Do I have an oddball gun? It's a 3 screw, not 4 or 5, 3 T's, pinned 6" barrel, N734XXX. It doesn't agree with the S&W book or the Blue Book description.
1955 Target Model.
- Thread starter MBSL55AMG
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Is it 45 ACP or 45 Colt? With that serial number it would be a 3 screw 25-4 or -5. Pictures would really help.
The serial number dates the Model 25-2 to 1980. It should have a 3-screw frame, TS, TH, and TT, 6-inch barrel, blue finish, and chambered in 45 ACP.
If the revolver is a Model 25-5, it should be chambered in 45 Colt and will have a red ramp front sight and white outline rear. The rest of the above description above still applies.
Bill
If the revolver is a Model 25-5, it should be chambered in 45 Colt and will have a red ramp front sight and white outline rear. The rest of the above description above still applies.
Bill
OP
It's a 25-2 .45 ACP/45 Auto Rim.
StrawHat
Member
Model19man
Member
Methinks the confusion may arise from the respective ages of "the S&W book" (Whatever that is.) and the Blue Book.
As an aside, all the S&W books with which I'm familiar were clearly written to provide information to the reader. The Blue Book, on the other hand, seems to be written to sell to folks. That said, it's been a looooooooong time since I've seen a Blue Book---and that was just once---and for a very short period of time.
Ralph Tremaine
As an aside, all the S&W books with which I'm familiar were clearly written to provide information to the reader. The Blue Book, on the other hand, seems to be written to sell to folks. That said, it's been a looooooooong time since I've seen a Blue Book---and that was just once---and for a very short period of time.
Ralph Tremaine
OP
3 screw is not mentioned anywhere.
Like I said--------age.
Ralph Tremaine
Edited to add: The bottom line.
Your gun is fine-----just as it was made.
Your reference material, on the other hand, is not up to date.
First (as respects hand ejector revolvers)---at least I think it was first. I'm not familiar with those preceding the Model of 1902. So anyhow, MY firsts were what we call "pre 5 screw 4 screws". Next came the 5 screws---followed by the 4 screws (both of which are treated in your books). Your reference material very clearly speaks to both of those. The 4 screw was followed by the 3 screw---which came along after your books did.
The solution to your entirely understandable consternation is to get some new books.
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Sure it is. SCSW,4th ed., pg. 226. 25-2 1961 Eliminate trigger guard screw. Supica and Nahas give the basic description in a model's original configuration, then go through the subsequent engineering changes and variations as their description goes on. You just have to read the entire section for a particular model.
StrawHat
Member
Now, I need to go look at mine and count the screws!
All I know, is when I was competing in PPC, I was looking for a 6” Model 25-2 and could NOT find one. My Model 25-2 served me well but was 1/2” too long for sanctioned matches. Bummer!
Kevin
I think the problem is that people look at the barrel and see the 1955 Target on it and assume its a 1950's gun. Much like when people try to date their 1970s gun by the inside of the box that had 1955 printing on the inside of the top.
OP
This is the 1956 production change that eliminated the upper side plate screw.
Welcome to the Forum! Nope, as others have said, you don't have an oddball. You have a Model 25-2 with 6" bbl. Ignore the barrel's "1955" markings, they're a little confusing. Before 1957, this revolver was called the 1955 .45 Target Model (heavy barrel). In 1957 S&W started using model numbers, so this became the Model 25...but for some reason S&W didn't change the barrel stampings. Here's my earlier blued Model 25-2 (1973) with a 6-1/2" bbl. The 6" bbl. became standard length in 1979. These are great revolvers and fun to shoot. Enjoy!
Attachments
Your revolver is named the 1955 45 Target model that was introduced in 1955. It was assigned Model 25 in 1957 and the model number began to be stamped in the yoke cut in 1958. This model went through the same changes as other N-frames, namely, the 4-screw frame was introduced in 1957, the 3-screw frame in 1962, and the 6-inch barrel in 1978/79. To reiterate, your Model 25-2 or 1955 45 Target Model (probably made in 1980) is correct as described.
Bill
Bill
This one is N627xx dated to 1972. They deserve to be shot.
