4” 25-5 Shooter

[CH4]

Not wanting to carry my cherry 4” 25-5, I’ve been looking for a 4” 25-5 shooter that was reasonably priced. Well, my search ended this morning when I found this 90’er for $850 OTD. She has signs of honest use, but mechanically tight, which exactly what I was looking for. Dumped the Pachmayrs for these Tulipwood Hogues.

Not that I really care, but I’ll pin gauge the throats Monday at work. I’ve had 25-5s with throats ranging from .451 to .456. Didn’t seem to effect accuracy with jacketed bullets.

 

[rjm6120]

$850?!?! Dang, if I came across a 25 dash anything for that price it would come home with me immediately! Congrats on your score!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In the early 80's I had both a 4" & a 6" 25-5 in 45 Colt. At 25 yards I couldn't see any difference in accuracy! They both shot great with the Federal 225 gr lead SWC/HP with a hollow base. I probably bought 30 (50 round) boxes over time. It was only $8.59 at K-Mart. I wish it was still available! Over 40 years later and that brass is still going strong in my reloading Cowboy ammo.

Back then, I shot on the family farm and used 6" trees as my target holders. 9mm and 38's didn't harm the tree for over a year. 45 Colt's seemed to take between 50 and 100 rounds! Not as fast as a chain saw, but getting the winter's firewood was a lot more fun this way.

Ivan

 

[The Norseman]

S&W 25

Congratulations. I like!

45Colt forever

 

[Model29-26.5]

Love my 25-5s
Great score.
I will be shooting my 4” this month… when I get the chance

 

[BigMuddy]

Congrats on a great gun at an even greater price. The non-pinned barrel is a sign that your cylinder throats will probably be sized correctly. Looked for a shooter and I bet you found a good one.

Dan

 

[SlamFire]

My Model of 1989 M25-7 has tight, 0.452" chamber throats. I called and was told prior to 1989 that S&W 45 LC chamber throats were 0.455" to 0.456".

Things must have returned to the pre 1989 days, I called S&W in December, asked about the chamber throats in the current 45 LC and was told cylinder mouths are 0.455" to 0.456".

I never received good accuracy or clustering shooting 0.452" lead bullets in an older M25-5 with the larger chamber mouths. However, I was able to find 0.454" commercial cast bullets, and they did much better. Because I have so many 45 LC, some Colt New Services, etc, I have only purchased 0.454" 255 LSWC's, and they shoot well in the older 0.455 pistols, very well in a 1973 Ruger Blackhawk with big chamber mouths

I really liked my M25-5 and regretted trading it. So I managed to purchase a "Mountain Gun" in 45 LC. Great pistol and size.

The 45 Colt is a great cartridge with a 250/255 lead bullet and 8.5 grains Unique. Accurate, powerful, but not abusive to the shooter.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Things must have returned to the pre 1989 days, I called S&W in December, asked about the chamber throats in the current 45 LC and was told cylinder mouths are 0.455" to 0.456".

I doubt the S&W-CSR that told you that knew what they were talking about.

Not current production but my 2003 45 Colt M25-13 has .452" (pin gage checked) throats which is what all of my newer 45ACP S&W revolvers (325NG, 325TR & 625-8) have, as well as a new/spare cylinder for them.

.



.

 

[SlamFire]

I doubt the S&W-CSR that told you that knew what they were talking about.

Not current production but my 2003 45 Colt M25-13 has .452" (pin gage checked) throats which is what all of my newer 45ACP S&W revolvers (325NG, 325TR & 625-8) have, as well as a new/spare cylinder for them.

All I can do is ask. The Customer Service representative put me on hold while he asked someone, and that's the answer that was given to me. Smith and Wesson can change their standards at any time, they don't need our approval.

Prior to my M25-7 I took a 230 JHP with me to the local gun store and dropped it in the cylinder of any prospective 45LC's that I might buy. That M25-7 was the first where the bullet was a push fit. Usually it wobbled in the cylinder mouth.

I do want the current M25 retro, but before I buy one, it will have to pass the bullet drop test. Tighter chamber mouths make a difference on target, they make a good difference on target.

 

[StrawHat]

If you cast your bullets, you can tailor them to your needs.

I like the 45 caliber S&W revolver, heck, include the other companies in there also. My molds drop at .454 and one a bit larger BUT everything gets sized to .454. I have not found one revolver that does not shoot well with that size bullet. Sure, some group closer than others but unless you are competing, they all give good hunting accuracy.

Kevin

 

[bananaman]

Not wanting to carry my cherry 4” 25-5, I’ve been looking for a 4” 25-5 shooter that was reasonably priced. Well, my search ended this morning when I found this 90’er for $850 OTD. She has signs of honest use, but mechanically tight, which exactly what I was looking for. Dumped the Pachmayrs for these Tulipwood Hogues.

Not that I really care, but I’ll pin gauge the throats Monday at work. I’ve had 25-5s with throats ranging from .451 to .456. Didn’t seem to effect accuracy with jacketed bullets.

Which smokes more, the gun or the pipe? Bob

 

[CH4]

Which smokes more, the gun or the pipe? Bob

All depends on what I load them with, but usually the pipe.

 

[CH4]

Measured the throats: .452 pin gauge would stop half way through the throat; the 453 pin gauge stopped on the shoulder.

Serial N904279

Although not a real concern of mine, I recognize the continuing debate as to when Smith actually corrected the problem with oversized throats. It's believed it happened prior to 1988 with the 625-2, possibly around 1981 when Smith deleted the pinned barrel.

 

[DR505]

Nice revolver you picked up there! I am a big fan of .45 Colt in the Model 25. Here are mine, all 25-9's with endurance package and .452 throats. They shoot well.

I also have a 625-7 .45 Colt Mountain Gun, again one of my favorites.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Another M25-5 appreciator here. Mine has 0.454" throats, shoots great with JHP or plated 250 grain bullets.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Nice! I need a 4” 25-5.

 

[RubEric]

Just for reference, my 25s:

 

[RubEric]

and

 

[CH4]

My other S&W 45 Colts