45 ACP moon clips OK for current version of Model 25-15

I'm looking at the current version of the Model 25.

I believe it would be the 25-15 version now.

Two questions:
1. Can I shoot 45 ACP with moon clips in it?
2. Is it a conventional barrel like the old days, or does it have a tube-and-shroud arrangement?

I think I know the answer to the second question. At least from photos I've seen, it looks like a conventional barrel from the old days. Unless Smith and Wesson has gotten REAL GOOD at concealing the tube/shroud. Pics of the muzzle of the 25-15 I've seen on various websites look like the 25-15 steel is pretty narrow (as it should be) near the muzzle, and no lines that would indicate a two-piece tube/shroud arrangement such as seen in the Model 69.

This one I'm interested in:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-25-s-w-classics-6-1-2-blue

Smith and Wesson website simply says its chambered in "45 COLT."

I believe they should have said 45 LONG Colt.
But I'm not trying to nit-pick that detail.

I believe this is the "dash" FIFTEEN model.
But the Smith and Wesson website doesn't mention the "dash" part of it either.

If I get one of these, I'd like to be able to shoot my good supply of 45 ACP ammo in it. Nothing against the 45 LONG COLT flavor. I just don't have a supply of 45 LONG COLT ammo. It would be my preference to just shoot the same 45 ACP target ammo I use in my 1911 guns in this very attractive wheelgun. I don't mind buying the moon-clip paraphernalia to accomplish the task.

So can anybody say for sure whether the 25-15 model will allow use of moon-clips such that I can shoot 45 ACP in it?

Thanks for your consideration and comments.

Although, there were model 25s that were 45 long colt and 45 acp- that newer model would have to be cut for moonclips. It will only take 45 colt.

My 25-2 will only take 45acp and not 45 colt.

The cylinders on both are different.

No, this is a .45 Colt, so will not fire .45 ACP. But plenty of N frame .45 ACP guns out there.

It used to be a model 25 with an even "dash number" indicated a .45 ACP and an odd a .45 Colt, but don't know if that rule holds to the present day.

What Lou said. Cylinder would have to be cut or head space issues. My 25-15 REALLY like it! Bob

Smith and Wesson revolvers that are designed and built to fire rimless Auto Loader cartridges are designed to headspace on the moon clip

That said, probably 85% or more of them can fire ammunition that is placed in the cylinder without using a moon clip. In this case the case mouth is resting on the cylinder throat so the length of the brass and the style of the crimp will aid or hinder the cartridge firing

Obviously it is often necessary to use a rod or stick to poke the brass out of the cylinder.

IF the firearm fires the rimless ammunition with out a noon clip, this is not by design it is simply luck

The firearm that you have pictured clearly states that it is chambered for the 45 Long Colt cartridge.

When it comes to Smith and Wesson model 25/325/625 revolvers manufactured in the nineties and beyond (traditionally) those that have an even numbered engineering revision, which is what some people call the dash number, are chambered to fire the 45 ACP cartridge. Odd numbered engineering revisions traditionally are chambered for the 45 Long Colt cartridge

So a engineering revision of 15 is chambered in 45 Long Colt as it leave the Factory

As others have stated, a gunsmith can modify that firearm to safely chamber and shoot the 45 ACP cartridge. Such a modification would VOID the Manufacturer's warranty

For most of us it is just easier to buy a firearm chambered for the cartridge that we wish to shoot.

Just remember that with Smith and Wesson every rule has an exception or two

The currently offered Model 25 that you have pictured above utilizes a single piece barrel.

I believe the only 45 caliber revolvers that Smith and Wesson ever offered with the multi piece tensioned barrel design are the Scandium alloy framed Model 325s. This allowed for the use of an aluminium alloy barrel shroud to further reduce the firearms weight

bananaman said:

What Lou said. Cylinder would have to be cut or head space issues. My 25-15 REALLY like it! Bob

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Wow! I covet one of those myself. I really, really like it with the original S&W-style targets on it. I've seen guys who installed those and then made up a filler to plug the gap left by the round-butt grips. I believe that's the route I would want to take.

Here you go, contact TK Customs and they'll machine the cylinder so that it'll accept .45 ACP with moonclips (supplied by them). IIRC I was all in $225.00+- shipping included and mine shoots perfectly.

colt_saa said:

IF[/b] the firearm fires the rimless ammunition with out a moon clip, this is not by design it is simply luck.

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In an old Handloader magazine article they stated that the original 1917 military contract required the revolver's chambers be cut with a ledge/shoulder so cartridges could headspace on their case mouth & be fired separately, so by design they actually were.

I do agree that even if they have those ledges/shoulders cut in them (there were periods when the factory did not cut them in the chambers, for differing reasons) that other out-of-spec factors can cause them to fire unreliably.

I rarely use moonclips & all of my semi-auto cartridge revolvers fire reliably.
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colt_saa said:

I believe the only 45 caliber revolvers that Smith and Wesson ever offered with the multi piece tensioned barrel design are the Scandium alloy framed Model 325s. This allowed for the use of an aluminium alloy barrel shroud to further reduce the firearms weight

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I know what you are meaning to say, & I agree with the basis, but to nitpick some 460 Magnum models, which are 45 caliber, have multi-piece pre-tensioned barrels too.

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BLUEDOT37 said:

In an old Handloader magazine article they stated that the original 1917 military contract required the revolver's chambers be cut with a ledge/shoulder so cartridges could headspace on their case mouth & be fired separately, so by design they actually were.

I do agree that even if they have those ledges/shoulders cut in them (there were periods when the factory did not cut them in the chambers, for differing reasons) that other out-of-spec factors can cause them to fire unreliably.

I rarely use moonclips & all of my semi-auto cartridge revolvers fire reliably.
.



I know what you are meaning to say, & I agree with the basis, but to nitpick some 460 Magnum models, which are 45 caliber, have multi-piece pre-tensioned barrels too.

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You are right about the contract of 1917. Unfortunately I often forget that there are folks that do shoot revolvers other than post WW-II and I am very often not wordy enough. Since the OP was talking about a Model 25, my mind went to post 1957 as I typed the response to him

And you are also right that the 460 Magnum is capable of firing 45 Long Colt ammunition, I just do not think of the BIG X-frame 460 Magnum as a 45, again since the thread revolved around the Model 25 family of firearms I was just not thinking that BIG

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

I’m really only interested in shooting .45 ACP

So, I committed today to purchase the stainless 625-3

Looks like that “MODEL OF 1989” will fit the bill.

Hopefully, my 1911 handloads will play nicely with moon clips.

Currently running CCI primers. Thinking about laying in a supply of FIOCCHI primers. I know there can be a fine line to navigate with regard to thickness of moon clips, and firing pion protrusion, and primer hardness/sensitivity to achieve consistent function to avoid misfires. This will be a dedicated target pistol. So a misfire won’t cause life/death concerns. But nobody likes a dud either.

Good choice!

W.E.G. said:

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

I’m really only interested in shooting .45 ACP

So, I committed today to purchase the stainless 625-3

Looks like that “MODEL OF 1989” will fit the bill.

Hopefully, my 1911 handloads will play nicely with moon clips.

Currently running CCI primers. Thinking about laying in a supply of FIOCCHI primers. I know there can be a fine line to navigate with regard to thickness of moon clips, and firing pion protrusion, and primer hardness/sensitivity to achieve consistent function to avoid misfires. This will be a dedicated target pistol. So a misfire won’t cause life/death concerns. But nobody likes a dud either.

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Your 1911 loads will work just fine! You might have a slight problem, not often, speed loading with full moon clips because of the taper crimp of the auto rounds. The solution is simple! You can chamfer the cylinder holes, use round nose ammo, and/or apply a slight roll crimp to the cases. I don't believe you will have FTF rounds if you do no change the standard springs in the gun! If you lighten the trigger pull, I suggest installing an extended firing pin to insure not having FTF Rounds! I have shot a 625-3 in blowing pin matches for many years!
jcelect

as stated previously, you can have a 45 Colt cylinder cut to work with moonclips and it will then work with both 45 Colt & 45acp.. and if truly concerned about warranty buy a second cylinder to have this done... it's only money and you can't take it with you...

At risk of sounding like a broken record (young people won't understand that) I raise the question again. S&W makes the Governor that will shoot .410, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP. If that is possible, why not a production N frame that will shoot 45 Colt and ACP the same way?

bill1917 said:

At risk of sounding like a broken record (young people won't understand that) I raise the question again. S&W makes the Governor that will shoot .410, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP. If that is possible, why not a production N frame that will shoot 45 Colt and ACP the same way?

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Mindset

The Governor is intended as a survival firearm. Something for the non gun person to have around when society collapses (SHTF) and you have no idea where to find your ammunition. So they built something that takes both

Enthusiasts of the shooting sports are often people looking for more accuracy than a end of the world survival gun needs to have. Also some (not all) enthusiasts push the envelope and hand load ammunition to higher pressure levels (+P and beyond). So the Factory wants tight tolerances. I am thinking of 45 SUPER and 460 Roland kinds of stuff (I shoot LOTS of 45 Super in my 625s)

Most firearms intended for enthusiasts that allow both cartridges to be fired come with two cylinders

And lastly profit. Why sell an enthusiast one gun when they are usually willing to buy two guns. Often enthusiasts look for a reason to buy a second gun

That being said, there is a trick that shooters of SAA revolvers chambered for 45 Long Colt have used for decades that allows 45 ACP to be reliably chambered and fired in an unmodified revolver

Someone made a youtube video showing how a string, knotted around the extractor groove of the 45ACP cartridge allows this.

Long ago I sourced out O-rings that I could use to get the same result. They are much easier to get on and off the cartridge than tying a string
45 ACP in 45 Colt SA cylinder 8-26-16 - YouTube



In regards to your broken record comment, I used to give funny T-shirts to family members at Christmas. In 2012 I gave this shirt to my Sister-in-Law's Mother. My two nieces did not get it.



As you can see my SIL thought it was Funny

Still would like a Dash-15

But this will best meet my needs.