your assessment. I was disappointed with my 25-5, then after reading about it on this forum I switched to 0.454's and found it to be a tack driver. Funny thing, though, was that the 0.454's performed better in ALL of my Colt revolvers, even recent manufacture Ruger single actions that did NOT have oversized throats.

So, now I standardized on 0.454, period. Since I also own several .45 ACP pistols as well, I merely moved all my 0.452's over to the ACP inventory.