25-2 .45 Colt

[Drm50]

I have 3 m25-5s , two of them have the non removable red ramp and one has pinned Patridge blade. I got a NIB 25-3 with RR too. My 25-2s are pinned barrels & blades.
I'm not near as knowledgeable as many on forum but I'm pretty good at spotting parts guns, no matter how well done.

 

[Model19man]

I think the OP's gun is a 25-2 that has a 25-3 cylinder and barrel installed.

 

[Wheelgun84]

I think the OP's gun is a 25-2 that has a 25-3 cylinder and barrel installed.

Quite possible.

 

[Birdgun]

I didn't know a Model 25 in 45 ACP could be converted to a 45 Colt. I thought the cylinder lengths were different. Learn something new every day.

Here is my 25-5 to compare yours to. By clicking on the photo you can see enlargement.

S&W Model 25-5 in 45 Colt.

Hope this helps.

Birdgun

 

[StrawHat]

Chris,

Just curious, does the frame lug show any signs of modification? The 45 ACP cylinder requires a longer frame lug than the 45 long Colt cylinder. When I built my ACP revolver from a Model 28-2 frame I had to remove and replace the frame lug so the cylinder did not slide to the rear when ejecting shells.

On your revolver either the frame lug or the cylinder would have to be modified so the cylinder would properly function.

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

Chris,

Just curious, does the frame lug show any signs of modification? The 45 ACP cylinder requires a longer frame lug than the 45 long Colt cylinder. When I built my ACP revolver from a Model 28-2 frame I had to remove and replace the frame lug so the cylinder did not slide to the rear when ejecting shells.

On your revolver either the frame lug or the cylinder would have to be modified so the cylinder would properly function.

Kevin

I have done the 2 cylinder deal using a 357 cylinder to make a short 45 colt cylinder that would work in an acp gun. First one I ever did in fact. I did have to file back the frame lug of course. Using the 45 acp cylinder the cylinder moved back the .040 rear difference the acp cylinder need for clip thickness, But, ejected fine and when you rolled gun muzzle down to reload the cylinder closed up fine. If you held it muzzle up and closed cylinder the center pin would some times hand on edge of recoil shield. Making the dip in the recoil shield a bit deeper took care of that. But closing a loaded cylinder with muzzle up has the problem of the rounds falling out anyway so not really a problem.

There is another fix I tried to. Machine a .040 cut slightly deeper than lug engagement on rear corner of colt cylinder. This allows the very outside corner of cylinder to clear the lug and when you eject the new shoulder presses against the lug. Works even though it looks kind of odd.

I don't think most peopple with dual clinder guns even nottice the slop.

Mostly I abandon the dual cylinder deal and went with the recessed cylinder method. That way no cylinder change needed.

Full mooned clipped 45acp set inn recess and portion of 45 colt rim sits on ring of material on outside of cylinder face holds proper headspace for that round.
This cylinder that lives in my 4" gun has had a lot of both acp and colts

It also works in K framed 38 cylinders to shoot 9mm, But you need to hit chamber with a 9mm reamer and that causes 38 brass swells a bit at base

 

[rogerwnuss]

I didn't know a Model 25 in 45 ACP could be converted to a 45 Colt. I thought the cylinder lengths were different. Learn something new every day.

Here is my 25-5 to compare yours to. By clicking on the photo you can see enlargement.

S&W Model 25-5 in 45 Colt.

Hope this helps.

Birdgun

Cylinder lengths are different, but so are the lengths of the forcing cone part of the barrel. . 45 Colt bbl. Has less jutting into the cylinder window,
Beautiful gun, btw....

 

[StrawHat]

?.. I have done the 2 cylinder deal using a 357 cylinder to make a short 45 colt cylinder that would work in an acp gun. First one I ever did in fact. I did have to file back the frame lug of course. Using the 45 acp cylinder the cylinder moved back the .040 rear difference the acp cylinder need for clip thickness, But, ejected fine and when you rolled gun muzzle down to reload the cylinder closed up fine. If you held it muzzle up and closed cylinder the center pin would some times hand on edge of recoil shield. Making the dip in the recoil shield a bit deeper took care of that. But closing a loaded cylinder with muzzle up has the problem of the rounds falling out anyway so not really a problem.

There is another fix I tried to. Machine a .040 cut slightly deeper than lug engagement on rear corner of colt cylinder. This allows the very outside corner of cylinder to clear the lug and when you eject the new shoulder presses against the lug. Works even though it looks kind of odd.

I don't think most people with dual clinder guns even nottice the slop.

Mostly I abandon the dual cylinder deal and went with the recessed cylinder method. That way no cylinder change…

I did not want dual cylinders. Started with Model 28-2 and fit a 25-2 cylinder. About the 10th or 12th reload, I noticed the lug was beating the cylinder or the other way around. Used an arbor press to punch out the old ring and to punch in the new one.

How can one not notice the running start of the cylinder prior to ejecting the brass?

Kevin

 

[Model19man]

The 45 Colt cylinder is a different length in a Smith 25-5 than the 45 Colt cylinders that Smith and Wesson used for the 25-2, 25-3 and 25-4 revolvers. That way it is a drop-in replacement for the 45 ACP cylinder that comes in a 25-2.

I didn't know a Model 25 in 45 ACP could be converted to a 45 Colt. I thought the cylinder lengths were different. Learn something new every day.

Here is my 25-5 to compare yours to. By clicking on the photo you can see enlargement.

S&W Model 25-5 in 45 Colt.

Hope this helps.

Birdgun

 

[epj]

I don't see that in the supplied pictures but it is possible.



Are you sure about that? I agree the majority of the Model 25-2 revolvers came with a Patridge sight but I have not seen a Model 25-5 that did not have a red ramp.

Kevin

I owned a 25-2 that came from the factory with red ramp front and white outline rear. Ive seen a couple of others. Not common, it they do exist

 

[steelslaver]

I did not want dual cylinders. Started with Model 28-2 and fit a 25-2 cylinder. About the 10th or 12th reload, I noticed the lug was beating the cylinder or the other way around. Used an arbor press to punch out the old ring and to punch in the new one.

How can one not notice the running start of the cylinder prior to ejecting the brass?

Kevin

The running start is only goes for .040 distance. I never made it a habit to slam the cylinder back. i usually open the cylinder muzzle down roll it up and then eject. As you roll the muzzle up gravity should slide the cylinder back against the lug. I don't see how an cylinder and empty brass is heavy enough to get enough energy sliding .04 of travel to batter the steel lug.

But, then I gave up on dual cylinder guns. Just because changing cylinders is a hassle Even with an extra yoke. Only dual guns I have now are via the recessed method.

But if you use the recess cut in rear of colt cylinder both cylinder will have minimal rearward movement against the lug

 

[S.B.]

I suspect you are right! Although, it could be a 25-5 that was mismarked. I suppose. I remember when Smith did not make a .45 Colt, and when they brought one out it was only in four inch, as a normal production gun. Later, they added the longer barrels. They didn't make a four inch 25-2 back then, either. But, I have to wonder why someone would convert a 25-2 into a 25-5 configuration? Interesting.

Is the cylinder long enough for this conversion if it were originally a 25-2?
Steve

 

[Model19man]

I just measured my 25-2 with dual cylinders.

The 45 Colt cylinder measures 1.667"
The 45 ACP cylinder measures 1.537"

I also have a 25-3 which is only chambered for 45 Coit.
The 45 Colt cylinder measures 1.667"

45 Colt ammo specs are 1.570" OAL.

Is the cylinder long enough for this conversion if it were originally a 25-2?
Steve

 

[Truckman]

Is the cylinder long enough for this conversion if it were originally a 25-2?
Steve

In addition to the overall length of the cartridge in the cylinder, I believe it will also require enough length to accommodate the cylinder throat......Ben

 

[Model19man]

There's no way to make a 25-2 45 ACP cylinder work to fire 45 Colt.

Easy button: Install a 25-3 cylinder. If one could be found.

In addition to the overall length of the cartridge in the cylinder, I believe it will also require enough length to accommodate the cylinder throat......Ben

 

[Model19man]

I used to own a pinned barrel 25-5 with a green ramp / White outline sight set. Liked it a lot. Lost it in a burglary in the 1980's.

I don't see that in the supplied pictures but it is possible.



Are you sure about that? I agree the majority of the Model 25-2 revolvers came with a Patridge sight but I have not seen a Model 25-5 that did not have a red ramp.

Kevin

 

[epj]

I seem to recall that perhaps a handful of .45 Colts were produced prior to the 25-3. No reference, just a dim memory. Old man who's had a few cocktails this evening.

 

[steelslaver]

I just measured my 25-2 with dual cylinders.

The 45 Colt cylinder measures 1.667"
The 45 ACP cylinder measures 1.537"

I also have a 25-3 which is only chambered for 45 Coit.
The 45 Colt cylinder measures 1.667"

45 Colt ammo specs are 1.570" OAL.

Measure those cylinders again. The acp cylinder may be .030 shorter, but not 0.130 shorter

epj yes some 45 colts were produced before the 25-3 strictly on a special order and very few of those

 

[StrawHat]

I seem to recall that perhaps a handful of .45 Colts were produced prior to the 25-3. No reference, just a dim memory. Old man who's had a few cocktails this evening.

Yes, there were some of the Model 1950, 45 Target revolvers built to accept the 45 long Colt cartridge. Not many, maybe a dozen?

Kevin

 

[Model19man]

Correct you are! I added .100 to the 45 Colt cylinders by mistake. The difference is in fact .030".

Measure those cylinders again. The acp cylinder may be .030 shorter, but not 0.130 shorter

epj yes some 45 colts were produced before the 25-3 strictly on a special order and very few of those