And... Is the 25 basically just the target Model of the 22, with adjustable sights, etc?

And... Where does the 26 fit in?

Thanks

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Aaron Terry

Hello from Fort Mill

I'll have a go at it, and the experts can fill in the spaces. The 1950 pre model 22 is a commercial version of the 1917 45 acp. Better finish, different bbls lengths offered, maybe???

The pre model 26 is the target version of the 1950 military, adj sights front patridge post, 6 1/2" bbl. I should be at the NC gun collectors show this weekend in Concord if you would like to see a pre 26. The pre 26 had a tapered bbl.

The Model 25 is a heavy bbl version of the model 26. The pre model 26 preceded the pre model 25.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie. I do not own any Smiths in 45ACP and I'm starting to learn more about them.

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Aaron Terry

The N frames were upgraded in 1950 to use a different lockwork with a shorter trigger pull and faster lock time (called the 'short action') to speed up hammer fall.

The 1950 Target (later the Model 26) was built as a target gun, with adjustable sights and a 6-1/2 inch barrel with an ejector rod shroud. The 'target' guns, post-WWII, had grooved grip straps, while the 'service' guns didn't.

The .45 1950 Military was a service gun, not a target gun, with the new design, fixed sight frame (short action) with the same barrel configuration that had been on the 1917, 5-1/2 inches, no ejector rod shroud, no top rib. In short, the 1950 Military/Model 22 was an updated, modernized 1917. The 1950 Military also lost the lanyard loop.

The 1950 Target barrels were tapered and light. Target shooters wanted a heavier barrel for more muzzle weight, so in 1955, S&W began selling a new version of the .45 ACP target gun that was basically a 1950 Target with a heavier barrel, the same barrel profile as the then-new .44 Magnums. S&W called the new, heavier .45 target revolver the 1955 Target. It later became the Model 25.

S&W manufactured the 1950 and 1955 Targets at the same time, from 1955 to 1961. The standard barrel length for both guns was 6-1/2 inches but small quantities of other barrel lengths were made on special order.

There you see.

What he said.


Thanks Buff.

Has anyone ever seen a model 26 marked on the yoke ?


Charlie