Forgive me if you can, but I'm mostly a Ruger guy. I enjoy my 30 carbine Blackhawk, big Vaquero in 45 Colt, and the 454 SRH.
Being the type of guy who's fond of mechanical devices, I enjoy revolvers more than the common bottom feeders. My Kimber runs great but I'd like to find a good quality wheel gun to share the 45 ACP work.
I was looking pretty hard at the 625s but I think a 25 is more my style. The only bad stuff I've heard about them is the possibility of oversize throats but jacketed/plated bullet seem to cure that issue. I have oversize throats on my Vaquero but it's hit bowling pins at 200 yards just often enough to begin doubting spray-n-pray marksmanship.

If I should land a 25 it would live a life of paper punching and general firearm recreation. Hopefully, it'll be effective at thinning the herd of smiley face stickers and come in handy on my small scale African Safaris. You know that type of safari: a handgun, a place to shoot, and a box of animal crackers.

I'm not a collector by any stretch of the imagination. Resale value means little to nothing to me. Since I'm looking at used guns that were likely used in matches, I'd expect holster type wear, turn marks, and everything else that comes with used revolvers.

By what I've read on the internet, a 25-2 seems to be the proper gun for me. I want to have target like lock work, accuracy, and consistency. I imagine a mid to high mileage gun would still be in decent condition since it's fairly hard to beat one up with a 45 ACP. I understand excessive enthusiastic cylinder rotation could beat the guts out of a revolver.

What do I need to know about these things that I haven't already stated?
What should I look for?
What should I run from?
What's a decent price for one that hasn't been beat to pieces?

Again, I'm looking for a shooter, not a showpiece. The original box would not sway my buying decision. It might as well come in a burlap bag.

I'd appreciate any info you folks could spare.

Kevin

Howdy Kevin and Welcome!

There's alot to know about Model 25's aka: .45 Caliber Model of 1955 Target and it's cousin the .45 Caliber Model of 1950 Target, the model 26.

I am a collector and have managed to pile up a few.

Here's a mixture of .45 Targets, both 1950's and 1955's





I do shoot them on occasion and have found them to be spotty in performance. Some will cut cloverleafs at 25 yards with anything. Others just plain won't shoot no matter what you do. I had guns that only like 230 ball. Others thrived on a diet of 200 grain cast SWC's and a charge of 5 grains of Bullseye. Some will do well only without the clips. Others are fine with or without.

My advice is to shoot one before you make a major investment. And, if you can, shoot the one you are going to buy before you plunk down the money....

Probably the best prices will be on the early 80's 6" 25-2 guns as opposed to the earlier 6 1/2" 1950's or 1955's. Frankly, I think that the later guns shoot better and are more consistent.

Good Luck!

Drew

I'd love to shoot one before I buy but the closest I've been able to get is fondling them at a gun show.
I've been reloading for more than 20 years. Most of my load development involved long range rifles but I've worked up some fun stuff for the 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 454, and 460. My 454 loves the 270 gr .452 Thunderhead. The Vaquero will shoot just about anything in the 250 to 270 grain range, and the 460 (T/C Encore) really went for the 200 gr hard cast. Needless to say, I've got a fair selection of .451 to .454 bullets on hand.

Should I bring one home with me I stand a fair chance of putting together an acceptable load. If it won't shoot for me I'll move it on to the next guy and let him try.

I'd like to spend some good quality time with a S&W but the closest I can come right now is fiddling with my 642. Somehow I doubt it's the finest example of the breed.

Oversize cylinder throats & mechanical condition would be my main concerns . Sometimes if you can find or cast bullets .001 larger than an oversized throat you can get a gun to shoot OK , but it'll never be a tack driver . I'd look for one with .451 - .452 throats , in time with good or better lock up / bore . As Sebago Son stated the newer 6" guns will be cheaper than the older 6 1/2" dash 2's or earlier . Since you already have the Ruger I'd use that for serious work as it'll hold up better & you can load it up or down to suit your intended purpose .

I don't see the need to lean on a 45 ACP. That's pointless, especially with a heavy colt launcher and the Casull.
One reason I want the -2 is to make sure I'm not slipping it the hot Colt loads. The biggest thing this gun would take down would be an elephant. Animal cracker elephant.

just shoot it -- nuf said

I found a very lightly used 25-2 at a LGS that I shoot on a regular basis. I only shoot cast bullets out of it and it is very accurate. Another nice thing about the revolver is I can shoot SWC Keith bullets. It is collector quality to me but I bought it to shoot. It is also my profile pic wearing a set of Collins custom grips.