A 25-2 That Gets Around

[Retired W4]

It started in mid July when I was working a show at Jim Miller Park. While looking around Saturday morning, before they opened the doors I spotted a 25-2 at another guy's table. It was a really nice 45 from 1980 that had not been shot much at all. The only real flaw was a small dent on the left barrel rib. The guy was asking $1500. Over the weekend I looked at it a couple more times and considered offering $1200. Well, at the end of the show I went to talk turkey and the gun was gone. That's life. No big deal.

Fast forward to mid-September at the Expo show. It was a pretty good show with several interesting guns coming in. Saturday afternoon a guy come up to my tables and said he had a model 25 for sale. As soon as I looked at it I saw the ding on the left barrel rib. It was the same exact gun I looked at two months earlier. Seems the guy who bought it a Jim Miller sold it to the guy in front of me and that guy needed money. We made a deal and I got it for a hundred bucks less than what I was going to offer two months ago.

This morning I got it out to clean it and it looks like it had maybe 12 rounds through it, was wiped down and put away.

It's pictured with my 25-5 from the same vintage. Looking at them side by side made me wonder why the 45 Colt has the baughman ramp and the 45 ACP has the patridge. Is there any practical reason for the different front sights on the different callibers? Both barrels are just under 5 7/8".

 

[jcelect]

25-2

The 45 Model of 1955 was designed for target shooters from the recommendations of many shooter. In 1957 it became the model 25-2.
The 45 LC was designed more as a carry piece, in a holster, and the Baughman ramp will slide out of a holster easier than a Patridge sight!
jcelect

 

[Retired W4]

That makes perfect sense to me.

 

[jcelect]

45 ACP Model of 1955

Here is my 45 ACP Model of 1955, it's been shot and shows some miles, but it is special to me. Made in 1955, shipped on 16 Sept 1955, lettered on 16 Sept 2015, and my birthday is 16 Sept 19??

jcelect

 

[Retired W4]

The only other 25-2 I have owned was shipped to Jovino of NYC but I sold it recently. The new owner reports that he is pleased with it.

 

[Retired W4]

Here is a close up of the ding. It was a dead giveaway. No other damage. There is no indication that the gun has ever been in a holster.

 

[H Richard]

I like my 25-2, it is very enjoyable to shoot.

 

[ameridaddy]

I like my 25-2, it is very enjoyable to shoot.

What is that gadget to the left of your gun in the pic?

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I like my 25-2, it is very enjoyable to shoot.

Shooting that .45 of yours at the range is probably like me shooting my 6 1/2” 24-3 .44 Special. Leisurely putting big holes in tight clusters on paper on a nice afternoon.

 

[StrawHat]

What is that gadget to the left of your gun in the pic?

I am not H Richard but that is a device to lever ACP cartridges into full moon clips. There are a few of similar design. I use a pair of water pump pliers to pop them in two at a time.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

Here is one of my Model 25-2s.

It gets some holster time! Not sure why folks think it is harder to draw from a holster? I remember one of the writers saying about a big gob of leather fuzz when he drew. He must have dragged the barrel when he drew. Pull it up and out, no fuzz.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

Here is my 45 ACP Model of 1955, it's been shot and shows some miles, but it is special to me. Made in 1955, shipped on 16 Sept 1955, lettered on 16 Sept 2015, and my birthday is 16 Sept 19??
jcelect

Joe,

You know, that is a gorgeous revolver! I am looking for one shipped in 1955 also. Not many of them available.

Hang on to yours. It is special!

Kevin

 

[H Richard]

The device next to the gun is a Mooncliptool. It helps load and unload the moon clips. Very handy tool.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Congratulations on finally getting your mitts on that 25-2! I believe that the Model 25s are great revolvers, and are unjustly pooh pooh'd as a whole by some folks (accuracy issues; throat sizes). Here's my minty 1973 Model 25-2...it was one that had not been shot very often when I bought it from a lgs about 10 years ago. Action is very smooth, and it's an extremely accurate shooter. A lot of fun to shoot, too! Joe (jcelect)- that's a fine revolver and almost exactly a year younger than me (I was "shipped" in Sept. 1954). To be honest, I've never seen an early .45 ACP Model of 1955 in person, only 25-2s and newer.

 

[Rodan]

25-2s are fine shooters! Congrats on re-capturing the one that got away!

I enjoy mine a lot.