25-5 cylinder replacement

scooter-skeeter · Jan 16, 2014

I've got a NIB 25-5 from the late 1970's that I'm considering taking out and shooting. It has the oversize throats (.456). I've looked for a long time and never found another vintage 25-5 cylinder with the proper throats to replace the original with.

I've also been thinking lately of sending it to S&W to have it fitted for for a new modern 25 cylinder and then send the new cylinder back out to have it re-blued to match the original (maybe Ford's). Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this issue.

I know there have been a lot of postings on here about the cylinder issue and many suggestions but I have not found any feedback where someone posts what they have actually done (whether a using new 25 cylinder or an older modified 29-3 cylinder) and their results.

Any help/thoughts/experience is appreciated. Thank you.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 16, 2014

There are posts here where the OP had sent their 25-5 in to have a new, modern cylinder fitted.

I would let S&W re-blue the new cylinder, or the entire gun at the same time would be better. They do outstanding bluing work. I have had one done there a few years back and it came home nicer than it was when new by far.

Doug M. · Jan 16, 2014

I think that's the "A" answer. Do it all at once at the mother ship.

03Fatboy · Jan 16, 2014

Problem is that everyone who has a cylinder with correct throats won't be selling and the ones you find for sale are oversized. Mine has the correct throats but I also fitted a 625 cylinder and had it cut for moonclips to shoot 45acp. Shoots like a dream with both acp and LC and my correct original is in tact. It was a fun project for me.

I suggest you shoot it, I would be surprised that you will still want that done after seeing how accurate it probably is with the right ammo, and even better if you reload for it.

schmeg · Jan 16, 2014

I load .454 185 SWC over 4.2 grains of Bullseye for my 25-2. Shoots nice.

USSR · Jan 16, 2014

I shoot .455" bullets with mine and all is well.

Don

Yorkie Man · Jan 16, 2014

I have one of the 25-5's that was made in 1980 that has oversize throats, .459. I called S&W and they told me that the newer cylinder might not fit and that I should have sent it in sooner. My gun is nickle plated and a few years ago Numerich had some stainless mountain gun cylinders for sale so I bought one and fitted it to my revolver. I did have to remove some material off of the barrel in order for this cylinder to fit. The end result is that it now shoots 1 1/2" groups at 25'. I polished the cylinder and it is a pretty good match to the nickle. Prior to the new cylinder I had a keyhole every six rounds and the groups were 8"-9" at 25' without the keyholes. They expanded the groups to 2'.

steelslaver · Jan 16, 2014

S&W would be the best way if possible.

Model 25 cylinders in 45 Colt are hard to find. Model 29 cylinders not so hard. 45 Colt reamers are also easy to find.

scooter-skeeter · Jan 17, 2014

25-5 cylinder

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll mull it around for a bit and decide what to do.

Kestrel · Jan 23, 2014

scooter-skeeter said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll mull it around for a bit and decide what to do.

I've been curious as to these questions myself. Please post an update if & when you pursue this further.

perrazi · Jan 23, 2014

shoot hollowbase remington bullets in it and you won't have to do anything. been doing this for many years and they shoot good enough for 1 liter pop bottles at 100 yds. off the bench.

H Richard · Jan 24, 2014

I have a 25-2 with the same problem, large throats. It won't shoot cast bullets great, does pretty well with 3-3 1/2" groups, but it shoots like a laser with jacketed bullets. I just designated that one as jacketed bullets only and am very happy. (It's not like I don't have a few other S&W revolvers to shoot cast bullets with).

mojave30cal · Jan 24, 2014

I also have a 1980 vintage 25-5 in 8 3/8" bbl. with the over-
sized throats. Could you divulge what brand of jacketed
bullets you use and the powder load. I might try and see if I
might be able to get mine to shoot like yours.

Nicksterdemus · Jan 24, 2014

steelslaver said:
S&W would be the best way if possible.

Model 25 cylinders in 45 Colt are hard to find. Model 29 cylinders not so hard. 45 Colt reamers are also easy to find.

Would that work relatively easy/cheap as a spare 45 Colt cylinder for a 25-5 45acp or is the cylinder stop a fly in the ointment?

Gunhacker · Jan 24, 2014

scooter-skeeter... take it out shooting before you make any decisions.

The question about what the cylinders should measure was asked on the S&WCA forum many times. Roy Jinks answered "oversize ball end of the cylinders mike at .458 inches. they should be between .454 and .455"

Yours may actually be .455" and ends up shooting just fine.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 24, 2014

Gunhacker said:
scooter-skeeter... take it out shooting before you make any decisions.

The question about what the cylinders should measure was asked on the S&WCA forum many times. Roy Jinks answered "oversize ball end of the cylinders mike at .458 inches. they should be between .454 and .455"

Yours may actually be .455" and ends up shoot just fine.

I don't believe that Roy was speaking as either a shooter, nor handloader, though I might be wrong on that. S&W's policy might have been that .454"-.455" was fine, but it clearly wasn't/isn't. The original dimensions for the .45 Colt were indeed .454" bore, but that was changed after WWII to match the ACP. Long before S&W was making any M25's in 45 Colt, so they should have gotten the dimensions correct right from the start, not wait until folks were complaining. S&W knew they had a problem and even offered replacement cylinders at one time.

Unless someone can locate some of the Win, Rem, or Magtec swaged lead bullets for loading, their chances of getting a good shooting load in a gun with oversized throats is greatly diminished.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 24, 2014

GLL said:
Cast your own !

These are 0.455" and 0.456".

I have a couple molds that will cast over 0.457".

Jerry

The solid one is the 454190 isn't it? They always shoot good in my guns.

Edited: Hey, what happened to your post?

jimmyj · Jan 24, 2014

FIRST:
Take the Model 25-2 and shoot it with different manufactured ammo.
Perhaps even with the over sized cylinder throats it could shoot great.

USSR · Jan 24, 2014

Gun 4 Fun said:
Unless someone can locate some of the Win, Rem, or Magtec swaged lead bullets for loading, their chances of getting a good shooting load in a gun with oversized throats is greatly diminished.

Not really. I cast my own and size them to .455".

Don

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 24, 2014

USSR said:
Not really. I cast my own and size them to .455".

Don

Yes, really

.

Most casters don't have a mould that will drop them larger than .453" or so, so you are lucky. More still have to rely on commercial casters, and there, it is really tough finding a bullet large enough. Even if you can, you still need to find one that works well in your particular gun just as you do with any handload.

25-5 cylinder replacement

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