25-5 Range Time

[jdlii]

I was finally able to take advantage of the mild weather and take some fairly recent acquisitions to the range. A Mod. 10-5 snub shot great as did a Mod 13-1, 4" but, the winner was the Mod. 25-5 with an 8 3/8" barrel.

This is my first handgun in .45 Colt and what a pleasure to shoot. Due to the recent rains, we were limited to the 10 yard line but, there were rocks visible at the 25 yard impact berm that were no match for this target revolver.

 

[Gunhacker]

That's great... and it looks like you have yourself a good shooter in that 25-5.

As you may or may not know, the earlier (pinned & recessed) 25-5's had an issue with cylinder throats being bored oversize that affected accuracy... although, I'm not sure if that just pertained to just cast lead bullets or everything, as I have a 25-5 6" bbl that shoots like a laser with my handloads using a commercial .250 gr cast bullet over 8.0 grains of Unique.

 

[jdlii]

That's great... and it looks like you have yourself a good shooter in that 25-5.

As you may or may not know, the earlier (pinned & recessed) 25-5's had an issue with cylinder throats being bored oversize that affected accuracy... although, I'm not sure if that just pertained to just cast lead bullets or everything, as I have a 25-5 6" bbl that shoots like a laser with my handloads using a commercial .250 gr cast bullet over 8.0 grains of Unique.

I had heard about the issues with the cylinder throats and mine appears to have escaped that issue. I used the same charge of Unique with 250 grain Berry's plated bullets. So far, so good.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I recently bought a Model 25-5 in 45 Colt. Before buying it I checked the throats on the charge holes expecting them to be oversize as is the norm. Low and behold; they were undersize at about .450" to .451." Due to a new Washington State law, I haven't picked it up yet, but when I do, I shall ream the throats to .4525" and I should be good to go. We'll soon see.

 

[rockquarry]

I recently bought a Model 25-5 in 45 Colt. Before buying it I checked the throats on the charge holes expecting them to be oversize as is the norm. Low and behold; they were undersize at about .450" to .451." Due to a new Washington State law, I haven't picked it up yet, but when I do, I shall ream the throats to .453" and I should be good to go. We'll soon see.

Just a suggestion, but you might want to shoot it with various cast and jacketed bullets and different loads before reaming anything, especially if you don't know if the cylinder throats are .450", .451", or what have you. If you measure with a caliper, it's difficult or even impossible to get an accurate reading. If you used a micrometer to measure slugs driven through the cylinder throats, then you know the exact diameter.

I've kind of lost interest in the cartridge, but 25-5s are great revolvers. Good luck in your endeavors-

 

[series guy]

The most accurate guns that I own have throats .001 - .002 smaller than the cast bullet diameter. I would sure shoot that gun before touching it with a reamer.

 

[Muley Gil]

"...the earlier (pinned & recessed) 25-5's..."

The early M25-5s had pinned barrels, but none were recessed. S&W only recessed chambers in magnum and rimfire revolvers.

My N prefix pinned barrel M25-5 has chambers that will stop a jacketed .452 bullets.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Just a suggestion, but you might want to shoot it with various cast and jacketed bullets and different loads before reaming anything, especially if you don't know if the cylinder throats are .450", .451", or what have you. If you measure with a caliper, it's difficult or even impossible to get an accurate reading. If you used a micrometer to measure slugs driven through the cylinder throats, then you know the exact diameter.

I've kind of lost interest in the cartridge, but 25-5s are great revolvers. Good luck in your endeavors-

Good advice generally Rockquarry, but a .451" jacketed bullet can't be pushed through. They are too small for the .452" bore at about .450" and are an invitation to leading or less than stellar accuracy. I can only assume that these were cut with a worn and undersize cutter.

As you know, 45 Colt dimensions have been all over the map over the years and I usually have to size my 45 Colt cast bullets to .454" or .455" for good accuracy from revolvers. Actually sizing to .452" will be a new experience!

 

[rufrdr]

Nice revolver! I had the 4" version that came from the factory with an incredibly smooth and light double action pull. Single action was so light that it was almost dangerous. Just brushing the trigger would fire the revolver. It was definitely optimized for double action work.

 

[CH4]

Great minds think alike. I just had my 25 .45 Colt out for a couple laps around the block. Probably one of the most accurate revolvers I have.