shil
Member
I would choose the .45ACP. I love my 25-2. I've had it for 40+ years. It has chamber throats the size of a railway tunnel and I've heard all the tales of poor accuracy as a result, but it shoots well enough for me (and my skill level!).
Model 25 Decision?
- Thread starter JeffD607
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shil
Member
I won't. The keyholing is apparent but, man, that group! May I ask what possessed you to shoot .44 Special through it?
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I'm a reloader and I like both the 25-2 (45 ACP / Auto Rim) and 25-5 (45 Colt).
For light loads in the 45 Colt. Starline Brass makes the 45 Cowboy Special brass. Basically a ACP length case with the Colt rim so you don't need moon clips. So as a reloader I would get the 25-5.
If you don't reload I would get the 25-2.
For light loads in the 45 Colt. Starline Brass makes the 45 Cowboy Special brass. Basically a ACP length case with the Colt rim so you don't need moon clips. So as a reloader I would get the 25-5.
If you don't reload I would get the 25-2.
shil
Member
Nice shooting!
I have a couple of N frame 45s. If I could have only one it would be the 3" 625 with two cylinders (was done by Novaks for this gun). It is accurate with both barrels and has the added ball detent crane lockup.
45 colt was my choice, since I cast my lead projectiles, If I had had the coins, I might have got one in 45 ACP but as a student that wasn't in the cards.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I also took a 1926 vintage 44 hand ejector to the range and I had reloads for both. I picked the wrong one to load in the 25-5. This was shot in 2013 and I have not done it again.
Here is the 44 HE
I own two 625-8s, 4" and 5 1/4", and the 45 Colt is a 625-13. All shoot well, but ammo for the 45 auto is cheaper and easier to get. If you reload, neither caliber is expensive. I have to say that all are terrific revolvers.
Shrek Of The Arctic
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There are a ton of factors to consider in this query.
How much is OP planning to shoot? How deep are OP's pockets? Does the OP want a hunter, or a plinker? How traditional minded are we in this endeavor? Is he a reloader? Does he do any competitive shooting?
I enjoy the .45 ACP revolvers quite a bit. They can easily go up to a 260 grain bullet for reloaders, and for boutique hunting and protection ammo. It's very cheap to load for, plentiful brass, bullets, and factory ammo is plentiful and...more affordable. moon clips are very inexpensive, though to me they do require a little bit of extra thought. For example, I've been known to keep a large portion of moon clips for business only, another stack of moon clips for range use, and throw out any moonclip that I have a modicum of a doubt about. They are ridiculously easy to load. I've found that I could plow through an ammo can of loaded moon clips in record time. Like faster than the flat gun boys during an extended range session. It's not a champ for hunting, but it can check that box, especially for some of the lower 48 folks. t It's also fun to have a revolver to gobble up all the loads your buddy's flat gun can't digest. For factory defense loads, there's also much more of a factory ammo selection. Also, the ACP S&Ws are universally liked, and accurate. Not dealing with the controversy of oversized -5 cylinder throats, etc. To have fun with hot controversy, I could dare mention the .45 Super some convert theirs to as well.
.45 Colt is a joy for hand loaders. So big, easy to handle, and very forgiving, hugely versatile, and able to go from the lightest power puff load to the Tier 2 and 3 loads we love to bicker about. Definitely more top end for the hunter. A bit more expensive to get started reloading, but especially for a moderate shooter, 500 brass will last a very, very long time. I like the recoil impulse of the .45 Colt more. It just feels...more...right to me. And I like that the .45 Colt is such an old classic. An "old man's gun" as my Father would say.
If a person really wanted to break the traditional mold, they could get the .45 Colt, get it cut for moonclips and shoot both. Theoretically, the ACP would not be as accurate, but in real world hands, I'm not sure it would be THAT dramatic as an issue of actual use.
The happiest part to me though, is that if you're buying a S&W N frame of any flavor...it's really darn hard to go wrong.
How much is OP planning to shoot? How deep are OP's pockets? Does the OP want a hunter, or a plinker? How traditional minded are we in this endeavor? Is he a reloader? Does he do any competitive shooting?
I enjoy the .45 ACP revolvers quite a bit. They can easily go up to a 260 grain bullet for reloaders, and for boutique hunting and protection ammo. It's very cheap to load for, plentiful brass, bullets, and factory ammo is plentiful and...more affordable. moon clips are very inexpensive, though to me they do require a little bit of extra thought. For example, I've been known to keep a large portion of moon clips for business only, another stack of moon clips for range use, and throw out any moonclip that I have a modicum of a doubt about. They are ridiculously easy to load. I've found that I could plow through an ammo can of loaded moon clips in record time. Like faster than the flat gun boys during an extended range session. It's not a champ for hunting, but it can check that box, especially for some of the lower 48 folks. t It's also fun to have a revolver to gobble up all the loads your buddy's flat gun can't digest. For factory defense loads, there's also much more of a factory ammo selection. Also, the ACP S&Ws are universally liked, and accurate. Not dealing with the controversy of oversized -5 cylinder throats, etc. To have fun with hot controversy, I could dare mention the .45 Super some convert theirs to as well.
.45 Colt is a joy for hand loaders. So big, easy to handle, and very forgiving, hugely versatile, and able to go from the lightest power puff load to the Tier 2 and 3 loads we love to bicker about. Definitely more top end for the hunter. A bit more expensive to get started reloading, but especially for a moderate shooter, 500 brass will last a very, very long time. I like the recoil impulse of the .45 Colt more. It just feels...more...right to me. And I like that the .45 Colt is such an old classic. An "old man's gun" as my Father would say.
If a person really wanted to break the traditional mold, they could get the .45 Colt, get it cut for moonclips and shoot both. Theoretically, the ACP would not be as accurate, but in real world hands, I'm not sure it would be THAT dramatic as an issue of actual use.
The happiest part to me though, is that if you're buying a S&W N frame of any flavor...it's really darn hard to go wrong.
30calflash
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I've a -2 and 2 -5's, they each have their place.
As mentioned if you don't reload, the -2. 45 acp ammo is all over and less than half the cost of 45 colt. If you do reload and like lighter loads, again the -2 is the better choice IMHO.
45 Colt is great, but older ones do need a larger bullet to shoot well. Mine will take the Lyman Keith 260 gr swc at .456 no problem. Shoots it very well.
The 2nd 45 Colt isn't pinned, but has tighter throats and .452 lead bullets are fine with it. Spent a fair amount of time with it recently using Bullseye powder and it worked real well with 230 and 255 gr lead.
I use 230 grain weight minimum in the Colts, don't see a real need for lighter that will hit a foot low at 25 yards and beyond. But that's just me.
HTH.
As mentioned if you don't reload, the -2. 45 acp ammo is all over and less than half the cost of 45 colt. If you do reload and like lighter loads, again the -2 is the better choice IMHO.
45 Colt is great, but older ones do need a larger bullet to shoot well. Mine will take the Lyman Keith 260 gr swc at .456 no problem. Shoots it very well.
The 2nd 45 Colt isn't pinned, but has tighter throats and .452 lead bullets are fine with it. Spent a fair amount of time with it recently using Bullseye powder and it worked real well with 230 and 255 gr lead.
I use 230 grain weight minimum in the Colts, don't see a real need for lighter that will hit a foot low at 25 yards and beyond. But that's just me.
HTH.
hjdca
Member
Great Topic ! I have not posted in a long while, but, what everyone else said is logical. In my case, my brother, his son, and I were shooting alot - .45 acp 1911s. Also, shooting a lot of steel targets at the range... So, I needed to keep it simple. A little more than decade ago, The three of us went through 60K rounds of 45 acp reloads in about 1.5 years... lol ! - until my brothers arm started hurting from pulling the arm on the reloader.... Anyway, I ended up buying 4 - 25s to go along with my 2 Wilson 1911s. The clips for the 25s are not an issue, and they make a nice gadget to load the clips quickly, you can see it in these pics. Those S&W 25s sure are accurate, and everyone of the relics I bought had incredible actions and great finishes, but, the 1950's, 60's guns had better actions and finishes that the '79/'80 gun -- as expected... Note: I also have a Colt SA army in 45 colt that I love, but, the S&W 25s 35 acp are real tack drivers and lookers. Here are some pics:
1979-80 25-2, N8055xx
1963 25-2, s2365xx
1955 Pre 25, s1435xx
1956 Pre 25, s16045xx
1979-80 25-2, N8055xx
1963 25-2, s2365xx
1955 Pre 25, s1435xx
1956 Pre 25, s16045xx
OP
Thanks for all the advice. After considering all the information and checking the price of .45 Colt ammo, decision has been made. A new to me 25-2 is on the way. I plan on using for target shooting. Thanks for all the info!
Pizza Bob
Member
Does this confuse the issue for you?
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Adios,
Pizza Bob
hjdca
Member
Cool, good decision... Note: I use full moon clips on all my blue 45 acp revolvers. I love them and use the BMT moon clip reloading tool which is great. The one thing I do not like is that the full moon clips etch a round circle on the end of the blue cylinder.
Nicely done!!! You will love it!
shil
Member
Ooops! All is forgiven! That 44 HE is nice!
The 25-2 with moon clips is excellent accuracy and a joy to shoot.
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