Considering a local buy...a 625-6 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt, but don't want to deal with severely oversized cylinder throats. Did S&W correct the throats to proper size for the dash 6 mountain guns? Or would I be better off with a 5" bbl. M-25-7 or a 4" bbl'd -9? Here's my tale of woe below...back in the late 70's with an early gun.

I had a very early M-25 .45 Colt that had miserable throating...as I remember, the throats ran over 0.457". I tried Rem & W-W factory load, as well as my own Lyman cast bullets of Keith type and the round nose/flat point original with no luck.

I even took it back to Springfield but the service desk guys said the gun was in tolerance: a 0.452" groove dia. with 0.457+" throats...it just wouldn't shot and I was lucky to get 25 yd groups that measured 6-8" from a solid rest.

I sold that one off, with full disclosure to a local Connecticut gunsmith up on Lyman's Blue Trail Range who wanted to re-cylinder it with proper throating. Never did hear of his results however. So now I'm interested again in a Smith 4" bbl'd N frame in the old Peacemaker caliber but am leery of getting burned.

Looking fwd to the discussion...Rod

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I can't speak for the 625-6, but I do have a 625-7. The throats measure .452" and it's a great gun. I suspect the one you're considering is fine. Since you reload .45 Colt, take a bullet with you and see if it drops through the cylinder.

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The handful of late (N900,000+) 25-5s I've checked all had .452 or close chamber throats. I would think anything later would too. Easy enough to check, drop a .452 bullet in and see if it falls through. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I'm no stranger to slugging cylinder throats and you've offered good advice...I'll slug the throats, seller permitting. I'm thinking that as 25-5 late production guns should be close to 0.452 or 3, the one I'm looking over is a 25-6, and hopefully will be a close match.

I have a 25-2 SN: N712xxx that's right on the money with throats 1/2 a thousandth larger than the bore dia. Cylinder measures 0.4525", all six throats are within 0.0005" of that. Bore is 0.452+-". It's a .45 ACP, of course...

Anyone know for sure on 25-6 production throat diameters...I'd be grateful to know. Best Regards, Rod

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I happen to have a 625-6, so I thought I would see how it performed with the drop test.

Bullets are Meister 45 LC 255 gr. They measured .452, as stated on the box.

Then I had to slip in a family pic. From the top.

625-6 45 Colt
625-3 45 ACP
657-4 41 Mag

Hope this helps,
Tim

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Thx TT....that pretty much answer's the throat question. Rod

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I have a 625-5 stocking dealer that shoots lights out. Throat has not been measured , just 452 drop thur test. One of my most shot S&W 45 colts.

s&wchad,I love the grips on your 625-7 where did you get them?

Glenn

I bet those grips are Herretts Jordan Trooper grips in a beautiful walnut.

My 625-6 MG's (both Colt & ACP) show proper throat measurements.

Thanks Jeff. Were these pinned barrel models? I think it nice to know an approximate serial number differentiating the good from bad. Until then, guess carry a proper sized bullet or pin gauge when shopping?
An unofficial kinda rule of thumb Ive came across but dont take as written in stone. N prefix with unpinned barrel models typically have proper throats.
Of course, this will include the later alpha-numeric ser #'s as well.

A lot of people will have a kitten if you want to slug a cylinder before you buy a gun but if you have a pin gage, they're cool with that. You can buy them from Meyer gage co in individual pieces without having to buy the entire set and they are very reasonable. The ones I bought for 45's are .450 through .458 in 1 thousandths increments and IIRC, they were about $3.50 each. Us wheel gun junkies should have them and eliminate the guessing. As far as relying on the size of a bullet printed on the box...well it is a lot closer than a shot in the dark. It's not a 625 but my 25-5 from 1988 has .451 cylinder throats and a .451 barrel. I believe that mama had fixed the throat problem by then but with the pins, you will know for sure. Keep us posted. Murf

Rod,

Did you pick up the 625-6? The -6 was made late enough to have proper dimensions for the cylinder, so it should shoot fine. I have a 625-7 that is a tack driver, and three different 25-9s that also shoot very well. Since this thread lacks photos, I shall post a couple:

625-7 Mountain Gun


4", 5", and 6" 25-9s

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I bought a previously owned 625-6 today. I am just back from the range, and it shoots very well with Hornady XTP bullets. I measured the cylinder throats and they are a consistent .452. A .451 bullet drops through, a .452 bullet sticks.
I then pulled my ancient 25-5 and checked that cylinder. It is almost identical in dimension. That revolver has a conversion cylinder in .45 ACP that checks out larger in diameter, .453 or .454. Even so, it is a serious contender in a bowling pin shoot.

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From about 1982 on, in my experience, the throats of 25s were correct at .452". These ones too are .452".

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ken
SWCA #1959

Old thread, not gonna start a new one. I am glad to see all these comments. Makes my heart warm.

I just picked up a 625-6, can't wait to take it out, have a box of cowboy loads and a box of faster heavier stuff. See if I like them all!

I would upload a pic, but security settings or tokens is not letting me. Oh well.

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Mike
VFW Life

I got a 25-5 that shot patterns with .452 dia bullets. I got a .454 dia. mold and now it shoots like all the rest of my 45LC's.
My 25-7 and 625 mtn gun are spot on.

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Most of my N frames are 45 ACP but I do have one Model 25-5. (Never slugged the throats on any of them.). All my bullet molds drop bullets I can size to .454, it is the only thing my revolvers have ever shot. The Model 25-5 has accounted for many Ohio white tailed deer. The ACP revolvers are even more accurate.

Kevin

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Love my 625-6 MG 45 Colt, it’s currently my “go to” backpacking gun.

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I understand about your 625. I had/have I think it was a -3 no lock.
Would throw jacketed bullet at 15 yards into a group about the size of a dinner plate.
Ordered some cast bullets at .454. Groups shrunk to 4-5” at 15 yards.
I said to hell with this.
Waited until I found online a new stainless 44 mag cylinder and a brand new 4” 44 mag standard profile barrel.
Every thing is at Clark Custom Guns being put together with an action job.
Looking forward to its return.
I’m getting too old to put up with dumb **** any more.

I am surprised you bought a new barrel (unless you wanted a 44 Magnum). You could have had the 44 cylinder reamed for the proper sized throats.

Kevin

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I thought about it then found the cylinder & barrel new and went with it.
I purchased the gun from an estate sale for 250.00.
It is mint but worthless as a shooter.
I already have several.45 Colts.

Okay, 45 long Colt, I understand. Very surprised the .454s did not tighten it up further. By then, the large throats had been corrected.

You might have been able to trade into a 44 Mountain Gun.

Kevin

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Did you ever get this one?

Kevin

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Hey, Straw....No, I never went ahead with the buy....but it's been rumbling around in my subconscious ever since.

I need another big bore Smith like another hole in the head as those that I already have in the safe get very little use.

Arthritis in both thumbs has pretty much done for my heavy recoil shooting, but I'm still active daily with my .22's. Best regards, Rod

Pic from back in '06 or '07 (60 yrs then) with my then new Ruger BH Flat Top in .44 Special and a 6-shot group, Weaver, from 25 yds. Love that gun....

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Rod,

Sorry to hear about the arthritis. (Have you tried the shots?). The recoil from the ACP Model 625-6 is not too bad. You might consider that one. I am not a 22 revolver fan but the little 32 Hand Ejectors are a ton of fun. Small revolver, easy to pack, no recoil and hit harder than the 22 on small game.

Hope it works out for you.

Kevin

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