25 cylinder changeout

[cbore]

Might be a dumb question but respect Forum member advice. I want to do IDPA and am going to use a revolver 25 or 625 JM.
I want to use 45 acp and moon clips.

I have a 25 model 1989 in 45 long Colt like new that I was going to sell it to get a ACP revolver.

My question can I change out the cylinder to ACP from long Colt. My cylinder now is the unfluted type which I like. Also is it a lot of expense and does a Gunsmith need to do the swap. I have done spring/action job on K frames so can do basic stuff.

Last question does the shorter cylinder effect accuracy or would I be better off to get a revolver chamber in 45 acp.

Thanks in advance

 

[armorer951]

Because of fitting issues, the .45 ACP cylinder would not work as a direct replacement on your .45 Colt. You could however, have your current 45 Colt cylinder, or a new replacement 45 Colt cylinder cut for moon clips, so that you could shoot either caliber.

I recently did this with my 25-5. Bought a new cylinder from Midway, fit the cylinder to the gun, then sent the cylinder assy. to Pinnacle High Performance for the moon clip conversion.

I did not want to modify the original .45 Colt cylinder.

 

[Protocall_Design]

You could also get a .44 Mag cylinder and have it chambered for .45 ACP and cut for moonclips. Lots of options.

 

[lefty_jake]

I have a couple of thoughts about this situation. First, Smith revolvers in 45 Colt are not that common, and some people really like them. If you want to trade the revolver, you may be able to find a very favorable trade.

Second, I am not a fan of unfluted cylinders on guns that will see extensive double action use. For shooting rapid double action, added weight on the cylinder is a disadvantage. When you pull the trigger, the hand has to do a little more work to get a heavier cylinder moving. And then when the heavier cylinder locks up, it puts more strain on the notches in the cylinder and the cylinder stop. On guns that are heavily used, the notches on the cylinder can become a significant point of wear.

Of course, the added weight of an unfluted cylinder is pretty slight, so I don't think this is a big issue. But if you are choosing a new cylinder to have fitted, I would recommend getting a standard one with flutes.

 

[41 fan]

Smith & Wesson cylinders in .45acp are much shorter than the .45colt cylinders. IMO, I would find a .44 cyl and have it rechambered to .45acp and fit to the .45colt gun. Also, n frame magnum cylinders come in two different lengths. Dean

 

[cbore]

Thanks for advice

Based on the good advice here I am going with a new 45 colt cylinder that has been modified for 45 acp moon clips.

Will the cylinder length of a 45 long colt now using 45 acp make any difference on accuracy. Also I assume 45 long colt and 45 acp bullets are the same diameter ??

 

[amazingflapjack]

M-25 cylinder...

I have a 25-5 that I had extensive work done on, and part of that was to have the cylinder cut for moon clips, and the charge holes chamfered. It will still shoot 45 colt rounds, of course, but can now handle 45 ACP as well. The problem I found with 45ACP was that it key holed, probably because of the long distance through the cylinder to the forcing cone (?) Anyway, I discussed these issues here on the forum, and one gentleman suggested I try 45 Winchester Magnum brass, which is like very long 45ACP brass, and load it to the same level as 45 Colt for safety sake. This I did with wonderful results. I now have a 25-5 that I can quickly feed moon clips, that is very accurate. It is one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[cbore]

Thanks

I have a 25-5 that I had extensive work done on, and part of that was to have the cylinder cut for moon clips, and the charge holes chamfered. It will still shoot 45 colt rounds, of course, but can now handle 45 ACP as well. The problem I found with 45ACP was that it key holed, probably because of the long distance through the cylinder to the forcing cone (?) Anyway, I discussed these issues here on the forum, and one gentleman suggested I try 45 Winchester Magnum brass, which is like very long 45ACP brass, and load it to the same level as 45 Colt for safety sake. This I did with wonderful results. I now have a 25-5 that I can quickly feed moon clips, that is very accurate. It is one of my favorite revolvers.

I appreciate the input. I checked several on line gun sales and a model 25 model of 1989 was only produced 2500 in lot. So I am confused more now if to sale the weapon and buy a 625 JB like I want. Maybe pocket some on the sale.

Mine is missing box and packaging. Very light drag mark on cylinder and fired less than 50 round still have the rest of the box. I would say 97-98%. Will get some photo and and post question on value.

Thank you all

 

[Peak53]

I think you would be many dollars ahead to sell or trade your .45 Colt for a native .45 ACP. And the Colt gets preserved for someone who wants that chambering.

 

[keith44spl]

I think it is a grand idee.....
I have also used 45 win mag brass with excellent results.

Having build several 45LC/45ACP revolvers in the years gone by,
they work great.

.

 

[cbore]

thanks again

I am selling the 45 long colt and starting again, At my age to many revolvers in the safe to give to my son one day. At least he do does appreciate and knows how to do the right thing.

Thanks for the input

 

[keithherrington]

If you are going to compete, do it right...

Having competed with 45 ACP revolvers in bullseye, IPSC and IDPA over the last 30 years I've learned some hard lessons...most important, don't spend your money reinventing the wheel. S&W 625s with either a 4" or 5" barrel are superbly accurate, relatively easy and cheap to buy, and easy to sell when you're finished with them. I personally liked the 5" 625-3 or -4 because I didn't have to worry about the floating hand causing problems as they sometimes did on earlier models. However, a few years ago I ran across an early JM model with a 4" barrel. Of all of the 45 ACP wheelguns I've tried, I like this one the best. The grips are Nill Classics and are superior to the original Cokes you hear so much about.

Keith

 

[cbore]

Very good advice. I had decided to go in that direction- Thank you all

 

[D1911]

Having competed with 45 ACP revolvers in bullseye, IPSC and IDPA over the last 30 years I've learned some hard lessons...most important, don't spend your money reinventing the wheel. S&W 625s with either a 4" or 5" barrel are superbly accurate, relatively easy and cheap to buy, and easy to sell when you're finished with them. I personally liked the 5" 625-3 or -4 because I didn't have to worry about the floating hand causing problems as they sometimes did on earlier models. However, a few years ago I ran across an early JM model with a 4" barrel. Of all of the 45 ACP wheelguns I've tried, I like this one the best. The grips are Nill Classics and are superior to the original Cokes you hear so much about.

Keith

Very nice. Where did you find the grips?

 

[keithherrington]

Very nice. Where did you find the grips?

I originally bought them from Mactecsales.com, but I just checked their website and could not find them for N frame round or square butt S&W. If you are interested in mine, just reach out and let me know.
Keith

 

[amazingflapjack]

If you are desiring a JB-you can buy a 625-9 and have it done the way you want-which is what I did. I sent it to S&W for the master revolver package plus a FO front sight. It is a four inch, and I needed oversize round to square custom grips to work with my larger hands. It turned out really well-makes me look good in double action!

 

[tommy F]

Keith thanks for sharing the only nice PC 625 w/o the lock I've seen